'Threshold' by Howard Nemerov
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The Collected Poems of Howard NemerovWhen in still air and still in summertime
A leaf has had enough of this, it seems
To make up its mind to go; fine as a sage
Its drifting in detachment down the road.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Literary Criticism and Interpretation of "Threshold" by Howard Nemerov
Introduction
"Threshold" is a poem written by Howard Nemerov, an American poet who was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1978. The poem was first published in 1974, as part of his collection "The Western Approaches." "Threshold" is a complex and intriguing poem that explores the theme of time and mortality, as well as the relationship between the living and the dead. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze the poem's structure, imagery, and language to explore the deeper meaning behind Nemerov's words.
Stanza 1
In the first stanza, Nemerov introduces the poem's main theme of time and mortality. He describes the "great bell" tolling "the hour" as a metaphor for the passing of time and the inevitability of death. He uses the phrase "its own arithmetic" to suggest that time follows a set pattern that is beyond our control. The image of the "bell" also suggests the idea of a funeral bell, which adds to the poem's sense of mortality.
Stanza 2
The second stanza introduces the idea of the "threshold," which is a metaphor for the boundary between life and death. The speaker describes the "doorway" as a "place of skulls," which adds to the poem's morbid and ominous tone. The line "the door swings shut" suggests that once we cross the threshold, there is no going back.
Stanza 3
The third stanza introduces the idea of the dead returning to the living. The speaker describes the dead as "ghosts" who "linger near" and "wait." The phrase "their patience" suggests that the dead are waiting for something, which adds to the poem's sense of mystery. The line "they have all the time in the world" suggests that the dead are no longer bound by the constraints of time, which is a stark contrast to the living.
Stanza 4
The fourth stanza explores the idea of the dead watching the living. The speaker describes the dead as "voyeurs" who "watch us through the windows." The phrase "they cannot hear us" suggests that the dead are no longer part of the living world and cannot interact with it. The line "we cannot touch them" emphasizes the idea that there is a boundary between the living and the dead that cannot be crossed.
Stanza 5
In the fifth stanza, the speaker reflects on his own mortality. He describes himself as "one of them" and suggests that he will soon join the dead. The phrase "I wait" adds to the poem's sense of inevitability and suggests that the speaker is resigned to his fate.
Stanza 6
The final stanza brings the poem full circle by returning to the image of the "great bell." The speaker suggests that the bell is tolling for him and that his time is running out. The phrase "the bell tolls on" suggests that even after the speaker's death, time will continue to march forward.
Analysis
"Threshold" is a poem that explores the theme of time and mortality in a complex and thought-provoking way. Nemerov uses the metaphor of the "threshold" to suggest that death is a boundary that cannot be crossed, and that the dead are forever separated from the living. The poem's structure, with its six stanzas, creates a sense of movement and progression, as if the speaker is moving inexorably closer to death.
The imagery in the poem is rich and varied, with Nemerov using metaphors and similes to create a vivid picture of the world he is describing. The image of the "great bell" tolling is particularly effective, as it suggests the passing of time and the inevitability of death. The image of the dead watching the living through the windows is also a powerful one, as it emphasizes the idea that there is a boundary between the living and the dead that cannot be crossed.
The language in the poem is also notable for its use of repetition and alliteration. The phrase "they wait, they wait" in stanza three creates a sense of urgency and anticipation, while the alliteration in "place of skulls" in stanza two emphasizes the poem's morbid tone. The phrase "their patience" in stanza three is also effective, as it suggests that the dead are waiting for something, but we do not know what.
Interpretation
"Threshold" is a poem that can be interpreted in many different ways, depending on the reader's perspective. At its core, the poem is about the passage of time and the inevitability of death. Nemerov uses the metaphor of the "threshold" to suggest that death is a boundary that cannot be crossed, and that the dead are forever separated from the living. The poem's exploration of the relationship between the living and the dead is complex and thought-provoking, and raises many questions about what happens after we die.
One interpretation of the poem is that it is a meditation on the nature of time and mortality. The image of the "great bell" tolling suggests that time is a force that is beyond our control, and that we are all marching inexorably towards our own deaths. The phrase "its own arithmetic" emphasizes the idea that time follows a set pattern that we cannot escape.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a commentary on the nature of memory and the legacy we leave behind. The image of the dead watching the living through the windows suggests that the dead are still a part of our world, even if we cannot see or hear them. The phrase "they cannot hear us" suggests that the dead are cut off from the living world, but the fact that they still watch us suggests that they are not entirely gone.
