'Firelight' by Edwin Arlington Robinson
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Ten years together without yet a cloud,
They seek each other's eyes at intervals
Of gratefulness to firelight and four walls
For love's obliteration of the crowd.
Serenely and perennially endowed
And bowered as few may be, their joy recalls
No snake, no sword; and over them there falls
The blessing of what neither says aloud.
Wiser for silence, they were not so glad
Were she to read the graven tale of lines
On the wan face of one somewhere alone;
Nor were they more content could he have had
Her thoughts a moment since of one who shines
Apart, and would be hers if he had known.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Firelight: A Critical Analysis
Oh boy, do I have a treat for you today! We're going to dive deep into the world of American poetry with one of Edwin Arlington Robinson's masterpieces - Firelight. This poem has been around for over a century now and still manages to capture the hearts and minds of readers with its hauntingly beautiful imagery and deep philosophical undertones. So, let's get started, shall we?
Overview of Firelight
Before we start analyzing the poem, let's take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the words themselves. Here's the full text of Firelight:
If I could have two wishes,-- One, that Love should forget me,-- The other, that I could remember The twiggy forms of the hazel, And the light that plays and lingers Where the leaf is soon to come.
And if I could have three wishes,-- One, that the world should be nothing,-- The other, that it should be all, With Love and death and Poesy, And the stars and the wan moon Making their wonderful music.
And then, that the firelight should be Dying away in the muffled grate, And I be sitting here alone, With the shadows falling down, And the sound of the wind outside.
Take a minute to read it over a few times and let the words sink in. Notice how every line seems to carry a deeper meaning, how the imagery is so vivid that you can almost see the hazel twig and feel the warmth of the firelight. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each containing a set of wishes. As we analyze each stanza, we'll see how they build upon each other and create a deeper sense of meaning.
First Stanza: Love and Memory
The first stanza of Firelight is all about love and memory. The speaker wishes for two things - that love should forget them and that they could remember the "twiggy forms of the hazel" and the light that plays around them. It's interesting to note that the speaker doesn't wish for love to disappear entirely, only for it to forget them. This suggests that the speaker has experienced heartbreak and wants to be free from the pain that comes with love.
But why the hazel twig? Well, the hazel tree has a long history in mythology as a symbol of wisdom and protection. In Celtic mythology, the hazel tree was believed to be the source of all knowledge and wisdom. In Norse mythology, the god Thor used a staff made of hazel to control the weather. By wishing to remember the "twiggy forms of the hazel," the speaker is perhaps wishing for wisdom and protection in their life.
The line "and the light that plays and lingers" is particularly beautiful. It suggests a sense of joy and playfulness, which contrasts with the speaker's wish for love to forget them. It's almost as if the speaker is saying, "I don't want to forget what it feels like to be happy and carefree, even if it means giving up love."
Second Stanza: The Meaning of Life
The second stanza of Firelight is where things start to get really interesting. The speaker now wishes for three things - that the world should be nothing, that it should be all, and that it should include love, death, and poetry. This is a pretty tall order, but let's break it down.
The first wish - that the world should be nothing - is a pretty bleak one. It suggests a desire to escape from the world and all of its problems. But the second wish - that the world should be all - is more complex. It suggests a desire to experience everything that life has to offer, both good and bad. The inclusion of love, death, and poetry suggests that the speaker doesn't want to shy away from the darker aspects of life, but rather embrace them as part of the human experience.
The line "And the stars and the wan moon making their wonderful music" is particularly interesting. It suggests that even in the darkest moments of life, there is still beauty to be found. The stars and the moon, while not traditionally thought of as musical, create a kind of music with their twinkling and shining. This line is a reminder that even when life seems meaningless or hopeless, there is still something to be appreciated and enjoyed.
Third Stanza: The Comfort of Firelight
The third and final stanza of Firelight is perhaps the most poignant. The speaker wishes for one thing - that the firelight should be dying away in the muffled grate, and that they should be sitting alone in the dark with the sound of the wind outside. This seems like a strange thing to wish for, but when you consider the context of the poem, it makes perfect sense.
Throughout the poem, the speaker has been wishing for things that are difficult, if not impossible, to obtain. They've wished for love to forget them, for wisdom and protection, for a world that includes both joy and sorrow. But in this final stanza, the speaker has found comfort in the simple pleasures of life. The dying firelight and the sound of the wind outside create a sense of peace and solitude that the speaker has been searching for throughout the poem.
It's interesting to note that the final line of the poem ends with a comma, rather than a period. This suggests that the poem is unfinished, that the speaker's wishes are ongoing. It's a reminder that even when we find comfort and peace in the world, there is always more to wish for and strive towards.
Conclusion
I hope you've enjoyed this deep dive into Edwin Arlington Robinson's Firelight. This poem is a testament to the power of language and imagery, and a reminder that even the simplest words can carry deep philosophical meaning. By exploring the speaker's wishes, we've been able to uncover the deeper themes of love, memory, the meaning of life, and the comfort of solitude.
So, what's your wish? What do you think the speaker of Firelight is trying to say? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Firelight: A Poem of Love and Loss
Edwin Arlington Robinson's "Firelight" is a classic poem that captures the essence of love and loss. The poem is a beautiful portrayal of a man's longing for his lost love, and his attempt to find solace in the memories of their past. The poem is a masterpiece of imagery, symbolism, and emotion, and it has been admired by readers for generations.
The poem begins with the speaker sitting alone in front of a fire, lost in thought. The fire is the only source of light in the room, and it casts a warm glow on the speaker's face. The fire is a symbol of the speaker's inner turmoil, and it represents the passion and intensity of his emotions.
The speaker is lost in thought, and he begins to reminisce about his lost love. He remembers the times they spent together, and he longs for her presence. The memories of their past are like a balm to his wounded heart, and he finds comfort in them.
The speaker's longing for his lost love is expressed through the use of vivid imagery. He describes her as "the flame that flickers and dies," and he compares her to the fire that burns brightly but eventually fades away. The use of fire imagery is a powerful metaphor for the intensity of the speaker's emotions, and it highlights the fleeting nature of love.
The speaker's memories of his lost love are bittersweet. He remembers the times they spent together, but he also remembers the pain of their separation. He describes his love as "the one that got away," and he laments the fact that he was not able to hold on to her.
The poem is a poignant reminder of the fragility of love, and the pain of loss. The speaker's longing for his lost love is a universal theme that resonates with readers of all ages. The poem is a testament to the power of love, and the enduring nature of human emotions.
In conclusion, Edwin Arlington Robinson's "Firelight" is a classic poem that captures the essence of love and loss. The poem is a beautiful portrayal of a man's longing for his lost love, and his attempt to find solace in the memories of their past. The poem is a masterpiece of imagery, symbolism, and emotion, and it has been admired by readers for generations.
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