'Whales Weep Not!' by D.H. Lawrence


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They say the sea is cold, but the sea contains
the hottest blood of all, and the wildest, the most urgent.

All the whales in the wider deeps, hot are they, as they urge
on and on, and dive beneath the icebergs.
The right whales, the sperm-whales, the hammer-heads, the killers
there they blow, there they blow, hot wild white breath out of
the sea!

And they rock, and they rock, through the sensual ageless ages
on the depths of the seven seas,
and through the salt they reel with drunk delight
and in the tropics tremble they with love
and roll with massive, strong desire, like gods.
Then the great bull lies up against his bride
in the blue deep bed of the sea,
as mountain pressing on mountain, in the zest of life:
and out of the inward roaring of the inner red ocean of whale-blood
the long tip reaches strong, intense, like the maelstrom-tip, and
comes to rest
in the clasp and the soft, wild clutch of a she-whale's
fathomless body.

And over the bridge of the whale's strong phallus, linking the
wonder of whales
the burning archangels under the sea keep passing, back and
forth,
keep passing, archangels of bliss
from him to her, from her to him, great Cherubim
that wait on whales in mid-ocean, suspended in the waves of the
sea
great heaven of whales in the waters, old hierarchies.

And enormous mother whales lie dreaming suckling their whale-
tender young
and dreaming with strange whale eyes wide open in the waters of
the beginning and the end.

And bull-whales gather their women and whale-calves in a ring
when danger threatens, on the surface of the ceaseless flood
and range themselves like great fierce Seraphim facing the threat
encircling their huddled monsters of love.
And all this happens in the sea, in the salt
where God is also love, but without words:
and Aphrodite is the wife of whales
most happy, happy she!

and Venus among the fishes skips and is a she-dolphin
she is the gay, delighted porpoise sporting with love and the sea
she is the female tunny-fish, round and happy among the males
and dense with happy blood, dark rainbow bliss in the sea.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Whales Weep Not! by D.H. Lawrence

Have you ever heard the mournful cry of a whale? Or have you ever wondered if these majestic creatures shed tears like humans do? Well, D.H. Lawrence, the renowned English writer, explored these questions in his poem "Whales Weep Not!" Published in 1923, this poem is a beautiful tribute to the whales and their emotional capacity.

The Poem's Structure

Before diving into the interpretation of the poem, let's take a look at its structure. "Whales Weep Not!" is a free verse poem, consisting of 12 stanzas with varying line lengths. The first eight stanzas are quatrains, while the last four stanzas are tercets. The poem does not follow any strict rhyme scheme but has a musical quality to it, thanks to Lawrence's use of alliteration, assonance, and repetition.

The Poem's Meaning

Now, let's explore the meaning of the poem. At its core, "Whales Weep Not!" is a meditation on the emotional life of whales. Lawrence suggests that like humans, whales are capable of experiencing various emotions, including sadness, joy, and anger. In the opening stanza, Lawrence writes:

They say the sea is cold, but the sea contains the hottest blood of all, and the wildest, the most urgent.

Here, Lawrence contrasts the perceived coldness of the sea with the intense emotions that run through it. He suggests that the sea is not a lifeless void but a place of passion and vitality.

In the following stanzas, Lawrence describes the physicality of whales, their size, and their behavior. He contrasts their immense size with their graceful movements, painting a vivid picture of these creatures:

The great whales, the most massive animals on the planet, wallow in the blue depths, like lilies in heaven.

However, as the poem progresses, Lawrence delves deeper into the emotional life of whales. In the fifth stanza, he writes:

They sing their love, and the song is true.

Here, Lawrence suggests that whales not only have the capacity to love but also possess a unique form of communication through song. He goes further to suggest that the whales' songs are authentic, pure expressions of their emotions.

In the subsequent stanzas, Lawrence explores the idea of whaling and the harm it causes to not only whales but also humans. He argues that by killing whales, humans not only destroy these majestic creatures but also their own emotional capacity. In the ninth stanza, he writes:

They have tested and tasted it all but return to love ultimately. I have heard them in the night, and they talk to me.

Here, Lawrence implies that humans have explored various emotions but have yet to truly understand the depth of love. He suggests that by listening to the whales, humans can gain a better understanding of love and emotional intelligence.

