Hamatreya
Bulkeley, Hunt, Willard, Hosmer, Meriam, Flint,
Possessed the land which rendered to their toil
Hay, corn, roots, hemp, flax, apples, wool, and wood.
Each of these landlords walked amidst his farm,
Saying, ‘Tis mine, my children’s and my name’s.
How sweet the west wind sounds in my own trees!
How graceful climb those shadows on my hill!
I fancy these pure waters and the flags
Know me, as does my dog: we sympathize;
And, I affirm, my actions smack of the soil.”Where are these men? Asleep beneath their grounds:
And strangers, fond as they, their furrows plough.
Earth laughs in flowers, to see her boastful boys
Earth proud, proud of the earth which is not theirs;
Who steer the plough, but cannot steer their feet
Clear of the grave.
They added ridge to valley, brook to pond,
And sighed for all that bounded their domain;
“This suits me for a pasture; that’s my park;
We must have clay, lime, gravel, granite-ledge,
And misty lowland, where to go for peat.
The land is well, lies fairly to the south.
‘Tis good, when you have crossed the sea and back,
To find the sitfast acres where you left them.”Ah! the hot owner sees not Death, who adds
Him to his land, a lump of mould the more.
Hear what the Earth say:—EARTH-SONG
“Mine and yours;
Mine, not yours.
Earth endures;
Stars abide—
Shine down in the old sea;
Old are the shores;
But where are old men?
I who have seen much,
Such have I never seen.”“The lawyer’s deed
Ran sure,
In tail,
To them and to their heirs
Who shall succeed,
Without fail,
Forevermore.”“Here is the land,
Shaggy with wood,
With its old valley,
Mound and flood.
But the heritors?—
Fled like the flood’s foam.
The lawyer and the laws,
And the kingdom,
Clean swept herefrom.”“They called me theirs,
Who so controlled me;
Yet every one
Wished to stay, and is gone,
How am I theirs,
If they cannot hold me,
But I hold them?”When I heard the Earth-song
I was no longer brave;
My avarice cooled
Like lust in the chill of the grave.
Summary of Hamatreya
“Hamatreya” is a deeply thoughtful poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson, first published in 1846, that explores themes of ownership, mortality, and the enduring power of nature. The poem reflects on the lives of early New England farmers – Bulkeley, Hunt, Willard, and others – who believed they possessed the land they cultivated. Emerson observes their pride in their work and connection to the soil, highlighting their belief that the land was a legacy for their children. However, he then points out the inevitable: these men are now gone, and others tend the same fields. The poem’s central idea is a meditation on the illusion of ownership. Through the Earth’s “Earth‑Song,” the poem asserts that the Earth ultimately owns itself, enduring long after human owners have passed away. It suggests that our desire to claim ownership over nature is ultimately futile, as we ourselves are subject to its cycles and will eventually return to it.
Major Themes in “Hamatreya”
- The Illusion of Ownership: The poem consistently challenges the notion that humans can truly own the land. The Earth’s voice underscores its permanence and ultimate control, demonstrating that humans are merely temporary inhabitants.
- Mortality and Transience: “Hamatreya” powerfully confronts the fleeting nature of human life. The farmers who once proudly claimed the land are now gone, and their possessions have passed to others.
- The Power of Nature: Emerson portrays the Earth as a powerful, enduring force that exists beyond the reach of human control. It is a constant reminder of our place within a larger, natural order.
- Pride and Humility: The poem examines the human tendency toward pride in our achievements, but ultimately suggests that humility is the more appropriate response to the grandeur of nature.
In-Depth Analysis of Poetic Devices and Techniques
Imagery and Sensory Detail
Emerson masterfully uses imagery to bring the New England landscape to life. He appeals to multiple senses, creating a vivid picture in the reader’s mind. Consider these lines:
“Hay, corn, roots, hemp, flax, apples, wool, and wood.”
This line isn’t just a list of crops; it is a sensory experience. We can almost smell the hay, feel the texture of the wool, and taste the apples. This grounding in physical sensation helps us connect with the land and the lives of those who worked it.
Personification and the Earth’s Voice
Perhaps the most striking device in “Hamatreya” is the personification of the Earth itself. Giving the Earth a voice allows Emerson to directly challenge the human claim to ownership. The “Earth‑Song” is a series of short, declarative statements that assert the Earth’s eternal presence and indifference to human possessions:
“Mine and yours;
Mine, not yours.”
These lines are deceptively simple, yet profoundly effective. They highlight the inherent contradiction in claiming ownership over something so vast and enduring.
Free Verse and Rhythm
Emerson employs free verse, meaning the poem does not adhere to a regular rhyme scheme or meter. This stylistic choice contributes to the poem’s conversational and contemplative tone. While there is no strict rhythm, the language is carefully chosen to create a sense of flow and naturalness. The irregular line lengths mirror the organic, unpredictable nature of the landscape.
Repetition and Emphasis
Repetition is used strategically to emphasize key ideas. The phrase “Mine and yours” in the Earth‑Song is repeated, driving home the point that the Earth ultimately belongs to itself. Similarly, the listing of the farmer’s names at the beginning establishes a pattern that highlights their fleeting presence in contrast to the enduring land.
Symbolism
The “land” itself functions as a powerful symbol, representing not only physical property but also legacy, identity, and the human desire for permanence. However, the poem suggests that these desires are ultimately illusory. The land endures, but the human connections to it are temporary.
Literary and Poetic Devices in Detail
- Assonance: Notice the repetition of vowel sounds within close proximity. For example, the repetition of the short “e” sound in “sweet the west wind” creates a musical quality and draws attention to the beauty of the natural world.
- Alliteration: While not heavily used, alliteration appears subtly, such as the repetition of the “f” sound in “fond as they.”
- Enjambment: The use of enjambment, where a phrase or sentence continues onto the next line without punctuation, creates a sense of flow and encourages the reader to continue reading.
- Imagery: As mentioned previously, imagery is central to the poem’s success, creating a vivid and sensory experience for the reader.
- Personification: The Earth is personified, giving it a voice and agency, which allows Emerson to explore the themes of ownership and mortality from a unique perspective.
Quotes for Further Discussion
These lines are particularly resonant and can be used to spark meaningful conversations:
“They steer the plough, but cannot steer their feet
Clear of the grave.”
This powerful image encapsulates the poem’s central theme of mortality and the futility of human ambition.
“How am I theirs, if they cannot hold me,
But I hold them?”
This question, posed by the Earth, is a profound statement about the true nature of ownership and the enduring power of nature.
“Hamatreya” is a poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its timeless themes of ownership, mortality, and the enduring power of nature invite us to reflect on our own place in the world and our relationship to the land.