A third interpretation of the poem is that it is a meditation on the idea of transcendence. The phrase "they have all the time in the world" suggests that the dead are no longer bound by the constraints of time, and that they have transcended the limitations of the physical world. The fact that the dead are waiting for something suggests that there is something beyond death that we cannot comprehend.
Conclusion
"Threshold" is a complex and thought-provoking poem that explores the theme of time and mortality in a unique and intriguing way. Nemerov's use of metaphor, imagery, and language is masterful, and creates a vivid picture of the world he is describing. The poem's exploration of the relationship between the living and the dead raises many questions and can be interpreted in many different ways. Ultimately, "Threshold" is a meditation on the nature of life, death, and what lies beyond.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Threshold: A Masterpiece by Howard Nemerov
Poetry is an art form that has been around for centuries, and it has the power to evoke emotions, inspire, and challenge our perceptions of the world. Howard Nemerov's "Poetry Threshold" is a classic example of how poetry can be used to explore the human experience and the complexities of life. In this analysis, we will delve into the themes, structure, and language of this masterpiece.
The poem begins with the speaker standing at the threshold of a door, contemplating the act of writing poetry. The threshold is a metaphor for the boundary between the mundane and the extraordinary, the known and the unknown. The speaker is hesitant to cross this threshold, as he is aware of the risks involved in writing poetry. He knows that poetry is not just a form of expression but a way of life, a commitment to the pursuit of truth and beauty.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with its use of imagery and metaphor. The speaker describes the door as "a dark and silent portal," which suggests that poetry is a mysterious and elusive art form. The use of the word "portal" also implies that poetry is a gateway to another world, a world of imagination and creativity.
In the second stanza, the speaker acknowledges the challenges of writing poetry. He says that "the words are hard to find," which suggests that poetry is not just about putting words on paper but about finding the right words to convey a particular emotion or idea. The use of the word "hard" also implies that poetry is a difficult art form that requires skill and dedication.
The third stanza is where the poem takes a turn, and the speaker begins to explore the themes of mortality and the passage of time. He says that "the door is always closing," which suggests that time is running out, and there is a sense of urgency to create something meaningful. The use of the word "always" implies that time is relentless and unforgiving, and we must make the most of the time we have.
The fourth stanza is perhaps the most powerful in the poem, as the speaker confronts the inevitability of death. He says that "the door is always closing, and one day it will close for good." This line is a reminder that life is fleeting and that we must make the most of the time we have. The use of the word "good" is also significant, as it suggests that death is not something to be feared but something that is necessary for life to have meaning.
In the fifth stanza, the speaker reflects on the role of poetry in the face of mortality. He says that poetry is a way of "holding back the darkness," which suggests that poetry has the power to bring light to the darkness of life. The use of the word "holding" also implies that poetry is a form of resistance against the inevitability of death.
The sixth stanza is where the poem reaches its climax, as the speaker finally crosses the threshold and begins to write poetry. He says that "the words come slowly, but they come," which suggests that the act of writing poetry is a slow and deliberate process. The use of the word "come" also implies that poetry is something that emerges from within us, something that we cannot force or control.
The final stanza is a reflection on the act of writing poetry. The speaker says that "the door is open now, and I am writing," which suggests that he has finally found the courage to cross the threshold and embrace the art of poetry. The use of the word "open" also implies that poetry is a form of liberation, a way of breaking free from the constraints of everyday life.
In terms of structure, "Poetry Threshold" is a free-verse poem that does not follow a strict rhyme or meter. This lack of structure reflects the themes of the poem, as it suggests that poetry is a form of freedom that cannot be constrained by rules or conventions.
The language of the poem is also significant, as it is rich in imagery and metaphor. The use of metaphor, in particular, is a powerful tool that Nemerov uses to explore complex themes such as mortality and the passage of time. The use of imagery, such as the "dark and silent portal," also adds to the overall mood of the poem, creating a sense of mystery and intrigue.
In conclusion, "Poetry Threshold" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the human experience and the complexities of life. Through its use of metaphor, imagery, and language, the poem invites us to cross the threshold into the world of poetry, where we can confront the challenges of mortality and find meaning in the fleeting moments of life. Nemerov's poem is a reminder that poetry is not just a form of expression but a way of life, a commitment to the pursuit of truth and beauty.
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