'After a Visit' by Paul Laurence Dunbar
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I be'n down in ole Kentucky
Fur a week er two, an' say,
'Twuz ez hard ez breakin' oxen
Fur to tear myse'f away.
Allus argerin' 'bout fren'ship
An' yer hospitality--
Y'ain't no right to talk about it
Tell you be'n down there to see.
See jest how they give you welcome
To the best that's in the land,
Feel the sort o'grip they give you
When they take you by the hand.
Hear 'em say, "We're glad to have you,
Better stay a week er two;"
An' the way they treat you makes you
Feel that ev'ry word is true.
Feed you tell you hear the buttons
Crackin' on your Sunday vest;
Haul you roun' to see the wonders
Tell you have to cry for rest.
Drink yer health an' pet an' praise you
Tell you git to feel ez great
Ez the Sheriff o' the county
Er the Gov'ner o' the State.
Wife, she sez I must be crazy
'Cause I go on so, an' Nelse
He 'lows, "Goodness gracious! daddy,
Cain't you talk about nuthin' else?"
Well, pleg-gone it, I'm jes tickled,
Bein' tickled ain't no sin;
I've b'en down in ole Kentucky
An' I want o' go ag'in.
Editor 1 Interpretation
An Analysis of "After a Visit" by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Poetry is an art form that allows the poet to express their innermost thoughts and feelings through the use of language. Paul Laurence Dunbar's "After a Visit" is a prime example of the power of poetry to evoke emotions and create vivid images in the reader's mind. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbols, and imagery of this classic poem.
Background Information on Paul Laurence Dunbar
Before we dive into the poem, let us first take a closer look at the poet, Paul Laurence Dunbar. Born in 1872 in Dayton, Ohio, Dunbar was the son of former slaves. Despite facing significant obstacles due to racial discrimination, he managed to become the first African American poet to gain national recognition. His work often dealt with the struggles and joys of the African American experience, and he used a variety of poetic forms to convey his messages.
An Overview of "After a Visit"
At its core, "After a Visit" is a poem about the joys of friendship and the bittersweet feeling of parting. The speaker of the poem is saying goodbye to a friend who has just left after spending time with them. The poem is divided into three stanzas of varying lengths, with each stanza building upon the previous one.
Analyzing the First Stanza
The first stanza begins with the speaker expressing their joy at the visit of their friend. They describe their friend as being "fair and sweet" and "full of grace and calm." This language suggests that the friend is not only physically attractive but also possesses a certain inner beauty that is calming and soothing to the speaker. The use of the word "calm" also suggests that the friend has a calming effect on the speaker, perhaps suggesting that the speaker is normally prone to anxiety or stress.
The second line of the stanza, "The breeze that kissed thy cheek has come," uses personification to suggest that the natural world is in harmony with the speaker's emotions. The breeze is not simply a physical phenomenon but is actively showing affection by kissing the friend's cheek. This idea of the natural world being alive and emotive is a common theme in literature, and it adds a layer of depth to the poem.
The stanza ends with the speaker expressing their sadness that the friend must leave. They say that "the joy of life has gone away," suggesting that the friend's presence was the source of the speaker's happiness. This line is significant because it shows that the speaker is not simply saying goodbye to a friend but is also saying goodbye to a source of joy and happiness.
Analyzing the Second Stanza
The second stanza builds upon the themes of loss and sadness introduced in the first stanza. The speaker describes how the world around them seems to be mourning the friend's departure. The flowers are "pale and weeping," and the birdsong has turned to a "sigh." The use of these images creates a sense of melancholy and adds to the overall feeling of loss.
The speaker then turns to their own emotions, describing how they feel as if they are alone in the world. They say that "the world is empty, and I am alone," suggesting that the friend's departure has left a void in their life. This line is significant because it shows that the speaker's emotions are not simply tied to the friend's physical presence but are also tied to their own sense of identity.
The stanza ends with the speaker expressing their hope that the friend will return. They say that "if thou shouldst come again, sweet friend," suggesting that the friend's absence is only temporary. This line is significant because it shows that the speaker is not simply resigned to their loss but is actively hoping for a reunion.
Analyzing the Third Stanza
The final stanza of the poem is the shortest but is the most powerful. It begins with the speaker describing how they will remember the friend. They say that they will remember the friend's "smile and face," suggesting that the physical presence of the friend is important to the speaker's memories.
The second line of the stanza, "Thou leav'st a glory in thy place," suggests that the friend's departure is not simply a loss but is also a source of inspiration. The word "glory" suggests that the friend's presence was not simply enjoyable but was also something that elevated the speaker's life.
The poem ends with the speaker saying that they will always remember the friend, even when the friend is far away. They say that "we'll love thee, e'en though thou be gone," suggesting that the friend's departure is not the end of their relationship but is simply a new chapter.
Themes and Symbols in "After a Visit"
The primary theme of "After a Visit" is the bittersweet feeling of parting. The poem explores the emotions that come with saying goodbye to a friend and the sense of loss that follows. The use of natural imagery, such as the breeze, flowers, and birdsong, adds depth to the poem and creates a sense of harmony between the natural world and the emotions of the speaker.
Another important theme in the poem is the power of friendship. The speaker's description of their friend as being both physically attractive and possessing inner beauty suggests that the friend is not simply a source of enjoyment but is also a source of inspiration. The final stanza's suggestion that the friend's departure is not the end of their relationship but is simply a new chapter suggests that the power of friendship can transcend physical distance and time.
Conclusion
Paul Laurence Dunbar's "After a Visit" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the emotions of saying goodbye to a friend. Through the use of natural imagery, the poem creates a sense of harmony between the natural world and the emotions of the speaker, adding depth and nuance to the poem. The themes of loss, sadness, and the power of friendship are explored with sensitivity and skill, making this poem a classic of American literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry After a Visit: A Masterpiece by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Paul Laurence Dunbar, an African American poet, is known for his works that depict the struggles and joys of the black community in America. His poem, Poetry After a Visit, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the creative process and the power of imagination.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a visit to a beautiful garden, where he is inspired by the beauty of nature. He then goes on to describe how this inspiration leads him to create poetry, which he compares to a bird that takes flight from his mind and soars into the world.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece, with its vivid imagery and powerful language. The speaker describes the garden as a place of "beauty rare and sweet," where "the flowers nod and sway." This description creates a sense of wonder and awe, as if the speaker is experiencing something truly magical.
The second stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to describe the creative process. He says that his mind is like a "nest" where his ideas are born and nurtured. He then goes on to describe how these ideas take flight, like a bird leaving its nest, and become poetry.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as the speaker describes the impact that his poetry has on the world. He says that his words are like "seeds" that are planted in the minds of his readers, and that they grow and blossom into something beautiful. This metaphor is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the power of poetry lies not just in the words themselves, but in the impact that they have on those who read them.
The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the creative process itself. The speaker says that although his poetry may be inspired by the beauty of nature, it is ultimately a product of his own imagination. He says that his mind is like a "forge" where his ideas are shaped and molded into something new and beautiful.
Overall, Poetry After a Visit is a powerful and moving poem that captures the essence of the creative process. It is a testament to the power of imagination and the impact that poetry can have on the world. Dunbar's use of vivid imagery and powerful language creates a sense of wonder and awe, and his metaphors are both beautiful and poignant. This poem is a true masterpiece, and a testament to the enduring power of poetry.
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