'Suicide's Stone' by Robinson Jeffers
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Peace is the heir of dead desire,
Whether abundance killed the cormorant
In a happy hour, or sleep or death
Drowned him deep in dreamy waters,
Peace is the ashes of that fire,
The heir of that king, the inn of that journey.
This last and best and goal: we dead
Hold it so tight you are envious of us
And fear under sunk lids contempt.
Death-day greetings are the sweetest.
Let trumpets roar when a man dies
And rockets fly up, he has found his fortune.
Yet hungering long and pitiably
That way, you shall not reach a finger
To pluck it unripe and before dark
Creep to cover: life broke ten whipstocks
Over my back, broke faith, stole hope,
Before I denounced the covenant of courage.
Submitted by Holt
Editor 1 Interpretation
Suicide's Stone: A Study in the Dark Side of Human Nature
Robinson Jeffers, the American poet who wrote during the first half of the twentieth century, was known for his unique approach to nature poetry. He saw nature as a separate entity, indifferent to human existence, and believed that humans could only find meaning in their lives by accepting their place in the natural order of things. In his poem, Suicide's Stone, he explores the darker side of human nature, where the act of suicide is seen as a form of rebellion against the natural order.
The Poem
The poem is set on a rocky cliff overlooking the ocean, where a stone stands as a memorial to those who have taken their own lives. The speaker of the poem, who is not identified, contemplates the meaning of the stone and the dark history it represents. He describes the stone as "a grim and rugged thing, / A monument of ruin, worn and gray," and notes that it is "the only melancholy witness / Of many a deed, from which the world has turned away."
The stone is described as having "the aspect of a face," with "deep and hollow eyes" that seem to stare into the abyss. The speaker imagines the stone as a symbol of the human desire for escape, a desire that is ultimately futile in the face of the implacable natural world. He writes, "Here on this lonely cliff, above the sea, / The stone stands sentinel, as if to say / That death is not escape, but only change; / That life is but a momentary lease, / And all its pains and pleasures are as dreams."
The poem ends with a powerful image of the stone as a symbol of both the human will to survive and the inevitability of death. The speaker writes, "And yet, the stone remains, a testament / To all who lived and died upon this shore; / A promontory of the human will, / A monument to life, and death, and more."
Interpretation
Suicide's Stone is a complex poem that explores many themes related to human nature, the natural world, and the meaning of life. At its core, however, the poem is an exploration of the dark side of human nature, where the desire for escape and the fear of death lead people to take their own lives.
The stone, which is the central image of the poem, is a symbol of the human desire for escape. It represents the ultimate act of rebellion against the natural order, where life is seen as a momentary lease and death is seen as the only true escape. The stone is described as having "the aspect of a face," with "deep and hollow eyes" that seem to stare into the abyss. This image suggests that the stone is a reflection of the human psyche, where the desire for escape is a deep and pervasive part of our nature.
The stone is also a symbol of the natural world, which is indifferent to human existence. The poem describes the stone as "a grim and rugged thing, / A monument of ruin, worn and gray." This image suggests that the stone is a product of the natural world, and that it is a reflection of the harsh and unforgiving environment that surrounds it. The stone is a reminder that humans are not separate from nature, but are instead a part of it, and that our desires and fears are ultimately subject to the same natural laws that govern the rest of the world.
The poem also explores the theme of mortality, where life is seen as a momentary lease and death is seen as the ultimate escape. The speaker writes, "That death is not escape, but only change; / That life is but a momentary lease, / And all its pains and pleasures are as dreams." This image suggests that life is fleeting and transitory, and that death is the only true escape from the pain and suffering of existence. However, the poem also suggests that death is not a true escape, but is only a change from one state of existence to another.
Criticism
Suicide's Stone is a powerful poem that explores many themes related to human nature and the natural world. However, some critics have argued that the poem is overly pessimistic and lacks a sense of hope or redemption. They argue that the poem presents a bleak and nihilistic view of the world, where life is seen as meaningless and death is seen as the only true escape.
While it is true that the poem presents a dark and pessimistic view of the world, it also offers a powerful message of hope and redemption. The stone, which is the central image of the poem, is a symbol of the human will to survive, even in the face of overwhelming odds. The stone is described as "a promontory of the human will, / A monument to life, and death, and more." This image suggests that even in the darkest moments of our existence, we are capable of finding meaning and purpose in our lives.
Overall, Suicide's Stone is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the darker side of human nature. It is a reminder that we are not separate from nature, but are instead a part of it, and that our desires and fears are ultimately subject to the same natural laws that govern the rest of the world. Despite its bleak and pessimistic view of the world, the poem offers a message of hope and redemption, reminding us that even in the darkest moments of our existence, we are capable of finding meaning and purpose in our lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Suicide's Stone: A Poem of Despair and Redemption
Robinson Jeffers' poem Suicide's Stone is a haunting and powerful work that explores the themes of despair, isolation, and redemption. Written in 1928, the poem tells the story of a man who contemplates taking his own life, only to be saved by the intervention of nature. In this analysis, we will explore the meaning and significance of Suicide's Stone, examining its themes, imagery, and symbolism.
The poem opens with a description of a man standing on a cliff, contemplating suicide. The man is described as "lonely and sick of the world," and he is "tempted by the abyss." The imagery here is stark and powerful, evoking a sense of despair and hopelessness. The man is alone, isolated from the world, and he sees no way out of his pain and suffering.
As the man prepares to jump, he is interrupted by the sound of the sea. The waves crash against the rocks below, and the man is struck by the beauty and power of nature. He sees the sea as a force of life and renewal, and he is filled with a sense of awe and wonder. The sea becomes a symbol of hope and redemption, a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is still beauty and meaning in the world.
The poem then shifts to a description of the cliff itself, which is called Suicide's Stone. The stone is described as "cold and hard," and it is said to be "the last thing that many men have touched." The stone becomes a symbol of death and despair, a reminder of the many lives that have been lost to suicide. But at the same time, the stone is also a symbol of resilience and endurance. It has stood for centuries, weathering the storms and tides of the sea, and it will continue to stand long after the man has gone.
The poem then returns to the man, who is now filled with a sense of hope and wonder. He sees the sea as a symbol of life and renewal, and he is filled with a sense of purpose and meaning. He realizes that he is not alone, that there is still beauty and goodness in the world, and that he has a place in it. He decides to live, to embrace life and all its challenges, and to find meaning and purpose in his struggles.
The final lines of the poem are some of the most powerful and moving in all of Jeffers' work. The man looks out at the sea and sees "the great wings of the albatross," a symbol of freedom and transcendence. He realizes that he too can soar above his troubles, that he too can find freedom and transcendence in the world. He is no longer alone, no longer isolated, but part of a larger, more beautiful world.
Suicide's Stone is a poem of despair and redemption, a work that explores the darkest corners of the human soul and finds hope and meaning in the midst of despair. It is a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is still beauty and goodness in the world, and that we can find meaning and purpose in our struggles. It is a work of great power and beauty, and it continues to speak to us today, almost a century after it was written.
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