Joy Harjo’s “Once the World Was Perfect” is a profound and moving poem that invites readers to reflect on humanity’s journey from a state of grace to one of discord, and ultimately, to the possibility of redemption. This insightful work explores universal themes of responsibility, the impact of human emotions, and the enduring power of hope and collective action. Understanding “Once the World Was Perfect” offers a powerful lens through which to view our own world and our place within it. This guide provides a comprehensive “Once the World Was Perfect summary” and a detailed “Once the World Was Perfect analysis,” exploring the rich “literary devices in Once the World Was Perfect” and “poetic devices in Once the World Was Perfect” that make this poem a timeless masterpiece.
The Poem: “Once the World Was Perfect” by Joy Harjo
Once the world was perfect, and we were happy in that world.
Then we took it for granted.
Discontent began a small rumble in the earthly mind.
Then doubt pushed through with its spiked head.
And once doubt ruptured the web,
All manner of demon thoughts
Jumped through.
We destroyed the world we had been given
For inspiration, for life.
Each stone of jealousy, each stone
Of fear, greed, envy, and hatred, put out the light.
No one was without a stone in his or her hand.
There we were,
Right back where we had started.
We were bumping into each other
In the dark.
And now we had no place to live, since we didn’t know
How to live with each other.
Then one of the stumbling ones took pity on another
And shared a blanket.
A spark of kindness made a light.
The light made an opening in the darkness.
Everyone worked together to make a ladder.
A Wind Clan person climbed out first into the next world,
And then the other clans, the children of those clans, their children,
And their children, all the way through time.
To now, into this morning light to you.
Unveiling “Once the World Was Perfect”: A Summary
Joy Harjo’s “Once the World Was Perfect” begins with a nostalgic recollection of an idyllic past, a time when humanity existed in a state of harmony and contentment within a flawless world. This pristine existence, however, was not cherished, as it was “taken for granted.” This complacency allowed negative forces to emerge, starting with a subtle “discontent” and escalating to the aggressive intrusion of “doubt.” Once doubt fractured the delicate balance of this perfect world, a cascade of destructive emotions such as “jealousy, fear, greed, envy, and hatred” took hold, metaphorically extinguishing the light and plunging humanity into a state of chaos and disunity. The poem vividly portrays this fall from grace, where individuals, each holding a “stone” of negativity, found themselves lost and unable to coexist.
The narrative then shifts from despair to the glimmer of hope and the potential for renewal. In the midst of this darkness and confusion, a simple act of compassion—one person sharing a blanket with another—ignites a “spark of kindness.” This small act creates a “light” that pierces the pervasive darkness, symbolizing the awakening of empathy and understanding. Inspired by this light, humanity collectively works to build a “ladder,” representing a shared effort towards progress and a new beginning. The poem concludes with a powerful image of various clans ascending this ladder into a “next world,” a journey that extends through generations “all the way through time. To now, into this morning light to you.” This ending emphasizes the ongoing nature of this journey towards a better existence, rooted in cooperation and compassion, and extending its hopeful message directly to the reader in the present moment.
Exploring the Profound Themes in “Once the World Was Perfect”
The poem “Once the World Was Perfect” resonates with several universal themes that offer deep insights into the human condition and our collective journey.
The Fragility of Paradise and Human Responsibility
The poem opens with the poignant statement, “Once the world was perfect, and we were happy in that world. / Then we took it for granted.” This establishes the theme of paradise lost, not through external forces, but through human complacency and neglect. It highlights humanity’s inherent responsibility to cherish and maintain the harmony of their environment and relationships. The initial perfection was not eternal; its existence depended on conscious appreciation, a lesson learned through its destruction.
The Destructive Power of Negative Emotions
Harjo meticulously traces the descent into chaos, illustrating how internal states manifest in external destruction. “Discontent began a small rumble in the earthly mind. / Then doubt pushed through with its spiked head.” These initial negative thoughts pave the way for a torrent of destructive emotions: “Each stone of jealousy, each stone / Of fear, greed, envy, and hatred, put out the light.” This theme underscores how unchecked negativity can dismantle peace, leading to isolation and conflict, as “No one was without a stone in his or her hand.” The poem serves as a cautionary tale about the corrosive impact of these emotions on individuals and society.
The Redemptive Force of Kindness and Unity
Despite the bleakness, the poem offers a powerful message of hope and redemption. The turning point arrives with a simple, selfless act: “Then one of the stumbling ones took pity on another / And shared a blanket.” This act of kindness, seemingly small, generates “A spark of kindness made a light.” This light then fosters unity, leading to collective action: “Everyone worked together to make a ladder.” This theme emphasizes that even in the deepest despair, compassion and cooperation can illuminate a path forward, transforming individual suffering into collective progress and a shared future.
