Poem Analysis - On The Desert

Initial Impression and Tone

Stephen Crane's On The Desert is a vivid and enigmatic poem that transports readers to a mysterious desert landscape. The poem's tone is eerie and haunting, with a sense of foreboding that permeates the scene. There is a shift in mood from the initial silence and stillness to a more dynamic and unsettling atmosphere as the poem progresses, culminating in a sense of dread and despair.

Themes of Mystery and Despair

The poem explores several themes, including the mystery of the desert and the despair of those who inhabit it. The desert is depicted as a place of silence and solitude, where the moon's rays fall upon hooded men who are described as squat and dumb. This imagery suggests a sense of isolation and detachment, as if the men are trapped in a world of their own, cut off from the rest of humanity. The woman who dances to the whistles and drums adds a layer of mystery, as her movements are described as sinuous and dull with terrible color, suggesting a dark and ominous presence.

The theme of despair is evident in the final lines of the poem, where the dignity of the accursed and the glory of slavery, despair, and death are celebrated in the dance of the whispering snakes. This suggests a sense of resignation and acceptance of a fate that is beyond one's control, as if the characters in the poem are trapped in a cycle of suffering and despair from which there is no escape.

Recurring Symbols and Imagery

The poem is rich in symbolism and vivid imagery, with the desert serving as a powerful symbol of isolation and desolation. The hooded men, described as squat and dumb, represent a sense of detachment and alienation, as if they are cut off from the world around them. The woman who dances to the whistles and drums is a mysterious figure, her movements described as sinuous and dull with terrible color, suggesting a dark and ominous presence. The snakes, which whisper softly and sway and stare, are a recurring symbol of the poem, representing the mysterious and unsettling forces that lurk beneath the surface of the desert.

The fire rays that fall athwart the robes of the hooded men and the wild fire that makes a shimmer of blood over their robes are vivid images that contribute to the poem's eerie and haunting atmosphere. The bands of moving bronze, emerald, and yellow that circle the throat and arms of the woman add to the sense of mystery and otherworldliness, as if she is a figure from a distant and forgotten time. The serpents that move warily over the sands, swinging to the whistles and drums, are a powerful image of the mysterious and unsettling forces that lurk beneath the surface of the desert.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Stephen Crane's On The Desert is a haunting and enigmatic poem that explores the themes of mystery and despair in a desert landscape. The poem's vivid imagery and symbolism, including the hooded men, the mysterious woman, and the whispering snakes, contribute to its eerie and unsettling atmosphere. The poem's final lines, which celebrate the dignity of the accursed and the glory of slavery, despair, and death, suggest a sense of resignation and acceptance of a fate that is beyond one's control. The poem's significance lies in its ability to evoke a sense of mystery and foreboding, as if the desert is a place of hidden and unsettling forces that lurk just beneath the surface.