'Praise Life' by Robinson Jeffers


AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay


This country least, but every inhabited country
Is clotted with human anguish.
Remember that at your feasts.

And this is no new thing but from time out of mind,
No transient thing, but exactly
Conterminous with human life.

Praise life, it deserves praise, but the praise of life
That forgets the pain is a pebble
Rattled in a dry gourd.


Submitted by Holt

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Praise Life" by Robinson Jeffers: A Celebration of Existentialism and the Human Condition

Robinson Jeffers was an American poet known for his love of nature and his unorthodox philosophy of life. His poem "Praise Life" is a celebration of existence and an exploration of the human condition. Through his use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and evocative language, Jeffers invites readers to contemplate the meaning of life and to embrace the beauty and complexity of the world around them.

The Poem: An Overview

"Praise Life" is a poem in free verse, meaning that it does not follow a strict meter or rhyme scheme. It is divided into three sections, each of which explores a different aspect of existence. In the first section, Jeffers celebrates the natural world, describing it as a place of beauty and wonder. In the second section, he reflects on the human condition, acknowledging the pain and suffering that come with life but also celebrating the resilience and strength of the human spirit. In the final section, Jeffers returns to the theme of nature, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all things and the eternal cycle of life and death.

Analysis: Celebrating Nature

In the first section of "Praise Life," Jeffers celebrates the natural world and its beauty. He describes the "wilderness" as a place of "mystery and beauty," full of "ravines and waterfalls," "groves of wild olive and ilex," and "rocks that rear up against the sky." Through his vivid descriptions, Jeffers invites readers to appreciate the richness and complexity of the natural world and to recognize its power and majesty.

Jeffers also uses imagery to highlight the interconnectedness of all things in nature. He writes, "the tide, the old pulsation of the earth's desire, / Comes wash the world and its tumult away." Here, Jeffers suggests that the tide is a reminder of the cyclical nature of life and the interconnectedness of all things. As the tide washes away the detritus of human civilization, it also brings renewal and rebirth, emphasizing the eternal cycle of life and death.

Reflections on the Human Condition

In the second section of "Praise Life," Jeffers turns his attention to the human condition. He acknowledges the pain and suffering that accompany life, but also celebrates the resilience and strength of the human spirit. He writes, "Out of the sufferings and deaths / We make poems, and build / Cathedrals and universities."

Jeffers also reflects on the transience of human existence. He writes, "Our lives are brief and tedious, / We are born, we grow old, / We wither and die." Here, Jeffers acknowledges the ephemeral nature of human life, emphasizing the need to seize the moment and appreciate the beauty and complexity of the world around us.

Interconnectedness and the Eternal Cycle of Life and Death

In the final section of "Praise Life," Jeffers returns to the theme of nature, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all things and the eternal cycle of life and death. He writes, "All is in all, and each / Is a crystal miracle. / The deeply buried seed / Is dreaming of the sun." Here, Jeffers suggests that all things in nature are interconnected and that every living thing is part of a larger system.

Jeffers also emphasizes the cyclical nature of life and death. He writes, "The seeds shall be as the grass, / And the grass shall be as the trees, / And the trees shall be as the hills." Here, Jeffers suggests that everything in nature is part of a larger cycle of life and death, emphasizing the eternal nature of existence.

Conclusion: A Celebration of Existentialism and the Human Condition

In "Praise Life," Robinson Jeffers celebrates the beauty and complexity of the natural world and reflects on the human condition. Through his vivid descriptions and powerful metaphors, Jeffers invites readers to contemplate the meaning of life and to embrace the existentialist philosophy of being. He encourages readers to appreciate the interconnectedness of all things and the cyclical nature of life and death and to find meaning and purpose in the brief, fleeting moments of existence. Ultimately, "Praise Life" is a celebration of the human spirit, a tribute to the resilience and strength that enable us to overcome the challenges and tragedies of life and to find joy and beauty in the world around us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Praise Life: A Celebration of Nature and Existence

Robinson Jeffers, the American poet and environmentalist, is known for his love for nature and his deep appreciation for the beauty of life. In his poem "Praise Life," Jeffers celebrates the wonder and mystery of existence, urging us to embrace the natural world and find meaning in the cycles of life and death.

