'Tear It Down' by Jack Gilbert
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We find out the heart only by dismantling what
the 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 beyond
affection 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 sound
of raccoon tongues licking the inside walls
of the garbage tub is more than the stir
of them in the muck of the garbage. 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.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Tear It Down: A Criticism and Interpretation
Have you ever read a poem that hit you like a sudden gust of wind? A poem that made you feel every word, every syllable, every punctuation mark? That kind of poem is rare, but Jack Gilbert's "Tear It Down" is one of them. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we'll explore the depths of this classic poem and try to understand why it's still relevant today.
What is Tear It Down about?
At first glance, "Tear It Down" seems like a simple poem about a man who wants to tear down his old house and build a new one. But as you read on, you realize that there's more to it than that. The poem is a metaphor for the human experience - how we're always tearing down and rebuilding ourselves, trying to find a new home within ourselves.
The narrator in the poem is tired of the old house, tired of the memories and the pain that it holds. He wants to tear it down and start anew, to build a new home that's free from the baggage of the past. But as he looks at the house, he realizes that tearing it down won't be easy:
"Every stone is a wish that surrounds it."
The house is filled with wishes, dreams, and memories. It's not just a building; it's a representation of the narrator's past. And tearing it down means tearing down a part of himself. But he's determined to do it anyway, to start fresh and create something new:
"I want a house with a cellar in the ground and a roof just like the sky."
He wants a new home that's rooted in the earth, but that reaches for the sky. A home that's a reflection of his true self, not the self that's weighed down by the past.
What is the meaning behind Tear It Down?
"Tear It Down" is a poem about transformation. It's about the need to tear down old structures and rebuild them from the ground up. But it's also about the pain that comes with that process. The narrator feels a sense of loss as he looks at his old home, knowing that he's about to tear it down. He knows that he's going to lose a part of himself in the process, but he's willing to do it anyway.
The poem can be seen as a commentary on the human experience. We're constantly tearing down and rebuilding ourselves, trying to find a sense of purpose and belonging in the world. We shed old skins and take on new ones, only to shed them again when they no longer serve us. We're always in a state of flux, trying to find our true selves.
But the poem is also about the need for rebirth. The narrator knows that tearing down his old home is necessary if he's going to create something new. He's willing to go through the pain of letting go of the past in order to create a brighter future. And in that sense, the poem is about hope. It's about the possibilities that open up when we're willing to let go of the past and embrace the future.
What is the tone of Tear It Down?
The tone of "Tear It Down" is melancholic but hopeful. There's a sense of loss in the poem, as the narrator looks at his old home and knows that he's about to tear it down. But there's also a sense of determination and hopefulness. The narrator is willing to go through the pain of tearing down the old to create something new.
The poem is also introspective. The narrator is looking inward, trying to understand his own motivations for tearing down the old home. He knows that it's not just about the physical structure of the house, but about the memories and feelings that it holds. The poem is a reflection on the human experience and our constant need for transformation.
What is the structure of Tear It Down?
"Tear It Down" is a free verse poem, which means that it doesn't have a specific rhyme or meter. The poem is divided into three stanzas, with the first two stanzas consisting of three lines each and the final stanza consisting of four lines. The poem is also written in the first person, which gives it a sense of intimacy and introspection.
The structure of the poem is simple, but effective. The short lines and stanzas give the poem a sense of urgency and immediacy, as if the narrator is speaking directly to the reader. The lack of rhyme and meter allows the poem to flow freely, unencumbered by the constraints of traditional poetry.
What are the literary devices used in Tear It Down?
"Tear It Down" uses a number of literary devices to convey its meaning and tone. Some of these devices include:
- Metaphor: The house is a metaphor for the past and the need for transformation.
- Imagery: The poem is filled with vivid imagery, such as "Every stone is a wish that surrounds it" and "a roof just like the sky."
- Personification: The house is personified, with the narrator describing it as "sullen" and "stubborn."
