'The Great Explosion' by Robinson Jeffers


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TamarThe universe expands and contracts like a great heart.
It is expanding, the farthest nebulae
Rush with the speed of light into empty space.
It will contract, the immense navies of stars and galaxies,dust clouds and nebulae
Are recalled home, they crush against each other in oneharbor, they stick in one lump
And then explode it, nothing can hold them down; there is noway to express that explosion; all that exists
Roars into flame, the tortured fragments rush away from eachother into all the sky, new universes
Jewel the black breast of night; and far off the outer nebulaelike charging spearmen again
Invade emptiness.No wonder we are so fascinated withfireworks
And our huge bombs: it is a kind of homesickness perhaps forthe howling fireblast that we were born from.But the whole sum of the energies
That made and contain the giant atom survives. It willgather again and pile up, the power and the glory--
And no doubt it will burst again; diastole and systole: thewhole universe beats like a heart.
Peace in our time was never one of God's promises; but backand forth, live and die, burn and be damned,
The great heart beating, pumping into our arteries Histerrible life.He is beautiful beyond belief.
And we, God's apes--or tragic children--share in the beauty.We see it above our torment, that's what life's for.
He is no God of love, no justice of a little city like Dante'sFlorence, no anthropoid God
Making commandments,: this is the God who does not careand will never cease. Look at the seas there
Flashing against this rock in the darkness--look at thetide-stream stars--and the fall of nations--and dawn
Wandering with wet white feet down the Caramel Valley tomeet the sea. These are real and we see their beauty.
The great explosion is probably only a metaphor--I know not--of faceless violence, the root of all things.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Great Explosion: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Robinson Jeffers' "The Great Explosion" is a masterpiece of modern poetry. This poem is an evocative and thought-provoking exploration of the human condition. It examines the nature of life, death, and the universe, and explores the complexities of human relationships. The poem is a journey through the depths of the human psyche, and as such, it is both sublime and challenging.

Background

"The Great Explosion" was first published in 1940. Jeffers was an American poet and playwright who lived from 1887 to 1962. He is known for his regionalism and his focus on the natural world, and his poetry often explores themes of nature, humanity, and spirituality. Jeffers was also a controversial figure in his time, and his work was often criticized for its bleak outlook on humanity.

Analysis

"The Great Explosion" is a long poem that is divided into several sections. The poem begins with an image of a great explosion, which serves as a metaphor for the creation of the universe. This image is followed by a description of the stars, which are depicted as "burning lilies" that "flame and die". This image is both beautiful and ominous, as it suggests the fleeting nature of life.

The poem then turns to a discussion of human relationships, and the complexities of love and desire. Jeffers explores the idea that love is both beautiful and destructive, and that it can cause great joy and great pain. He also suggests that love is often selfish and possessive, and that it can lead to jealousy and violence.

Throughout the poem, Jeffers uses vivid imagery to create a sense of the sublime. He describes the natural world in detail, and his language is often lush and sensual. At the same time, however, his poetry is often dark and foreboding, and he frequently explores the darker aspects of human existence.

One of the most powerful sections of the poem is the description of the "burning children". In this section, Jeffers describes the horrors of war, and the senseless destruction of innocent lives. He also explores the idea that human beings are capable of great evil, and that our reliance on violence and war is a fundamental flaw in our nature.

Interpretation

"The Great Explosion" is a complex poem that can be interpreted in many different ways. At its core, however, the poem is an exploration of the human condition. Jeffers is interested in the nature of life, death, and the universe, and he uses his poetry to explore these themes.

One interpretation of the poem is that it is a critique of human society. Jeffers suggests that our reliance on violence and war is a fundamental flaw in our nature, and that we need to find a way to live in peace with one another. He also explores the idea that our relationships are often fraught with jealousy and possessiveness, and that we need to learn how to love one another in a more healthy and selfless way.

Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a celebration of the natural world. Jeffers is known for his regionalism, and his poetry often focuses on the beauty of the California coastline. In "The Great Explosion", he uses vivid imagery to create a sense of the sublime, and he celebrates the beauty and complexity of the natural world.

Finally, the poem can be interpreted as a meditation on the nature of existence itself. Jeffers suggests that life is fleeting and impermanent, and that we need to find a way to come to terms with our own mortality. He also explores the idea that the universe is vast and mysterious, and that there is much that we do not understand about the nature of reality.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Great Explosion" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the depths of the human psyche. Jeffers uses vivid imagery and lush language to create a sense of the sublime, and he explores a wide range of themes, including love, death, war, and the natural world. The poem is a complex and challenging work of modern poetry, and it is a testament to Jeffers' skill as a writer.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Great Explosion: A Masterpiece of Robinson Jeffers

Robinson Jeffers, an American poet, is known for his unique style of poetry that reflects his love for nature and his deep understanding of human emotions. His poem, The Great Explosion, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of life and death, creation and destruction, and the eternal cycle of nature.

The poem begins with a description of a volcanic eruption that shakes the earth and sends a plume of smoke and ash into the sky. The explosion is so powerful that it creates a new island in the sea, and the poet marvels at the beauty and power of nature. He describes the scene in vivid detail, using powerful imagery and metaphors to convey the intensity of the moment.

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the poet describes the eruption as a "great explosion" that shakes the earth and sends a "pillar of fire" into the sky. The imagery is powerful and evocative, and it immediately captures the reader's attention. The use of the word "great" emphasizes the magnitude of the event, and the word "explosion" suggests a sudden and violent release of energy.

In the second stanza, the poet describes the aftermath of the eruption, as the smoke and ash settle over the new island. He describes the island as a "new creation," and he marvels at the power of nature to create something new out of destruction. The use of the word "creation" suggests that the poet sees the eruption as a natural and necessary part of the cycle of life and death.

The third stanza is perhaps the most powerful and evocative of the poem, as the poet reflects on the meaning of the eruption. He suggests that the eruption is a symbol of the eternal cycle of nature, in which death and destruction are necessary for new life and creation to emerge. He writes:

"Out of the night, out of the dark, out of the silence, Out of the deeps of the sea, from the dim places Of the earth, from the dim places of the mind, The dead are born again, the mind is born again, The earth is born again."

The use of repetition and parallelism in this stanza creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, as the poet builds towards his conclusion. The repetition of the phrase "born again" emphasizes the cyclical nature of life and death, and the use of the word "mind" suggests that the poet sees the eruption as a spiritual as well as a physical event.

In the final stanza, the poet reflects on the beauty and power of nature, and he suggests that we should embrace the cycle of life and death rather than fear it. He writes:

"Let us embrace the beauty of decay and the magic of growth, And the joy of wandering far in the unknown, And the thrill of seeking out new worlds and new civilizations, And the wonder of the eternal cycle of life and death."

The use of the word "embrace" suggests that the poet sees the cycle of life and death as something to be celebrated rather than feared. He encourages us to embrace the beauty of decay and the magic of growth, and to seek out new worlds and new civilizations. The final line, "the wonder of the eternal cycle of life and death," brings the poem full circle, as the poet returns to the theme of the cyclical nature of nature.

In conclusion, The Great Explosion is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of life and death, creation and destruction, and the eternal cycle of nature. Robinson Jeffers' use of powerful imagery and metaphors creates a sense of awe and wonder, and his message of embracing the cycle of life and death is both inspiring and thought-provoking. This poem is a testament to Jeffers' skill as a poet and his deep understanding of the natural world.

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