'Eager To Be Praised' by Robinson Jeffers
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The Beginning and the End and Other Poems1963Goethe, they say, was a great poet, Pindar, perhaps,was a great poet, Shakespeare and Sophocles
Stand beyond question. I am thinking of the few, thefortunate,
Who died fulfilled.I think of Christopher Marlowe,stabbed through the eye in a tavernbrawl by a bawdy serving-man,
Spilling his youth and brains on the greasy planks.I think of young Keats,
Wild with his work unfinished, sobbing for air, dying in Rome.I think of Edgar Poe
And Robert Burns. I think of Lucretius leaving his poem unfinishedto go and kill himself. I think of Archilochus
Grinning with crazy bitterness. I think of Virgil
In despair of his life-work, begging his friends to destroy it,coughing his lungs out.Yet the young men
Still come to me with their books and manuscripts,
Eager to be poets, eager to be praised, eager as Keats.They are mad I think.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Eager to be Praised: A Critical Analysis of Robinson Jeffers' Poem
Robinson Jeffers, one of the most prominent poets of the modernist era, has left behind an enduring legacy with his thought-provoking and profound poetry. Among his many works, "Eager to be Praised" stands out as a prime example of Jeffers' literary genius. The poem, published in 1928, is a powerful commentary on the human condition, mortality, and the futility of seeking praise and recognition.
In this critical analysis, we will delve deep into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices, and explore the themes that Jeffers sought to convey. We will also examine how the poem's relevance persists to this day, nearly a century after its creation.
Overview and Structure
"Eager to be Praised" consists of three stanzas, each with four lines. The poem's structure is simple yet effective, as it reinforces the theme of brevity and the fleeting nature of life. The poem's title, "Eager to be Praised," reflects the central idea of the poem – the human desire for recognition and admiration, which ultimately leads to disappointment and disillusionment.
Literary Devices
Jeffers employs several literary devices to enhance the poem's impact and convey his message. The most prominent of these devices are imagery, irony, and symbolism.
Imagery
The poem is replete with vivid and powerful imagery that captures the transience and fragility of human life. The opening lines, "How vain it is to sit down to write / When you have not stood up to live," create a striking image of someone sitting down to write, yet feeling empty and unfulfilled due to a lack of meaningful experiences. The use of the verb "stood" emphasizes the importance of actively engaging with life and taking risks, rather than simply observing from a distance.
The second stanza's opening line, "The stream of time sweeps away errors, / And leaves the truth for the baseless soul," creates an image of a never-ending stream that relentlessly moves forward, washing away all that is false and fleeting, leaving only the unchanging truth. The use of the words "sweeps away" and "baseless soul" emphasize the idea that our quest for recognition and ephemeral pleasures is ultimately futile, and that only the truth endures.
Irony
The poem employs irony to highlight the discrepancy between our desires and reality. The poem's third stanza contains the most striking example of irony. Jeffers writes, "Praise is the reflection of virtue; but it is as the glass or body which giveth the reflection." Here, Jeffers is pointing out that praise is not a measure of our true worth or virtue but rather a reflection of others' perceptions. This irony emphasizes the disconnect between our ego-driven desire for praise and the reality of our true worth, which cannot be measured or reflected on a surface.
Symbolism
Jeffers also employs symbolism to convey the poem's themes. The most powerful symbol in the poem is the "mirror," which appears in the second stanza. Jeffers writes, "The mirror is a worthless invention of the East; / The glass it is which should be our teacher and guide." Here, the mirror symbolizes our ego-driven desire for recognition and admiration, which ultimately leads us astray. In contrast, the glass symbolizes the truth, which we can see only when we stop projecting our desires and expectations onto the world.
Themes
"Eager to be Praised" explores several themes that are central to Jeffers' philosophy. The most prominent of these themes are the human desire for recognition, the transience and fragility of life, and the quest for truth.
Human Desire for Recognition
The poem's title reflects one of its central themes – the human desire for recognition and admiration. Jeffers points out the futility of this quest, emphasizing that praise is a reflection of others' perceptions, rather than a measure of our true worth. By doing so, Jeffers encourages us to seek validation from within, rather than relying on external praise and recognition.
Transience and Fragility of Life
Another central theme of the poem is the transience and fragility of life. Jeffers emphasizes that our lives are fleeting and that we must actively engage with life if we want to experience its richness and depth. The use of imagery and symbolism reinforces this theme, reminding us of the impermanence of all things.
