'March Elegy' by Anna Akhmatova
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I have enough treasures from the past
to last me longer than I need, or want.
You know as well as I . . . malevolent memory
won't let go of half of them:
a modest church, with its gold cupola
slightly askew; a harsh chorus
of crows; the whistle of a train;
a birch tree haggard in a field
as if it had just been sprung from jail;
a secret midnight conclave
of monumental Bible-oaks;
and a tiny rowboat that comes drifting out
of somebody's dreams, slowly foundering.
Winter has already loitered here,
lightly powdering these fields,
casting an impenetrable haze
that fills the world as far as the horizon.
I used to think that after we are gone
there's nothing, simply nothing at all.
Then who's that wandering by the porch
again and calling us by name?
Whose face is pressed against the frosted pane?
What hand out there is waving like a branch?
By way of reply, in that cobwebbed corner
a sunstruck tatter dances in the mirror.
Leningrad, 1960
Translated by Stanley Kunitz (with Max Hayward)
Editor 1 Interpretation
March Elegy: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
March Elegy, also known as Requiem, is a powerful and moving poem by Anna Akhmatova, one of the most celebrated Russian poets of the 20th century. The poem was written between 1935 and 1940 and was inspired by the poet's personal experience of the Stalinist terror in the Soviet Union. In this essay, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism in the poem and analyze how they contribute to the overall meaning and impact.
Themes
One of the most prominent themes in March Elegy is the theme of grief and loss. The poem is a lament for all those who have suffered and died under Stalin's regime, including Akhmatova's own son, who was arrested and imprisoned in a labor camp. The poem is a deeply personal and emotional expression of the poet's pain and sorrow, but it also speaks to a larger sense of collective grief and mourning.
Another important theme in the poem is the theme of resistance and resilience. Despite the brutal oppression and repression of the Soviet state, the poem is also a testament to the human spirit and its capacity to endure and resist. The poem celebrates the courage and dignity of those who refused to be broken by the regime, even in the face of unimaginable suffering.
Imagery and Symbolism
Akhmatova employs a rich and diverse range of imagery and symbolism in March Elegy, which serve to deepen and enrich the themes of the poem. One of the most striking images in the poem is that of the prison, which recurs throughout the poem. The prison symbolizes the oppressive and dehumanizing nature of the Soviet state, but it also represents the resilience and courage of those who were imprisoned.
Another powerful image in the poem is that of the black crow, which is associated with death and mourning. The crow appears several times in the poem, and its presence serves to heighten the sense of grief and loss that permeates the poem. However, the crow is also a symbol of hope, as it represents the possibility of rebirth and renewal.
The imagery of light and darkness is also significant in the poem. The darkness represents the oppressive regime and the suffering it inflicted, while the light represents the hope and resilience of the human spirit. The contrast between light and darkness underscores the central themes of the poem and adds to its emotional impact.
Analysis
March Elegy is a deeply moving and powerful poem that speaks to the human experience of grief, loss, and resilience. The poem is a testament to the courage and dignity of those who refused to be broken by the oppressive Soviet regime, and it speaks to a larger sense of collective grief and mourning.
The rich and diverse imagery and symbolism in the poem serve to deepen and enrich the themes of the poem, adding to its emotional impact. The prison, the black crow, and the imagery of light and darkness all contribute to the overall meaning and significance of the poem.
The poem is also notable for its use of language, which is spare and precise, but also evocative and powerful. The poem's structure, which is divided into several sections, adds to its impact, as it allows the poet to explore different aspects of the themes and imagery.
Conclusion
In conclusion, March Elegy is a masterpiece of modern poetry, which speaks to the human experience of grief, loss, and resilience. The poem is a deeply personal and emotional expression of the poet's pain and sorrow, but it also speaks to a larger sense of collective grief and mourning.
The rich and diverse imagery and symbolism in the poem serve to deepen and enrich the themes of the poem, adding to its emotional impact. The spare and precise language, combined with the poem's structure, make for a powerful and evocative work of art. March Elegy is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the human experience and to give voice to the voiceless.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
March Elegy: A Poem of Sorrow and Resilience
Anna Akhmatova’s March Elegy is a haunting and powerful poem that captures the pain and suffering of the Russian people during the turbulent years of the early 20th century. Written in 1917, the poem reflects the despair and hopelessness that Akhmatova and her fellow citizens felt as they witnessed the collapse of the Tsarist regime and the rise of the Bolsheviks. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of March Elegy and examine how Akhmatova uses these elements to convey her message of sorrow and resilience.
The poem begins with a stark and somber image of a city in ruins:
We shall not soon forget the grey-eyed murderer lurking in your house. Nor the thick fingers of the white- face officer who beat us with a hose.
These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, as Akhmatova describes the violence and brutality that she and her fellow citizens endured under the new regime. The “grey-eyed murderer” and the “white-face officer” are symbols of the Bolsheviks and their ruthless tactics, which included torture, imprisonment, and execution. Akhmatova’s use of vivid and specific imagery creates a sense of immediacy and urgency, as if the reader is witnessing these atrocities firsthand.
The next stanza shifts to a more personal and emotional tone, as Akhmatova describes the impact of these events on her own life:
But the memory of your bitter heroism is preserved for ever, ineradicable, like the sorrowing groans of a mother over her son who has been killed.
Here, Akhmatova acknowledges the resilience and courage of the Russian people in the face of such adversity. The “bitter heroism” of her fellow citizens is a testament to their strength and determination, even in the darkest of times. The comparison to a mother mourning her son is a powerful metaphor for the collective grief and loss that the Russian people experienced during this period.
The third stanza continues this theme of resilience, as Akhmatova describes the enduring spirit of the Russian people:
And we who have survived, we are not true to life, we are true to death. For the memory of those who have perished we wear a black shawl on our shoulders.
Here, Akhmatova emphasizes the importance of remembering those who have died, and the role that memory plays in shaping our understanding of the past. The black shawl is a symbol of mourning and remembrance, and it represents the collective grief and loss that the Russian people experienced during this period. By wearing the shawl, they are honoring the memory of those who have perished and keeping their legacy alive.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as Akhmatova describes the resilience and hope that still exists within the Russian people:
But the black shawl is not for ever. The time will come when we will take it off. When the bitter tears of sorrow will have washed the memory of the dead away.
Here, Akhmatova suggests that even in the darkest of times, there is still hope for a brighter future. The black shawl is a temporary symbol of mourning and remembrance, and eventually, it will be removed as the Russian people move forward and rebuild their lives. The “bitter tears of sorrow” will eventually give way to a new sense of hope and optimism, as the memory of the dead is washed away and replaced with a renewed sense of purpose and resilience.
In terms of language and imagery, March Elegy is a masterful work of poetry that uses vivid and evocative language to convey its message of sorrow and resilience. Akhmatova’s use of metaphor and symbolism is particularly effective, as she uses these elements to create a sense of depth and complexity in her writing. The black shawl, for example, is a powerful symbol that represents both grief and hope, and it serves as a reminder of the resilience and determination of the Russian people.
Overall, March Elegy is a powerful and moving poem that captures the pain and suffering of the Russian people during a period of great upheaval and turmoil. Through her use of language and imagery, Akhmatova conveys a message of resilience and hope, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, there is still the potential for a brighter future. As we continue to navigate our own turbulent times, we can draw inspiration from the strength and courage of those who have come before us, and we can look to the words of poets like Akhmatova for guidance and inspiration.
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