'The Eye' by Robinson Jeffers
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The Atlantic is a stormy moat; and the Mediterranean,
The blue pool in the old garden,
More than five thousand years has drunk sacrifice
Of ships and blood, and shines in the sun; but here the Pacific--
Our ships, planes, wars are perfectly irrelevant.
Neither our present blood-feud with the brave dwarfs
Nor any future world-quarrel of westering
And eastering man, the bloody migrations, greed of power, clash offaiths--
Is a speck of dust on the great scale-pan.
Here from this mountain shore, headland beyond stormy headlandplunging like dolphins through the blue sea-smoke
Into pale sea--look west at the hill of water: it is half theplanet:this dome, this half-globe, this bulging
Eyeball of water, arched over to Asia,
Australia and white Antartica: those are the eyelids that neverclose;this is the staring unsleeping
Eye of the earth; and what it watches is not our wars.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Eye by Robinson Jeffers: A Critical Review
Robinson Jeffers is considered one of the most important poets of the 20th century, known for his deep engagement with the natural world and his exploration of human relationships with it. One of his most stunning works is "The Eye," a poem that delves into the mysterious and awe-inspiring power of the human gaze. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, symbolism, and language of "The Eye" to understand its significance in the context of Jeffers' larger body of work.
Themes
At its core, "The Eye" is a meditation on vision and perception. Jeffers explores how the eyes serve as a gateway to the world, allowing us to behold the beauty and terror of nature. He also delves into the idea that the act of looking can be transformative, that by gazing upon the world, we can come to understand ourselves and our place within it.
This theme is illustrated in the poem's opening lines:
"Between the earth and the sky I am a passerby./ Suddenly everywhere lifted, suddenly sunsets and cities;/ the tall trees, the green hills float in the air like flocks of birds."
Here, Jeffers suggests that the act of looking can transport us beyond the mundane and into a realm of wonder and beauty. The eye is not just a tool for seeing, but a vessel for experiencing the world in a profound and transformative way.
However, as the poem progresses, Jeffers begins to complicate this idea. He acknowledges that the eye is not always a passive spectator, but can be an active agent of destruction:
"Let me look at you, the destroyer, the father of hatred and death./ I hate you when I see you, I love you when I see you./ I hate you because you kill the children, I love you because you are great."
Here, Jeffers confronts the darker aspects of the human gaze - our tendency to use our sight as a weapon, to objectify and dehumanize others. At the same time, he also acknowledges the sense of awe and power that comes with staring into the face of death and destruction.
Overall, "The Eye" is a complex and nuanced exploration of the ways in which our vision shapes our relationship with the world. Jeffers does not shy away from the darker aspects of the gaze, but also celebrates its ability to transport and transform us.
Symbolism
"The Eye" is rich with symbolism, much of it related to the natural world. Jeffers frequently uses images of the sea, the sky, and the earth to convey deeper meanings and emotions.
One of the most striking symbols in the poem is the "Great Eye," which Jeffers describes as "the watcher of the world." This image conveys a sense of divine omniscience - the idea that there is a higher power overseeing everything that happens on earth. At the same time, the Eye is also portrayed as a menacing and destructive force, suggesting that even the divine is not always benevolent.
Another significant symbol in the poem is the ocean. Throughout the poem, Jeffers uses the sea to convey a sense of vastness and mystery. He describes the waves as "endless," and the depths as "bottomless," suggesting that there is much about the world that remains unknown and unknowable. At the same time, the ocean also represents a source of renewal and transformation, as Jeffers writes:
"The sea opens and closes, opens and closes its hands,/ the moon looks in and the moon looks out."
Here, Jeffers suggests that the sea is a cyclical force, constantly renewing itself and offering new opportunities for growth and change.
Finally, Jeffers uses the image of the eagle to convey a sense of power and majesty. The eagle is described as "the tyrant of birds," and its gaze is said to "pierce the air like a spear." This image conveys a sense of strength and dominance, but also suggests that such power can be isolating and alienating.
Language
One of the most striking features of "The Eye" is Jeffers' use of language. His poetry is often characterized by its pared-down and direct style, which emphasizes the power and beauty of the natural world. In "The Eye," Jeffers uses this style to great effect, creating a series of vivid and evocative images.
