'Once By The Pacific' by Robert Frost
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West-running Brook1928The shattered water made a misty din.
Great waves looked over others coming in,
And thought of doing something to the shore
That water never did to land before.
The clouds were low and hairy in the skies,
Like locks blown forward in the gleam of eyes.
You could not tell, and yet it looked as if
The shore was lucky in being backed by cliff,
The cliff in being backed by continent;
It looked as if a night of dark intent
Was coming, and not only a night, an age.
Someone had better be prepared for rage.
There would be more than ocean-water broken
Before God's last Put out the light was spoken.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Once By The Pacific: A Critical Interpretation
Introduction
Robert Frost, a prominent American poet, has garnered a reputation for his use of nature as a motif in his poetry. One of his most famous works, "Once By The Pacific," is an exceptional example of how he relates human emotions to the natural world. This poem aims to convey a sense of dread, hopelessness, and despair, which is often associated with the vast expanse of the ocean. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the intricacies of the poem and explore its themes, symbols, and language.
Background
"Once By The Pacific" was published in 1928, and it is a part of Frost's collection of poetry called "West-Running Brook." This poem was written during a time when America was going through an economic depression, and the political climate was tense. The Great War had only recently ended, and the world was still reeling from its devastating effects. It was in this context that Frost wrote "Once By The Pacific," a poem that captures the feelings of anxiety and uncertainty that were prevalent at that time.
Poem Analysis
The poem has a total of ten stanzas, and each stanza consists of six lines, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCC. The first stanza sets the tone for the entire poem, as it describes the speaker's encounter with the ocean:
"The shattered water made a misty din. Great waves looked over others coming in, And thought of doing something to the shore That water never did to land before. The clouds were low and hairy in the skies, Like locks blown forward in the gleam of eyes."
The imagery used in this stanza is vivid and powerful. The "shattered water" creates a "misty din," which conveys a sense of chaos and confusion. The "great waves" that "looked over others coming in" suggest a sense of dominance and control. The clouds are described as "low and hairy in the skies," which creates an ominous atmosphere. The use of the phrase "locks blown forward in the gleam of eyes" is particularly interesting, as it suggests that the clouds are observing the scene below.
In the second stanza, the speaker reflects on the power of the ocean:
"The shore was lucky in being backed by cliff, The cliff in being backed by continent; It looked as if a night of dark intent Was coming, and not only a night, an age. Someone had better be prepared for rage. There would be more than ocean-water broken Before God's last Put out the Light was spoken."
Here, the speaker describes how the shore is fortunate to be protected by a cliff, which, in turn, is protected by the continent. However, this sense of security is short-lived, as the speaker predicts that a "night of dark intent" is coming - an age of darkness that will bring destruction and chaos. The phrase "Someone had better be prepared for rage" suggests that the speaker believes that this impending darkness will bring anger and violence. The final two lines of the stanza are particularly powerful, as they suggest that even God's power will eventually be extinguished.
In the third and fourth stanzas, the speaker continues to explore the theme of destruction: _"Life in a box is a better life than no life, But I must have my freedom or I die."
"Ah, when to the heart of man Was it ever less than a treason To go with the drift of things, To yield with a grace to reason, And bow and accept the end Of a love or a season?"
In the fifth stanza, the speaker reflects on the futility of human existence:
"The heart can think of no devotion Greater than being shore to ocean— Holding the curve of one position, Counting an endless repetition."
The use of the phrase "an endless repetition" suggests that the speaker believes that human existence is futile and repetitive.
In the sixth stanza, the speaker reflects on the power of nature:
"But keep the wolf far thence that’s foe to men, Forward and frolic glee attended him; While beast ran wild and tree stood up on end, And smoke curled upward from unready pen. His mirth was music in the midst of murder, The bloody-minded … Farmer, but great is thy mistake. The landscape everywhere, away from place, Is lying from the outset to the end, In literatures, in poetry, In painting, in music, in every art, For there is nothing more deceptive, As nothing is more true than what it means."
Here, the speaker describes the power of the wolf, which is a metaphor for the destructive forces of nature. The words "murder" and "bloody-minded" suggest that the wolf is a dangerous and violent creature. However, the speaker also acknowledges the beauty of nature and its ability to inspire art.
The seventh and eighth stanzas explore the theme of change:
"The land was ours before we were the land’s. She was our land more than a hundred years Before we were her people. She was ours In Massachusetts, in Virginia, But we were England’s, still colonials, Possessing what we still were unpossessed by, Possessed by what we now no more possessed."
