This gives the poem a sense of spontaneity and fluidity, and allows Jeffers to experiment with different rhythms and sounds.Īnother literary device used in the poem is repetition. The poem is written in free verse, which means that there is no strict rhyme or meter. Jeffers' use of literary devices is also noteworthy. The ship imagery suggests that the American democracy is rudderless, with no clear leadership or vision. The lines "The old ship pitches and creaks" and "The darkening ocean lies like a slab" suggest that the American democracy is like a ship that is lost in the ocean, with no clear direction or purpose. The lines "Shine, perishing republic" and "The dying leader lies" suggest that the American democracy is on the verge of collapse.Īnother image used in the poem is that of a ship. Jeffers compares the American republic to a star that is slowly losing its light. The most striking image in the poem is the metaphor of a dying star. In "Shine, Perishing Republic," Jeffers uses a range of metaphors and symbols to convey his message. Jeffers' use of imagery is one of the hallmarks of his poetry. The lines "The soulless carcass, the unwieldy bulk, / The ancient masterpiece, lies stripped and bare" suggest that the American democracy has been reduced to an empty shell, devoid of any moral or ethical principles. Jeffers paints a picture of a country that has lost its moral compass, where the people are blinded by their own desires and have forgotten the value of freedom. The second theme of the poem is freedom and the price people pay for it. However, the word "perishing" immediately undermines that sense of hope and optimism, suggesting that the republic is on its last legs. The poem begins with the line, "Shine, perishing republic." The word "shine" is used ironically here, as it suggests something that is radiant and bright. Jeffers uses the metaphor of a dying star to describe the fading glory of the American republic. One of the central themes of the poem is the decline of the American democracy. Jeffers' poem is a reflection of his frustration with the American political system and his disillusionment with the American dream. Jeffers, who was a staunch pacifist and an environmentalist, was disillusioned by the American democracy, which he saw as corrupt and hypocritical. However, the prosperity was not shared equally, and there were widespread social and economic disparities. "Shine, Perishing Republic" was written in 1925, a time when America was recovering from World War I, and the country was facing a significant economic growth. Historical Contextīefore we begin with the analysis, it is essential to understand the historical context in which the poem was written. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, imagery, and literary devices used in Jeffers' poem. It is a poem about freedom and the price people pay for it. The poem is an ode to the American democracy and its gradual decline. Robinson Jeffers' poem, "Shine, Perishing Republic," is one such poem that does exactly that. When we talk about poetry, we look for words that can create a vivid picture in our minds, words that can make us feel emotions that we never thought we could feel before. There is the trap that catches noblest spirits, that caught-they say-Įditor 1 Interpretation Shine, Perishing Republic: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation Never has been compulsory, when the cities lie at the monster's feet thereĪnd boys, be in nothing so moderate as in love of man, a clever servant, You making haste haste on decay: not blameworthy life is good, be it stub-Ī mortal splendor: meteors are not needed less than mountains:īut for my children, I would have them keep their distance from the thick. Out of the mother and through the spring exultances, ripeness and deca. I sadly smiling remember that the flower fades to make fruit, the fruit rots While this America settles in the mould of its vulgarity, heavily thickeningĪnd protest, only a bubble in the molten mass, pops and sighs out, and the 'Shine, Perishing Republic' by Robinson Jeffers
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