For example, consider the following lines:
"The sea is a great magician, heaped with white flowers,/ and the sky is a magician too, and the sun and moon are magicians."
Here, Jeffers uses simple and direct language to convey the sense of wonder and magic that surrounds us. The repetition of the word "magician" emphasizes the idea that there is something mysterious and inexplicable about the world, and that our ability to perceive it is a kind of magic in itself.
Similarly, Jeffers' use of imagery in the poem is both striking and effective. Consider the following lines:
"The eagle is the tyrant of birds, the dragonfly/ blinks out of the sun like a spark, the owl/ floats over the darkening hills like a mote of light."
Here, Jeffers uses a series of vivid and unexpected images to convey the diversity and richness of the natural world. By using metaphor and simile to describe the creatures around us, Jeffers invites us to see the world in a new and transformative way.
Conclusion
In "The Eye," Robinson Jeffers offers a powerful and evocative meditation on the power and mystery of the human gaze. Through his use of symbolism, themes, and language, Jeffers invites us to consider the ways in which our vision shapes our relationship with the world, and how even the act of looking can be transformative. This poem is a testament to Jeffers' skill as a poet, and to his deep engagement with the natural world. As readers, we are invited to see the world through Jeffers' eyes, and to rediscover the beauty and wonder that surrounds us every day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Robinson Jeffers' "The Eye" is a classic poem that has captivated readers for generations. The poem is a beautiful and haunting meditation on the nature of perception and the human experience. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of the poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning.
The poem begins with a description of the eye as a "wilderness" that is "full of the silence of the night." This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with images of nature and the natural world. The eye is described as a "wilderness" because it is a vast and untamed landscape that is full of mystery and wonder. The silence of the night adds to this sense of mystery, as it suggests that the eye is a place where secrets are kept and hidden.
As the poem continues, Jeffers explores the idea that the eye is a window into the soul. He writes, "The eye is the first circle; the horizon which it forms is the second: and throughout nature this primary figure is repeated without end." This idea of the eye as a circle is significant because it suggests that the eye is a symbol of wholeness and completeness. The horizon, which is formed by the eye, is also significant because it represents the boundary between the known and the unknown. The fact that this boundary is constantly repeated throughout nature suggests that it is a fundamental aspect of the human experience.
Jeffers goes on to describe the eye as a "mirror" that reflects the world around it. He writes, "The eye is the mirror of the soul, and reflects everything that is beautiful and eternal back to the heart." This idea of the eye as a mirror is significant because it suggests that the world we see is a reflection of our inner selves. If we see beauty and goodness in the world, it is because we have those qualities within us. Conversely, if we see ugliness and evil in the world, it is because those qualities exist within us as well.
The poem then takes a darker turn as Jeffers explores the idea that the eye can also be a source of pain and suffering. He writes, "But this mirror also reflects the terrible images of our own destruction, the end of the world, the death of the soul." This idea of the eye reflecting our own destruction is significant because it suggests that we are responsible for our own suffering. If we see destruction and death in the world, it is because we have brought those things upon ourselves.
Jeffers then returns to the idea of the eye as a window into the soul. He writes, "Look to the eye, and see the soul." This line is significant because it suggests that the eye is not just a physical organ, but a symbol of our inner selves. If we want to understand ourselves and our place in the world, we must look within and examine our own souls.
The poem ends with a powerful image of the eye as a "star." Jeffers writes, "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light." This image of the eye as a star is significant because it suggests that the eye is a source of light and illumination. If we have clear eyes, we will be able to see the world in a new and profound way. We will be able to see the beauty and goodness that exists all around us, and we will be able to live our lives with purpose and meaning.
In conclusion, Robinson Jeffers' "The Eye" is a beautiful and haunting poem that explores the nature of perception and the human experience. Through its imagery and language, the poem suggests that the eye is a window into the soul, a mirror that reflects the world around us, and a source of light and illumination. The poem challenges us to look within ourselves and examine our own souls, so that we may better understand ourselves and our place in the world. It is a timeless meditation on the human condition, and a testament to the power of poetry to inspire and enlighten us.
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