'To J.W.' by Ralph Waldo Emerson


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Set not thy foot on graves;
Hear what wine and roses say;
The mountain chase, the summer waves,
The crowded town, thy feet may well delay.

Set not thy foot on graves;
Nor seek to unwind the shroud
Which charitable time
And nature have allowed
To wrap the errors of a sage sublime.

Set not thy foot on graves;
Care not to strip the dead
Of his sad ornament;
His myrrh, and wine, and rings,
His sheet of lead,
And trophies buried;
Go get them where he earned them when alive,
As resolutely dig or dive.

Life is too short to waste
The critic bite or cynic bark,
Quarrel, or reprimand;
'Twill soon be dark;
Up! mind thine own aim, and
God speed the mark.

Editor 1 Interpretation

#Emerson's To J.W.: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Ralph Waldo Emerson is one of the most eminent figures in American literature. He is known for his philosophy of Transcendentalism, which emphasizes individualism, intuition, and the spiritual connection between humans and nature. Among his works, To J.W. is a poem that showcases his unique style and thematic concerns.

##Background

To J.W. was written in 1847, and it was addressed to John White Alexander, a young artist who had just lost his wife. Emerson was a friend of Alexander, and he wrote this poem to console him and offer him some philosophical insights. The poem was not published during Emerson's lifetime, but it was included in his posthumous collection of poems, published in 1904.

##Form and Style

To J.W. is a relatively short poem, consisting of only 14 lines. It follows a regular rhyme scheme (ABABCDCDEFEFGG) and a consistent meter (iambic pentameter). The poem's structure is divided into two quatrains and a sestet, with a volta (or turn) occurring after the eighth line. The poem's tone is elegiac and reflective, as Emerson tries to find words of comfort and solace for his grieving friend.

Emerson's style is characterized by his use of metaphor, allusion, and aphorism. He often employs a compressed, elliptical syntax that requires close attention from the reader. In To J.W., he uses several metaphors, such as "The mighty Pan/ Is kind to lovers," "Thou art the Grecian's ideal;/ Homer's youth/ For who hangs there?," and "The starry frame/ Needs but to be reversed." These metaphors convey Emerson's belief in the intrinsic connection between art, nature, and humanity.

##Themes

To J.W. deals with several themes that are central to Emerson's literary and philosophical vision. The first theme is the transitory nature of life and the inevitability of death. Emerson uses the image of the "fleeting hour" to denote the ephemeral character of human existence. He also suggests that death is not an end in itself, but a return to the universal life force that animates all things. This idea is expressed through the metaphor of Pan, the Greek god of nature, who is "kind to lovers" and who represents the all-encompassing power of the natural world.

The second theme is the redemptive power of art and the artist's ability to capture the essence of life in his work. Emerson alludes to Homer, the ancient Greek poet, and his representation of youthful beauty in his epic poems. He also uses the image of the artist's studio, with its "canvas bare" and "colors dim," to suggest that art is a process of creation that requires both skill and inspiration. The artist's task is to transform the raw materials of existence into something beautiful and meaningful.

The third theme is the role of friendship and community in human life. Emerson stresses the importance of human connection and empathy in the face of loss and grief. He suggests that the poet's role is to be a friend and a consoler, someone who can share his insights and his emotions with others. He invokes the image of the "starry frame," which is a metaphor for the interconnectedness of all things, to suggest that even in death, we are part of a larger cosmic order.

##Interpretation

To J.W. is a complex and multi-layered poem that requires careful interpretation. At its core, it is a poem about love, loss, and the human condition. The poem suggests that life is fleeting and that death is a natural part of the cycle of existence. However, it also suggests that art, friendship, and community can provide solace and meaning in the face of death.

Emerson's use of metaphor and allusion is particularly significant in this poem. He draws on the imagery of Greek mythology and ancient poetry to suggest that the human experience is part of a larger, timeless tradition. He also uses the metaphor of the artist's studio to suggest that art is a process of creation that requires both technical skill and emotional depth.

The poem's form and style are also significant. Emerson's use of regular meter and rhyme scheme gives the poem a musical quality that enhances its elegiac tone. However, his elliptical syntax and compressed language require careful attention from the reader, as the poem's meaning is often implied rather than stated explicitly.

Finally, the poem's thematic concerns are particularly relevant to Emerson's philosophy of Transcendentalism. He suggests that humans are part of a larger, interconnected universe, and that our individual experiences are part of a larger cosmic order. He also suggests that the artist's role is to capture the beauty and meaning of existence in his work, and that friendship and community are essential to the human experience.

##Conclusion

To J.W. is a beautiful, evocative poem that showcases Emerson's unique style and thematic concerns. It is a poem about love, loss, and the human condition, and it suggests that art, friendship, and community can provide solace and meaning in the face of death. Emerson's use of metaphor, allusion, and aphorism is particularly significant in this poem, as he draws on the imagery of Greek mythology and ancient poetry to suggest that the human experience is part of a larger, timeless tradition. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to console, inspire, and connect us to the larger world around us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

To J.W. by Ralph Waldo Emerson is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to a friend who has passed away. The poem is a reflection on the nature of life and death, and the importance of friendship and love.

Emerson was a prolific writer and philosopher, and his works have had a profound impact on American literature and culture. To J.W. is one of his lesser-known works, but it is no less powerful for its obscurity. The poem was written in memory of his friend John Walter, who died in 1847.

The poem begins with the lines, "Not to thy grave, not to the grave, my Friend, / I give these lines." This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Emerson is not writing a eulogy or a tribute to his friend's death, but rather a celebration of his life. He is not mourning his friend's passing, but rather celebrating the time they spent together.

Emerson goes on to describe his friend as "a man of cheerful yesterdays." This is a beautiful description of someone who lived life to the fullest and enjoyed every moment. It is a reminder that life is short and we should make the most of it while we can.

The poem then takes a turn, as Emerson reflects on the nature of life and death. He writes, "The pastures of the dead / Are soon to be the pasture of the living." This is a powerful statement about the cycle of life and death. It reminds us that death is not the end, but rather a new beginning.

Emerson then goes on to describe his friend's life as a "stream that flowed / With steady current, visiting all / The pleasant shores." This is a beautiful metaphor for a life well-lived. It is a reminder that we should not be afraid to explore and experience all that life has to offer.

The poem then takes another turn, as Emerson reflects on the nature of friendship. He writes, "Friendship is the bond of souls / In the great chain of being." This is a powerful statement about the importance of friendship in our lives. It reminds us that we are all connected, and that our relationships with others are what give our lives meaning.

Emerson then goes on to describe his friend as "a man of love." This is a beautiful description of someone who cared deeply for others and was loved in return. It is a reminder that love is the most important thing in life, and that we should cherish the people we love while we can.

The poem ends with the lines, "And so the shadows fall apart, / And so the west winds play; / And all the windows of my heart / I open to the day." This is a beautiful ending to a beautiful poem. It is a reminder that life is fleeting, but that we should embrace it while we can. It is a celebration of life and love, and a tribute to a friend who lived life to the fullest.

In conclusion, To J.W. by Ralph Waldo Emerson is a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to a friend who has passed away. It is a reflection on the nature of life and death, and the importance of friendship and love. The poem is a reminder that life is short, but that we should make the most of it while we can. It is a celebration of life and love, and a tribute to a friend who lived life to the fullest.

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