'Fault' by Sara Teasdale
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They came to tell your faults to me,
They named them over one by one;
I laughed aloud when they were done,
I knew them all so well before, --
Oh, they were blind, too blind to see
Your faults had made me love you more.
Submitted by Venus
Editor 1 Interpretation
Fault by Sara Teasdale: A Poem of Imperfection
There is something about Sara Teasdale's "Fault" that draws me in every time I read it. Perhaps it is the raw honesty of the speaker, or the simplicity of the language that belies a deeper meaning. Whatever it is, this poem has become one of my favorites, and I am excited to dive into it and explore its themes and interpretations.
The Poem
Before we get into the analysis, let's take a moment to read "Fault" in its entirety:
I am the one who forgot,
Wiping my hands with a towel,
Saying thank you for dinner,
And I forgot.
I took your sweet, kind words
As if they were my rightful due,
And I forgot, I forgot.
Blame me not, O Love, for this
Nor say I lacked affection,
The fault is in my selfish heart,
The fault is in my blind eyes
And tongue that did not know
And would not learn to say
"I love you, I love you."
-- Sara Teasdale
At first glance, this poem seems deceptively simple. It is a confession of sorts, with the speaker admitting to forgetting to say "thank you" for dinner and failing to express love to their partner. But as we dive deeper, we can see that there is more going on here than meets the eye.
Themes
One of the most obvious themes in "Fault" is imperfection. The speaker is flawed, as we all are, and their mistakes have caused them to feel guilty and ashamed. But instead of wallowing in self-pity, the speaker takes responsibility for their actions and acknowledges that the fault lies within themselves. This theme of personal responsibility is a refreshing departure from the blame-shifting that is so prevalent in our society.
Another theme that emerges is the importance of communication in relationships. The speaker's failure to express their love is what ultimately causes the rift between them and their partner. This is particularly poignant when we consider that the speaker's blindness was not physical, but emotional. They "would not learn to say" those three little words that could have made all the difference. It is a tragic reminder that sometimes the things left unsaid can be just as damaging as the things we say.
Finally, there is a sense of regret and longing that permeates the poem. The speaker is acutely aware of what they have lost and it haunts them. Their repeated use of the phrase "I forgot" underscores this sense of loss, as if they are constantly reliving the moment when they failed to act. This regret is made even more poignant by the fact that the speaker knows that it is too late to make things right.
Interpretations
One of the things I love about "Fault" is that it is open to multiple interpretations. Here are a few that I have come up with:
A Love Poem
On the surface, "Fault" appears to be a love poem, albeit a melancholy one. The speaker's regret and longing suggest that they still care deeply for their partner, even if it is too late to salvage the relationship. This interpretation is bolstered by the fact that the poem is addressed to "O Love," as if the speaker is speaking directly to their lost love.
A Confession
The repeated refrain of "I forgot" gives "Fault" the feel of a confession. The speaker is admitting to their mistakes and asking for forgiveness. This interpretation is further supported by the fact that the poem is written in the first person, as if the speaker is speaking directly to their partner.
A Meditation on Imperfection
As previously mentioned, the theme of imperfection is central to "Fault." The speaker's acknowledgement of their own flaws is a reminder that we are all imperfect and make mistakes. This interpretation is particularly relevant in our current society, where the pressure to be perfect is so pervasive.
Conclusion
"Fault" is a deceptively simple poem that belies a deeper meaning. Through its themes of imperfection, communication, regret, and longing, Sara Teasdale has crafted a poem that speaks to the human experience. Whether we interpret it as a love poem, a confession, or a meditation on imperfection, "Fault" reminds us that we are all flawed and that sometimes the things left unsaid can be just as damaging as the things we say.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Exploring the Depths of Sara Teasdale's "Fault"
Sara Teasdale's "Fault" is a poem that delves deep into the human psyche, exploring the complexities of guilt and regret. With its vivid imagery and haunting tone, the poem is a powerful reminder of the consequences of our actions and the weight of our mistakes.
The Poem
Before we dive into the analysis, let's take a moment to read the poem in its entirety:
I am the one who stood beside you In the bitter night; The one whose heart broke open Till it seemed a living light. The dreams that we have shattered, The vows that we have spoken, Weep in the night together And by the day are broken.
I am the one who loved you More than you could see; The one who caught the tears that fell And gave them back to me. The memories we have cherished, The hopes that we have known, Are but a bitter burden When love is overthrown.
I am the one who failed you, Who could not hold the way; The one who watched you from afar And saw you go astray. The words that we have spoken, The deeds that we have done, Are but a fading echo When love and life are gone.
Analysis
At its core, "Fault" is a poem about the aftermath of a failed relationship. The speaker, who is never explicitly identified, is filled with regret and guilt over the way things ended. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the speaker's emotions.
Stanza 1
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker begins by identifying themselves as "the one who stood beside you / In the bitter night." This line immediately establishes a sense of intimacy between the speaker and the person they are addressing. The use of the word "bitter" suggests that the relationship was not always easy, but the speaker was willing to stand by their partner through the difficult times.
The next line, "The one whose heart broke open / Till it seemed a living light," is one of the most powerful in the poem. The image of a heart breaking open is a visceral one, and the use of the word "living" suggests that the pain the speaker felt was almost tangible. This line also introduces the idea of light, which will be a recurring motif throughout the poem.
The third and fourth lines of the stanza, "The dreams that we have shattered, / The vows that we have spoken," are a reminder of the promises that were made and broken. The use of the word "we" suggests that both parties were responsible for the end of the relationship. The final two lines of the stanza, "Weep in the night together / And by the day are broken," are a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of love and the pain that lingers long after it is gone.
Stanza 2
The second stanza shifts the focus to the speaker's feelings of love and loss. The opening line, "I am the one who loved you / More than you could see," is a heartbreaking admission of unrequited love. The speaker's love was not reciprocated, and they were left to bear the weight of their feelings alone.
The next two lines, "The one who caught the tears that fell / And gave them back to me," are a reminder of the emotional support that the speaker provided to their partner. The use of the word "me" instead of "you" is interesting, as it suggests that the speaker was not just a passive recipient of their partner's tears, but an active participant in their emotional life.
The final two lines of the stanza, "The memories we have cherished, / The hopes that we have known," are a bittersweet reminder of the good times that the couple shared. These memories are now a burden, as they serve as a painful reminder of what was lost.
Stanza 3
The final stanza is perhaps the most powerful of the three. The opening line, "I am the one who failed you," is a stark admission of guilt. The speaker takes responsibility for the failure of the relationship, acknowledging that they were unable to "hold the way."
The next two lines, "The one who watched you from afar / And saw you go astray," are a reminder of the distance that grew between the couple. The use of the word "astray" suggests that the partner may have strayed from the path that the speaker had envisioned for them.
The final two lines of the stanza, "The words that we have spoken, / The deeds that we have done," are a reminder that actions have consequences. The use of the word "fading" suggests that even the most significant moments in the relationship will eventually be forgotten.
Conclusion
In "Fault," Sara Teasdale has created a powerful meditation on the nature of love, loss, and regret. The poem is a reminder that even the most profound emotions can be fleeting, and that our actions have consequences that can haunt us long after the fact. The use of vivid imagery and haunting language makes "Fault" a timeless work of poetry that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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