'Happiness' by Raymond Carver
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So early it's still almost dark out.
I'm near the window with coffee,
and the usual early morning stuff
that passes for thought.
When I see the boy and his friend
walking up the road
to deliver the newspaper.
They wear caps and sweaters,
and one boy has a bag over his shoulder.
They are so happy
they aren't saying anything, these boys.
I think if they could, they would take
each other's arm.
It's early in the morning,
and they are doing this thing together.
They come on, slowly.
The sky is taking on light,
though the moon still hangs pale over the water.
Such beauty that for a minute
death and ambition, even love,
doesn't enter into this.
Happiness. It comes on
unexpectedly. And goes beyond, really,
any early morning talk about it.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Happiness by Raymond Carver
Have you ever stumbled upon a poem that leaves you awestruck with its simplicity and beauty? Raymond Carver’s ‘Happiness’ is one of those poems that can leave you lost in thought, contemplating the deeper meaning of life. First published in 1989 in his collection titled ‘A New Path to the Waterfall,’ the poem is a brilliant example of how a few words can have a profound impact on our emotions and thoughts. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we’ll dive into the themes, symbols, and literary devices used by Carver in ‘Happiness.’
Summary
‘Happiness’ is a short poem that consists of only five lines. The poem begins with a simple statement, “So early it's still almost dark out.” The speaker then says that “I'm near the window with coffee, and the usual early morning stuff that passes for thought.” The third line is where the poem takes a turn towards more philosophical territory, “When I see the boy and his friend walking up the road to deliver the newspaper.” The speaker describes the scene in detail, “They wear caps and sweaters, and one boy has a bag over his shoulder. They are so happy they aren't saying anything, these boys.”
The final line of the poem is where the message of the poem becomes clear, “I think if they could, they would take each other’s arm.” The poem ends with a sense of longing and desire for connection, something that is missing in the speaker’s life.
Themes
One of the prominent themes in ‘Happiness’ is the search for meaning and connection. The speaker is pondering the early morning and the thoughts that are passing through his head. He is observing the world outside, and it’s in this observation that he sees the two boys walking up the road. The boys are happy, and they aren’t saying anything. They are simply walking together, enjoying each other’s company, and delivering newspapers.
The boys’ happiness is in stark contrast to the speaker’s own sense of isolation and loneliness. He is alone with his coffee, looking out the window, and watching the world go by. He sees the happiness of the boys, and he longs for that connection. The final line of the poem, “I think if they could, they would take each other’s arm,” speaks to this desire for connection. The speaker sees the boys as being so connected that they would want to hold each other’s arm. This desire for connection is something that is universal, and it’s a theme that resonates with readers.
Another theme in ‘Happiness’ is the idea of simplicity. The boys are happy, but they aren’t doing anything extraordinary. They are delivering newspapers, a task that is mundane and simple. It’s in this simplicity that they find happiness. The speaker is surrounded by the usual early morning stuff that passes for thought, and he longs for something more. The poem suggests that happiness can be found in the simple things in life, in the small moments of connection and joy.
Symbols
The boys walking up the road with their bags of newspapers are a symbol of hope and connection. They are connected to each other, and their happiness is infectious. The speaker sees this and longs for that connection. The bags of newspapers that they are carrying are also symbolic. They represent the news of the day, the stories that connect us all. The newspapers are a symbol of the world outside, the world that the speaker is observing from his window.
The “usual early morning stuff that passes for thought” is another symbol in the poem. It represents the mundane and routine thoughts that we all have. It’s the everyday thoughts that can become overwhelming and lead to a sense of isolation and loneliness.
Literary Devices
One of the literary devices used in ‘Happiness’ is imagery. Carver uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the early morning. He describes the boys with their caps and sweaters, and one boy has a bag over his shoulder. The image of the boys walking up the road is something that readers can visualize, and it’s this imagery that makes the poem so powerful.
Another literary device used in ‘Happiness’ is repetition. The phrase “almost dark out” is repeated at the beginning of the poem, and the “usual early morning stuff that passes for thought” is repeated later in the poem. This repetition emphasizes the routine and mundane nature of the speaker’s life, and it emphasizes the simplicity of the boys’ happiness.
The last literary device used in ‘Happiness’ is the use of the first-person point of view. The poem is told from the perspective of the speaker, and it’s this perspective that allows readers to connect with the theme of the poem. The first-person point of view puts readers in the shoes of the speaker, and it’s this connection that allows readers to feel the longing and desire for connection that the speaker feels.