Quest for Truth
The poem's final stanza emphasizes the importance of seeking the truth, rather than chasing the illusion of praise and recognition. Jeffers encourages us to see beyond the surface and to recognize the truth, which endures even as all else fades away.
Relevance Today
Nearly a century after its creation, "Eager to be Praised" remains relevant and thought-provoking. In a world where social media and instant gratification dominate, Jeffers' message is more important than ever. The poem reminds us that true fulfillment comes not from external validation but from actively engaging with life, seeking the truth, and finding validation from within.
In conclusion, "Eager to be Praised" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the human desire for recognition, the transience and fragility of life, and the quest for truth. Jeffers' use of imagery, irony, and symbolism enhances the poem's impact, highlighting the discrepancy between our desires and reality. The poem's relevance persists to this day, reminding us that true fulfillment comes from within, rather than from external validation.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Eager To Be Praised: A Masterpiece by Robinson Jeffers
If you are a poetry enthusiast, you must have come across the name Robinson Jeffers. He is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for his unique style and themes. Among his many works, Poetry Eager To Be Praised stands out as a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and the poet's relationship with his art.
In this 14-line poem, Jeffers explores the idea of poetry as a living entity that seeks recognition and validation from its readers. He personifies poetry, giving it human-like qualities and emotions, and portrays it as a vulnerable being that longs for praise and admiration.
The poem begins with the line, "I am poetry, clumsy and dumb," which sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker, who is poetry itself, admits to its shortcomings and limitations. It acknowledges that it is not perfect, and that it struggles to express itself in the best way possible. This line also establishes a sense of humility, which is a recurring theme in Jeffers' poetry.
The second line, "My song is rarely sung," highlights the poet's frustration with the lack of recognition that his work receives. He laments that his poetry is not appreciated as much as he would like it to be, and that it remains largely unknown to the world. This line also suggests that the poet is not writing for himself, but for others, and that he wants his work to be heard and appreciated.
The third and fourth lines, "And when it is, it's often stung/ By the nettles of the vulgar tongue," introduce the idea of criticism and how it affects the poet. Jeffers suggests that when his work is finally recognized, it is often met with harsh criticism and negativity. The "nettles of the vulgar tongue" represent the hurtful words of those who do not appreciate or understand the poet's work. This line also highlights the vulnerability of the poet, who is sensitive to criticism and rejection.
The fifth and sixth lines, "But still I am eager to be praised/ And strive to mend my halting phrase," reveal the poet's desire for praise and validation. Despite the criticism and rejection, the poet remains eager to be praised and recognized for his work. He acknowledges that his poetry is not perfect, but he strives to improve and refine his craft. This line also suggests that the poet is constantly learning and growing, and that he is not content with mediocrity.
The seventh and eighth lines, "I am a foolish, fond old thing/ And like to have my little fling," introduce a sense of playfulness and whimsy to the poem. The poet personifies poetry as an old, foolish being that enjoys having fun and being appreciated. This line also suggests that the poet does not take himself too seriously, and that he is capable of having fun and enjoying life.
The ninth and tenth lines, "I love to hear the young folks sing/ And long to be their chosen king," reveal the poet's desire to connect with the younger generation. He wants his poetry to be relevant and accessible to the youth, and he longs to be their chosen king, or the one they look up to and admire. This line also suggests that the poet is not content with being appreciated by a select few, but wants his work to reach a wider audience.
The eleventh and twelfth lines, "I am poetry, clumsy and vain/ And I would be loved, and loved again," highlight the poet's vanity and self-importance. He acknowledges that he is not perfect, but he still wants to be loved and appreciated. This line also suggests that the poet is aware of his flaws, but he still wants to be recognized for his strengths.
The thirteenth and fourteenth lines, "And if you will only hear my strain/ I'll sing to you again and again," bring the poem to a close, with the poet inviting the reader to listen to his work. He promises to sing to them again and again, suggesting that his poetry is timeless and enduring. This line also suggests that the poet is confident in his work, and that he believes it has the power to move and inspire others.
In conclusion, Poetry Eager To Be Praised is a masterful piece of poetry that captures the essence of the poet's relationship with his art. Jeffers personifies poetry, giving it human-like qualities and emotions, and portrays it as a vulnerable being that longs for praise and admiration. The poem highlights the poet's desire for recognition and validation, while also acknowledging his flaws and limitations. It is a timeless piece that speaks to the heart of every poet, and it will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
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