'By an Evolutionist' by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
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By an Evolutionist
The Lord let the house of a brute to the soul of a man,
And the man said, ‘Am I your debtor?’
And the Lord–‘Not yet; but make it as clean as you can,
And then I will let you a better.’
I.
If my body come from brutes, my soul uncertain or a fable,
Why not bask amid the senses while the sun of morning shines,
I, the finer brute rejoicing in my hounds, and in my stable,
Youth and health, and birth and wealth, and choice of women and of wines?
II.
What hast thou done for me, grim Old Age, save breaking my bones on the rack?
Would I had past in the morning that looks so bright from afar!
OLD AGE
Done for thee? starved the wild beast that was linkt with thee eighty years back.
Less weight now for the ladder-of-heaven that hangs on a star.
I.
If my body come from brutes, tho’ somewhat finer than their own,
I am heir, and this my kingdom. Shall the royal voice be mute?
No, but if the rebel subject seek to drag me from the throne,
Hold the sceptre, Human Soul, and rule thy province of the brute.
II.
I have climb’d to the snows of Age, and I gaze at a field in the Past.
Where I sank with the body at times in the sloughs of a low desire,
But I hear no yelp of the beast, and the Man is quiet at last,
As he stands on the heights of his life with a glimpse of a height that is higher.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, By an Evolutionist: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s poem "Poetry, By an Evolutionist" is a profound reflection on the nature of art, science, and the human experience. The poem explores the relationship between poetry and evolution, questioning whether the latter can fully account for the former. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze the poem’s themes, imagery, and language to understand Tennyson’s perspective on the role of poetry in a changing world.
Themes
The poem is primarily concerned with the conflict between science and art, and the tension between reason and emotion. The first stanza sets the tone, with Tennyson declaring that “there lives more faith in honest doubt, / Believe me, than in half the creeds.” This statement is a direct challenge to the religious certainties of his time, and a call for a more open-minded approach to knowledge. However, he soon turns his attention to the limitations of science, and the need for something beyond empirical analysis:
For we are ancients of the earth,
And in the morning of the times.
So were our fathers, and so theirs
Before them were like ours their rhymes.
Here, Tennyson suggests that poetry is a continuation of an ancient tradition, one that predates the scientific method and is rooted in a deeper understanding of the human condition. He goes on to argue that poetry is a necessary complement to science, because it captures aspects of reality that cannot be measured or quantified:
But oh for the touch of a vanish'd hand,
And the sound of a voice that is still!
Break, break, break
At the foot of thy crags, O Sea!
This famous passage, which recurs throughout the poem, expresses a longing for something that science cannot provide: the emotional experience of loss, and the desire to connect with the past. Tennyson suggests that poetry has the power to evoke these feelings, and to create a bridge between the present and the past.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of evolution itself. Tennyson was writing at a time when the theory of evolution was just beginning to gain acceptance, and he was deeply interested in the implications of this idea for human culture. In "Poetry, By an Evolutionist," he explores the idea that poetry, like all human creations, is subject to the laws of evolution:
As the earth
Which is track'd by the breath of the sun,
Is as rest to the feet and the eves
Of the journeying moon, and anon
Here, Tennyson uses the metaphor of the earth and the moon to suggest that poetry is part of a larger cosmic process, one that involves constant change and adaptation. The poem is a meditation on the nature of human creativity, and its relationship to the wider world.
Imagery and Language
Tennyson is known for his rich and evocative imagery, and "Poetry, By an Evolutionist" is no exception. The poem is full of vivid descriptions of the natural world, which serve as a metaphor for human experience. For example, in the second stanza, he describes the earth as “a place of souls in pain,” suggesting that human life is inherently fraught with suffering. He goes on to describe the stars as “throbbing with the blood of fire,” an image that conveys both their beauty and their violence.
Throughout the poem, Tennyson employs a variety of poetic devices to create a sense of rhythm and movement. The repetition of the phrase “Break, break, break” is perhaps the most famous example, and it serves to reinforce the idea of loss and separation that runs through the poem. Tennyson also uses alliteration and assonance to create a musical effect, as in the line “And the silent isle imbowers / The Lady of Shalott.”
