'After Sunset' by William Allingham
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The vast and solemn company of clouds
Around the Sun's death, lit, incarnadined,
Cool into ashy wan; as Night enshrouds
The level pasture, creeping up behind
Through voiceless vales, o'er lawn and purpled hill
And hazéd mead, her mystery to fulfil.
Cows low from far-off farms; the loitering wind
Sighs in the hedge, you hear it if you will,--
Tho' all the wood, alive atop with wings
Lifting and sinking through the leafy nooks,
Seethes with the clamour of a thousand rooks.
Now every sound at length is hush'd away.
These few are sacred moments. One more Day
Drops in the shadowy gulf of bygone things.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, After Sunset by William Allingham: A Detailed Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you a lover of poetry? Do you appreciate the beauty of language and the way it can be crafted to evoke emotions and images in your mind? If so, then William Allingham's "Poetry, After Sunset" is a must-read. In this poem, Allingham explores the power of poetry and its ability to transcend time and place, leaving a lasting impact on those who read it.
The Poem
"Poetry, After Sunset" is a short poem consisting of only six stanzas, each with four lines. The poem opens with the speaker reflecting on the beauty of a sunset, describing it as a "splendid dying." However, the speaker quickly shifts his focus to the power of poetry, stating that it too has the ability to leave a lasting impression long after it has been written.
Allingham writes:
The poet's voice, in storm and calm,
Tells of the passions that have birth,
The sorrows and the joys that charm,
The triumphs and defeats of earth.
Here, Allingham is emphasizing the broad range of emotions and experiences that poetry can capture. Whether it is the joy of love or the pain of loss, poetry has the ability to express the full spectrum of human emotion.
The poem continues with the speaker acknowledging that poetry may not always be appreciated in its time, but that it will endure nonetheless. He writes:
His art is simple, yet how high
That art has stood in ages gone,
And how it still delights the eye,
Though centuries have thundered on.
Allingham here is highlighting the timelessness of poetry. Although it may not always be popular or appreciated in its time, it has the ability to endure and continue to impact readers long after it has been written.
The poem concludes with the speaker acknowledging that while poets may not always receive the recognition they deserve in their lifetime, their work will continue to be appreciated long after they are gone. He writes:
But though he win not, though he fail,
His words, at least, his fame secure;
And he who sets his mark to sail
Through stormy seas, shall still endure.
Here, Allingham is emphasizing the importance of persistence and determination. While a poet may not always be successful in their lifetime, their work will endure and continue to inspire future generations.
Literary Devices
One of the most striking elements of "Poetry, After Sunset" is Allingham's use of imagery. In the opening stanza, he describes the beauty of a sunset as a "splendid dying." This metaphor not only captures the beauty of the sunset, but also hints at the idea of the cyclical nature of life and death.
Allingham also uses personification throughout the poem. In stanza two, he personifies the poet's voice, describing it as telling the "passions that have birth." This personification not only gives the poem a sense of agency, but also emphasizes the power of poetry to express the full range of human emotion.
Another technique Allingham uses is repetition. In each stanza, he repeats the same rhyme scheme (ABCB). This repetition not only gives the poem a sense of structure, but also emphasizes the idea of continuity and endurance that runs throughout the poem.
Themes
One of the main themes in "Poetry, After Sunset" is the power of art to endure over time. Allingham emphasizes the timelessness of poetry, highlighting its ability to transcend time and place and continue to impact readers long after it has been written. This theme is particularly relevant in today's world, where technology and social media can often make it difficult for art to have a lasting impact.
Another theme in the poem is the importance of persistence and determination. Allingham acknowledges that poets may not always receive the recognition they deserve in their lifetime, but encourages them to continue to pursue their craft nonetheless. This theme is particularly relevant for aspiring writers and artists who may face rejection and criticism in their pursuit of their art.
Interpretation
At its core, "Poetry, After Sunset" is a celebration of the power of poetry and its ability to endure over time. Allingham's use of imagery, personification, and repetition all serve to emphasize the timelessness of poetry and its ability to capture the full range of human emotion.
However, the poem is also a call to action for aspiring writers and artists. Allingham encourages persistence and determination in the pursuit of one's craft, acknowledging that success may not come immediately but that one's work will endure and impact future generations.
Ultimately, "Poetry, After Sunset" is a timeless ode to the power of art and the enduring legacy that it can leave behind.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry After Sunset: A Masterpiece by William Allingham
Poetry has always been a medium of expression that has the power to move people, to make them feel and think deeply. William Allingham's "Poetry After Sunset" is a classic example of how poetry can evoke emotions and paint vivid pictures in the reader's mind.
The poem is a beautiful portrayal of nature, with the sunset acting as a backdrop for the poet's musings. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, with the poet describing the beauty of the sunset:
"The sunset gloweth in the west, The evening star is bright, The yellow half-moon riseth o'er the hill, And the wind is still and light."
The use of vivid imagery in these lines is striking. The sunset is described as "gloweth," which gives it a sense of warmth and radiance. The evening star is "bright," which emphasizes its brilliance against the darkening sky. The yellow half-moon "riseth o'er the hill," which creates a sense of movement and adds to the overall beauty of the scene. The wind is "still and light," which creates a sense of calm and tranquility.
The poet then goes on to describe the beauty of nature in more detail, with each line painting a picture in the reader's mind:
"The distant hills are purpled o'er, The sky is soft and blue, And in the west the orange clouds Are edged with golden hue."
The use of color in these lines is particularly effective. The hills are "purpled o'er," which creates a sense of depth and distance. The sky is "soft and blue," which adds to the overall peacefulness of the scene. The orange clouds are "edged with golden hue," which creates a sense of warmth and richness.
The poet then turns his attention to the birds, describing their songs as they settle down for the night:
"The blackbird pipes a mellow lay, The thrush is loud and clear, The linnet and the goldfinch gay Sing sweetly on the ear."
The use of onomatopoeia in these lines is particularly effective. The blackbird "pipes" a mellow lay, which creates a sense of melody and harmony. The thrush is "loud and clear," which emphasizes its strong and clear voice. The linnet and goldfinch "sing sweetly on the ear," which creates a sense of beauty and joy.
The poet then reflects on the power of poetry, describing how it can capture the beauty of nature and evoke emotions in the reader:
"O poetry! thou art the voice Of nature and of man; Thou art the language of the heart, And canst all hearts entrance."
The use of apostrophe in these lines is particularly effective. The poet addresses poetry directly, personifying it as a living entity. He describes it as the "voice of nature and of man," which emphasizes its power to capture the essence of both. He also describes it as the "language of the heart," which emphasizes its ability to evoke emotions in the reader.
The poem ends with the poet reflecting on the beauty of the sunset and the power of poetry to capture it:
"The sunset gloweth in the west, The evening star is bright, And poetry, like evening's light, Shall shine when all the rest is past."
The use of repetition in these lines is particularly effective. The sunset is described again, which creates a sense of closure and finality. The evening star is described again, which emphasizes its importance in the scene. The poet then compares poetry to the "evening's light," which creates a sense of continuity and timelessness.
In conclusion, "Poetry After Sunset" is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the beauty of nature and the power of poetry to evoke emotions in the reader. The use of vivid imagery, color, onomatopoeia, and apostrophe create a sense of beauty and harmony that is both timeless and universal. William Allingham's poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of life and to inspire us to see the world in a new and beautiful way.
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