'The House In The Woods' by Randall Jarrell


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At the back of the houses there is the wood.
While there is a leaf of summer left, the wood

Makes sounds I can put somewhere in my song,
Has paths I can walk, when I wake, to good

Or evil: to the cage, to the oven, to the House
In the Wood. It is a part of life, or of the story

We make of life. But after the last leaf,
The last light--for each year is leafless,

Each day lightless, at the last--the wood begins
Its serious existence: it has no path,

No house, no story; it resists comparison...
One clear, repeated, lapping gurgle, like a spoon

Or a glass breathing, is the brook,
The wood's fouled midnight water. If I walk into the wood

As far as I can walk, I come to my own door,
The door of the House in the Wood. It opens silently:

On the bed is something covered, something humped
Asleep there, awake there--but what? I do not know.

I look, I lie there, and yet I do not know.
How far out my great echoing clumsy limbs

Stretch, surrounded only by space! For time has struck,
All the clocks are stuck now, for how many lives,

On the same second. Numbed, wooden, motionless,
We are far under the surface of the night.

Nothing comes down so deep but sound: a car, freight cars,
A high soft droning, drawn out like a wire

Forever and ever--is this the sound that Bunyan heard
So that he thought his bowels would burst within him?--

Drift on, on, into nothing. Then someone screams
A scream like an old knife sharpened into nothing.

It is only a nightmare. No one wakes up, nothing happens,
Except there is gooseflesh over my whole body--

And that too, after a little while, is gone.
I lie here like a cut-off limb, the stump the limb has left...

Here at the bottom of the world, what was before the world
And will be after, holds me to its back

Breasts and rocks me: the oven is cold, the cage is empty,
In the House in the Wood, the witch and her child sleep.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The House in the Woods

Introduction

The House in the Woods is a powerful and evocative poem by Randall Jarrell that explores the theme of mortality and the human experience of death. The poem is rich in imagery and symbolism, and offers a complex and nuanced interpretation of the human condition.

Analysis

The poem begins with the speaker's encounter with an old house in the woods. The house is described as "fallen" and "dead", and is surrounded by trees that are "dying". The imagery of decay and death is central to the poem, and serves to create a sense of foreboding and unease.

As the speaker approaches the house, they are struck by the silence and stillness of the woods. The atmosphere is eerie and unsettling, and the sense of isolation and loneliness is palpable. The speaker notes that the house is "empty", and wonders what happened to the people who once lived there.

The poem then shifts focus to the speaker's own mortality. They reflect on the fact that one day they too will be "fallen" and "dead", and that their own life will eventually come to an end. The speaker contemplates the inevitability of death, and the sense of uncertainty and fear that it can bring.

The poem concludes with a sense of acceptance and resignation. The speaker acknowledges the transience of life, and the fact that death is an inevitable part of the human experience. They note that the house in the woods will still stand, even after they have passed away, and that life will continue on without them.

Interpretation

The House in the Woods can be interpreted in a number of different ways, depending on the reader's perspective and experience. At its core, however, the poem is a meditation on the human experience of mortality, and the sense of fear and uncertainty that can accompany it.

The imagery of decay and death that pervades the poem serves to create a sense of foreboding and unease, and underscores the fragility of human life. The speaker's encounter with the empty house in the woods serves as a powerful symbol of the transience of human existence, and the fact that everything eventually comes to an end.

At the same time, however, the poem also offers a sense of acceptance and resignation. The speaker acknowledges the inevitability of death, and the fact that it is an integral part of the human experience. Despite the sense of loss and sadness that comes with the knowledge of our own mortality, the poem suggests that it is possible to find meaning and purpose in life, even in the face of death.

Conclusion

The House in the Woods is a haunting and powerful poem that explores the human experience of mortality in all its complexity. Through its use of rich imagery and symbolism, the poem offers a nuanced and thoughtful exploration of the fragility of human life, and the sense of fear and uncertainty that can accompany our awareness of our own mortality.

Despite its somber tone, however, the poem also suggests that there is a sense of acceptance and resignation that comes with the knowledge of our own mortality. By embracing the transience of life, and recognizing the impermanence of all things, we can find a greater sense of purpose and meaning in our lives, and perhaps even find some measure of peace in the face of death.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The House in the Woods: A Poem of Mystery and Intrigue

Randall Jarrell's "The House in the Woods" is a haunting and mysterious poem that captures the imagination of readers with its vivid imagery and enigmatic storytelling. The poem is a masterful work of art that combines elements of horror, suspense, and fantasy to create a unique and unforgettable reading experience. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used in the poem to unravel its hidden meanings and uncover its secrets.

The poem begins with a description of a house in the woods, which is surrounded by a dark and foreboding forest. The house is described as being "old and dark and weather-beaten," and it is clear from the start that it is not a place where one would want to spend the night. The imagery used in the opening lines of the poem sets the tone for what is to come, and it immediately creates a sense of unease and apprehension in the reader.

As the poem progresses, we learn that the house is inhabited by a mysterious old woman who is said to be a witch. The narrator describes her as being "old and bent and wicked," and it is clear that she is not to be trifled with. The old woman is surrounded by a group of animals, including a cat, a dog, and a bird, which seem to be under her control. The animals are described as being "silent and watchful," and they add to the eerie atmosphere of the poem.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which it uses symbolism to convey its message. The house in the woods is a symbol of isolation and loneliness, and it represents the fear that many people have of being alone in the dark. The old woman is a symbol of death and decay, and she represents the inevitability of mortality. The animals are symbols of the natural world, and they represent the forces of nature that are beyond human control.

The poem also uses literary devices to create a sense of tension and suspense. The repetition of certain phrases, such as "the house in the woods," and "the old woman," creates a sense of familiarity that is both comforting and unsettling. The use of imagery, such as the description of the dark forest and the silent animals, creates a sense of foreboding that keeps the reader on edge. The use of rhyme and meter adds to the musicality of the poem, and it creates a sense of rhythm that is both soothing and unsettling.

As the poem reaches its climax, the narrator is drawn into the house by the old woman, who seems to have some kind of power over him. The narrator is described as being "bewitched" by the old woman, and he is unable to resist her charms. The old woman leads him to a room in the house, where he sees a mirror that shows him his own reflection. The mirror is a symbol of self-awareness, and it represents the moment when the narrator realizes the true nature of his own fears and desires.

In the end, the poem leaves the reader with a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty. We are left to wonder what happened to the narrator, and whether he was able to escape the clutches of the old woman. The poem is a testament to the power of storytelling, and it shows how a skilled writer can use language to create a world that is both familiar and strange.

In conclusion, "The House in the Woods" is a masterpiece of poetry that combines elements of horror, suspense, and fantasy to create a unique and unforgettable reading experience. The poem uses symbolism, literary devices, and vivid imagery to create a sense of tension and unease that keeps the reader on edge. It is a testament to the power of storytelling, and it shows how a skilled writer can use language to create a world that is both familiar and strange. If you have not yet read this classic poem, I highly recommend that you do so. It is a work of art that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

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