Robinson Jeffers
Robinson Jeffers
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Robinson Jeffers was born on January 10, 1887, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is commonly known as the "Inhumanist Poet" due to his philosophical views on humanity's relationship with nature.
Birth and Death Dates
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Birth: January 10, 1887
Death: January 20, 1962
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Robinson Jeffers was an American poet and playwright. He is best known for his work in the early 20th century, particularly during the 1920s and 1930s.
Early Life and Background
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Jeffers was born to a family of modest means. His father was a civil engineer who worked on various projects across the United States. The family moved frequently throughout Jeffers' childhood, eventually settling in California. This exposure to different environments had a lasting impact on his writing, which often reflects his love for nature and critique of industrialization.
Jeffers attended Princeton University, where he developed an interest in literature and philosophy. He went on to study at the University of Southern California but dropped out without completing his degree. Instead, he began working as a laborer on the Panama Canal, where he developed physically and philosophically.
Major Accomplishments
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Jeffers' poetry career spans several decades, with notable collections including:
"Tamar and Other Poems" (1924): This collection marked Jeffers' emergence as a significant literary voice.
"Thirsting Moon" (1935): A series of poems that explore themes of love, nature, and humanity's relationship with the environment.
His poetry is characterized by its focus on nature, the human condition, and social critique. He was also an accomplished playwright, with works like "The Cretan Woman" (1918) showcasing his ability to craft compelling stories.
Notable Works or Actions
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Jeffers' writing often grapples with complex themes:
Humanity's relationship with nature: His poetry frequently critiques industrialization and the exploitation of natural resources.
The role of art in society: Jeffers believed that artists should challenge societal norms and critique the status quo.
Existentialism and individual freedom: His work often explores the tension between human existence and the constraints imposed by society.Impact and Legacy
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Jeffers' poetry has influenced generations of writers, including notable figures like William Carlos Williams and Allen Ginsberg. His philosophical views on nature and humanity's place within it continue to resonate with readers today.
His legacy extends beyond his writing:
Environmentalism: Jeffers was an early advocate for environmental protection and conservation.
Literary movements: He played a significant role in shaping the Modernist movement in American literature.
Influence on popular culture: His poetry has been referenced or quoted in various contexts, from music to film.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Jeffers' quotes and poems are often referenced because they:
Challenging societal norms: His work frequently critiques the status quo, encouraging readers to question their assumptions.
Inspiring philosophical reflection: Jeffers' poetry invites readers to contemplate the human condition and our relationship with nature.
* Providing a unique perspective on art's role in society: He believed that artists should use their platform to challenge societal norms and critique the status quo.
Overall, Robinson Jeffers was a visionary poet who used his work to challenge readers and encourage them to think critically about the world around them.
Quotes by Robinson Jeffers
Robinson Jeffers's insights on:
We must uncenter our minds from ourselves; We must unhmanize our views a little, and become confident As the rock and ocean that we were made from.
We have to live like people in a web of knives, we mustn’t reach out our hands or we get them gashed.
There is no reason for amazement: surely one always knew that cultures decay, and life’s end is death.
O that our souls could scale a height like this, A mighty mountain swept o’er by the bleak Keen winds of heaven; and, standing on that peak Above the blinding clouds of prejudice, Would we could see all truly as it is; The calm eternal truth would keep us meek.
I hate my verses, every line, every word. Oh pale and brittle pencils ever to try One grass-blade’s curve, or the throat of one bird That clings to twig, ruffled against white sky. Oh cracked and twilight mirrors ever to catch One color, one glinting flash, of the splendor of things.
The world’s in a bad way, my man, And bound to be worse before it mends; Better lie up in the mountain here Four or five centuries, While the stars go over the lonely ocean.
Well: the day is a poem but too much Like one of Jeffers’s, crusted with blood and barbaric omens Painful to excess, inhuman as a hawk’s cry.