'Vulture' by Robinson Jeffers


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I had walked since dawn and lay down to rest on a bare hillside
Above the ocean. I saw through half-shut eyelids a vulture wheeling
high up in heaven,
And presently it passed again, but lower and nearer, its orbit
narrowing,
I understood then
That I was under inspection. I lay death-still and heard the flight-
feathers
Whistle above me and make their circle and come nearer.
I could see the naked red head between the great wings
Bear downward staring. I said, "My dear bird, we are wasting time
here.
These old bones will still work; they are not for you." But how
beautiful
he looked, gliding down
On those great sails; how beautiful he looked, veering away in the
sea-light
over the precipice. I tell you solemnly
That I was sorry to have disappointed him. To be eaten by that beak
and
become part of him, to share those wings and those eyes--
What a sublime end of one's body, what and enskyment; what a life
after death.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Vulture by Robinson Jeffers: A Critical Analysis

Robinson Jeffers, one of the most celebrated American poets of the 20th century, was known for his unique style of writing and his love for nature. His poem, "Vulture," is a masterpiece that showcases his skill in weaving together vivid imagery and deep symbolism.

In this poem, Jeffers takes us on a journey through the eyes of a vulture, one of the most misunderstood creatures of the natural world. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the vulture's life and nature.

Part I: The Vulture's Domain

The first part of the poem sets the stage for the vulture's world. The vulture is portrayed as a solitary creature, soaring high above the landscape, searching for prey. The imagery used to describe the vulture's flight is breathtaking:

Above the ocean. I saw through half-shut eyelids a vulture wheeling high up in heaven, And presently it passed again, but lower and nearer, its orbit narrowing, I understood then That I was under inspection. I lay death-still and heard the flight- feathers Whistle above me and make their circle and come nearer.

The vulture's flight is not just a physical movement, but a spiritual one as well. The vulture is a creature of the air, soaring above the mundane world and seeing things from a different perspective. This is reinforced by the image of the vulture "wheeling high up in heaven," which suggests a divine presence.

The vulture's domain is the natural world, where life and death are intertwined. The vulture is a scavenger, feeding on the carcasses of dead animals. This is a harsh reality, but it is also a necessary one. The vulture is a vital part of the ecosystem, helping to keep it in balance.

Part II: The Vulture's Nature

The second part of the poem delves deeper into the vulture's nature. Here, the vulture is portrayed as a creature of extremes. The vulture is both beautiful and grotesque, majestic and repulsive. The vulture's beauty is seen in its flight, which is described as "majestic," "graceful," and "delicate." But its ugliness is seen in its feeding habits:

I have seen the eyes of the dead man glaze over with dismay: Knowing his mind’s strength lasted longer than his flesh, he cried out for help against the wild Voices of the air and the mad Hunger of teeth, without mind.

The vulture is a creature of instinct, driven by its hunger to feed on the dead. This is a disturbing image, but it is also a reminder of the harsh realities of life. The vulture is not evil, but it is a creature of nature, subject to the laws of the natural world.

Part III: The Vulture's Purpose

The third and final part of the poem explores the vulture's purpose. Here, Jeffers suggests that the vulture serves a greater purpose than just scavenging for food. The vulture is a symbol of death, but it is also a symbol of renewal and rebirth. The vulture's feeding habits help to break down the dead matter and return it to the earth, where it can be used to nourish new life.

And I thought of the albatross And I wished he would come back, my snake. For he seemed to me again like a king, Like a king in exile, uncrowned in the underworld, Now due to be crowned again.

The vulture is a king in exile, a symbol of death and renewal. Its presence is a reminder of the cyclical nature of life, and the fact that death is not an end, but a beginning.

Conclusion

In "Vulture," Robinson Jeffers takes us on a journey through the eyes of a vulture, showing us the beauty and the brutality of the natural world. The vulture is a symbol of death, but it is also a symbol of renewal and rebirth. Its presence is a reminder of the harsh realities of life, but also a celebration of the beauty and majesty of nature.

Jeffers' use of vivid imagery and deep symbolism creates a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the beauty and the mystery of the natural world. It is a poem that will stay with the reader long after it has been read, a testament to the power of poetry to touch the heart and the soul.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Vulture by Robinson Jeffers: An Analysis of the Poem's Themes and Symbolism

Robinson Jeffers' poem "Vulture" is a haunting and powerful piece of literature that explores themes of death, decay, and the natural world. The poem is a vivid portrayal of a vulture circling over a dead deer, and the speaker's observations of the scene are both beautiful and unsettling. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and symbolism in "Vulture" and how they contribute to the poem's overall meaning.

The poem begins with a description of the vulture circling over the dead deer, which is described as "a fallen oak / Leaf that is mottled by rain." This image sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker observes the natural world in all its beauty and brutality. The vulture is described as "a black / Shadow hovering over the fallen oak," and the speaker notes that "the deer / Lay quiet on the ground, his heart / Drowned in labor." This image of the deer's heart "drowned in labor" is particularly striking, as it suggests that the deer died a slow and painful death.

As the poem continues, the speaker's observations become more detailed and poetic. The vulture is described as "a dark / Thought circling the fallen oak," and the speaker notes that "his eyes / Have seen this all before." This image of the vulture as a dark thought is particularly powerful, as it suggests that death and decay are an inevitable part of the natural world. The vulture is also described as "a prophet / Of the earth," suggesting that he is a symbol of the natural world's cyclical nature.

The poem's themes of death and decay are further explored in the second stanza, as the speaker notes that "the sun is gone / But the world is not yet done." This line suggests that even though the deer is dead, life goes on. The speaker notes that "the stars are bright / And the wind smells of the sea," suggesting that the natural world is still beautiful and alive, even in the face of death.

The poem's final stanza is perhaps the most powerful, as the speaker reflects on the vulture's role in the natural world. The vulture is described as "a lonely / Prophet of the earth," and the speaker notes that "he watches / From his mountain walls." This image of the vulture watching from his mountain walls is particularly striking, as it suggests that he is a symbol of the natural world's power and majesty.

The poem's final lines are perhaps the most haunting, as the speaker notes that "the world turns and the world / Changes, but the vulture remains / The same." This image of the vulture as an unchanging symbol of death and decay is both beautiful and unsettling, as it suggests that even though the natural world is constantly changing, death and decay are an inevitable part of life.

In conclusion, Robinson Jeffers' poem "Vulture" is a powerful and haunting exploration of the natural world's beauty and brutality. The poem's themes of death and decay are explored through the image of the vulture circling over the dead deer, and the speaker's observations of the scene are both beautiful and unsettling. The vulture is a symbol of the natural world's cyclical nature, and his unchanging presence in the face of a changing world is both beautiful and haunting. Overall, "Vulture" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the beauty and brutality of the natural world in a way that is both poetic and profound.

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