The poem begins with a powerful statement: "Praise the day, and praise the night, / Praise the rain, and praise the light." Jeffers sets the tone for the rest of the poem, emphasizing the importance of embracing all aspects of life, both positive and negative. He reminds us that life is not just about happiness and joy, but also about struggle and hardship.

Jeffers goes on to describe the beauty of the natural world, praising the "green earth" and the "blue sea." He marvels at the "wilderness of stars" and the "mystery of the moon." Through his vivid descriptions, Jeffers invites us to see the world as he sees it, as a place of wonder and awe.

But Jeffers does not stop at mere admiration of the natural world. He also recognizes the darker aspects of existence, acknowledging the inevitability of death and decay. He writes, "Praise the dark, and praise the light, / Praise the end, and praise the height." Jeffers understands that life is a cycle, and that death is a necessary part of that cycle. He urges us to embrace this reality, to find beauty in the process of decay and renewal.

One of the most striking aspects of "Praise Life" is Jeffers' use of language. His words are simple yet powerful, and his imagery is vivid and evocative. He writes of "the thunder of the surf" and "the whisper of the wind," painting a picture of a world alive with sound and movement. His use of repetition, particularly in the refrain "Praise life, it deserves it," reinforces the central message of the poem and gives it a sense of urgency.

At its core, "Praise Life" is a celebration of existence itself. Jeffers urges us to see the world as a place of wonder and beauty, to embrace both the light and the dark, and to find meaning in the cycles of life and death. His message is one of hope and optimism, even in the face of adversity.

But Jeffers' message is not just one of personal reflection and contemplation. He also calls on us to take action, to protect and preserve the natural world. He writes, "Praise the earth, our mother, / And the air, our father." Jeffers recognizes that we are all connected to the natural world, and that our actions have a profound impact on the planet. He urges us to take responsibility for our actions and to work towards a more sustainable future.

In many ways, "Praise Life" is a call to arms, a rallying cry for those who care about the environment and the future of our planet. Jeffers' words remind us that we are not alone in our love for the natural world, and that there is hope for a better future if we work together.

In conclusion, Robinson Jeffers' "Praise Life" is a powerful and inspiring poem that celebrates the wonder and beauty of existence. Through his vivid imagery and simple yet powerful language, Jeffers invites us to see the world as he sees it, as a place of awe and wonder. But he also recognizes the darker aspects of life, reminding us that death and decay are a necessary part of the cycle of life. Ultimately, Jeffers' message is one of hope and optimism, urging us to embrace the natural world and work towards a more sustainable future. "Praise life, it deserves it," he writes. And indeed it does.

Editor Recommended Sites

Learn Prompt Engineering: Prompt Engineering using large language models, chatGPT, GPT-4, tutorials and guides
No IAP Apps: Apple and Google Play Apps that are high rated and have no IAP
Play Songs by Ear: Learn to play songs by ear with trainear.com ear trainer and music theory software
GCP Tools: Tooling for GCP / Google Cloud platform, third party githubs that save the most time
Graph Database Shacl: Graphdb rules and constraints for data quality assurance

Recommended Similar Analysis

Song At Sunset by Walt Whitman analysis
Gentlemen -Rankers by Rudyard Kipling analysis
Mental Cases by Wilfred Owen analysis
Very Like A Whale by Ogden Nash analysis
A Litany in Time of Plague by Thomas Nashe analysis
Tell all the Truth but tell it slant- by Emily Dickinson analysis
Fly , The by William Blake analysis
They dropped like flakes by Emily Dickinson analysis
A Work Of Artifice by Marge Piercy analysis
Purgatorio (Italian) by Dante Alighieri analysis