Cycles of Destruction and Renewal
The poem suggests a cyclical nature to human experience, moving from perfection to destruction and then to the arduous process of rebuilding. The line “Right back where we had started” acknowledges the return to a primal state of confusion and darkness. However, the subsequent ascent into “the next world” signifies not just a return, but an evolution, a renewed world built on the lessons learned from past mistakes. This theme offers an optimistic outlook, suggesting that humanity possesses the capacity for continuous growth and the creation of better futures, always striving “all the way through time. / To now, into this morning light to you.”
A Deep Dive into Literary Devices in “Once the World Was Perfect”
Joy Harjo masterfully employs a range of literary devices to enrich the poem’s narrative, deepen its thematic resonance, and evoke powerful emotional responses from the reader. These devices are crucial for a thorough “Once the World Was Perfect analysis.”
Metaphor and Symbolism: Unpacking Deeper Meanings
The poem is rich with metaphorical language and symbolism, transforming abstract ideas into tangible images.
- Stones: The “stones of jealousy, each stone / Of fear, greed, envy, and hatred” serve as a powerful metaphor for the heavy, destructive nature of negative emotions. Each stone represents an individual act or feeling that contributes to the collective downfall, literally “put out the light.” The image of “No one was without a stone in his or her hand” emphasizes the pervasive nature of these destructive tendencies within humanity.
- Light and Darkness: These are central symbols throughout the poem. The initial “perfect” world is implicitly a world of light. The “darkness” that follows the destruction symbolizes ignorance, despair, and moral confusion: “We were bumping into each other / In the dark.” Conversely, the “spark of kindness” and the subsequent “light” represent hope, understanding, and the potential for spiritual and communal awakening. The “morning light” at the end signifies a new beginning and enlightenment.
- Web: The phrase “And once doubt ruptured the web” symbolizes the delicate interconnectedness and harmony of the perfect world. The web’s rupture signifies the breaking of this balance, allowing chaos to enter.
- Blanket: The shared “blanket” symbolizes basic human needs, warmth, comfort, and most importantly, the act of compassion and empathy that initiates the path to recovery. It is a simple, yet profound, gesture of care.
- Ladder: The “ladder” collectively built by everyone symbolizes shared effort, progress, and the means to ascend from a state of despair to a new, hopeful existence. It represents a structured, collaborative path towards a better future.
- Wind Clan: The mention of “A Wind Clan person climbed out first into the next world” introduces a specific cultural reference, likely to Indigenous traditions where clans are integral to identity and cosmology. The Wind Clan often symbolizes movement, change, and the breath of life, suggesting a spiritual and natural connection to this new beginning.
Personification: Giving Life to Abstract Concepts
Harjo employs personification to give human-like qualities to abstract concepts, making them more vivid and impactful.
- Doubt: “Then doubt pushed through with its spiked head.” Here, doubt is personified as a menacing, aggressive entity, actively forcing its way into existence and causing harm. The “spiked head” suggests a painful, intrusive, and dangerous quality.
- Discontent: “Discontent began a small rumble in the earthly mind.” Discontent is given the ability to “rumble,” suggesting a nascent, growing disturbance within the collective consciousness, like a physical tremor.
Imagery: Crafting Vivid Sensory Experiences
The poem uses strong imagery to create sensory experiences for the reader, enhancing emotional connection.
- Visual Imagery: “spiked head” of doubt, the “light” being put out, people “bumping into each other / In the dark,” and the “morning light” at the end all create clear pictures in the reader’s mind. The image of “Each stone of jealousy” is also powerfully visual, suggesting tangible burdens.
- Auditory Imagery: The “small rumble in the earthly mind” provides an auditory image, hinting at a low, internal sound of growing unease.
- Tactile Imagery: “bumping into each other / In the dark” evokes a sense of physical disorientation and confusion, while the shared “blanket” suggests warmth and comfort.
Irony: The Contrast of Ideals and Reality
The poem opens with a stark irony that sets the stage for its central conflict.
- Initial Perfection vs. Subsequent Destruction: The very first line, “Once the world was perfect, and we were happy in that world,” creates an immediate contrast with the subsequent narrative of destruction and despair. This irony highlights humanity’s capacity to squander its blessings and underscores the theme of taking things for granted. The initial state of perfection makes the fall even more tragic and the eventual redemption more profound.
Repetition and Parallelism: Emphasizing Key Ideas
Repetition is used effectively to build emphasis and rhythm, reinforcing the poem’s central messages.