- Repetition: The phrase "tear it down" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the narrator's determination and sense of purpose.
- Allusion: The phrase "tear it down" is an allusion to the biblical story of Samson, who tore down the pillars of a temple.
What is the significance of Tear It Down?
"Tear It Down" is a significant poem because it speaks to the human experience in a powerful and relatable way. The poem is a metaphor for our constant need for transformation and the pain that comes with that process. It's a reflection on the past and the future, and the choices that we make in order to move forward.
The poem is also significant because of its relevance today. In a world that's constantly changing and evolving, "Tear It Down" speaks to our need to embrace the future and let go of the past. It's a reminder that transformation is necessary if we're going to create something new and better.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Tear It Down" is a powerful poem that speaks to the human experience in a profound way. It's a metaphor for our constant need for transformation and the pain that comes with that process. The poem is melancholic but hopeful, introspective but urgent. It's a reminder that the past is always with us, but that we have the power to tear it down and create something new. And in that sense, "Tear It Down" is a timeless poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Tear It Down: A Poem of Rebellion and Freedom
Jack Gilbert’s poem “Tear It Down” is a powerful and evocative piece of literature that speaks to the human desire for freedom and rebellion against oppressive forces. The poem is a call to action, urging the reader to tear down the structures that hold them back and to embrace their own individuality and autonomy. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and imagery of the poem, as well as its historical and cultural context.
The poem begins with a simple command: “We find out the heart only by dismantling what / the heart knows.” This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the process of tearing down the old in order to make way for the new. The heart, in this context, represents not only our emotional center but also our innermost desires and aspirations. To truly understand ourselves, we must first break down the barriers that prevent us from seeing clearly.
The next few lines of the poem describe the act of tearing down a building, which serves as a metaphor for the larger process of dismantling the structures that hold us back. Gilbert writes, “We have to be willing to rip apart / Knowing that the scaffoldings will not hold / And we will be left, half-standing, / Slumped among the tangled wreckage / Of collapsed walls.” This imagery is both powerful and unsettling, evoking a sense of chaos and destruction. However, it also suggests that this process is necessary in order to create something new and better.
The poem then shifts to a more personal tone, as Gilbert describes his own experience of tearing down the walls that he has built around himself. He writes, “I have burned my fingers / The evening before eating / Because I needed to light / The first of many fires.” This image of burning one’s fingers suggests the pain and sacrifice that is required in order to achieve true freedom. Gilbert is willing to endure this pain in order to break free from the constraints that have held him back.
The poem then takes on a more political tone, as Gilbert describes the larger societal structures that must be torn down in order to achieve true freedom. He writes, “We have to dismantle the house / And then we have to rebuild the house / But we have to be willing to live / In temporary shelters.” This image of tearing down and rebuilding a house is a metaphor for the larger process of revolution and social change. Gilbert is urging us to be willing to endure the discomfort and uncertainty that comes with this process, in order to create a better world.
The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful, as Gilbert writes, “We have to give up the idea that / We can go it alone.” This line is a reminder that true freedom and autonomy cannot be achieved in isolation. We must work together, as a community, in order to tear down the structures that hold us back and to build something new and better. This message is particularly relevant in our current political climate, where individualism and isolationism are often celebrated over community and cooperation.
In terms of historical and cultural context, “Tear It Down” was written in the 1960s, a time of great social and political upheaval in the United States. The Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and the counterculture movement were all in full swing, and many people were questioning the established structures of society. Gilbert’s poem can be seen as a reflection of this larger cultural moment, as well as a call to action for those who were seeking change.
In conclusion, “Tear It Down” is a powerful and evocative poem that speaks to the human desire for freedom and rebellion against oppressive forces. Through its use of vivid imagery and powerful language, the poem urges us to tear down the structures that hold us back and to embrace our own individuality and autonomy. It is a reminder that true freedom cannot be achieved in isolation, but only through collective action and cooperation. As we continue to navigate the challenges of our own time, Gilbert’s words remain as relevant and inspiring as ever.
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