'A Valediction Forbidding Mourning' by Adrienne Rich
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My swirling wants. Your frozen lips.
The grammar turned and attacked me.
Themes, written under duress.
Emptiness of the notations.
They gave me a drug that slowed the healing of wounds.
I want you to see this before I leave:
the experience of repetition as death
the failure of criticism to locate the pain
the poster in the bus that said:
my bleeding is under control
A red plant in a cemetary of plastic wreaths.
A last attempt: the language is a dialect called metaphor.
These images go unglossed: hair, glacier, flashlight.
When I think of a landscape I am thinking of a time.
When I talk of taking a trip I mean forever.
I could say: those mountains have a meaning
but further than that I could not say.
To do something very common, in my own way.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Valediction Forbidding Mourning: A Masterpiece of Love and Separation
Adrienne Rich's poem "A Valediction Forbidding Mourning" is a masterpiece of love and separation, written with remarkable skill and sensitivity. Published in 1976, the poem explores the complexities of human relationships and the emotions that arise when two people must part ways. Through its careful use of language, symbolism, and metaphor, the poem captures the essence of what it means to love someone deeply and to let that person go.
The Poem: A Close Reading
The poem begins with an assertion that the act of parting should not be accompanied by mourning or sorrow. The speaker addresses her lover directly, telling him that their separation is not a cause for grief:
As virtuous men pass mildly away, And whisper to their souls to go, Whilst some of their sad friends do say The breath goes now, and some say, No:
So let us melt, and make no noise, No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move; 'Twere profanation of our joys To tell the laity our love.
The opening stanza sets the tone for the entire poem, establishing a sense of calm resignation that carries through to the end. The metaphor of "virtuous men" passing away quietly is used to suggest that the speaker and her lover should also part quietly and with dignity. The idea that "some say the breath goes now, and some say, No" is a subtle reference to the uncertainty and ambiguity that accompanies death, but it also serves to underscore the importance of accepting loss gracefully.
The second stanza develops the metaphor of melting and silence, with the speaker insisting that mourning would be a "profanation" of their love. The use of religious language here is significant, as it suggests that the speaker's love for her partner is sacred and should be treated with reverence. The phrase "our joys" implies that the speaker and her lover share a deep and special connection that is not easily understood by others.
The third stanza shifts focus slightly, with the speaker acknowledging the pain of separation. She uses the metaphor of a compass to describe the relationship between herself and her lover:
Moving of th' earth brings harms and fears, Men reckon what it did, and meant; But trepidation of the spheres, Though greater far, is innocent.
Dull sublunary lovers' love (Whose soul is sense) cannot admit Absence, because it doth remove Those things which elemented it.
The idea of the earth moving and causing harm is a reference to the upheaval and instability that can accompany a major life change like a separation. The use of the word "trepidation" to describe the movement of the spheres is significant, as it suggests that the speaker's love for her partner is so powerful that it can cause even the heavens to tremble. The reference to "dull sublunary lovers' love" is a contrast to the intensity and depth of the speaker's own love, which is not dependent on physical contact or "sense."
The fourth and final stanza brings the poem to a close, as the speaker reflects on the nature of love and the power of human connection:
But we by a love so much refined, That ourselves know not what it is, Inter-assured of the mind, Care less, eyes, lips, and hands to miss.
Our two souls therefore, which are one, Though I must go, endure not yet A breach, but an expansion, Like gold to airy thinness beat.
If they be two, they are two so As stiff twin compasses are two; Thy soul, the fixed foot, makes no show To move, but doth, if the other do.
The use of the phrase "love so much refined" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker's love for her partner is not just intense, but also elevated and purified. The idea that the speaker and her lover are "inter-assured of the mind" reinforces the idea that their connection is more than just physical. The reference to "eyes, lips, and hands" implies that their love is not dependent on physical contact, but rather on a deeper, soul-level connection.
The final image of the two souls being like "stiff twin compasses" is a powerful metaphor for the strength of their bond. The idea that one soul is the "fixed foot" while the other moves around it is a reference to the idea that one person may physically leave, but the connection between them remains unbroken. The final image of gold being beaten "to airy thinness" is a reference to the process of refining gold, which involves removing impurities and making the substance more pure. This image reinforces the idea that the speaker's love for her partner is not just intense, but also purified and refined.
