The Astronauts by Robert Hayden - Poetry Analysis Essay

Introduction

'The Astronauts' is a poem written by Robert Hayden in his pursuit to show us an outer space operation undertaken by man and his voyage to the unknown (Rubin, 142). This compares to the life of human beings on earth and the prospects and awe placed on the astronauts by people on earth. The astronauts are fearful as they undertake their journey to the unknown since they do not know what awaits them. This represents the journey of each person's life and all the adversities and doubts that come with it.

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In the poem, the astronauts, many poetic devices such as the use of figurative language and sound patterns have been used extensively. Imagery, symbolism, and irony are examples of figurative language in the poem. They are employed to build and develop the theme of the poem. For example, the astronauts' journey is metaphorical since it represents the journey of each person's life and all the adversities and doubts that come with it. Sound patterns, for example, alliteration and rhyme have been used for the purpose of adding musicality to the poem besides making it memorable. Their purpose is to add flavor to the poem besides gives it a musical quality. In the Astronauts poem, the poet discovers the rational problems which were suggested by exploration. In the paramount five lines of the poem, the identity of the astronauts is not indicated. They are described as being faceless and this is further emphasized by the phrase "mirror masks". This symbolizes the general brightness as well as the gumshoe of a moonscape. At the point alliteration between the words mirror and masks shows us that there are no any defining characteristics of the moon. Consequently, this shows us that no particular details of the astronauts' men are available (Smith, 381).

Colloquial terms such as 'wow' and 'oh boy' have been used by the poet to break the deficiency of personality and identity in the poem. These exclamations describe their excitement. Nonetheless, the poet continues employing the third person standpoint in the whole poem and this detaches the astronauts from us hence we do not share their emotions. Furthermore, a parenthesis in stanza two has been used to emphasize more on the distance between the reader and the astronauts. Here the poet addresses the reader directly reminding them of the training undergone by the astronauts which inspires them to be cautious of feelings and philosophy. Subsequently, this warning affects the excitement of the astronauts hence a sense of discouragement is created and this foreshadows that at the conclusion of the poem we will be left worried. Definite, the moon exploration will leave us with more doubts and questions rather than the answers we were looking for.

According to Rubin, at the start of the third verse, the astronauts are said to have undertaken an exceptional exploration. This is highlighted by the line 'Risking edges'. They are further described as being vulnerable since the only friendship they can count on is that with their 'machines' and maybe 'God'. The term 'God' has been used symbolically to depict their dependence on God should their machine fail to unravel all their problems. Therefore, the irony of depending on God in a scientific age is created by the poet for the purpose of unveiling the dangerous situation the astronauts are in. The irony is highlighted by the question mark in this line 'radar-watching eye?' and it insinuates that despite God being needed, He can never be there to provide help.

Agreeing with Rubin, the poem is set in the moon where astronauts are sent to conduct their exploration in an attempt to find answers to the questions the poet ponders over. It is addressed to the human race which has been made more confused by technological advancement that tends to seek answers to the question which they don't even know.

If the poem was actively performed on the stage, the massage of the poet would be more clearly understood rather than when the kit is only written down and read. Dramatization allows audience participation and this makes them understand the concept easily. The poem always becomes memorable because it is hard to forget that which you see and hear.

According to Tulinius et al., the main message of the poem is that people should not torture themselves looking for answers to questions which are beyond their understanding. The current technological advancement is drifting scientists away from religion since they think they can explain the occurrence of everything in nature. However, they can never succeed in these since they lack the intelligence of God. This is illustrated in the final verse; the tone used depicts the trouble and uncertainty faced by the astronauts. This is symbolic because it stands for the uncertainty which both the poet and every human being have regarding what they want from life or themselves. The poet elaborated that our attempts to find and find things by sending astronauts to the moon are in vain since the answers we are looking for lie close to where we are.

Conclusion

The poem has an irregular rhyme scheme and its layout on the page appears to be fractured this creates the mood of hopelessness by implying that it is impossible for the poet to get the answers for his questions.

Works Cited

Rubin, Larry. "The Astronaut," poem"." Western Humanities Review 17.2 (1963): 142.

Smith, Barbara Herrnstein. Poetic Closure: A study of how poems end. Vol. 381. University of Chicago Press, 1968.

Tulinius, Torfi H. "Grettir and Bjartur: realism and the supernatural in medieval and modern Icelandic literature." 000452548 (2011).