One of the most interesting aspects of the poem is Tennyson’s use of scientific language. He frequently employs terms from biology and geology, such as “protoplasmic” and “igneous,” to describe the natural world. This use of scientific terminology serves two purposes: first, it reinforces the idea that poetry is part of a larger process of evolution; and second, it suggests that science and art are not necessarily in opposition to one another. Tennyson is not arguing that science should be ignored in favor of poetry, but rather that the two disciplines can work together to create a more complete understanding of the world.
Interpretation
At its core, "Poetry, By an Evolutionist" is a meditation on the human experience, and the ways in which we seek to make sense of the world around us. Tennyson suggests that poetry is a necessary complement to science, because it allows us to capture the emotional and spiritual dimensions of life that cannot be measured or quantified. In doing so, he challenges the idea that reason and emotion are inherently in opposition to one another, and argues that a more holistic approach to knowledge is necessary.
The poem is also a reflection on the nature of human creativity, and its relationship to the wider world. Tennyson suggests that poetry, like all human creations, is subject to the laws of evolution, and that it is part of a larger cosmic process. This idea is echoed in the poem’s imagery, which frequently draws on natural phenomena such as the sea and the stars. By doing so, Tennyson emphasizes the continuity between human experience and the larger world, and suggests that creativity is a way of engaging with the wider universe.
Overall, "Poetry, By an Evolutionist" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that continues to resonate today. Tennyson’s exploration of the relationship between science and art, reason and emotion, and human creativity and the wider world remains as relevant now as it was when the poem was first published. By analyzing its themes, imagery, and language, we can gain a deeper appreciation of Tennyson’s perspective on the human condition, and the role of poetry in a changing world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry By an Evolutionist: An Analysis of Tennyson's Masterpiece
Alfred, Lord Tennyson is one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era. His works are known for their profound philosophical insights and their ability to capture the essence of the human experience. One of his most famous poems, Poetry By an Evolutionist, is a masterpiece that explores the relationship between science and art, and the role of poetry in the evolution of human consciousness.
The poem begins with a powerful statement: "The sun, the moon, the stars, the seas, the hills and the plains, are not these, O Soul, the Vision of Him who reigns?" Here, Tennyson is invoking the idea of a divine creator who has created the universe and all its wonders. However, he quickly moves on to a more scientific perspective, stating that "Is not the Vision He? Though He be not that which He seems?" This line suggests that the universe and all its wonders are not simply the creation of a divine being, but are also the result of natural processes that can be understood through science.
Tennyson then goes on to explore the relationship between science and art, stating that "Science and art are one, and the mind that creates is one." Here, he is suggesting that both science and art are creative endeavors that require the same kind of imaginative thinking. He goes on to say that "The artist is he who can take the world in his grasp and mould it to his will." This line suggests that the artist has the power to shape the world around him, just as a scientist has the power to understand and manipulate the natural world.
Tennyson then turns his attention to the role of poetry in the evolution of human consciousness. He states that "Poetry is the first and last of all knowledge." This line suggests that poetry is not simply a form of entertainment or a way to express emotions, but is actually a fundamental form of knowledge that has the power to shape our understanding of the world. He goes on to say that "It is as immortal as the heart of man." This line suggests that poetry has a timeless quality that transcends the limitations of time and space.
Tennyson then explores the idea that poetry has the power to connect us to the divine. He states that "It is the breath and finer spirit of all knowledge; it is the impassioned expression which is in the countenance of all science." Here, he is suggesting that poetry is not simply a form of human expression, but is actually a way to connect with the divine. He goes on to say that "It is the source and spring of all that is true and beautiful." This line suggests that poetry has the power to reveal the truth and beauty of the world around us.
Tennyson then concludes the poem with a powerful statement: "He who binds to himself a joy does the winged life destroy; but he who kisses the joy as it flies lives in eternity's sunrise." Here, he is suggesting that the key to living a fulfilling life is not to hold onto joy and happiness, but to embrace them in the moment and let them go. He is suggesting that the pursuit of happiness is not the goal of life, but rather the pursuit of truth and beauty.
In conclusion, Poetry By an Evolutionist is a masterpiece that explores the relationship between science and art, the role of poetry in the evolution of human consciousness, and the power of poetry to connect us to the divine. Tennyson's insights are profound and timeless, and his words continue to inspire and enlighten readers to this day.
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