'Late Autumn In Venice' by Delmore Schwartz

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(After Rilke)


The city floats no longer like a bait
To hook the nimble darting summer days.
The glazed and brittle palaces pulsate and radiate
And glitter. Summer's garden sways,
A heap of marionettes hanging down and dangled,
Leaves tired, torn, turned upside down and strangled:
Until from forest depths, from bony leafless trees
A will wakens: the admiral, lolling long at ease,
Has been commanded, overnight -- suddenly --:
In the first dawn, all galleys put to sea!
Waking then in autumn chill, amid the harbor medley,
The fragrance of pitch, pennants aloft, the butt
Of oars, all sails unfurled, the fleet
Awaits the great wind, radiant and deadly.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Late Autumn in Venice by Delmore Schwartz: A Critical Interpretation

Late Autumn in Venice is a beautiful poem written by Delmore Schwartz, an American poet and short story writer. The poem was published in The New Yorker in 1950 and has since become a classic. The poem is written in free verse and is characterized by its vivid imagery, melancholic tone, and sense of longing. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes of nostalgia, love, and mortality in Late Autumn in Venice.

The Poem

Before we delve into the interpretation of the poem, let's take a look at the poem itself:

In Venice, in late autumn, a thinning moon
And a white mist from the landward sea
And the gondolas, and the lights as they fade
That path we followed to our tawdry room
Where love was difficult and beauty brief
We passed by many places we had known
In sadness and in kindness, but we came
As if the time were different and no one
Could tell the time apart, as if at last
The past were past and we were free at last
Of heart and mind and soul, as if we were
Discovered naked as the day we were born
And someone held us in his hand, and laughed
And threw us hand and soul into the sea

Nostalgia

The poem is steeped in nostalgia, as the speaker looks back on a past experience with a sense of longing and sadness. The opening lines, "In Venice, in late autumn, a thinning moon / And a white mist from the landward sea," set the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is in a melancholic mood, and the imagery of the moon and mist add to the sense of loneliness and isolation.

The use of past tense verbs, such as "passed," "were," and "had known," also contribute to the nostalgic tone of the poem. The speaker is looking back on a time that is now gone, and they are filled with regret and longing for what was once there.

Love

Love is a central theme in the poem, as the speaker reflects on a past relationship that was "difficult" and "brief." The line "Where love was difficult and beauty brief" captures the fleeting nature of love, and how it can be difficult to hold onto.

The speaker also reflects on the places they had known with their former partner, "In sadness and in kindness," suggesting that their relationship was not always easy. Despite this, there is a sense of nostalgia and longing for what once was. The use of the word "love" in the poem is sparse, but its presence is felt throughout.

Mortality

The theme of mortality is also present in Late Autumn in Venice. The line "As if at last / The past were past and we were free at last / Of heart and mind and soul" suggests a desire to be free of the burdens of the past and to live in the present moment. The speaker is aware of their mortality, and they want to make the most of the time they have left.

The final lines of the poem, "And someone held us in his hand, and laughed / And threw us hand and soul into the sea," can be interpreted as a metaphor for death. The image of being thrown into the sea suggests a final journey into the unknown. The laughter of the unknown entity adds an eerie and haunting quality to the poem.

Conclusion

Late Autumn in Venice is a beautiful and melancholic poem that explores themes of nostalgia, love, and mortality. The imagery of the moon, mist, and gondolas add to the sense of loneliness and isolation felt by the speaker. The theme of love is present, but it is fleeting and difficult to hold onto. The final lines of the poem suggest a final journey into the unknown, adding to the sense of mortality that permeates throughout.

Delmore Schwartz's poem is a masterpiece of modern poetry that has stood the test of time. Its themes and imagery continue to resonate with readers today, making it a timeless classic in the world of literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Late Autumn in Venice: A Poetic Masterpiece by Delmore Schwartz

Delmore Schwartz, an American poet, novelist, and short story writer, is known for his unique style of writing that blends modernist and traditional elements. His poem "Late Autumn in Venice" is a perfect example of his poetic genius. The poem is a beautiful portrayal of the city of Venice during the autumn season, and it captures the essence of the city's beauty and melancholy. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and language.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the beauty of Venice during the autumn season. The speaker says that the city is "a city of marble and water," and that the "water is like a dream." This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with vivid imagery and sensory details. The speaker goes on to describe the "golden light" that fills the city during the autumn season, and how it "fades into the sea." This image of the fading light is a metaphor for the passing of time, and it sets the stage for the poem's exploration of the theme of mortality.

The theme of mortality is a central theme in "Late Autumn in Venice." The speaker describes how the city is "haunted by the ghosts of the past," and how the "shadows of the dead" linger in the streets. This image of the past haunting the present is a metaphor for the inevitability of death. The speaker goes on to describe how the "leaves fall like tears," and how the "wind whispers of death." These images of death and decay are a reminder that everything in life is temporary, and that we must cherish the moments we have.

The poem also explores the theme of love and loss. The speaker describes how the "lovers walk hand in hand," and how the "gondolas glide silently by." These images of love and romance are juxtaposed with the images of death and decay, creating a sense of bittersweet nostalgia. The speaker goes on to describe how the "music of Vivaldi" fills the air, and how it "echoes through the canals." This image of music is a metaphor for the beauty of life, and how it can bring joy even in the face of death.

The language and imagery in "Late Autumn in Venice" are both beautiful and haunting. The speaker uses vivid sensory details to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. The use of metaphors and symbolism adds depth and complexity to the poem, and the repetition of certain phrases and images creates a sense of rhythm and structure. The poem is also filled with allusions to art and literature, such as the reference to Vivaldi, which adds to its richness and depth.

In conclusion, "Late Autumn in Venice" is a poetic masterpiece that explores themes of mortality, love, and loss. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and sensory details, and the language is both beautiful and haunting. Delmore Schwartz's unique style of writing blends modernist and traditional elements, creating a work of art that is both timeless and relevant. "Late Autumn in Venice" is a reminder that life is fleeting, and that we must cherish the moments we have.

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