Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov's "The Jacob's Ladder" presents a grounded and tangible interpretation of the biblical vision of a stairway connecting heaven and earth. Through vivid and concrete imagery, Levertov explores the arduous and real effort required for spiritual ascent, contrasting the ethereal expectations with a more substantial and relatable depiction.

The poem begins by dispelling the common ethereal image of the ladder: "The stairway is not / a thing of gleaming strands / a radiant evanescence / for angels' feet that only glance in their tread, and / need not touch the stone." Here, Levertov emphasizes that the ladder is not a delicate, otherworldly construct meant solely for angelic beings. Instead, she introduces the idea that the stairway is made of stone—solid, tangible, and demanding physical engagement.

Levertov continues to describe the stone: "It is of stone. / A rosy stone that takes / a glowing tone of softness / only because behind it the sky is a doubtful, / a doubting night gray." The rosy stone's glow is contrasted with the doubtful night sky, suggesting that the beauty and warmth of the stone are accentuated by the surrounding uncertainty. This interplay of light and doubt underscores the theme of struggle and the pursuit of faith amidst ambiguity.

The ladder is depicted as having "sharp / angles, solidly built." This description reinforces the idea that the journey upward is not smooth or easy. The sharp angles require effort and determination. Levertov notes that "the angels must spring / down from one step to the next, giving a little / lift of the wings," highlighting the active effort required even from celestial beings.

For a human climbing the ladder, the experience is even more laborious: "and a man climbing / must scrape his knees, and bring / the grip of his hands into play. The cut stone / consoles his groping feet." The imagery of scraped knees and the need for a firm grip evokes the physical struggle and perseverance necessary for spiritual ascent. The stone, though rough and demanding, offers a form of consolation and support to the climber, suggesting that the very challenges of the climb provide a sense of grounding and reality.

Levertov captures the interaction between humans and angels on the ladder: "Wings brush past him." This brief contact between the climber and the angels adds a sense of shared journey and connection between the divine and the mortal. Despite the different natures of their ascents, both angels and humans navigate the same path.

The poem concludes with a powerful affirmation: "The poem ascends." This final line asserts that the act of creating poetry, much like the climb up Jacob's Ladder, is an arduous but elevating process. The ascent of the poem mirrors the spiritual journey, requiring effort, resilience, and a deep engagement with the material and the divine.

"The Jacob's Ladder" by Denise Levertov is a meditation on the nature of spiritual striving and the effort required to bridge the gap between the earthly and the divine. Through her grounded and vivid imagery, Levertov transforms the mystical vision of Jacob's Ladder into a relatable and tangible experience, emphasizing the physical and emotional labor inherent in the pursuit of spiritual elevation. The poem celebrates the perseverance and resilience needed for such a journey, finding beauty and meaning in the struggle itself.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...