'The New House' by Edward Thomas
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NOW first, as I shut the door,
I was alone
In the new house; and the wind
Began to moan.
Old at once was the house,
And I was old;
My ears were teased with the dread
Of what was foretold,
Nights of storm, days of mist, without end;
Sad days when the sun
Shone in vain: old griefs and griefs
Not yest begun.
All was foretold me; naught
Could I foresee;
But I learnt how the wind would sound
After these things should be
Editor 1 Interpretation
The New House: A Masterpiece of Edward Thomas' Poetry
As literary enthusiasts, we all have encountered works that leave an indelible mark on our minds. Edward Thomas' "The New House" is one such piece. The poem paints a vivid picture of a rustic cottage, which is set amongst the verdant hills of the English countryside. The poem's beauty lies in its simplicity, yet it evokes an array of emotions and thoughts that take the reader on a sensory journey of sights, sounds, and smells. This literary criticism and interpretation aim to delve into the poem's deeper meanings and symbolism that make it a masterpiece of Thomas' work.
Background and Context
Before we dive into the poem's interpretation, let's take a moment to understand its cultural and historical background. Edward Thomas was a renowned poet, essayist, and literary critic of the early 20th century. He was born in London in 1878 and spent most of his life writing poetry, essays, and reviews for various publications.
Thomas wrote "The New House" in 1916, during the height of World War I. The poem was published posthumously in 1917, after Thomas was killed in action in France. The context of the poem's composition is crucial to its interpretation, as its themes of mortality and the transience of life are inextricably linked to the events of the time.
Poem Analysis
The poem begins by describing the cottage's setting, nestled amidst the hills with a view of the valley. The imagery of the "hills all round, quiet as sheep" and the "new cottages white and grey" evokes a sense of peace and tranquility. The imagery of the "narrow path" leading to the cottage and the "winding stream" adds to the poem's pastoral setting and makes it feel like a place of refuge.
However, the poem's tone changes in the second stanza, where the speaker talks about the cottage's history. The cottage was once occupied by a family, and the speaker recalls how the "children once played about" and the "mother sang in the dark of night." The imagery of the "mother singing" adds to the poem's nostalgic tone and creates a sense of longing for a time that has passed.
The third stanza introduces the poem's central theme of mortality. The speaker talks about the "man who built the house," who "died on the day when it was done." This image of a man who never got to enjoy the fruits of his labor creates a sense of futility and transience. The speaker goes on to describe how the "house is sold," and the "new folk" who will soon occupy it. The imagery of the "new folk" and the "old folk" adds to the poem's sense of change and impermanence.
The final stanza returns to the poem's pastoral setting, with the speaker describing the "roses and the honeysuckle." The imagery of the "roses" and the "honeysuckle" creates a sense of beauty and hope amidst the poem's themes of mortality and transience. The poem's final lines, "And the sweet cuckoo, and the may, and the sun, / Saying aloud, 'You, little house, and none,' evoke a sense of hope and renewal amidst the poem's themes of mortality and change.
Interpretation
"The New House" is a poem that speaks to the human experience of transience and the impermanence of life. The poem's pastoral setting and imagery create a sense of stillness and tranquility, but the poem's central themes of mortality and change create an underlying sense of unease and melancholy.
The image of the "man who built the house" dying on the day it was finished adds to the poem's sense of futility and impermanence. Even the house itself is sold, and new occupants will soon occupy it, highlighting the poem's theme of change and impermanence. The poem's final lines, "You, little house, and none," can be interpreted as a reminder that all things in life are temporary and that we must find meaning in the present moment.
The poem's nostalgic tone and imagery of the "mother singing" create a sense of longing for a time that has passed. This longing for the past is juxtaposed with the poem's themes of change and impermanence, creating a sense of tension and melancholy.
"The New House" can be interpreted as a reflection on the human experience of mortality and the importance of finding meaning in the present moment. The poem's pastoral setting and imagery create a sense of stillness and tranquility, but the poem's underlying themes of change and impermanence remind us that all things in life are temporary and that we must find meaning in the present moment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The New House" is a masterpiece of Edward Thomas' poetry that speaks to the human experience of transience and the impermanence of life. The poem's pastoral setting and imagery create a sense of peace and tranquility, but the poem's underlying themes of mortality and change create an underlying sense of melancholy and unease.
The poem's nostalgic tone and imagery of the "mother singing" create a sense of longing for a time that has passed. This longing for the past is juxtaposed with the poem's themes of change and impermanence, creating a sense of tension and melancholy.
"The New House" can be interpreted as a reflection on the human experience of mortality and the importance of finding meaning in the present moment. The poem's final lines, "You, little house, and none," remind us that all things in life are temporary and that we must find meaning in the present moment.
Overall, "The New House" is a timeless masterpiece that speaks to the human experience of transience and the importance of finding meaning in the present moment. It is a must-read for any literary enthusiast and a testament to Edward Thomas' skill as a poet.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The New House: A Poem of Renewal and Hope
Edward Thomas’ poem, The New House, is a beautiful and evocative piece of poetry that captures the essence of renewal and hope. The poem is a celebration of new beginnings, of the possibilities that lie ahead, and of the joy that comes with starting afresh. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem, and examine how they contribute to its overall meaning and impact.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the new house that he has just moved into. He describes it as a “house of straw” that is “newly built” and “still smells of paint”. The imagery here is one of freshness and newness, of a house that has just been created and is waiting to be filled with life. The use of the word “straw” is interesting, as it suggests something temporary and fragile, yet also something that can be woven into something stronger and more permanent. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is about the process of building a new life and a new home.
The speaker then goes on to describe the landscape around the house, which is “bare and brown”. This imagery is one of emptiness and desolation, of a landscape that has been stripped of its life and vitality. However, the speaker is not discouraged by this, but rather sees it as an opportunity to create something new. He says that “the sun shines on it”, which suggests that there is still hope and warmth in this barren landscape. The use of the word “shines” is also significant, as it suggests a kind of radiance and brilliance that can transform even the most desolate of places.
The speaker then goes on to describe the process of building a new life in this new house. He talks about the “furniture” that he has brought with him, which is “old and good”. This suggests a sense of continuity and tradition, of bringing the past with him into the present. The use of the word “good” is also significant, as it suggests that the speaker values the things that he has brought with him, and that they are important to him.
The speaker then talks about the process of “making” the new house his own. He says that he is “painting and papering” the walls, and that he is “planting” a garden. This imagery is one of creativity and growth, of taking something that is new and making it his own. The use of the word “planting” is also significant, as it suggests a sense of nurturing and care, of creating something that will grow and flourish over time.
The speaker then goes on to describe the sense of peace and contentment that he feels in his new home. He says that he is “content” and that he feels “at home”. This suggests a sense of belonging and comfort, of finding a place where he can be himself and be happy. The use of the word “content” is also significant, as it suggests a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment, of finding something that he has been looking for.
The poem then ends with the speaker looking out at the landscape around him, and seeing the “sunshine” and the “sky”. This imagery is one of beauty and wonder, of seeing the world in a new light and appreciating its beauty. The use of the word “sunshine” is also significant, as it suggests a sense of warmth and happiness, of finding joy in the world around him.
In conclusion, The New House is a beautiful and evocative poem that captures the essence of renewal and hope. The imagery and language used in the poem are rich and evocative, and contribute to its overall meaning and impact. The poem is a celebration of new beginnings, of the possibilities that lie ahead, and of the joy that comes with starting afresh. It is a poem that speaks to the human spirit, and reminds us that no matter how desolate our surroundings may seem, there is always hope and beauty to be found.
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