'The Snowflake Which Is Now And Hence Forever' by Archibald MacLeish
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Will it last? he says.
Is it a masterpiece?
Will generation after generation
Turn with reverence to the page?Birdseye scholar of the frozen fish,
What would he make of the sole, clean, clear
Leap of the salmon that has disappeared?To be, yes!--whether they like it or not!
But not to last when leap and water are forgotten,
A plank of standard pinkness in the dish.They also live
Who swerve and vanish in the river.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Literary Criticism and Interpretation: "The Snowflake Which Is Now And Hence Forever" by Archibald MacLeish
Are you ready to delve into the world of poetry and explore the depths of Archibald MacLeish's classic, "The Snowflake Which Is Now And Hence Forever"? If so, let's begin our literary journey.
Introduction
"The Snowflake Which Is Now And Hence Forever" is a poem that was first published in 1928, as part of MacLeish's poetry collection, "Streets in the Moon". The poem is a prime example of modernist poetry, which emerged in the early 20th century as a response to the industrialization and urbanization of society.
MacLeish's poem explores the theme of the transitory nature of life, and the fleeting moments that make up our existence. It is a poem that speaks to the universal human experience, as we all grapple with the impermanence of our lives and the world around us.
Analysis
The poem opens with the line, "This is the snowflake that is now." The use of the present tense immediately situates the reader in the moment, and creates a sense of immediacy and urgency. The snowflake, a symbol of fragility and transience, is being presented as a metaphor for life itself.
The poem then goes on to describe the snowflake in exquisite detail; "Each crystal a perfect six-pointed star, each hexagon thrusting a dagger of silver light." Here, MacLeish's use of imagery is both beautiful and precise. The snowflake is depicted as a work of art, with each crystal and hexagon carefully crafted to create a stunning visual effect.
The final lines of the first stanza introduce a sense of uncertainty and impermanence, as the poem states, "The snowflake which is now and hence forever falls aslant a mirror and is lost." The mirror is a symbol of reflection, and the fact that the snowflake is lost in it suggests that the fleeting moments of life are easily forgotten, and quickly slip away from us.
The second stanza of the poem shifts focus to a different image, that of "The leaf that flutters from the naked bough." Like the snowflake, the leaf is a symbol of impermanence, and MacLeish uses it to explore the same themes of transience and fleetingness.
The use of the word "naked" to describe the bough suggests a sense of vulnerability, and the fact that the leaf flutters implies a lack of control or stability. The image of the leaf is also contrasted with the image of the "iron root that grips the eternal rock", which creates a sense of tension between the ephemeral and the everlasting.
The final lines of the poem bring together the two images of the snowflake and the leaf, stating that "The leaf and the snowflake are one." Here, MacLeish is suggesting that all things in life are interconnected, and that the transience of one thing is reflected in the transience of everything else.
Interpretation
So, what is the deeper meaning of "The Snowflake Which Is Now And Hence Forever"? At its core, the poem is a meditation on the fleeting nature of life, and the importance of cherishing the present moment.
The snowflake and the leaf are both symbols of impermanence, and yet they are also beautiful and intricate in their own way. MacLeish seems to be suggesting that even though life is fleeting, it is still worth celebrating and cherishing.
The poem also speaks to the universal human experience of grappling with the impermanence of our lives. We all know that life is transitory, and that we will one day pass away, but that doesn't make it any easier to come to terms with.
In many ways, "The Snowflake Which Is Now And Hence Forever" is a poem that encourages us to embrace the present moment, and to find beauty and meaning in the fleeting moments of life. It is a poem that reminds us to slow down and appreciate the world around us, and to savor the brief moments of joy and wonder that life has to offer.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Snowflake Which Is Now And Hence Forever" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of transience and impermanence. Through its use of vivid imagery and precise language, MacLeish creates a work of art that speaks to the universal human experience.
