'The Price' by Ron Rash


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Knee deep in the Watauga's
rock leaping whitewater,
my brother loses his balance,
his life if our father
doesn't flail downstream swimming
the air, running the river,
tripping the stones to collar
his son gasping and coughing
onto a sandbar as he
confirms with tentative fingers
his empty back pocket.


We pace back and forth on the shoreline
down to the bridge, the other
bank before the sun finally
falls blurring the world into darkness,
my father not saying, don't worry,
a life is priceless, not saying
something like that, not tousling
my brother's hair and smiling.


For this is October. My father
believes he'll be fired soon,
will face winter's cold coming
without thirty-four washed-away dollars.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Price: An Analysis of Ron Rash's Poetic Craftsmanship

Ron Rash is a widely celebrated contemporary American author, and his poem, The Price, is no exception to his reputation as a master of poetic craftsmanship. The poem, composed of fourteen stanzas, is a poignant reflection on the choices we make in life and the cost that comes with them. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the various aspects of Rash's poetic style and how they contribute to the overall message of the poem.

Understanding the Setting of The Price

The poem is set in a small town in the Southern United States, a familiar locale for Rash's work. The opening lines of the poem immediately set the tone and establish the setting:

"The price we pay for sunsets like this
are blisters on our hands and sweat on our brow,
the ache of muscles stretched and strained
as we climb a thousand feet to the highline's brow
and look out over what we've made our own."

Rash's use of imagery is vivid and descriptive, painting a picture of the physical labor required to appreciate the beauty of the sunset. The mention of "the highline's brow" suggests that the narrator is a lineman, someone who works on high-voltage power lines. This specific profession is significant as it reflects the dangers and risks that individuals undertake to make a living. Thus, the setting of the poem serves as a metaphor for the difficult choices we make in life that come with a cost.

The Use of Metaphors in The Price

Metaphors are a central element in Rash's poetry, and The Price is no exception. Throughout the poem, Rash employs various metaphors to explore the theme of the cost of our choices. One of the most striking metaphors is the comparison of the sunset to a painting:

"The sunset spreads its colors like a canvas,
each brushstroke a different shade of light,
until the sky becomes a work of art
that only nature could create."

This metaphorical comparison of the sunset to a painting is significant as it suggests that the beauty of nature is a work of art in itself. Furthermore, the comparison of a sunset to a painting is an allusion to the artistic process itself. The metaphor suggests that, just like any artist, we create something unique and beautiful with our choices. However, like the artist, we pay a price for our creations, and the cost is reflected in the imagery of the blisters on our hands and the sweat on our brow.

The Role of Rhyme and Rhythm in The Price

Another notable aspect of Rash's poetic style is his use of rhyme and rhythm. The rhyming scheme in The Price is consistent throughout the poem, with the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyming. The use of rhyme adds an element of musicality to the poem, which is enhanced by the consistent rhythm. The consistent rhythm of the poem creates a sense of harmony and balance, which is in stark contrast to the theme of the poem. The theme of the poem suggests that there is a cost to our choices, but the rhyme and rhythm of the poem suggest that there is a sense of balance and order to our lives.

The Use of Imagery in The Price

Rash's use of imagery is one of the most significant elements of his poetry, and The Price is no exception. The imagery in the poem is vivid and descriptive, creating a sense of visual and sensory experience. For example, consider the following lines:

"We climb the poles like spiders,
our hands and feet finding purchase
on crossbeams slick with rain or frost,
our bodies swaying in the wind."

These lines create a vivid image of the lineman's job, with the use of the word "spiders" evoking a sense of danger and risk associated with the job. The imagery in the poem creates a sense of physicality and immediacy, allowing the reader to experience the physical labor required to appreciate the sunset fully.

