The Heaven of Animals
By James L. Dickey
Here they are. The soft eyes open.
If they have lived in a wood
It is a wood.
If they have lived on plains
It is grass rolling
Under their feet forever.Having no souls, they have come,
Anyway, beyond their knowing.
Their instincts wholly bloom
And they rise.
The soft eyes open.To match them, the landscape flowers,
Outdoing, desperately
Outdoing what is required:
The richest wood,
The deepest field.For some of these,
It could not be the place
It is, without blood.
These hunt, as they have done,
But with claws and teeth grown perfect,More deadly than they can believe.
They stalk more silently,
And crouch on the limbs of trees,
And their descent
Upon the bright backs of their preyMay take years
In a sovereign floating of joy.
And those that are hunted
Know this as their life,
Their reward: to walkUnder such trees in full knowledge
Of what is in glory above them,
And to feel no fear,
But acceptance, compliance.
Fulfilling themselves without painAt the cycle’s center,
They tremble, they walk
Under the tree,
They fall, they are torn,
They rise, they walk again.
Summary of The Heaven of Animals
The Heaven of Animals, penned by James L. Dickey, is a compelling poem that transports readers to a realm where animals exist unburdened by human interference. Published in 1962, the poem delves into the primal cycle of life, focusing on the inherent relationship between predator and prey. It is not a narrative of exciting events, but rather a contemplation of natural principles and the underlying essence of existence. The poem suggests a world where instinct reigns supreme and animals live fully within their nature, accepting both the hunt and the being hunted as integral parts of their existence.
At its core, The Heaven of Animals explores the fundamental forces of killing and being killed, birth and death, as the very foundations of the world we inhabit. The poem opens with a vivid image of animals opening their eyes to their surroundings – whether a wood or a plain, their environment is fully realized. These creatures, described as lacking souls, nonetheless exist and flourish, driven by instinct. They rely on their innate abilities to survive. The poem also considers the perspective of the hunted, suggesting they accept their fate with a kind of peaceful compliance. Dickey offers a sweeping vision of the animal kingdom and its idyllic, self-contained existence.
Major Themes in “The Heaven of Animals”
The poem’s central themes revolve around the cycle of life, the animal world, and an exploration of natural order. Dickey masterfully presents a world where animals live according to instinct, free from the complexities of human morality or consciousness. The opening lines, introducing animals with “soft eyes open,” evoke a sense of innocence and a primal awakening. As the poem progresses, these creatures evolve, learning the skills necessary for survival. They hunt, they kill, but these actions are not depicted as malicious; they are simply the fulfillment of natural drives.
A key element of the poem is the contrast between this animal world and any notion of a blissful afterlife. Animals kill without malice, driven by instinct, and the hunted accept their fate with a kind of peaceful resignation. This acceptance isn’t framed as weakness, but as a perfect alignment with the natural order. Dickey’s poem invites us to consider a worldview where life and death are not tragedies, but integral parts of a continuous, harmonious cycle.
Analysis of Literary and Poetic Devices Used in “The Heaven of Animals”
Literary Devices
Dickey skillfully employs a variety of literary devices to enhance the poem’s meaning and impact. Understanding these techniques helps unlock a deeper appreciation for his artistry.
- Imagery: Dickey uses vivid imagery to create a sensory experience for the reader. For example, descriptions like “the richest wood” and “the deepest field” paint a lush and vibrant picture of the animal’s environment.
- Personification: Giving human qualities to non-human elements imbues the animals with a sense of purpose and agency. The lines “They tremble, they walk / Under the tree” suggest a conscious, deliberate action.
- Symbolism: “Soft eyes” can be interpreted as symbolizing innocence and a primal connection to the natural world, while “claws and teeth grown perfect” represent the honed skills and deadly efficiency of the predator.
Poetic Devices
The poem also makes effective use of poetic devices to create rhythm, emphasis, and emotional resonance.
- Free Verse: The poem is written in free verse, meaning it does not follow a strict rhyme scheme or metrical pattern. This allows Dickey to create a natural, conversational tone that mirrors the freedom and wildness of the animal world.
- Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next is common throughout the poem. For example, “If they have lived on plains / It is grass rolling / Under their feet forever.” This technique creates a sense of flow and momentum, mirroring the continuous cycle of life.
- Repetition: The recurring phrase “The soft eyes open” acts as a refrain, emphasizing the beginning of the animal’s experience and a return to a state of primal awareness. It reinforces the cyclical nature of life and the continuous renewal of the natural world.
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within words, such as the /a/ sound in “grass rolling,” creates a musical effect and adds to the poem’s lyrical quality.
Analyzing Key Lines
Let’s examine a few specific lines to illustrate how these devices work together.
“To match them, the landscape flowers, / Outdoing, desperately / Outdoing what is required.”
This passage demonstrates imagery and hyperbole (exaggeration). The landscape isn’t merely flourishing, it’s “desperately” exceeding what’s necessary, suggesting a kind of exuberant abundance that mirrors the vitality of the animal world. The repetition of “outdoing” emphasizes this excess and creates a sense of overwhelming growth.
“They stalk more silently, / And crouch on the limbs of trees, / And their descent / Upon the bright backs of their prey / May take years / In a sovereign floating of joy.”
Here, Dickey uses imagery to create a vivid picture of the predator at work. The phrases “stalk more silently” and “crouch on the limbs of trees” are visually striking. The surprising phrase “in a sovereign floating of joy” suggests that the predator experiences a kind of blissful detachment during the hunt. It’s a startling juxtaposition that challenges our conventional notions of morality and predation.
“At the cycle’s center, / They tremble, they walk / Under the tree, / They fall, they are torn, / They rise, they walk again.”
These lines powerfully encapsulate the poem’s central theme: the continuous cycle of life and death. The repetition of “they walk” emphasizes the relentless progression of this cycle. The verbs “tremble,” “fall,” “torn,” and “rise” create a dynamic and visceral image of the animal’s journey through life. It’s a stark and honest portrayal of the realities of the natural world.
Quotes for Further Reflection
The following lines resonate with themes of resilience and the acceptance of fate:
“They tremble, they walk / Under the tree, / They fall, they are torn, / They rise, they walk again.”
These lines can be interpreted as a metaphor for the human condition, reminding us that even in the face of adversity, we have the capacity to endure, adapt, and continue moving forward. They speak to the cyclical nature of life, the inevitability of suffering, and the enduring power of the human spirit.
The Heaven of Animals is a complex and thought-provoking poem that invites multiple interpretations. By understanding the literary and poetic devices Dickey employs, we can gain a deeper appreciation for his artistry and the enduring power of his vision.