Brahma

Brahma
BY RALPH WALDO EMERSON

Outline
● Introduction
● Text
● Explaining the text
● Extracting thematic expressions
● Literary devices
● Critical understanding
● Conclusion
Introduction
"Brahma" is a poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson, written in 1856. However, the poem was
published in the November 1857 issue of The Atlantic. It is named for Brahman, the
universal principle of the Vedas.
Brahman and Vedas
In Hinduism, Brahman is the highest and most important idea. It is the ultimate reality in the
universe. Brahman is seen as the cause and essence of everything that exists. It is described as
a truth, consciousness, and bliss that is unchanging and eternal. Brahman is like a glue that
holds everything together, the unity behind all the diversity in the world.
The word "Brahman" comes from ancient Sanskrit and it is a central concept in Hinduism. It is
talked about in the ancient Hindu scriptures called the Vedas, and it is also discussed in the
early Upanishads, which are philosophical texts. In these texts, Brahman is often described as
the cosmic principle, and it is sometimes referred to as "Sat-cit-ānanda," meaning truth,
consciousness, and bliss. It is considered the highest and most real aspect of existence.
Text
If the red slayer think he slays,
Or if the slain think he is slain,
They know not well the subtle ways
I keep, and pass, and turn again.
Far or forgot to me is near;

Shadow and sunlight are the same;
The vanished gods to me appear;
And one to me are shame and fame.
They reckon ill who leave me out;

When me they fly, I am the wings;
I am the doubter and the doubt,
I am the hymn the Brahmin sings.
The strong gods pine for my abode,

And pine in vain the sacred Seven;
But thou, meek lover of the good!
Find me, and turn thy back on heaven.
Explanation
Stanza One
In the first stanza of ‘Brahma’ the speaker, Brahma, begins by telling the reader that if they
have any presumptions about life or death, they’re wrong. He says that if a “red slayer” thinks
they have killed someone or if the “slain” think they are dead, then they clearly don’t
understand how “he” works. The phrase “red sayer” is a reference to the god of death.
He tells the reader that he is “subtle” and moves through the world without limitations.
Emerson creates an additional rhythm in these lines with the repetition of the word “slay” in
its various forms.
Brahma is more of a spirit than a physical human being. As seen through the phrase “I keep,
and pass, and turn again.” This refers to his ability to move between life and death easily.
Explanation
Stanza Two
Through contrasting images and states of being Brahma asserts his dominance in the second
stanza. He is attempting to show how different he is from humanity, in the way that he moves
through, and sees the world. To do this, he states that “Far” is the same thing to him as “near”.
Therefore, distance has no meaning. He can travel to one place as easily as to another.
He goes on, to say that “Shadow and sunlight are the same” to him as well. Plus, he is able to
see the “vanished gods” that everyone else thinks have gone away for good. This last statement
alludes to his ability to operate on a spiritual plane that is inaccessible to humans. Last, he
adds that “shame and fame” are equally worthless and valuable to him. He does not crave one
and avoid the other.
Explanation
Stanza Three
Now, in the third stanza of ‘Brahma’, he turns away from what he can do on his own, to
speak on how he is considered by humanity. He tells the reader that those who “leave
me out” are playing a dangerous game. They have made a poor decision to think this
way. The reason for this is outlined in the next lines.
Brahma, he states, is the reason that anything and everything happens He is the
“doubter and the doubt” and the hymn sung by the faithful. When anyone succeeds, it
is also because of him. In the last lines of this section, he refers to the “Brahmin,” the
highest social caste. Members of this group are responsible for maintaining sacred
knowledge and today make up about 5% of the population of India.
Explanation
Stanza Four
In these last lines Brahma tells the reader that even those deemed most important by humanity, and
the other strong gods, want what he has. He has an “abode” that includes all of the world, and it is
enviable. He speaks about the “strong gods” such as Agni the god of fire, and Yama, the god of war
(mentioned in the first stanza). The speaker also refers to the “sacred Seven,” the highest holy persons
in Hinduism. Both groups seek to draw closer to Brahma.
Brahma speaks directly to the reader in the last two lines. He tells “you” to “Find” him and “turn” your
back “on heaven”. It is Brahma, the idea and spirit, that one should pursue, not the idealized heavenly
end to one’s life. “You” are only a “meek lover of the god” and should do as he says.
Literary Devices
● Personification: Emerson personifies various abstract concepts and forces. For example,
he personifies the "strong gods" and the "doubter and the doubt," giving them human-like
attributes and agency.
● Apostrophe: The poem uses apostrophe, a figure of speech in which the speaker
addresses someone absent or something non-human as if it were present and capable of
responding. Emerson directly addresses Brahma, engaging in a dialogue with the divine.
● Paradox: Emerson employs paradoxical statements to express complex ideas. For
instance, the line "The strong gods pine for my abode" presents a contradiction, as it
implies that the gods long for the very thing that the speaker possesses.
● Imagery: The poem incorporates vivid imagery to paint a picture in the reader's mind.
For example, the line "And drop my frame through quivering earth" creates a visual and
tactile image of the speaker's body descending through the ground.
Literary Devices
● Metaphor: Emerson employs metaphors to convey his ideas. For example, in the line
"The strong gods pine for my abode," he compares himself to Brahma, the Hindu deity,
suggesting that he possesses divine qualities.
● Allusion: The poem alludes to various religious and mythological concepts, such as
Brahma and the Hindu philosophy of the divine. These allusions enhance the depth and
meaning of the poem.
● Repetition: Emerson uses repetition in the poem to emphasize certain ideas. For instance,
the phrase "I am the doubter and the doubt" is repeated several times, emphasizing the
dual nature of the speaker's consciousness.
● Parallelism: The poem often employs parallel structures to convey balance and
symmetry. An example is the line "They reckon ill who leave me out; / When me they fly,
I am the wings," where the parallel structure reinforces the interconnectedness of the
speaker with the world.
Critical Understanding
Interpreting "Brahma" by Ralph Waldo Emerson in real life involves understanding its philosophical
themes and applying them to our own experiences and perceptions.
The poem's emphasis on the divinity within individuals encourages us to recognize our own inherent
spiritual potential. It prompts us to embrace our unique qualities and abilities, acknowledging that we
too possess qualities of the divine.
The exploration of interconnectedness reminds us of the interdependence of all things. It urges us to

recognize the profound connections we have with the world around us, emphasizing our responsibility
to act with empathy and compassion towards others and the environment.
The vivid imagery in the poem can inspire us to engage with the sensory aspects of our existence. It
encourages us to fully experience the beauty and wonder of the natural world, to be present in the
moment, and to cultivate a sense of awe and appreciation for life's mysteries.
Conclusion
In summary, a critical understanding of "Brahma" involves recognizing the poem's
exploration of transcendentalist themes, such as the divinity within individuals, the
interconnectedness of all things, and the limitations of human understanding. Through
its literary devices and philosophical underpinnings, the poem challenges the reader to
question their own perceptions and contemplate the mysteries of existence.

Brahma

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Brahma

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Brahma

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Brahma

BY RALPH WALDO EMERSON

Far or forgot to me is near;

They reckon ill who leave me out;

The strong gods pine for my abode,

The exploration of interconnectedness reminds us of the interdependence of all things. It urges us to

You might also like