- “Each stone”: The repetition in “Each stone of jealousy, each stone / Of fear, greed, envy, and hatred” emphasizes the cumulative and individual responsibility for the destruction. It highlights how every negative emotion contributes to the collective darkness.
- “Their children”: The phrase “And then the other clans, the children of those clans, their children, / And their children, all the way through time” uses repetition to convey the generational impact of both past mistakes and future hopes. It emphasizes the continuity of life and the enduring journey of humanity.
- “Light”: The word “light” is repeated at a crucial turning point: “A spark of kindness made a light. / The light made an opening in the darkness.” This repetition underscores the transformative power of kindness and hope, showing how a small spark can grow into a guiding force.
Mastering Poetic Devices in “Once the World Was Perfect”
Beyond literary devices, Harjo’s poem also showcases specific poetic techniques that contribute to its unique rhythm, sound, and overall impact.
Free Verse: Unbound Expression
The poem is written in free verse, meaning it does not adhere to a strict rhyme scheme, meter, or traditional stanza structure. This choice allows Harjo immense flexibility in expressing complex emotions and a sweeping narrative.
- Natural Flow: The absence of rigid form allows the poem to mimic natural speech and thought, creating a sense of intimacy and directness. This enhances the poem’s accessibility and its ability to convey a universal human experience without being constrained by formal rules. The lines flow organically, guiding the reader through the narrative without artificial breaks.
- Emphasis on Meaning: By not being bound by rhyme or meter, Harjo can prioritize the precise meaning and emotional weight of each word and line break. This freedom allows for a more direct and impactful delivery of the poem’s profound themes.
Diction: The Power of Word Choice
Harjo’s careful selection of words, or diction, plays a significant role in shaping the poem’s tone and impact.
- Evocative Language: Words like “rumble,” “spiked,” “ruptured,” “demon thoughts,” and “stumbling ones” are highly evocative. “Rumble” suggests a deep, unsettling internal disturbance. “Spiked” conveys aggression and danger. “Ruptured” implies a violent, irreversible break. “Demon thoughts” intensifies the negative emotions, giving them a malevolent quality. “Stumbling ones” paints a picture of vulnerability and confusion. This precise diction contributes to the poem’s intensity and emotional depth, guiding the reader’s perception of the narrative’s progression from peace to chaos and back to hope.
Sound Devices: Assonance, Alliteration, and Consonance
Harjo subtly uses sound devices to create musicality and emphasize certain phrases, enhancing the poem’s auditory appeal.
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within words helps to create a sense of flow and connection. For instance, the long “e” sound in “We destroyed the world we had been given” subtly links the words, contributing to the feeling of a profound loss. Another example is the short “i” sound in “Discontent began a small rumble in the earthly mind,” which creates a subtle internal resonance.
- Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words adds a rhythmic quality and draws attention to specific phrases. The “w” sound in “Once the world was perfect, and we were happy in that world” creates a gentle, harmonious opening, reflecting the initial state of peace. The “s” sound in “small rumble” and “spiked head” also subtly links these initial negative forces.
- Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words creates a subtle musicality and reinforces meaning. The recurring “s” sound in “Each stone of jealousy, each stone / Of fear, greed, envy, and hatred, put out the light” creates a sibilant, almost hissing effect, underscoring the insidious and destructive nature of these negative emotions.
Enjambment: Guiding the Reader’s Flow
Enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause, is used to control the poem’s pacing and emphasize certain ideas.
- Creating Momentum: Lines like “Then one of the stumbling ones took pity on another / And shared a blanket” demonstrate enjambment. This technique creates a sense of continuous action and natural speech, highlighting the spontaneous and fluid nature of the act of kindness. It draws the reader quickly from the act of pity to the act of sharing, emphasizing the immediate consequence and impact.
- Emphasizing Key Words: Enjambment can also place emphasis on the word at the beginning of the next line, such as “All manner of demon thoughts / Jumped through.” Here, “Jumped through” gains additional force by being isolated at the start of a new line, underscoring the sudden and forceful intrusion of negativity.
Ultimately, “Once the World Was Perfect” is a timeless and resonant poem that speaks to the universal human experience of loss, redemption, and the enduring power of hope. Its skillful use of literary and poetic devices, combined with its profound thematic depth, makes it a truly captivating and thought-provoking work of art. The poem serves as a powerful reminder that while humanity is capable of great destruction, it also possesses an innate capacity for compassion and collective action, capable of building a brighter future from the ashes of past mistakes. This journey, as Harjo reminds us, continues “To now, into this morning light to you.”