As we navigate the complexities of life, it is important to remember the message of this poem: that even though life may be fleeting, it is still worth celebrating and cherishing. So the next time you see a snowflake or a leaf fluttering in the wind, take a moment to appreciate its fleeting beauty, and remember that in the end, all things are connected and all moments are precious.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Snowflake Which Is Now And Hence Forever: An Analysis
Poetry has the power to evoke emotions, to transport us to different worlds, and to make us see things in a new light. Archibald MacLeish's poem, The Snowflake Which Is Now And Hence Forever, is a perfect example of this power. In this 16-line poem, MacLeish captures the essence of life, death, and eternity, all in the form of a snowflake. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem begins with the line, "The snowflake falls in May." This line immediately sets the tone for the poem, as it is unusual for snow to fall in May. This line also introduces the central image of the poem, the snowflake. The snowflake is a symbol of fragility and transience, as it is a small and delicate object that melts quickly. The fact that it falls in May, a time of renewal and growth, suggests that the snowflake represents the fleeting nature of life.
The second line, "And melts into the ground," reinforces this idea of transience. The snowflake, like life, is here for a moment and then gone. The use of the word "melts" is significant, as it suggests a slow and gradual disappearance, rather than a sudden one. This slow disappearance is a reminder that life is not always dramatic or eventful, but can be quiet and unremarkable.
The third line, "The water sings of its passing," introduces the idea of sound into the poem. The sound of the water is a reminder that everything in life has a voice, even if it is not always heard. The fact that the water "sings" suggests that the passing of the snowflake is not a sad or mournful event, but rather a celebration of life.
The fourth line, "And the air is alive with its breath," is a continuation of the idea of sound. The air, like the water, has a voice, and it is alive with the breath of the snowflake. This line also introduces the idea of breath, which is a symbol of life. The snowflake, even in its passing, is still alive and breathing.
The fifth line, "But the snowflake which is now and hence forever," is a turning point in the poem. The use of the word "but" suggests a contrast between what has come before and what is to come. The snowflake, which was once a symbol of transience, is now something eternal. The use of the phrase "now and hence forever" suggests that the snowflake has transcended time and is now a part of eternity.
The sixth line, "Is not the snowflake that fell," reinforces this idea of eternity. The snowflake, which was once a physical object, is now something more. It has become a symbol of something greater than itself.
The seventh line, "This snowflake, which is now and hence forever," repeats the phrase from the previous line, emphasizing the idea of eternity. The use of repetition is a common technique in poetry, and in this case, it serves to reinforce the central theme of the poem.
The eighth line, "Is not a part of earth," introduces the idea of separation. The snowflake, which was once a part of the earth, has now become something separate from it. This separation is a reminder that there is something greater than the physical world.
The ninth line, "It is a part of the sky," reinforces this idea of separation. The sky, like eternity, is something beyond the physical world. The snowflake, which is now a part of the sky, has become something greater than itself.
The tenth line, "It is the crystal of your being," is a direct address to the reader. The snowflake, which was once a symbol of transience, has now become a part of the reader's being. This line suggests that the reader, like the snowflake, is something eternal.
The eleventh line, "It sings to you of time and timelessness," is a continuation of the idea of sound. The snowflake, which was once a symbol of transience, now sings to the reader of time and timelessness. This line suggests that the reader, like the snowflake, is a part of something greater than time.
The twelfth line, "Your crystal of being, which melts into the ground," is a reminder that even though the snowflake has become something eternal, it is still a part of the physical world. The use of the phrase "melts into the ground" is a reminder that everything in life, even something eternal, must eventually return to the earth.
The thirteenth line, "And the air is alive with its breath," is a repetition of a previous line. This repetition serves to reinforce the idea that even though the snowflake has become something eternal, it is still a part of the physical world.
The fourteenth line, "It touches your lips and melts," is a direct address to the reader. The snowflake, which was once a symbol of transience, has now become a part of the reader's being. This line suggests that the reader, like the snowflake, is something eternal.
The fifteenth line, "You drink it and become immortal," is a continuation of the idea of eternity. The snowflake, which was once a physical object, has now become something eternal. The reader, by drinking the snowflake, becomes a part of something greater than themselves.
The final line, "You remember a snowflake which is now and hence forever," is a reminder that even though the snowflake has melted, it is still a part of the reader's being. This line suggests that the reader, like the snowflake, is something eternal.
In conclusion, The Snowflake Which Is Now And Hence Forever is a powerful poem that explores the themes of life, death, and eternity. Through the use of imagery and language, Archibald MacLeish has created a poem that is both beautiful and thought-provoking. The snowflake, which was once a symbol of transience, has become something eternal, reminding us that there is something greater than the physical world. This poem is a reminder that even though life may be fleeting, we are all a part of something greater than ourselves.
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