Conclusion
‘Happiness’ is a beautiful poem that explores the themes of connection and simplicity. It’s a poem that reminds us that happiness can be found in the simple moments of life, and it’s a poem that speaks to the universal desire for connection. With its vivid imagery and repetition, the poem is a work of art that can leave readers lost in thought, pondering the deeper meaning of life. As we read the final line of the poem, “I think if they could, they would take each other’s arm,” we are left with a sense of longing and a desire for connection, something that is missing in our own lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Finding Happiness in Raymond Carver's Poem
Happiness is a poem written by Raymond Carver, an American poet and short-story writer. The poem is a reflection on the nature of happiness and the different ways in which people seek it. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and language.
The Poem
Before we delve into the analysis, let's first read the poem in its entirety:
So early it's still almost dark out. I'm near the window with coffee, and the usual early morning stuff that passes for thought.
When I see the boy and his friend walking up the road to deliver the newspaper.
They wear caps and sweaters, and one boy has a bag over his shoulder. They are so happy they aren't saying anything, these boys.
I think if they could, they would take each other's arm.
It's early in the morning, and they are doing this thing together.
They come on, slowly.
The sky is taking on light, though the moon still hangs pale over the water.
Such beauty that for a minute death and ambition, even love, doesn't enter into this.
Happiness. It comes on unexpectedly. And goes beyond, really, any early morning talk about it.
Analysis
Theme
The central theme of the poem is happiness and the different ways in which people experience it. The poem suggests that happiness is not something that can be pursued or achieved through ambition or love, but rather something that comes unexpectedly and goes beyond words.
Imagery
The poem is rich in imagery, painting a vivid picture of the early morning scene. The reader can almost feel the chill in the air and the warmth of the coffee cup in their hands. The imagery also captures the innocence and joy of the two boys as they walk up the road to deliver the newspaper. The caps and sweaters they wear, and the bag over one boy's shoulder, suggest a sense of purpose and responsibility. The image of the moon hanging pale over the water adds a touch of beauty and mystery to the scene.
Language
The language of the poem is simple and straightforward, yet it conveys a deep sense of emotion and meaning. The use of short, declarative sentences creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy, as if the reader is right there with the speaker, watching the scene unfold. The repetition of the word "early" emphasizes the stillness and quietness of the morning, while the phrase "the usual early morning stuff that passes for thought" suggests a sense of routine and mundanity.
Structure
The poem is structured in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter. The lines are short and choppy, creating a sense of urgency and movement. The poem is divided into two stanzas, with the first stanza setting the scene and the second stanza reflecting on the nature of happiness.
Tone
The tone of the poem is contemplative and reflective, with a touch of nostalgia. The speaker is observing the scene from a distance, yet there is a sense of empathy and connection with the two boys. The final line, "any early morning talk about it," suggests a sense of resignation and acceptance, as if the speaker has come to realize that happiness cannot be fully understood or explained.
Interpretation
The poem can be interpreted in different ways, depending on the reader's perspective and experience. Here are some possible interpretations:
The Joy of Simple Things
One interpretation of the poem is that happiness can be found in the simplest of things, such as a cup of coffee and the sight of two boys walking up the road. The poem suggests that happiness is not something that can be bought or earned, but rather something that is freely given and received.
The Transience of Happiness
Another interpretation of the poem is that happiness is fleeting and cannot be held onto. The image of the moon hanging pale over the water suggests a sense of impermanence and transience, as if the moment of happiness will soon pass. The final line, "any early morning talk about it," suggests that happiness cannot be fully captured or explained in words.
The Innocence of Youth
A third interpretation of the poem is that happiness is often associated with youth and innocence. The two boys walking up the road represent a sense of carefree joy and spontaneity that is often lost in adulthood. The speaker's observation that "they are so happy they aren't saying anything" suggests a sense of unselfconsciousness and freedom.
Conclusion
Happiness is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that invites the reader to reflect on the nature of happiness and the different ways in which it can be experienced. Through its rich imagery, simple language, and contemplative tone, the poem captures a moment of joy and beauty that is both fleeting and eternal. Whether we interpret the poem as a celebration of simple things, a meditation on the transience of happiness, or a tribute to the innocence of youth, we can all find something to cherish and appreciate in this timeless work of art.
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