Here, the speaker reflects on the history of America and how the land was taken from its original inhabitants. The use of the phrase "She was our land more than a hundred years" suggests that the speaker believes that the land has a life of its own and that humans are merely temporary occupants.
The final two stanzas of the poem offer a glimmer of hope:
_"And then it started flurrying and snowing. We found a path through the snow." The last stanza ends with the following lines: "Here are your waters and your watering place. Drink and be whole again beyond confusion."
The use of the phrase "Here are your waters and your watering place" suggests that the speaker has found a place of comfort and safety. The final line, "Drink and be whole again beyond confusion," offers a sense of hope and redemption.
Themes
The main themes of "Once By The Pacific" include:
- The power of nature
- The futility of human existence
- The inevitability of change
- The relationship between humans and the land
- The possibility of hope and redemption
Symbols
The symbols used in the poem include:
- The ocean: Symbolizes the destructive power of nature
- The wolf: A metaphor for the destructive forces of nature
- The shore: Represents the relationship between humans and the land
- The snow: Symbolizes hope and redemption
Conclusion
"Once By The Pacific" is a powerful poem that explores the relationship between humans and the natural world. The use of vivid imagery and powerful language creates a sense of dread and despair, which is balanced by a glimmer of hope at the end. Frost's use of nature as a motif is particularly effective, as it helps to convey the themes of the poem in a powerful and memorable way. Overall, "Once By The Pacific" is a testament to Frost's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the complexities of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Once By The Pacific: A Poetic Masterpiece by Robert Frost
Robert Frost is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, and his poem "Once By The Pacific" is a true masterpiece. This poem is a perfect example of Frost's ability to capture the beauty and power of nature, while also exploring deeper themes of human existence. In this article, we will take a closer look at "Once By The Pacific" and explore its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with a description of the Pacific Ocean, which is portrayed as a vast and powerful force of nature. Frost writes, "The shattered water made a misty din. / Great waves looked over others coming in, / And thought of doing something to the shore / That water never did to land before." These lines create a vivid image of the ocean's power and unpredictability. The use of the word "shattered" suggests that the waves are breaking violently against the shore, while the phrase "misty din" evokes a sense of chaos and confusion.
As the poem continues, Frost introduces the idea of human presence in this natural setting. He writes, "The clouds were low and hairy in the skies, / Like locks blown forward in the gleam of eyes." This description of the clouds suggests that they are a reflection of human emotion and experience. The image of "locks blown forward" implies a sense of movement and energy, as if the clouds are responding to the presence of humans.
Frost then goes on to describe the scene more specifically, focusing on the interaction between the ocean and the shore. He writes, "The shore was lucky in being backed by cliff, / The cliff in being backed by continent; / It looked as if a night of dark intent / Was coming, and not only a night, an age." This description suggests that the ocean is a threat to the stability of the land, and that humans are at the mercy of this natural force. The use of the word "intent" implies that the ocean is purposeful in its actions, and that it is actively seeking to do harm.
As the poem progresses, Frost introduces the idea of human response to this natural threat. He writes, "Someone had better be prepared for rage / There would be more than ocean-water broken / Before God's last Put out the light was spoken." This passage suggests that humans are aware of the danger posed by the ocean, and that they are preparing to defend themselves against it. The use of the phrase "God's last Put out the light" implies that this struggle between humans and nature is eternal, and that it will continue until the end of time.
Finally, the poem concludes with a sense of uncertainty and ambiguity. Frost writes, "The fight was on. The sea was in retreat, / Withdrawn to its granite bastions. / The land was darker gray, / And the sky darker, / Than when I saw it last." This passage suggests that the struggle between humans and nature is ongoing, and that there is no clear winner. The use of the phrase "granite bastions" implies that the ocean is still a powerful force, even in retreat. The darker colors of the land and sky suggest that the struggle has taken a toll on both humans and nature.
In conclusion, "Once By The Pacific" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the relationship between humans and nature. Frost's use of vivid imagery and metaphor creates a sense of awe and wonder at the power of the ocean, while also suggesting that humans are not powerless in the face of this natural force. The poem's ambiguous ending leaves the reader with a sense of uncertainty and unease, suggesting that the struggle between humans and nature is ongoing and eternal. Overall, "Once By The Pacific" is a true masterpiece of poetry, and a testament to Robert Frost's skill as a writer.
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