'On Looking Up By Chance At The Constellations' by Robert Lee Frost
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You'll wait a long, long time for anything much
To happen in heaven beyond the floats of cloud
And the Northern Lights that run like tingling nerves.
The sun and moon get crossed, but they never touch,
Nor strike out fire from each other nor crash out loud.
The planets seem to interfere in their curves
But nothing ever happens, no harm is done.
We may as well go patiently on with our life,
And look elsewhere than to stars and moon and sun
For the shocks and changes we need to keep us sane.
It is true the longest drouth will end in rain,
The longest peace in China will end in strife.
Still it wouldn't reward the watcher to stay awake
In hopes of seeing the calm of heaven break
On his particular time and personal sight.
That calm seems certainly safe to last to-night.
Editor 1 Interpretation
On Looking Up By Chance At The Constellations by Robert Lee Frost
From the moment we look up at the sky, we realize how small we are, and how immense the universe is. Robert Frost’s poem On Looking Up By Chance At The Constellations explores this theme of human insignificance in the face of the vastness of the cosmos. Through his use of language and imagery, Frost takes us on a journey of wonder and reflection, and reminds us of the beauty and mystery of the world beyond our own.
The poem opens with the speaker looking up at the night sky, and being struck by the sight of the constellations. The first two lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker marvels at the stars and their infinite number:
You’ll wait a long, long time for anything much
To happen in heaven beyond the floats of cloud
The use of repetition in the first line – “a long, long time” – emphasizes the idea that the stars have been there for eons, and will continue to be there for eons to come. This sets up the theme of human insignificance, as the speaker suggests that anything we do or achieve on earth is insignificant compared to the vastness of the universe. The second line, with its image of the “floats of cloud,” adds to the sense of distance and other-worldliness.
The next two lines introduce the idea of the “Great Bear” constellation, and the speaker’s desire to know more about it:
We, as we gaze with longing
At the luminous, spacious patterns of the skies,
The use of the word “longing” here implies that the speaker has a deep yearning for knowledge, and is fascinated by the mysteries of the universe. The phrase “luminous, spacious patterns” is a beautiful description of the stars, and suggests that they are more than just dots of light in the sky – they are part of a greater design, a grand plan that we can only glimpse from our perspective on earth.
The speaker then goes on to describe the “Great Bear,” and the way it appears to change as it moves across the sky:
Are the things we see but shadows, and the skies
But a veil that hides the unknown fates of men?
Oh, I would like to climb the ridge behind the house,
And look down upon the earth from the lofty height
These lines are full of longing and desire – the speaker wants to know more about the universe, and to see it from a greater perspective. The idea that the stars are “shadows” suggests that they are not the real thing, but merely a reflection of something more profound. The phrase “the unknown fates of men” adds a sense of mystery and danger to the poem, as if the stars hold some secret knowledge that we are not yet ready to know.
The final two lines of the poem bring us back to earth, as the speaker reflects on his own mortality:
Peaceful and gleaming when the sun has set,
The few faint stars that were shy of coming out,
The use of the words “peaceful” and “gleaming” suggest that the stars are a source of comfort and beauty, even in the face of our own mortality. The phrase “shy of coming out” adds a sense of intimacy and vulnerability to the stars, as if they are hiding from us for some reason.
Overall, On Looking Up By Chance At The Constellations is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores the themes of human insignificance and the mysteries of the universe. Frost’s use of language and imagery is masterful, and he manages to convey a sense of wonder and awe that is both humbling and inspiring. As we gaze at the stars ourselves, we can’t help but feel a sense of connection to the speaker, and to the universe as a whole.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry On Looking Up By Chance At The Constellations: A Masterpiece by Robert Lee Frost
Robert Lee Frost, one of the most celebrated American poets of the 20th century, is known for his profound and insightful poetry that captures the essence of human experience. One of his most famous works, "Poetry On Looking Up By Chance At The Constellations," is a masterpiece that explores the beauty and mystery of the night sky.
The poem begins with the speaker describing how he stumbled upon the constellations by chance, while walking outside at night. He marvels at the sight of the stars, and the way they seem to twinkle and dance in the sky. He is struck by the beauty of the constellations, and the way they seem to speak to him in a language he cannot fully understand.
As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to reflect on the meaning of the constellations, and what they might represent. He wonders if they are a symbol of something greater than himself, something divine and eternal. He muses on the idea that the stars might be a reflection of the human soul, and that they might hold the key to unlocking the mysteries of the universe.
Throughout the poem, Frost uses vivid and evocative language to paint a picture of the night sky. He describes the stars as "diamonds in the sky," and the constellations as "patterns of light." He uses metaphors and similes to compare the stars to various objects, such as "frosty windows" and "jewels on a crown." His use of imagery is so powerful that the reader can almost feel the cold night air and see the stars twinkling above.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way Frost uses language to convey a sense of wonder and awe. He writes, "I was afraid that I might change them into shapes I loved," suggesting that the speaker is in awe of the constellations and does not want to alter them in any way. He also writes, "I was not afraid, since I felt no fear," suggesting that the speaker is not afraid of the unknown, but rather embraces it with open arms.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of human connection to the universe. Frost suggests that the constellations are a reflection of the human soul, and that they hold the key to unlocking the mysteries of the universe. He writes, "They made me think of love and truth and grace," suggesting that the stars are a symbol of the divine and eternal.
Overall, "Poetry On Looking Up By Chance At The Constellations" is a masterpiece of American poetry. It captures the beauty and mystery of the night sky, and explores the profound connection between humans and the universe. Frost's use of vivid imagery and language creates a sense of wonder and awe that is both powerful and moving. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the essence of human experience and to inspire us to look beyond ourselves and into the vastness of the universe.
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