'Growth' by Ernest Dowson
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I watched the glory of her childhood change,
Half-sorrowful to find the child I knew,
(Loved long ago in lily-time),
Become a maid, mysterious and strange,
With fair, pure eyes - dear eyes, but not the eyes I knew
Of old, in the olden time!
Till on my doubting soul the ancient good
Of her dear childhood in the new disguise
Dawned, and I hastened to adore
The glory of her waking maidenhead,
And found the old tenderness within her deepening eyes,
But kinder than before.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Growth: A Literary Analysis
Ernest Dowson is a well-known poet who has written some of the most memorable verses in the English language. One of his most famous poems is Growth, which speaks about the evolution of love and the transformative power of nature in the human experience. In this literary analysis, we will delve into the intricacies of Growth and explore its themes, structure, language, and symbols.
Themes
Growth is a poem that deals with several themes, including love, nature, time, and mortality. One of the most prominent themes is the transformation of love from its initial fiery passion to a more mature and enduring form. We see this transformation in the first stanza, where the speaker describes the early stages of love as a "burning flame" that consumes the lover's heart. However, this flame eventually subsides, and the lover is left with a "gentle glow" that represents a deeper, more stable type of love.
Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the relationship between love and nature. The speaker uses vivid images of nature to describe the various stages of love, from the fiery passion of the first stanza to the calmness and serenity of the final stanza. This use of nature as a metaphor for the human experience is a common device in poetry, but Dowson handles it with skill and subtlety, creating a rich and evocative tapestry of images that add depth and complexity to the poem.
The theme of time is also present in Growth, although it is not as overt as the other themes. The poem is structured in three stanzas, each of which represents a different stage in the evolution of love. The first stanza describes the early, passionate phase of love, while the second stanza portrays the more mature, enduring stage. The third and final stanza represents the end of the cycle, where love has reached its fullest expression and is at peace with itself and the world. The use of this three-part structure creates a sense of progression and development, which mirrors the growth of love itself.
Finally, the theme of mortality is present in the poem, although it is not explicit. The speaker uses images of nature, such as the "autumn leaves" and the "fading rose," to suggest the inevitability of decay and death. This theme is subtle but powerful, adding a sense of poignancy and melancholy to the poem.
Structure
The structure of Growth is relatively simple, consisting of three stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, with a regular ABAB rhyme scheme. This traditional form gives the poem a sense of order and symmetry, which contrasts with the emotional intensity of the content.
One interesting aspect of the structure is the use of repetition. The first line of each stanza repeats the phrase "I watched," which creates a sense of continuity and progression throughout the poem. This repetition also emphasizes the speaker's role as an observer, watching the growth and transformation of love and nature.
Language
The language of Growth is rich and evocative, full of sensory imagery and metaphorical language. The use of nature as a metaphor for love is particularly effective, as it creates a visual and emotional connection between the two concepts. For example, the "burning flame" of love in the first stanza is compared to the "fierce sun" of summer, while the "gentle glow" of love in the second stanza is compared to the "mellow moon" of autumn.
Dowson also uses language to create a sense of contrast and progression throughout the poem. In the first stanza, the language is fiery and passionate, with words like "burning," "fierce," and "flame" creating a sense of heat and intensity. In contrast, the language of the second stanza is more subdued and gentle, with words like "softly," "calm," and "serene" creating a sense of peacefulness and tranquility. This contrast serves to highlight the transformation of love from its initial passion to its more mature and enduring form.
Symbols
The use of symbols in Growth is subtle but effective, adding depth and meaning to the poem. One of the most significant symbols is the rose, which appears in the second stanza. The rose is a traditional symbol of love, but in this context, it represents the transience of life and the inevitability of decay. The speaker describes the rose as "fading," suggesting that even the most beautiful and vibrant things in life are destined to wither and die.
Another symbol that appears in the poem is the moon, which represents the mature and enduring stage of love. The moon is a traditional symbol of tranquility and serenity, and its presence in the second stanza suggests that love has reached a state of peace and harmony.
Finally, the use of nature as a metaphor for love is itself a powerful symbol, suggesting that the human experience is intimately connected to the natural world. The speaker watches the growth and transformation of love as if it were a natural process, emphasizing the idea that love is a part of the natural order of things.
Conclusion
Growth is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the transformative power of love and the relationship between love and nature. Through its use of vivid imagery, subtle symbolism, and rich language, the poem creates a sense of progression and development that mirrors the growth of love itself. Dowson's skillful handling of form and structure creates a sense of order and symmetry that contrasts with the emotional intensity of the content. Overall, Growth is a masterpiece of English poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Growth by Ernest Dowson: A Poem of Life and Death
Ernest Dowson's poem Growth is a beautiful and haunting exploration of the cycle of life and death. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Dowson captures the fleeting nature of existence and the inevitability of mortality. In this analysis, we will delve into the themes and motifs of the poem, as well as examine the poet's use of language and structure to convey his message.
The poem begins with the line "I watched the glory of her childhood pass," immediately setting the tone for a meditation on the transience of life. The speaker is observing a young girl as she grows and changes, and he is struck by the beauty and fragility of her existence. The use of the word "glory" suggests that the speaker sees something divine or sacred in the girl's youth, and that he is aware that this state of being will not last forever.
As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the various stages of the girl's life, from her "maidenhood" to her "matronhood." He notes that each phase is marked by its own unique beauty and vitality, but that ultimately, all things must come to an end. The line "And all her beauty withered in a day" is particularly poignant, as it speaks to the suddenness and unpredictability of death. The girl's life, like all lives, is fragile and fleeting, and can be snuffed out at any moment.
Throughout the poem, Dowson uses vivid and evocative imagery to convey the themes of growth and decay. He describes the girl's "blossoming" youth, her "ripeness" in middle age, and her eventual "withering" and "decay." These images are not only beautiful in themselves, but also serve to underscore the cyclical nature of life. The girl's growth and decline mirror the natural cycles of the seasons, with their own rhythms of birth, growth, and death.
Another key theme of the poem is the idea of memory and remembrance. The speaker is acutely aware of the passing of time, and he knows that the girl's life will eventually come to an end. However, he also recognizes that her memory will live on, even after she is gone. The line "But still I see her in the golden light" suggests that the speaker is able to conjure up a mental image of the girl, even after she has passed away. This idea of memory as a way of preserving the past is a common theme in Dowson's work, and it speaks to his belief in the power of art to transcend time and mortality.
In terms of language and structure, Dowson's poem is notable for its use of repetition and rhyme. The repetition of the phrase "I watched" at the beginning of each stanza creates a sense of continuity and progression, as if the speaker is watching the girl's life unfold in real time. The use of rhyme, particularly in the final stanza, gives the poem a musical quality that enhances its emotional impact. The final lines, with their repetition of the word "gone," are particularly effective in conveying the sense of loss and finality that comes with death.
Overall, Growth is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the universal themes of life and death. Through his use of vivid imagery and evocative language, Dowson captures the beauty and fragility of existence, and reminds us of the importance of cherishing the moments we have. Whether read as a meditation on mortality or a celebration of life, this poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the human experience.
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