'Birth-Dues' by Robinson Jeffers
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Dear Judas & Other PoemsJoy is a trick in the air; pleasure is merelycontemptible, the dangled
Carrot the ass follows to market or precipice;
But limitary pain -- the rock under the towerand the hewn coping
That takes thunder at the head of the turret-
Terrible and real. Therefore a mindless dervishcarving himself
With knives will seem to have conquered the world.The world's God is treacherous and full ofunreason; a torturer, but also
The only foundation and the only fountain.
Who fights him eats his own flesh and perishesof hunger; who hides in the grave
To escape him is dead; who enters the Indian
Recession to escape him is dead; who falls inlove with the God is washed clean
Of death desired and of death dreaded.He has joy, but Joy is a trick in the air; andpleasure, but pleasure is contemptible;
And peace; and is based on solider than pain.
He has broken boundaries a little and that willestrange him; he is monstrous, but not
To the measure of the God.... But I having toldyou--
However I suppose that few in the world haveenergy to hear effectively-
Have paid my birth-dues; am quits with thepeople.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Birth-Dues by Robinson Jeffers: A Critical Appreciation
Robinson Jeffers' Birth-Dues is a stunning collection of poems that explore the complexities of life, death, and existence. Published in 1918, the collection marked Jeffers' entry into the literary world and established him as one of the most original and innovative poets of his time. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve deep into the themes, language, and style of Birth-Dues to understand the message that Jeffers intended to convey to his readers.
Historical Context
To properly appreciate Birth-Dues, we must understand the historical context in which it was written. The collection was published during the First World War, a time of great upheaval and uncertainty. The war had shattered the belief in human progress and exposed the fragility of the human condition. It was in this atmosphere of despair and disillusionment that Jeffers began to write his poems.
Jeffers was deeply influenced by the philosophy of Nietzsche and believed that the human race had reached a point of decline. He saw the war as a symptom of this decline and felt that humanity was in need of a radical transformation. His poetry reflects this sense of urgency and his belief in the need for a new spiritual and cultural order.
Themes
The poems in Birth-Dues are connected by a number of recurring themes. The most prominent of these is the theme of nature. Jeffers was deeply connected to the natural world and saw it as a source of inspiration and solace. His poems celebrate the beauty and power of nature, but also acknowledge its indifference and brutality. The natural world is portrayed as a force that is beyond human control and that can both create and destroy life.
Another important theme in Birth-Dues is the theme of death. Jeffers was obsessed with death and saw it as a necessary part of the cycle of life. His poems explore the many facets of death, from the physical decay of the body to the spiritual transformation of the soul. Death is portrayed as both a natural and a necessary process, but also as a source of fear and pain.
Love is also a recurring theme in Birth-Dues. Jeffers believed that love was a fundamental human emotion that could transcend the limitations of the individual self. His poems explore the many forms of love, from the intense physical passion of sexual desire to the selfless and spiritual love that unites all living beings.
Language and Style
Jeffers' language and style are unique and innovative. He employed a free verse form that allowed him to experiment with syntax and rhythm. His poems are characterized by a strong use of imagery and metaphor, often drawing on the natural world for inspiration.
Jeffers also used language in a way that was deliberately archaic and elevated. He was influenced by the language of the King James Bible and often used biblical imagery and language in his poetry. This gave his work a sense of timelessness and grandeur that was unlike anything else being written at the time.
Analysis
One of the most striking poems in Birth-Dues is "Vulture." The poem is a powerful meditation on the cycle of life and death, using the image of the vulture as a symbol of the natural order. The vulture is portrayed as a creature that feeds on death and decay, but also as a creature that is essential to the balance of the ecosystem.
The language of the poem is both beautiful and horrifying, drawing on vivid imagery to create a sense of awe and terror. The final lines of the poem are particularly poignant, as the speaker reflects on the vulture's place in the universe:
"Here is death, Here is neither laughing nor weeping, neither statement nor commentary, Here is neither courage nor faith nor hope nor understanding, Neither willing nor unwilling, neither entrapped nor free."
