'Rock And Hawk' by Robinson Jeffers
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Here is a symbol in which
Many high tragic thoughts
Watch their own eyes.
This gray rock, standing tall
On the headland, where the seawind
Lets no tree grow,
Earthquake-proved, and signatured
By ages of storms: on its peak
A falcon has perched.
I think here is your emblem
To hang in the future sky;
Not the cross, not the hive,
But this; bright power, dark peace;
Fierce consciousness joined with final
Disinterestedness;
Life with calm death; the falcon's
Realist eyes and act
Married to the massive
Mysticism of stone,
Which failure cannot cast down
Nor success make proud.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Rock and Hawk by Robinson Jeffers: An Elegy for the Natural World
Robinson Jeffers' classic poem, Rock and Hawk, is a powerful elegy for the natural world. In this poem, Jeffers depicts nature as a force that is indifferent to human concerns, yet one that we must still attempt to understand and appreciate. Through his vivid imagery and language, Jeffers invites us to contemplate our relationship with the natural world and the consequences of our actions upon it.
The Natural World as a Powerful Force
From the very beginning of the poem, Jeffers establishes the natural world as a powerful force that is beyond human control. He likens nature to a "stone" and a "hawk" - two symbols of strength and endurance:
Here is a symbol in which
Many high tragic thoughts
Watch their own eyes.
This gray rock, standing tall
On the headland, where the seawind
Lets no tree grow,
Earthquake-proved, and signatured
By ages of storms: on its peak
A falcon has perched.
The rock is described as "earthquake-proved" and "signatured by ages of storms," while the hawk is "perched" on its peak. Together, these two symbols convey an image of a world that is both resilient and unyielding. Jeffers suggests that humans are mere spectators in this world, watching as nature unfolds around them.
The Beauty and Tragedy of Nature
Despite its power, Jeffers shows that the natural world is also beautiful and awe-inspiring. He describes the "wheeled and soaring system" of the hawk and its "hunger's rhythm" as it swoops down to catch its prey. He also portrays the "the gray sea" as having a "kind of beauty" even as it "keeps its secrets."
But Jeffers also acknowledges the tragedy that is inherent in nature. He describes how the "sharp feet" of the hawk "tear the living world" and how the sea "smites the fortresses" of human civilization. In doing so, he reminds us that nature is not always kind or forgiving, and that it can be a harsh and unforgiving place.
Our Relationship with Nature
Ultimately, Jeffers' poem is about our relationship with nature and the consequences of our actions upon it. He suggests that we are often blinded by our own concerns and fail to appreciate the natural world. He writes:
We cannot know what death is; let us wait
Until we know, and then
Forget it, that we may go
A little way swiftly, without remorse or pain.
Into the eternally dark; not into voids
Of the dream, which some name paradise.
Here, Jeffers seems to be suggesting that we must acknowledge our own mortality in order to truly appreciate life and the natural world. He encourages us to live our lives "swiftly" and without "remorse or pain" so that we can fully experience the beauty and tragedy of the world around us.
Conclusion
In Rock and Hawk, Robinson Jeffers presents a powerful elegy for the natural world. He portrays nature as a force that is both beautiful and tragic, and encourages us to contemplate our relationship with it. By doing so, Jeffers reminds us that we are not separate from the natural world, but rather an integral part of it. As such, we must strive to understand and appreciate the natural world, even as we acknowledge its inherent power and unpredictability.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Rock And Hawk: A Poem of Nature and Transcendence
Robinson Jeffers’ poem “Rock and Hawk” is a masterpiece of American poetry, a meditation on the beauty and power of nature, and a reflection on the human condition. Written in 1925, the poem is a celebration of the rugged landscape of the California coast, where Jeffers lived and wrote for most of his life. It is also a profound statement on the relationship between man and nature, and the possibility of transcendence through the contemplation of the natural world.
The poem begins with a description of a rocky cliff overlooking the sea, where a hawk is perched, surveying the landscape below. The hawk is a symbol of freedom and power, a creature of the air that embodies the wildness and beauty of nature. The rock, on the other hand, is a symbol of stability and permanence, a reminder of the enduring presence of the earth. Together, they represent the dynamic interplay between the forces of nature, and the eternal cycle of life and death.
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with its vivid imagery and powerful language. Jeffers’ use of alliteration and repetition creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, as if the poem is building towards a climax. The second stanza continues this theme, with its description of the hawk’s flight over the sea, and its sudden dive towards its prey. Here, Jeffers’ language becomes more intense and dramatic, as he captures the raw energy and power of the natural world.
In the third stanza, Jeffers shifts his focus to the human world, and the limitations of human existence. He contrasts the freedom and power of the hawk with the frailty and mortality of man, who is “a poor forked creature” in comparison. This is a recurring theme in Jeffers’ poetry, the idea that man is a small and insignificant part of the natural world, and that his existence is fleeting and ephemeral. This is a humbling thought, but also a liberating one, as it suggests that we can find meaning and purpose in our lives by connecting with the larger forces of nature.
The fourth stanza is perhaps the most powerful in the poem, as Jeffers describes the hawk’s “terrible beauty” and its “perfect control”. Here, he is celebrating the hawk’s mastery of its environment, and its ability to live in harmony with the natural world. This is a theme that runs throughout Jeffers’ poetry, the idea that we can learn from the animals and the landscape around us, and that by doing so, we can achieve a kind of transcendence.
The fifth and final stanza brings the poem to a close, with its haunting image of the hawk disappearing into the sky. Jeffers’ language here is spare and simple, but also deeply evocative, as he captures the sense of wonder and awe that the natural world can inspire. The poem ends on a note of ambiguity, with the suggestion that the hawk may have achieved a kind of transcendence, or that it may simply have disappeared into the vastness of the sky.
Overall, “Rock and Hawk” is a powerful and deeply moving poem, a testament to the beauty and power of the natural world, and a reminder of our place within it. Jeffers’ language is vivid and evocative, and his imagery is both beautiful and haunting. The poem is a celebration of the wildness and beauty of nature, and a call to transcendence, to find meaning and purpose in our lives by connecting with the larger forces of the universe. It is a poem that speaks to the heart and the soul, and that reminds us of the power and the mystery of the world around us.
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