Interpretation: The Meaning of the Poem
At its core, "A Valediction Forbidding Mourning" is a love poem that explores the complexities of human relationships and the emotions that arise when two people must part ways. The poem is characterized by its masterful use of metaphor and symbolism, which work together to create a powerful and emotionally resonant piece of literature.
One of the central themes of the poem is the idea that love can exist beyond physical contact, and that the connection between two people can be so deep and profound that it transcends the physical realm. The use of the compass metaphor is a powerful example of this, as it suggests that even if one person physically leaves, the connection between them remains unbroken.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is the idea of acceptance and resilience in the face of loss. The speaker acknowledges the pain of separation, but also suggests that there is a certain dignity in accepting loss gracefully. Rather than succumbing to grief and mourning, the speaker suggests that it is better to accept the inevitability of separation and to move forward with strength and resilience.
Finally, the poem is also characterized by its use of religious language and imagery, which serve to underscore the idea that the connection between the speaker and her lover is sacred and should be treated with reverence. The use of words like "virtuous," "profanation," and "sacredness" all serve to reinforce the idea that the speaker's love for her partner is not just intense, but also elevated and purified.
Conclusion: A Masterpiece of Love and Separation
Overall, "A Valediction Forbidding Mourning" is a remarkable piece of literature that explores the complexities of human relationships and the emotions that arise when two people must part ways. Through its masterful use of language, symbolism, and metaphor, the poem captures the essence of what it means to love someone deeply and to let that person go. Whether read as a love poem, a meditation on loss, or a celebration of the power of human connection, "A Valediction Forbidding Mourning" is a masterpiece of poetry that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Valediction Forbidding Mourning: A Masterpiece of Adrienne Rich
Adrienne Rich, the renowned American poet, is known for her feminist and political writings. Her poem, A Valediction Forbidding Mourning, is a classic example of her literary genius. The poem was first published in 1975 in her collection of poems, Diving into the Wreck. It is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the themes of love, separation, and the power of language. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.
The poem is a valediction, which means a farewell speech or poem. The speaker is addressing her lover, who is about to leave her. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a different tone and theme. The first stanza is an introduction to the poem, where the speaker explains why she cannot mourn the departure of her lover. She says that their love is not like the ordinary love that is based on physical attraction. Instead, their love is based on a spiritual connection that transcends physical boundaries. She uses the metaphor of a compass to describe their love. The compass is a tool that helps navigate the sea, and the speaker says that their love is like a compass that guides them through life. She says that their love is not affected by physical distance, and even though her lover is leaving, their love will remain strong.
The second stanza is the heart of the poem, where the speaker explains the nature of their love. She says that their love is like a pure gold that is refined by fire. The fire represents the challenges and difficulties that they have faced in their relationship. These challenges have made their love stronger and more pure. The speaker says that their love is not like the ordinary love that is based on physical pleasure. Instead, their love is based on a deep emotional connection that is not affected by physical distance. She uses the metaphor of a virtuous man to describe their love. A virtuous man is someone who is honest, loyal, and trustworthy. The speaker says that their love is like a virtuous man, and it will remain strong even in the face of separation.
The third stanza is a conclusion to the poem, where the speaker gives her lover some advice. She tells him to be strong and not to be affected by the physical distance between them. She says that their love is like a spiritual bond that cannot be broken by physical distance. She uses the metaphor of a dying man to describe their separation. A dying man is someone who is about to leave this world, and the speaker says that their separation is like a dying man. However, she says that their love will remain strong even after their separation. She tells her lover not to mourn their separation, but to remember the love that they shared.
The poem is a masterpiece of Adrienne Rich's literary genius. It explores the themes of love, separation, and the power of language. The poem is written in a simple and elegant style, and the use of metaphors and imagery adds depth and complexity to the poem. The poem is a perfect example of how language can be used to express complex emotions and ideas.
In conclusion, A Valediction Forbidding Mourning is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the themes of love, separation, and the power of language. The poem is a masterpiece of Adrienne Rich's literary genius, and it is a perfect example of how language can be used to express complex emotions and ideas. The poem is a timeless classic that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
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