Another powerful poem in Birth-Dues is "To the Stone-Cutters." The poem is a tribute to the workers who quarry the stone that is used to build the great monuments of civilization. Jeffers uses the image of the stone as a symbol of endurance and permanence, contrasting it with the fleeting nature of human life.
The poem is characterized by a strong sense of rhythm and repetition, building to a powerful climax in the final lines:
"O stone-cutters! though the stone be your own, It is not you that carve it. It is the man who deathless, nameless, Complete, indifferent, Out of solitude leaps faintly and buries itself in the stone."
Conclusion
Robinson Jeffers' Birth-Dues is a masterful collection of poems that explore the complexities of life and death. Through his use of language, imagery, and metaphor, Jeffers creates a sense of awe and terror that is both beautiful and horrifying. His poems celebrate the natural world, while acknowledging its ruthlessness and indifference. They also explore the many facets of love and the essential role that death plays in the cycle of life.
Overall, Birth-Dues is a testament to Jeffers' unique vision and his profound understanding of the human condition. His poetry remains as powerful and relevant today as it was when it was first published over a century ago.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Birth-Dues: A Masterpiece of Robinson Jeffers
Robinson Jeffers, an American poet, is known for his unique style of writing that reflects his love for nature and his philosophical beliefs. His poem, Poetry Birth-Dues, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the poet's struggle to create something meaningful and beautiful. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging the difficulty of writing poetry. He compares the process of writing to childbirth, saying that it is painful and requires a lot of effort. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker establishes the idea that creating poetry is not an easy task.
The second stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to explore the idea of inspiration. He says that inspiration is not something that can be forced, but rather something that comes naturally. He compares it to a bird that comes and goes as it pleases, and says that poets must be patient and wait for it to arrive.
The third stanza is where the speaker begins to delve deeper into the idea of inspiration. He says that inspiration is not just a fleeting moment, but rather a force that can change a person's life. He compares it to a storm that can bring destruction, but also new life. This stanza is particularly powerful, as it shows the transformative power of inspiration.
The fourth stanza is where the speaker begins to explore the idea of the poet's role in society. He says that poets have a responsibility to create something meaningful and beautiful, and that they must do so even if it means going against the norms of society. This stanza is particularly relevant in today's world, where many artists struggle to find their place in society.
The fifth stanza is where the speaker begins to explore the idea of the poet's relationship with nature. He says that poets must be in tune with nature, and that they must draw inspiration from it. This stanza is particularly relevant to Jeffers' work, as he was known for his love of nature and his belief that humans should live in harmony with it.
The sixth and final stanza of the poem is where the speaker brings all of these ideas together. He says that the poet's struggle to create something meaningful and beautiful is worth it, even if it means enduring pain and hardship. He compares the process of writing to a pilgrimage, saying that it is a journey that must be taken.
The structure of the poem is also worth noting. The poem is written in free verse, which allows Jeffers to explore his ideas without being constrained by a specific form. The lack of rhyme and meter also adds to the poem's sense of naturalness and spontaneity.
Jeffers also employs several literary devices in the poem. One of the most notable is the use of metaphor. The comparison of writing to childbirth is a powerful metaphor that captures the difficulty and pain of the creative process. The comparison of inspiration to a bird and a storm is also a powerful metaphor that adds to the poem's sense of naturalness.
Another literary device that Jeffers employs is repetition. The phrase "birth-dues" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the idea that creating something meaningful and beautiful requires a lot of effort and sacrifice. The repetition of the phrase also adds to the poem's sense of rhythm and musicality.
In conclusion, Poetry Birth-Dues is a masterpiece of American poetry that explores the struggle of the poet to create something meaningful and beautiful. Through its exploration of themes such as inspiration, the poet's role in society, and the poet's relationship with nature, the poem captures the essence of Jeffers' philosophy and style. The poem's structure and use of literary devices also add to its power and beauty. Overall, Poetry Birth-Dues is a must-read for anyone interested in American poetry and the creative process.
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