'An Autumn Sunset' by Edith Wharton
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I
Leaguered in fire
The wild black promontories of the coast extend
Their savage silhouettes;
The sun in universal carnage sets,
And, halting higher,
The motionless storm-clouds mass their sullen threats,
Like an advancing mob in sword-points penned,
That, balked, yet stands at bay.
Mid-zenith hangs the fascinated day
In wind-lustrated hollows crystalline,
A wan Valkyrie whose wide pinions shine
Across the ensanguined ruins of the fray,
And in her hand swings high o'erhead,
Above the waste of war,
The silver torch-light of the evening star
Wherewith to search the faces of the dead.
II
Lagooned in gold,
Seem not those jetty promontories rather
The outposts of some ancient land forlorn,
Uncomforted of morn, Where old oblivions gather,
The melancholy unconsoling fold
Of all things that go utterly to death
And mix no more, no more
With life's perpetually awakening breath?
Shall Time not ferry me to such a shore,
Over such sailless seas,
To walk with hope's slain importunities
In miserable marriage? Nay, shall not
All things be there forgot,
Save the sea's golden barrier and the black
Close-crouching promontories?
Dead to all shames, forgotten of all glories,
Shall I not wander there, a shadow's shade,
A spectre self-destroyed,
So purged of all remembrance and sucked back
Into the primal void,
That should we on that shore phantasmal meet
I should not know the coming of your feet?
Editor 1 Interpretation
Edith Wharton's "An Autumn Sunset"
Edith Wharton's "An Autumn Sunset" is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of autumn in its imagery and language. This is a poem that speaks of the beauty of nature and the changing of seasons. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we shall take a closer look at the poem, its themes, and its literary devices.
Background and Context
Edith Wharton was an American novelist and short-story writer, who is best known for her works that explored the themes of social class, gender, and morality. She was born in 1862 in New York City and grew up in a wealthy family. Her father was a successful businessman, and her mother was a socially ambitious woman who wanted her daughter to be part of the upper class society.
Wharton's early years were spent in a privileged environment, where she was exposed to literature and art. She was educated at home and later attended private schools in Europe. Despite her privileged upbringing, Wharton was a keen observer of social norms and the class system. She used her writing to critique the society that she lived in and to explore the human condition.
"An Autumn Sunset" was published in Wharton's collection of poetry, "Artemis to Actaeon and Other Verses" in 1909. This collection of poetry was a departure from her usual works of fiction, but it showcased her talents as a poet. "An Autumn Sunset" is a poem that captures the beauty of nature and the changing of seasons.
Literary Analysis
"An Autumn Sunset" is a five-stanza poem that uses vivid imagery and language to describe the beauty of a sunset in autumn. The poem is written in free verse, which allows Wharton to experiment with the form and structure of the poem. The poem has no rhyme scheme, but it uses repetition and alliteration to create a musical quality.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It describes the beauty of the sunset and the changing colors of the sky. Wharton writes:
"A flaming sunset, set against the hills And crimson clouds that fleck the sky above, A momentary glory that fulfills Earth's long, gray dreams with splendor and with love."
The use of the word "flaming" to describe the sunset creates an image of fire and intensity. The line "A momentary glory that fulfills" suggests that the beauty of the sunset is fleeting and temporary. The use of the word "love" in the last line suggests that the beauty of nature is not just aesthetic, but also emotional.
In the second stanza, Wharton describes the trees and leaves that are changing colors in autumn. She writes:
"The maple trees are tinged with gold and red, The sumac leaves are like a crimson flame."
The use of color imagery in this stanza creates a vivid image of the autumn landscape. The words "tinged", "gold", "red", and "crimson" all create a sense of warmth and richness.
The third stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the animals that are preparing for winter. Wharton writes:
"The cattle graze contentedly, and all The little creatures of the field and wood Prepare for winter's blast, and heedless fall The leaves, the acorns, and the chestnuts good."
The use of the word "heedless" in the last line suggests that nature follows its own course and is not concerned with human affairs. The image of the animals preparing for winter creates a sense of the cycle of life and the changing of seasons.
The fourth stanza of the poem returns to the beauty of the sunset. Wharton writes:
"The sunset's splendor fades, and all the hills Are wrapped in mist, and darkness gathers fast; But in my heart the memory lingers still Of beauty that will never wholly pass."
