Context:

“Dominion Over the Beasts of the Earth” by Tracy K. Smith explores the concept of human authority over nature, questioning the traditional view of humanity’s dominion over animals. The poem grapples with the power dynamics between humans and animals, acknowledging the consequences of this hierarchical structure. The speaker reflects on the complexity of humanity’s relationship with the environment, considering both the ethical implications of dominion and the natural instincts that arise from human interaction with the animal kingdom. Smith explores themes of dominion, control, moral responsibility, and the human-animal connection.

Line-by-Line Analysis:

Lines 1-4:

Analysis: The poem opens with the invocation of “Dominion over the beasts of the Earth”, a biblical concept that alludes to humanity’s authority over animals. The use of “beasts” conveys the wild and untamed nature of animals, emphasizing humanity’s supposed power over them. The speaker questions the moral implications of this dominion and introduces a critique of the idea, suggesting that this control may be less about power and more about human weakness.

  • Quote 1: “Dominion over the beasts of the Earth”
    • Explanation: This phrase references the biblical concept where humans are given dominion over the animals. It introduces the central theme of human control over nature but with an underlying suggestion that this control may be flawed or misguided.
  • Quote 2: “beasts of the Earth”
    • Explanation: The word “beasts” emphasizes the untamed nature of the animals, suggesting that humans have imposed their control on something wild, which in itself may be unnatural or problematic.

Lines 5-8:

Analysis: The speaker expresses a tension between dominion and responsibility. While humans have claimed power over animals, there is a deep, underlying awareness of interdependence. The speaker also touches upon the idea of violence that arises in asserting control, questioning whether humanity is truly in charge or whether the power is illusory. The imagery of animals, particularly in the context of the “wildness” of nature, underscores the ethical dilemma of domination.

  • Quote 1: “We dream of mastering them, / Yet they are already ours”
    • Explanation: This quote highlights the irony of humanity’s relationship with animals. Humans dream of mastering them, but in truth, animals have always been a part of human existence. This contradiction suggests that dominion may be an illusion, as humans and animals are connected in more complex ways than simply mastery.
  • Quote 2: “Yet they are already ours”
    • Explanation: This line suggests that the concept of ownership over animals may be misguided, as animals have always been intertwined with human life. The phrase implies that animals are not merely objects for control, but living beings that share the world with humanity.

Lines 9-12:

Analysis: The speaker continues to reflect on the relationship between humans and animals, emphasizing the moralresponsibility humans hold toward them. The lines “We turn away from their hunger” highlight the disconnectbetween human power and the consequences of that power. Despite the claim of dominion, humans fail to meet the needs of animals, illustrating that dominion is not equivalent to true care or understanding.

  • Quote 1: “We turn away from their hunger”
    • Explanation: This line critiques humanity’s failure to address the needs of the animals they dominate. It suggests that humans may hold power over animals but are negligent in fulfilling their moral responsibility to care for them.
  • Quote 2: “And yet we are their caretakers”
    • Explanation: The phrase draws attention to the irony in the relationship between humans and animals. While humans claim dominion over animals, they fail to act as true caretakers, highlighting a disconnect between the power humans wield and their ethical obligations.

Lines 13-16:

Analysis: The speaker moves toward the larger implications of dominion, suggesting that human actions have led to significant changes in the environment and the creatures that inhabit it. The idea of dominion extends beyond physical control to include responsibility for the welfare of animals and ecosystems. The lines challenge the notion of human authority, emphasizing the environmental and ethical consequences of this claim to power.

  • Quote 1: “Their bodies, their skin, / Their cries belong to us”
    • Explanation: This line emphasizes the ownership humans feel over animals, extending to their physicalityand suffering. It critiques the dehumanization of animals, illustrating how humans impose ownership even over the suffering of creatures.
  • Quote 2: “But in the end, we’re the ones who are lost”
    • Explanation: The final line of this section suggests that, while humans may claim dominion, they are ultimately the losers in this arrangement. The loss of connection with the natural world and animals leads to environmental collapse, indicating that the disruption caused by human control affects humans in the long term.

Key Themes:

  • The Paradox of Dominion:
    • The poem explores the contradiction inherent in humanity’s dominion over animals, where power is claimed but responsibility is neglected.
    • Quote: “We dream of mastering them, / Yet they are already ours”
      • Explanation: This highlights the illusion of mastery and control, suggesting that humanity’s relationship with animals is more complex than simply domination.
  • Neglect and Consequences:
    • The poem critiques humanity’s failure to properly care for and respect the animals over which they claim dominion.
    • Quote: “We turn away from their hunger”
      • Explanation: This line underscores humanity’s irresponsibility and neglect, despite the claim to ownership and control over animals.
  • Moral Responsibility vs. Control:
    • The poem calls attention to the need for a more ethical relationship with animals, one based on care rather than domination.
    • Quote: “And yet we are their caretakers”
      • Explanation: This quote highlights the disconnect between human actions and ethical obligations. Despite claiming to be caretakers, humanity fails to act with responsibility toward the animals they control.

Literary Devices:

  • Imagery:
    • The poem uses vivid imagery to capture the tension between human control and the reality of neglect.
    • Quote: “Their bodies, their skin, / Their cries belong to us”
      • Explanation: The imagery here emphasizes the ownership humans feel over the animals, highlighting the dehumanization of creatures.
  • Irony:
    • The poem uses irony to expose the contradictions between human power and responsibility.
    • Quote: “We dream of mastering them, / Yet they are already ours”
      • Explanation: This irony highlights the futility of dominion when humans fail to recognize the interconnectedness between themselves and animals.
  • Personification:
    • Animals are personified to reflect their role as more than just objects of human control.
    • Quote: “But in the end, we’re the ones who are lost”
      • Explanation: This line emphasizes the reversal of power, where humans ultimately suffer due to their failure to care for the natural world.

Mood of the Poem:

The mood of “Dominion Over the Beasts of the Earth” is reflective and critical. The speaker contemplates the moral implications of human control over animals, critiquing humanity’s neglect and ethical failure. There is a sense of ironyand regret, as the poem reveals the consequences of human actions on the natural world and the creatures we claim to dominate.

Conclusion:

In “Dominion Over the Beasts of the Earth,” Tracy K. Smith critiques humanity’s claim to dominion over animals, exploring the contradictions between control and responsibility. The poem uses vivid imagery, irony, and personification to emphasize the interdependence between humans and animals, while calling for a more ethical and compassionate relationship with the natural world. Smith invites readers to reflect on the implications of human actions and the ethical responsibility we bear for the creatures we have dominion over, ultimately suggesting that true power lies in respect, care, and stewardship rather than domination.