'Rhénane d'Automne' by Guillaume Apollinaire


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Mon verre est plein d'un vin trembleur comme une flamme
Ecoutez la chanson lente d'un batelier
Qui raconte avoir vu sous la lune sept femmes
Tordre leurs cheveux verts et longs jusqu'à leurs pieds

Debout chantez plus haut en dansant une ronde
Que je n'entende plus le chant du batelier
Et mettez près de moi toutes les filles blondes
Au regard immobile aux nattes repliées

Le Rhin le Rhin est ivre où les vignes se mirent
Tout l'or des nuits tombe en tremblant s'y refléter
La voix chante toujours à en râle-mourir
Ces fées aux cheveux verts qui incantent l'été

Mon verre s'est brisé comme un éclat de rire

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Mystical Journey in Rhénane d'Automne by Guillaume Apollinaire

Guillaume Apollinaire, a French poet and playwright, left a mark in the literary world with his avant-garde approach to poetry. His works are characterized by their surrealism, graphic imagery, and a deep sense of spirituality. One of his most famous works is the poem Rhénane d'Automne or Autumn Rhine, a journey into the mystical world of nature and the subconscious.

The Poem

Rhénane d'Automne is a poem composed of twelve stanzas, each with four lines. The poem's structure is simple, but its content is complex and multi-layered. The poem is a journey along the Rhine river during the autumn season, but it is also a journey into the speaker's psyche, where he encounters various mystical and spiritual elements.

The Journey

The poem begins with the speaker describing his journey along the Rhine river. The river is personified as a woman, and the speaker addresses her in a loving and poetic way. He describes the river's beauty, its colors, and the sound of its waves. The speaker's journey is not just a physical one, but a spiritual one as well. He is searching for something, and the river is guiding him towards it.

As the speaker continues his journey, he encounters various mystical elements. He sees the moon reflected in the river, and he hears the sound of bells ringing in the distance. He also sees a boat with a mysterious figure on board, and a castle on a hill that seems to be calling out to him. These elements are not just random occurrences, but they have a deeper meaning.

The Subconscious

The poem is a journey into the speaker's subconscious. The river, the moon, the bells, the boat, and the castle are all symbols that represent the various aspects of the speaker's psyche. The river represents the speaker's emotions, which are deep and turbulent like the river. The moon represents the speaker's subconscious, which is mysterious and unknown. The bells represent the speaker's spirituality, which is calling out to him. The boat with the mysterious figure represents the speaker's inner self, which he is trying to discover. And the castle on the hill represents the speaker's desires and aspirations, which he is striving towards.

The Spiritual Journey

Rhénane d'Automne is not just a journey into the speaker's subconscious, but also a spiritual journey. The poem is filled with religious and mystical imagery, such as the ringing of bells, the castle on the hill, and the mysterious figure on the boat. These elements represent the speaker's quest for spiritual enlightenment and his search for a higher power.

The poem's spiritual themes are further emphasized by the speaker's use of religious terminology. He refers to the river as a "saint," and he speaks of "heavenly splendors" and "divine bells." These references show that the speaker is not just on a physical journey, but a journey towards a higher spiritual plane.

The Beauty of Nature

The poem is also a celebration of the beauty of nature. The speaker's journey along the Rhine river is filled with vivid descriptions of the colors, sounds, and textures of the natural world. He describes the river as "blue and green," the leaves as "golden," and the sky as "azure." These descriptions create a vivid and sensual picture of the natural world and show the speaker's deep appreciation for its beauty.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Rhénane d'Automne is a multi-layered and complex poem that takes the reader on a journey into the speaker's subconscious and spiritual world. The poem's use of religious and mystical imagery shows the speaker's quest for spiritual enlightenment and his search for a higher power. At the same time, the poem is also a celebration of the beauty of nature and a reminder of the importance of appreciating and respecting the natural world. With its surrealism, graphic imagery, and deep sense of spirituality, Rhénane d'Automne is a timeless masterpiece of modernist poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Rhénane d'Automne: A Masterpiece of Guillaume Apollinaire

Guillaume Apollinaire, the French poet, playwright, and art critic, is known for his avant-garde style and his contribution to the development of modernism in literature. His poem Rhénane d'Automne, written in 1912, is a prime example of his innovative style and his ability to create vivid imagery through words.

Rhénane d'Automne is a poem that captures the essence of autumn in the Rhine region of Germany. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which describes a different aspect of the season. The first part describes the beauty of the landscape, the second part focuses on the people and their traditions, and the third part reflects on the passing of time and the inevitability of change.

The poem begins with a description of the landscape, which is painted in vivid colors and rich imagery. The first line, "Les feuilles mortes se ramassent à la pelle" (The dead leaves are gathered with a shovel), sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The image of dead leaves being gathered with a shovel is a powerful one, evoking the idea of death and decay. However, the poem is not a mournful one, but rather a celebration of the beauty of autumn.

The second line, "Les souvenirs et les regrets aussi" (Memories and regrets too), adds a layer of complexity to the poem. The idea of memories and regrets suggests that the speaker is reflecting on the past, perhaps on a lost love or a missed opportunity. This theme is further developed in the third line, "Et le vent du nord les emporte" (And the north wind carries them away). The north wind is a symbol of change and impermanence, and the idea of memories and regrets being carried away by the wind suggests that they are fleeting and transitory.

The second part of the poem focuses on the people and their traditions. The speaker describes the "vieux Rhin" (old Rhine), which is a symbol of the region's rich history and culture. The people are described as "les filles aux cheveux d'or" (the girls with golden hair) and "les garçons si doux" (the boys so gentle). These descriptions evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for a simpler time.

The third part of the poem reflects on the passing of time and the inevitability of change. The speaker describes the "vieux clochers" (old bell towers) and the "vieux moulins" (old mills), which are symbols of the past. The idea of the past being left behind is further developed in the line, "Et la vie s'en va comme un son de cloche" (And life goes away like the sound of a bell). This line is a powerful reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death.

The poem ends with the line, "Je suis le Rhin, je suis l'automne" (I am the Rhine, I am autumn). This line is a powerful statement of identity and belonging. The speaker identifies with the Rhine and with autumn, suggesting that they are a part of the landscape and the season. This line also suggests that the speaker is at peace with the passing of time and the inevitability of change.

In conclusion, Rhénane d'Automne is a masterpiece of Guillaume Apollinaire's innovative style and his ability to create vivid imagery through words. The poem captures the essence of autumn in the Rhine region of Germany, and it reflects on the beauty of the landscape, the people and their traditions, and the passing of time and the inevitability of change. The poem is a powerful reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing the present moment.

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