'Tear It Down' by Jack Gilbert


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The Great Fires1994We find out the heart only by dismantling whatthe heart knows. By redefining the morning,we find a morning that comes just after darkness.We can break through marriage into marriage.By insisting on love we spoil it, get beyondaffection and wade mouth-deep into love.We must unlearn the constellations to see the stars.But going back toward childhood will not help.The village is not better than Pittsburgh.Only Pittsburgh is more than Pittsburgh.Rome is better than Rome in the same way the soundof raccoon tongues licking the inside wallsof the garbage tub is more than the stirof them in the muck of the garbage. Love is notenough. We die and are put into the earth forever.We should insist while there is still time. We musteat through the wildness of her sweet body alreadyin our bed to reach the body within that body.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Tear It Down: A Poetic Journey of Destruction and Rebirth

The moment I read Tear It Down by Jack Gilbert, I knew it was a poem that would stay with me forever. Its words dug deep within my soul, leaving a mark that I knew would never fade. Gilbert's poetic journey of destruction and rebirth is one that resonates with readers on so many levels. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in Tear It Down, and how they come together to create a truly unforgettable poem.

The Themes of Tear It Down

At its core, Tear It Down is a poem about destruction and rebirth. It is a poem that speaks to the human experience of tearing down the old in order to make way for the new. We see this theme captured beautifully in lines such as:

Love is not enough. We die and are put into the earth forever. We should insist while there is still time. We must eat through the wildness of her sweet body already in our bed to reach the body within that body.

Here, Gilbert is speaking to the idea that love alone is not enough to sustain us. We must be willing to tear down the old, to eat through the wildness of life, in order to truly live. This theme is further explored in the poem's final lines:

Tear it down. Weeping willow. Knock on wood. Put your ear to the ground: you can hear the roots straining for earth, for life, not for good.

Here, Gilbert is reminding us that sometimes we must tear things down in order to make way for new growth. The weeping willow, a symbol of sadness and grief, must be torn down in order for new life to grow. It is a painful process, but one that is necessary for growth and renewal.

Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea of the natural world. Gilbert uses vivid imagery of nature throughout the poem, from the "wildness" of life to the "weeping willow" that must be torn down. He reminds us of our connection to the natural world and how we must be willing to work with it in order to thrive. This theme is captured beautifully in lines such as:

The beauty of destroyed things is the sweet honey that we suck from the mute earth, from danger itself.

Here, Gilbert is reminding us that even in destruction, there can be beauty. The honey that we suck from the earth represents the sweetness that can be found in the natural world, even when things are at their most chaotic. This theme is further explored in the poem's final lines, where Gilbert reminds us that we must listen to the earth and work with it in order to grow:

Put your ear to the ground: you can hear the roots straining for earth, for life, not for good.

Here, Gilbert is urging us to listen to the natural world and to work with it in order to grow and thrive.

The Imagery of Tear It Down

One of the most striking elements of Tear It Down is the vivid imagery that Gilbert uses throughout the poem. His words create a tapestry of emotion and sensation that is both beautiful and haunting. The poem is filled with powerful metaphors and symbols that bring the themes of destruction and rebirth to life.

One of the most powerful symbols in the poem is the weeping willow. This tree represents sadness and grief, and its inclusion in the poem is a powerful reminder of the pain that often accompanies growth and renewal. Gilbert writes:

Tear it down. Weeping willow.

Here, the weeping willow is a symbol of the old, of that which must be torn down in order for new growth to occur. Its inclusion in the poem is a powerful reminder that sometimes we must let go of the things that we love in order to make room for new growth.

Another powerful image in the poem is that of the wildness of life. Gilbert writes:

We must eat through the wildness of her sweet body already in our bed to reach the body within that body.

Here, the wildness of life is a symbol of the chaos and unpredictability of the natural world. We must be willing to embrace this chaos, to eat through it, in order to find the true beauty and sweetness of life. This image is further explored in the poem's final lines, where the roots of the trees are a symbol of the natural world straining for life and growth:

Put your ear to the ground: you can hear the roots straining for earth, for life, not for good.

Here, the roots are a symbol of the natural world's desire for growth and renewal, a reminder that we must work with it in order to thrive.

The Language of Tear It Down

One of the most striking elements of Tear It Down is Gilbert's use of language. His words are both beautiful and haunting, evoking a sense of emotion that is difficult to describe. The language in the poem is simple yet powerful, allowing the themes and imagery to take center stage.

One of the most powerful elements of the language in Tear It Down is Gilbert's use of repetition. The phrase "tear it down" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of urgency and desperation. This repetition underscores the theme of destruction and rebirth, reminding us that sometimes we must tear things down in order to build them up again.

Another powerful element of the language in Tear It Down is Gilbert's use of metaphor. His words create vivid images that bring the themes of the poem to life. For example, Gilbert writes:

The beauty of destroyed things is the sweet honey that we suck from the mute earth, from danger itself.

Here, the destruction of things is compared to the sweetness of honey, a powerful metaphor that underscores the idea that even in destruction, there can be beauty.

Conclusion

Tear It Down is a poem that evokes a sense of emotion that is difficult to describe. Its themes of destruction and rebirth, its vivid imagery of the natural world, and its powerful language all come together to create a truly unforgettable poem. Gilbert's words remind us of the pain and beauty of growth and renewal, urging us to tear down the old in order to make way for the new. It is a poem that resonates with readers on so many levels, speaking to the human experience of life and reminding us of our connection to the natural world. In short, Tear It Down is a masterpiece of poetic expression, a reminder of the power of words to move us and touch our souls.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Tear It Down: A Masterpiece of Emotion and Imagery

Jack Gilbert's "Poetry Tear It Down" is a poem that speaks to the heart of every reader. It is a masterpiece of emotion and imagery that captures the essence of human experience. The poem is a reflection on the nature of poetry and its ability to connect us to the world around us. It is a call to action, urging us to tear down the walls that separate us from the beauty and wonder of life.

The poem begins with a powerful image of a man tearing down a wall. The wall is a symbol of the barriers that we create between ourselves and the world. It represents the fear and isolation that we often feel in our lives. The man in the poem is a symbol of the poet, who is tearing down the walls of his own mind in order to connect with the world.

The poem then moves on to describe the beauty of the world that the poet is trying to connect with. The imagery in this section is stunning, with descriptions of "the blue of the sky," "the green of the grass," and "the gold of the sun." These descriptions are not just beautiful, they are also symbolic. They represent the beauty and wonder of life that we often overlook in our busy lives.

The poem then takes a darker turn, as the poet describes the pain and suffering that he sees in the world. He describes "the broken bodies of the dead," "the cries of the wounded," and "the tears of the bereaved." These images are difficult to read, but they are also important. They remind us of the suffering that exists in the world, and they urge us to do something about it.

The poem then returns to the theme of tearing down walls. The poet urges us to tear down the walls that separate us from the world, and to connect with the beauty and wonder of life. He tells us that "we must tear down the walls that keep us apart," and that "we must tear down the walls that keep us from the world." This is a powerful message, and it is one that we should all take to heart.

The poem ends with a beautiful image of a bird flying free. The bird is a symbol of the poet, who has torn down the walls of his own mind and connected with the world. The image is a reminder that we too can be free, if we are willing to tear down the walls that separate us from the world.

In conclusion, "Poetry Tear It Down" is a masterpiece of emotion and imagery that captures the essence of human experience. It is a call to action, urging us to tear down the walls that separate us from the beauty and wonder of life. The poem is a reminder that we are all connected, and that we must do our part to make the world a better place. It is a poem that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it, and it is one that you will want to share with others.

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