Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Thinking of the Lost World" is a poem by Randall Jarrell, first published in his 1960 collection, "The Lost World." The poem reflects on the fragility of life and the passage of time, as well as the tension between nature and civilization.

Explanation:

The poem begins with the speaker contemplating the ruins of an ancient city and reflecting on how the people who once inhabited it are now gone. The speaker then turns his attention to the present, describing the bustling city that now surrounds the ruins. The contrast between the two worlds highlights the transience of human life and the impermanence of even the most powerful civilizations.

Poetic Elements:

• Form:
• "Thinking of the Lost World" is written in free verse, with no formal rhyme scheme or meter. The lack of a set structure mirrors the theme of impermanence and transience in the poem.
• Imagery:
• Jarrell uses vivid imagery throughout the poem to create a sense of contrast between the ancient and modern worlds. The ruins of the lost city are described as "broken columns, statues of worn stone," while the modern city is a "whirlpool" of activity.
• Tone:

The tone of the poem is contemplative and reflective, with a sense of melancholy running throughout. The speaker is mourning the loss of the lost world, but also acknowledging the inevitability of change and the passage of time.

Conclusion:

Through "Thinking of the Lost World," Jarrell invites us to reflect on the impermanence of human life and the tension between nature and civilization. The poem is a reminder that even the most powerful civilizations are subject to the ravages of time, and that we must cherish the world around us while we can.

Poem Snippet:

"The lost people of the world were like us.

We know so little of them, and of ourselves—

So little; and when we die, so much

Dies with us, that was neither said nor done."

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