'Crow's Fall' by Ted Hughes
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Shake the Kaliedoscope, M. Klonsky, Ed.Anthology, 1973When Crow was white he decided the sun was too white.
He decided it glared much too whitely.
He decided to attack it and defeat it.He got his strength up flush and in full glitter.
He clawed and fluffed his rage up.
He aimed his beak direct at the sun's centre.He laughed himself to the centre of himselfAnd attacked.At his battle cry trees grew suddenly old,
Shadows flattened.But the sun brightened-
It brightened, and Crow returned charred black.He opened his mouth but what came out was charred black."Up there," he managed,
"Where white is black and black is white, I won."
Editor 1 Interpretation
Exploring the Depths of Ted Hughes' "Crow's Fall"
Are you someone who is fascinated by the mysteries and complexities of life? Do you find joy in delving into the depths of language to uncover meaning and beauty? If so, Ted Hughes' "Crow's Fall" is a poem that will leave you awestruck.
"Crow's Fall" is a part of Hughes' famous collection of poems, "Crow." In this poem, we are introduced to Crow, a character who represents chaos, darkness, and the destructive forces of nature. The poem is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of this character, and it is filled with vivid imagery and complex language.
At first glance, "Crow's Fall" may seem like a simple poem. After all, it is only four stanzas long, and each stanza is only three lines. However, as we begin to explore the language and imagery in the poem, we realize that there is much more going on beneath the surface.
Let's dive in and explore the depths of "Crow's Fall."
Stanza One
The poem begins with the lines:
When Crow was white he decided the sun was too white. He decided it glared much too whitely. He decided to attack it and defeat it.
Right away, we are introduced to Crow, and we see that he is not content with the way things are. He sees the sun as too white, too bright, and too overwhelming. He decides to take action and attack it.
What is the significance of the sun in this poem? The sun is often seen as a symbol of life, warmth, and goodness. However, in "Crow's Fall," Hughes subverts this symbol and presents the sun as something that is too overwhelming and too powerful for Crow to handle. Crow's attack on the sun can be seen as an act of rebellion against the natural order of things.
The language in this stanza is also significant. Hughes uses repetition to emphasize Crow's determination. The repetition of the word "decided" creates a sense of urgency and purpose in Crow's actions.
Stanza Two
The second stanza reads:
He got his strength up flush and in full glitter. He clawed and fluffed his rage up. He aimed his beak direct at the sun's centre.
In this stanza, we see Crow preparing for his attack. He gets his strength up, and he "claws and fluffs his rage up." This language is significant because it shows that Crow is not just attacking the sun on a whim. He is fueled by rage and determination.
The line "He aimed his beak direct at the sun's centre" is particularly powerful. It shows that Crow is not afraid to take on the most powerful force in the universe. He is willing to go straight to the source of his anger and challenge it head-on.
Stanza Three
The third stanza is the shortest, and it reads:
He laughed himself to the centre of himself At the centre of the sun And he laughed himself to death.
In this stanza, we see the culmination of Crow's attack on the sun. He laughs himself to the center of the sun, and then he laughs himself to death.
What does this mean? It is difficult to say for sure, but we can interpret it in a few different ways.
One interpretation is that Crow's attack on the sun was ultimately futile. Despite his determination and rage, he was unable to defeat the sun. He laughed himself to death because he realized that he had been defeated.
Another interpretation is that Crow's attack on the sun was a kind of suicide. By attacking the sun, he was challenging the natural order of things, and he ultimately paid the price for his rebellion.
The language in this stanza is also significant. The repetition of the phrase "he laughed himself" creates a sense of madness and hysteria. It is as if Crow has gone insane in his attempt to defeat the sun.
Stanza Four
The final stanza reads:
He arrived at the place of coldness (blank coldness) And pecked at the stars and he pecked at the moon And he pecked at the winter, and what do you think he found?