The use of the phrase "memory lingers still" suggests that the beauty of the sunset has a lasting impact on the speaker. The use of the word "wholly" in the last line suggests that although the sunset may fade, its beauty will always remain.
The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the beauty of nature and its ability to inspire. Wharton writes:
"O Beauty, fleeting as the light that dies, And yet immortal as the spirit's thought, How sweet thy gift to him who feels and sighs For all the loveliness that earth has wrought."
The use of the word "immortal" in the second line suggests that the beauty of nature has a lasting impact on the human spirit. The use of the phrase "who feels and sighs" suggests that the speaker is deeply moved by the beauty of nature.
Themes
The central themes of "An Autumn Sunset" are the beauty of nature, the changing of seasons, and the transience of life. The poem celebrates the beauty of autumn, with its changing colors and the warmth of the sunset. The poem also reflects on the cycle of life, with the animals preparing for winter and the leaves falling from the trees. The transience of life is also reflected in the idea that the beauty of the sunset is fleeting and temporary.
Another theme that is present in the poem is the idea of memory and the lasting impact of beauty. The speaker reflects on the beauty of the sunset and how it has a lasting impact on the human spirit. The poem suggests that beauty can inspire and enrich our lives, even if it is fleeting.
Literary Devices
Wharton uses several literary devices in "An Autumn Sunset" to create a vivid and musical poem. The use of color imagery is prevalent throughout the poem, with the colors of the sunset, trees, and leaves creating a rich and warm landscape. Wharton also uses repetition and alliteration to create a musical quality, with phrases like "flaming sunset" and "crimson clouds" repeating throughout the poem.
The use of personification is also present in the poem, with the leaves and acorns falling "heedless" and the sunset having a "momentary glory". These personifications create a sense of nature as a living and breathing entity.
Conclusion
"An Autumn Sunset" is a beautiful poem that captures the beauty of nature and the changing of seasons. The poem celebrates the warmth and richness of autumn, while reflecting on the transience of life. The use of vivid imagery and language creates a musical quality that is both soothing and inspiring. The poem suggests that beauty can have a lasting impact on our lives, even if it is fleeting. Overall, "An Autumn Sunset" is a poem that celebrates the beauty of nature and the human spirit.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
An Autumn Sunset: A Masterpiece of Poetic Imagery
Edith Wharton's poem "An Autumn Sunset" is a masterpiece of poetic imagery that captures the essence of the season's beauty and melancholy. The poem is a vivid portrayal of the setting sun, the changing colors of the leaves, and the fleeting nature of life. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem begins with a description of the setting sun, which is personified as a "dying fire." The use of personification is a literary device that gives human qualities to non-human objects. In this case, the sun is given the quality of a dying fire, which creates a sense of sadness and loss. The sun's descent is also described as a "slow flame," which further emphasizes its gradual decline.
As the sun sets, the colors of the leaves change, and the poet describes them as "fading embers." This metaphor compares the leaves to dying embers, which are the last remnants of a fire. The use of this metaphor creates a sense of finality and inevitability, as if the leaves are destined to fall and die.
The second stanza of the poem shifts focus to the sky, which is described as a "purple dome." The use of color imagery is a common literary device used in poetry to create a visual image in the reader's mind. The color purple is often associated with royalty, luxury, and spirituality. In this context, the purple dome represents the majesty and grandeur of the sky.
The third stanza of the poem introduces the theme of mortality, which is a recurring theme in Wharton's work. The poet describes the "ghostly battlements" of the clouds, which are a metaphor for the walls of a castle. The use of this metaphor creates a sense of foreboding and danger, as if death is lurking behind the clouds.
The final stanza of the poem brings the themes of mortality and beauty together. The poet describes the "golden ashes" of the sunset, which are a metaphor for the beauty of life. The use of this metaphor creates a sense of hope and optimism, as if life is not just fleeting, but also beautiful.
The structure of the poem is also worth noting. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with four lines. This structure creates a sense of symmetry and balance, which is appropriate for a poem about the changing seasons. The use of rhyme and meter also adds to the poem's musicality and rhythm.
In conclusion, "An Autumn Sunset" is a masterful poem that captures the beauty and melancholy of the season. The use of literary devices such as personification, metaphor, and color imagery creates a vivid and powerful image in the reader's mind. The themes of mortality and beauty are woven together in a way that is both poignant and uplifting. This poem is a testament to Edith Wharton's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of the human experience.
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