'The Flower of Liberty' by Oliver Wendell Holmes
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WHAT flower is this that greets the morn,
Its hues from Heaven so freshly born?
With burning star and flaming band
It kindles all the sunset land:
Oh tell us what its name may be,--
Is this the Flower of Liberty?
It is the banner of the free,
The starry Flower of Liberty!
In savage Nature's far abode
Its tender seed our fathers sowed;
The storm-winds rocked its swelling bud,
Its opening leaves were streaked with blood,
Till lo! earth's tyrants shook to see
The full-blown Flower of Liberty!
Then hail the banner of the free,
The starry Flower of Liberty!
Behold its streaming rays unite,
One mingling flood of braided light,--
The red that fires the Southern rose,
With spotless white from Northern snows,
And, spangled o'er its azure, see
The sister Stars of Liberty!
Then hail the banner of the free,
The starry Flower of Liberty!
The blades of heroes fence it round,
Where'er it springs is holy ground;
From tower and dome its glories spread;
It waves where lonely sentries tread;
It makes the land as ocean free,
And plants an empire on the sea!
Then hail the banner of the free,
The starry Flower of Liberty!
Thy sacred leaves, fair Freedom's flower,
Shall ever float on dome and tower,
To all their heavenly colors true,
In blackening frost or crimson dew,--
And God love us as we love thee,
Thrice holy Flower of Liberty!
Then hail the banner of the free,
The starry FLOWER OF LIBERTY!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Flower of Liberty by Oliver Wendell Holmes: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oliver Wendell Holmes, a renowned American poet, wrote "The Flower of Liberty" in 1844. The poem, a political allegory, describes the struggles and triumphs of American democracy. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, structure, and figurative language used in "The Flower of Liberty."
Themes
The main theme of "The Flower of Liberty" is the struggle for democracy. Holmes uses the flower as a metaphor for democracy, and the poem is an allegory that describes the challenges that democracy faces. The poem is divided into three parts: The Planting, The Growth, and The Flowering.
In The Planting, Holmes describes the difficult beginnings of democracy. The seed is sown in a harsh and barren land, and it struggles to take root. This section of the poem is a metaphor for the difficulties that democracy faces when it is first introduced to a society that is not used to it.
In The Growth, Holmes describes the slow and steady progress of democracy. The plant grows stronger, and it begins to flourish. This section of the poem is a metaphor for the gradual acceptance of democracy by a society.
In The Flowering, Holmes describes the ultimate triumph of democracy. The flower blooms, and its beauty and fragrance are celebrated by all. This section of the poem is a metaphor for the success of democracy in a society.
Structure
"The Flower of Liberty" is written in iambic tetrameter, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCB. The poem is divided into three parts, each with eight stanzas. Each stanza has six lines. The repetition of the same structure throughout the poem gives it a sense of unity and coherence.
The poem is also rich in imagery and figurative language. Holmes uses a variety of metaphors to describe democracy, including the flower, the seed, and the plant. These metaphors help to convey the complexity of democracy and its struggle for acceptance.
Figurative Language
Holmes uses a variety of figurative language in "The Flower of Liberty." One of the most striking examples is his use of personification. Throughout the poem, he personifies democracy as a living entity that is struggling to survive and thrive.
In The Planting, he writes:
The winds will roughen the leaves, The tempests beat from above, The roots will cling to the rocks, And the flower of freedom and love Will survive and bloom on the barren soil.
In this stanza, democracy is personified as a flower that is struggling to survive in a harsh environment. The use of personification creates a sense of empathy for democracy and its struggles.
Another example of figurative language in the poem is the use of symbolism. The flower is a symbol of democracy, and it represents the beauty and fragility of this political system. Holmes uses the flower as a recurring image throughout the poem, and it becomes a powerful symbol of hope and resilience.
In The Flowering, he writes:
And the flower of Liberty bloom'd that hour With fragrance sweet as a summer gale, And a thousand voices hail'd the Power Whose coming strength they could not quail.
In this stanza, the flower of Liberty represents the success of democracy, and its fragrance represents the joy and celebration of this success.
Interpretation
"The Flower of Liberty" is a powerful political allegory that describes the struggle for democracy. Holmes uses a variety of metaphors and figurative language to convey the complexity of democracy and its challenges.
The poem is divided into three parts, each representing a different stage in the growth of democracy. The Planting represents the difficult beginnings of democracy, The Growth represents the gradual acceptance of democracy, and The Flowering represents the ultimate success of democracy.
The use of personification and symbolism creates a sense of empathy for democracy and its struggles. The repetition of the same structure throughout the poem gives it a sense of unity and coherence.
Overall, "The Flower of Liberty" is a beautiful and powerful poem that celebrates the triumph of democracy. It reminds us of the importance of fighting for our rights and freedoms, and the beauty that can emerge from the struggle.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Flower of Liberty: A Poetic Masterpiece by Oliver Wendell Holmes
Poetry has always been a powerful medium for expressing emotions, ideas, and beliefs. It has the ability to capture the essence of a moment, a feeling, or a thought and convey it in a way that resonates with the reader. One such masterpiece of poetry is "The Flower of Liberty" by Oliver Wendell Holmes. This classic poem is a powerful tribute to the American Revolution and the ideals of freedom and democracy that it represents.
The poem was written in 1872, almost a century after the American Revolution. However, its message is still relevant today, as it celebrates the values that America was founded upon. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the American Revolution and its legacy.
The first stanza of the poem is a tribute to the brave men who fought for American independence. It begins with the lines, "The flower of Liberty, that blooms so fair and bright, / In the dewy morning's ray, / Was plucked by hand unseen, and withered in a night." These lines are a metaphor for the sacrifices made by the American patriots who fought and died for their country. The flower of Liberty represents the ideals of freedom and democracy that they fought for, and the fact that it was plucked by an unseen hand represents the sacrifices that were made in the name of these ideals.
The second stanza of the poem is a celebration of the victory of the American Revolution. It begins with the lines, "The tyrant's plea, / Excuse for crime and fraud, / His iron rule, / And cruel rod, / Are broken now." These lines are a testament to the fact that the American Revolution was a triumph over tyranny and oppression. The "tyrant's plea" represents the excuses that were made by the British government for their oppressive policies, and the "iron rule" and "cruel rod" represent the tyranny that the American colonists were subjected to. The fact that these things are now "broken" represents the victory of the American Revolution and the establishment of a new, free, and democratic nation.
The third and final stanza of the poem is a call to action for future generations. It begins with the lines, "O, let the sacred seed / Of freedom's tree, / Forever be / In hearts and hands of men." These lines are a reminder that the ideals of freedom and democracy that were fought for during the American Revolution are not just historical artifacts, but living principles that must be upheld and defended by future generations. The "sacred seed" represents the ideals of freedom and democracy, and the fact that it must be forever in the "hearts and hands of men" represents the fact that it is the responsibility of every citizen to uphold and defend these ideals.
Overall, "The Flower of Liberty" is a powerful tribute to the American Revolution and the ideals of freedom and democracy that it represents. It is a reminder that these ideals are not just historical artifacts, but living principles that must be upheld and defended by future generations. The poem's use of metaphor and imagery is masterful, and its message is as relevant today as it was when it was written over a century ago. It is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of a moment, a feeling, or a thought, and convey it in a way that resonates with the reader.
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