In this stanza, we see Crow after his death. He has arrived at the place of coldness, and he is pecking at the stars, the moon, and the winter. This language is significant because it shows that even in death, Crow is still rebelling against the natural order of things.
The final line, "and what do you think he found?" is a powerful one. It invites the reader to consider what Crow discovered in his rebellion. Did he find a new sense of purpose, or did he discover that his rebellion was ultimately futile?
Conclusion
"Crow's Fall" is a poem that is full of mystery and complexity. It invites the reader to consider the nature of rebellion, the power of language and imagery, and the mysteries of life and death. Hughes' use of vivid imagery and complex language creates a hauntingly beautiful portrait of Crow, a character who represents chaos, darkness, and the destructive forces of nature.
As we explore the depths of "Crow's Fall," we are reminded of the power of poetry to move us and challenge us. Hughes' poem is a masterpiece of language and imagery, and it is a testament to the enduring power of literature to inspire and provoke us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Crow's Fall: A Masterpiece by Ted Hughes
Ted Hughes, the renowned English poet, is known for his unique style of writing that often explores the darker aspects of human nature. His poem, "Crow's Fall," is a prime example of his exceptional talent. The poem is a complex and multi-layered work that delves into the themes of death, rebirth, and the cyclical nature of life. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its various nuances and interpretations.
The poem begins with the image of a crow falling from the sky. The opening lines, "When Crow was white he decided the sun was too white. He decided it glared much too whitely. He decided to attack it and defeat it. He got his black friends to attack it. They pecked till they pecked it a part." immediately grab the reader's attention and set the tone for the rest of the poem. The image of the crow attacking the sun is a metaphor for the human desire to conquer and control nature. The crow's fall represents the inevitable consequences of this desire, as it is ultimately defeated by the very thing it sought to conquer.
The poem then shifts to a more introspective tone, as the narrator reflects on the nature of death and rebirth. The lines, "But Crow made his feathers shine so black they gleamed like tar. So his hands were black with stars, his breath was blue with the light of jewels. Black and sweet was his song. He sang it more sweetly than his mate." suggest that death is not an end but a transformation. The crow's feathers, once white, are now black and shining, symbolizing a rebirth or transformation. The use of color imagery is significant, as black is often associated with death and darkness, while stars and jewels represent the light and beauty that can emerge from darkness.
The poem then takes a darker turn, as the narrator describes the crow's descent into madness. The lines, "His eyes were fire, his crotch was shooting flames. He spread his wings of black barred with bars of red and green. He hissed and he was a snake. He rolled in the dust. He hissed and was a snake." suggest that the crow has lost touch with reality and is consumed by his desire for power and control. The use of animal imagery is significant, as it suggests that the crow has become more animal than human, driven by instinct rather than reason.
The poem then shifts back to a more introspective tone, as the narrator reflects on the cyclical nature of life. The lines, "Crow realized God loved him- Otherwise, he would have dropped dead. So that was proved. Crow reclined, marvelling, on his heart-beat." suggest that even in the midst of madness and chaos, there is a sense of order and purpose to the universe. The use of the word "marvelling" is significant, as it suggests a sense of wonder and awe at the mysteries of life.
The poem ends with the image of the crow rising from the ashes, reborn and transformed. The lines, "And he felt that God smiled, and he wanted to smile back. So he let himself drop, and his wings opened wide, and he flew up through the gates. And on the grass he had left, he made his black feathers look beautiful." suggest that even in the face of death and destruction, there is the possibility of rebirth and renewal. The use of the word "beautiful" is significant, as it suggests that even in the midst of darkness and chaos, there is beauty and light to be found.
In conclusion, "Crow's Fall" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the themes of death, rebirth, and the cyclical nature of life. The poem is a complex and multi-layered work that requires careful analysis and interpretation. The use of color imagery, animal imagery, and metaphorical language is significant, as it adds depth and complexity to the poem. Overall, "Crow's Fall" is a powerful and thought-provoking work that continues to resonate with readers today.
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