The Indian Upon God (Poem by William Butler Yeats)

The Indian Upon God

By William Butler Yeats

I passed along the water’s edge below the humid trees,

My spirit rocked in evening light, the rushes round my knees,
My spirit rocked in sleep and sighs; and saw the moorfowl pace
All dripping on a grassy slope, and saw them cease to chase

Each other round in circles, and heard the eldest speak:
Who holds the world between His bill and made us strong or weak
Is an undying moorfowl, and He lives beyond the sky.
The rains are from His dripping wing, the moonbeams from His eye.

I passed a little further on and heard a lotus talk:
Who made the world and ruleth it, He hangeth on a stalk,
For I am in His image made, and all this tinkling tide
Is but a sliding drop of rain between His petals wide.

A little way within the gloom a roebuck raised his eyes
Brimful of starlight, and he said: The Stamper of the Skies,
He is a gentle roebuck; for how else, I pray, could He
Conceive a thing so sad and soft, a gentle thing like me?

I passed a little further on and heard a peacock say:
Who made the grass and made the worms and made my feathers gay,
He is a monstrous peacock, and He waveth all the night
His languid tail above us, lit with myriad spots of light.

Poem Analysis:

"The Indian Upon God" by William Butler Yeats is a contemplative poem that explores the relationship between nature, God, and creation. Through the eyes of an Indian observer, the poem presents a vivid and imaginative portrayal of various elements of the natural world as manifestations of the divine. This analysis will delve into the structure, themes, and literary devices employed in the poem to unravel its deeper meaning.

Themes:

1. Nature's Connection to the Divine: The poem underscores the idea that nature is intimately connected to the divine. Each aspect of the natural world, from the moorfowl to the lotus to the peacock, is seen as a representation or manifestation of God.
2. The Duality of God: The poem presents a dualistic view of God, where He is simultaneously gentle and monstrous, sad and soft, and possesses both creative and destructive qualities. This duality reflects the complexity of the divine.
3. Creation and Divine Design: The poem contemplates the act of creation and suggests that God's design is evident in the smallest details of the natural world, from the raindrops to the feathers of a peacock.

Structure:

"The Indian Upon God" consists of 5 quatrains (four-line stanzas) with a consistent rhyme scheme (AABB). This structure provides a sense of balance and order to the poem.

Analysis:

1. "I passed along the water’s edge below the humid trees...": The poem begins with the speaker describing their surroundings, where they are immersed in the natural world. The use of sensory imagery, such as "humid trees" and "rushes round my knees," creates a vivid setting.
2. "My spirit rocked in evening light...": The speaker's spirit is in tune with the tranquil and soothing evening light, suggesting a sense of peace and harmony in the natural world.
3. "Who holds the world between His bill...": The first manifestation of God is the moorfowl, portrayed as an undying and powerful figure who controls the world. This imagery highlights God's role as the creator and sustainer of all life.
4. "I passed a little further on and heard a lotus talk...": The lotus, another representation of God, speaks of creation and existence, emphasizing the idea that everything is a part of God's divine plan.
5. "A little way within the gloom a roebuck raised his eyes...": The roebuck adds to the exploration of God's nature, describing Him as both gentle and capable of conceiving "a thing so sad and soft."
6. "I passed a little further on and heard a peacock say...": The peacock offers a contrasting view of God, portraying Him as both monstrous and magnificent, with a tail that lights up the night. This duality emphasizes the complexity and multifaceted nature of the divine.

"The Indian Upon God" by W.B. Yeats is a contemplative and imaginative exploration of the divine presence in nature. Through the observations and voices of various natural elements, the poem portrays God as both gentle and monstrous, highlighting the complexity and duality of the divine. Ultimately, the poem invites readers to ponder the interconnectedness of all things in the natural world and their relationship to the divine source of creation.