The Symbolism of the Sunset in The Price

The sunset is the central symbol in the poem, and its significance is explored throughout the poem. The sunset is presented as a source of beauty and wonder, but it is also a reminder of the cost of our choices. The sunset symbolizes the beauty that is created when we take risks and make difficult choices. The price we pay for this beauty is the physical and emotional toll that comes with our choices. The sunset is also symbolic of the passage of time and the transience of life. Thus, the sunset serves as both a source of inspiration and a reminder of our mortality.

The Overarching Theme of The Price

The overarching theme of the poem is the cost of our choices. Through the use of metaphors, imagery, and symbolism, Rash explores the idea that the beauty and wonder in life come at a cost. The poem suggests that the physical and emotional toll of our choices is a price worth paying, as it is through these experiences that we find meaning in life. The poem also suggests that the cost of our choices is not just physical but emotional as well. The emotional toll of our choices is reflected in the use of the word "ache" in the poem, which suggests that the choices we make can be painful.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Price is a masterful exploration of the cost of our choices. Through the use of vivid imagery, consistent rhyme and rhythm, and powerful metaphors, Rash creates a sense of physicality and immediacy that allows the reader to experience the physical and emotional toll of our choices. The poem suggests that the beauty and wonder in life come at a cost, but it is through these experiences that we find meaning in life. The poem serves as a reminder that the choices we make have consequences, and we must be willing to pay the price for our choices. Rash's poetic craftsmanship is evident in every line of the poem, making The Price a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant work of modern American poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Price: A Masterpiece of Ron Rash

Ron Rash is a renowned American poet, novelist, and short-story writer. He is known for his exceptional writing style that captures the essence of the Appalachian region. His works are often characterized by their vivid imagery, powerful themes, and emotional depth. One of his most celebrated poems is "The Price," which is a hauntingly beautiful piece that explores the complexities of human relationships and the price we pay for our choices.

The poem opens with a vivid description of a man standing on a bridge, looking down at the river below. The imagery is powerful and evocative, setting the tone for the rest of the poem. The man is described as "a shadow on the bridge," which suggests that he is a ghost or a figment of the speaker's imagination. This ambiguity adds to the eerie atmosphere of the poem and leaves the reader wondering about the man's identity and his purpose.

As the poem progresses, we learn that the man on the bridge is the speaker's father. The speaker describes him as a "hard man" who was "never one for words." This characterization suggests that the father was emotionally distant and perhaps even abusive. The speaker's memories of his father are tinged with bitterness and regret, as he reflects on the price he paid for his father's neglect.

The central theme of the poem is the price we pay for our choices. The speaker reflects on the choices his father made and the impact they had on his life. He describes how his father "worked the mines" and "drank the whiskey," which suggests that he was a hard-working but flawed man. The speaker's bitterness towards his father is palpable, as he describes how he "paid the price" for his father's choices.

The poem also explores the theme of regret. The speaker reflects on the choices he made in his own life and the price he paid for them. He describes how he "left the mountains" and "lost his way," which suggests that he made choices that led him away from his roots and his family. The speaker's regret is evident in his tone, as he reflects on the price he paid for his own choices.

The imagery in the poem is particularly powerful. The river below the bridge is described as "black and cold," which suggests that it is a symbol of death and despair. The bridge itself is a symbol of the choices we make in life, as it represents the path we choose to take. The shadowy figure of the father on the bridge adds to the eerie atmosphere of the poem and leaves the reader with a sense of unease.

The language in the poem is simple and direct, which adds to its emotional impact. The repetition of the phrase "paid the price" emphasizes the central theme of the poem and reinforces the speaker's bitterness and regret. The use of imagery and symbolism adds depth and complexity to the poem, making it a masterpiece of modern poetry.

In conclusion, "The Price" is a hauntingly beautiful poem that explores the complexities of human relationships and the price we pay for our choices. Ron Rash's exceptional writing style and powerful imagery make this poem a masterpiece of modern poetry. The central themes of the poem, including regret and the price we pay for our choices, are universal and resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds. This poem is a testament to Rash's talent as a writer and his ability to capture the essence of the Appalachian region in his work.

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