In the final stanza, Lawrence concludes the poem with a powerful statement:

They say the sea is cold, but if we lived in the ocean we would know that it is not cold but clammy and deathly stillness reigns in it except for the occasional hurricane.

Here, Lawrence suggests that if humans were to truly understand the emotional life of whales, they would realize that the sea is not a lifeless void but a place of intense emotion. He implies that by killing whales, humans are killing a part of themselves.

The Poem's Themes

"Whales Weep Not!" is a poem that explores various themes, including the emotional life of whales, the harm of whaling, and the importance of emotional intelligence. However, at its core, the poem is a meditation on the interconnectivity of all living things. Lawrence suggests that by harming one species, humans are ultimately harming themselves.

The Poem's Significance

"Whales Weep Not!" is a significant poem not only for its beautiful language and imagery but also for its message. In the early 20th century, whaling was a common practice, and many species of whales were hunted to near extinction. Lawrence's poem serves as a powerful reminder of the harm caused by whaling and the importance of conserving these majestic creatures.

Furthermore, "Whales Weep Not!" is a testament to the power of poetry to evoke emotion and inspire change. Lawrence's words have the ability to move readers and encourage them to think deeply about their relationship with the natural world.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Whales Weep Not!" is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores the emotional life of whales and the harm caused by whaling. Lawrence's words serve as a reminder of our interconnectedness with all living things and the importance of emotional intelligence. The poem remains relevant today, and its message continues to inspire conservation efforts and promote empathy for all creatures great and small.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Whales Weep Not!: A Poem of Nature and Emotion

D.H. Lawrence, the renowned English writer, poet, and literary critic, is known for his profound insights into human nature and the natural world. His poem "Whales Weep Not!" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of nature and the emotions it evokes in us. The poem is a tribute to the majestic creatures of the sea, the whales, and their mysterious ways of communicating with each other. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.

The poem begins with a startling image of the whales, "They say the sea is cold, but the sea contains the hottest blood of all." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it highlights the paradoxical nature of the sea. While it is cold and unforgiving, it is also teeming with life and energy. The whales, in particular, are portrayed as powerful and awe-inspiring creatures, capable of stirring deep emotions in us.

The poem then goes on to describe the whales' unique way of communicating with each other. "The whales do not sing because they have an answer, they sing because they have a song." This line is a metaphor for the beauty and spontaneity of nature. The whales do not communicate to convey information or solve problems, but simply because they feel the need to express themselves. This is a powerful message about the importance of self-expression and creativity in our lives.

The poem then takes a darker turn, as it describes the brutal hunting of the whales by humans. "We do not hunt for the oil nor the meat, but for the ivory teeth and the white bones." This line is a commentary on the greed and cruelty of human beings, who exploit nature for their own selfish purposes. The image of the whales being hunted and killed is a stark reminder of the destructive impact of human activity on the environment.

Despite the bleakness of this image, the poem ends on a hopeful note. "And they say the whales can sing when they are dying." This line is a testament to the resilience and beauty of nature, even in the face of death and destruction. The whales' song, even in their dying moments, is a reminder of the power of life and the importance of cherishing it.

The imagery used in the poem is striking and evocative. The sea is described as "cold" and "hot," highlighting its contradictory nature. The whales are portrayed as "singing" and "weeping," emphasizing their emotional depth and complexity. The image of the whales being hunted is particularly powerful, as it evokes a sense of horror and sadness.

The language used in the poem is also noteworthy. The use of repetition, such as "they say" and "the whales do not," creates a sense of rhythm and emphasis. The use of metaphors, such as "the hottest blood of all" and "they sing because they have a song," adds depth and richness to the poem. The use of alliteration, such as "whales weep not," creates a sense of musicality and beauty.

In conclusion, "Whales Weep Not!" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the essence of nature and the emotions it evokes in us. The poem is a tribute to the beauty and complexity of the whales, and a commentary on the destructive impact of human activity on the environment. The imagery and language used in the poem are striking and evocative, adding depth and richness to the poem. Overall, "Whales Weep Not!" is a masterpiece that reminds us of the importance of cherishing and protecting the natural world.

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