'A Farewell' by Alfred Lord Tennyson

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Flow down, cold rivulet, to the sea,
Thy tribute wave deliver:
No more by thee my steps shall be,
For ever and for ever.

Flow, softly flow, by lawn and lea,
A rivulet then a river:
Nowhere by thee my steps shall be
For ever and for ever.

But here will sigh thine alder tree
And here thine aspen shiver;
And here by thee will hum the bee,
For ever and for ever.

A thousand suns will stream on thee,
A thousand moons will quiver;
But not by thee my steps shall be,
For ever and for ever.


Submitted by Venus

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Farewell by Alfred Lord Tennyson: A Poem of Loss and Acceptance

Alfred Lord Tennyson, one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era, wrote "A Farewell" as a tribute to his friend, Arthur Henry Hallam, who died at the young age of 22. The poem is a moving elegy that captures the pain and sorrow of losing a loved one, and the struggle to come to terms with that loss. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, language, and structure of "A Farewell", and examine how Tennyson uses these elements to express his grief and offer a message of hope and acceptance.

Themes

The central theme of "A Farewell" is, of course, loss and grief. Tennyson expresses his deep sorrow at the loss of his friend, using poetic language and imagery to convey the intensity of his emotions. He speaks of "the wild regret and the bitter pain" that he feels, and describes his friend as "the one dear spirit from afar that holds thee dear". The poem is a lament for the passing of a young life, and for the dreams and hopes that are lost with it.

However, there is also a theme of acceptance and consolation in the poem. Tennyson recognizes that death is a natural part of life, and that his friend's passing is not an isolated event, but part of a larger pattern of birth, growth, and decay. He speaks of "the great round world with all its watchful eyes", suggesting the idea of a cosmic order that transcends individual lives. He also finds comfort in the idea of reuniting with his friend in a higher realm, where they will be "closer to the great white throne".

Language

Tennyson's language in "A Farewell" is poetic and evocative, full of vivid imagery and emotional intensity. He uses metaphors and similes to express his feelings of loss and grief, such as when he compares his friend to "a star that shines afar". He also uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and emphasis, as in the opening lines where he repeats the phrase "Farewell, O brother" three times, each time with a different modifier ("Farewell, O Brot h er of my youth", "Farewell, O half of my life", "Farewell, O friend").

Another notable aspect of Tennyson's language is his use of religious and mythological imagery. He makes references to the Bible ("the pearl of life"), Greek mythology ("the pensive queen"), and Christian theology ("the great white throne"). These references serve to connect the personal grief of the speaker with larger, universal themes of life, death, and the afterlife.

Structure

The structure of "A Farewell" is notable for its blend of formal and free verse elements. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with a different number of lines and a different rhyme scheme. The first stanza has six lines and an ABABCC rhyme scheme, while the second and third stanzas have eight lines each and use an ABABCBCC rhyme scheme. The fourth stanza has six lines and returns to the ABABCC rhyme scheme of the first stanza.

This structure gives the poem a sense of balance and symmetry, while also allowing for some variation and flexibility. Tennyson uses the different stanza lengths and rhyme schemes to vary the pace and tone of the poem, creating a sense of movement and progression. The final stanza, with its repetition of the opening lines and its hopeful message of reunion and acceptance, provides a sense of closure and resolution to the poem.

Interpretation

Overall, "A Farewell" is a deeply moving and poignant elegy that captures the emotions of grief, loss, and acceptance. Tennyson's use of poetic language and imagery is especially effective in conveying the intensity of his feelings, and his references to religious and mythological themes connect these individual emotions to larger, universal concerns. The structure of the poem is well-balanced and flexible, allowing Tennyson to vary the pace and tone of the poem as needed.

One interesting aspect of the poem is its use of the pronoun "thou" to address the deceased friend. This archaic pronoun is rarely used in modern English, but it was common in the 19th century and earlier. By using "thou" instead of "you", Tennyson creates a sense of intimacy and closeness with his friend, as if he is speaking directly to him. This use of language reinforces the personal and emotional nature of the poem.

Another notable aspect of the poem is its message of acceptance and consolation. Tennyson acknowledges the pain and sorrow of loss, but he also finds comfort in the idea of a higher realm where he and his friend can be reunited. This message of hope and acceptance is especially powerful, as it suggests that even in the midst of grief and loss, there is still a larger purpose and meaning to life.

In conclusion, "A Farewell" is a masterful elegy that captures the intensity of grief and the struggle to come to terms with loss. Tennyson's use of language, imagery, and structure is especially effective in conveying the emotions of the poem and its universal themes of life, death, and the afterlife. It is a tribute to a lost friend, but it is also a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of tragedy.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

A Farewell by Alfred Lord Tennyson is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and emotional piece that captures the essence of saying goodbye. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in the poem.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with four lines. The structure is simple, but it is effective in conveying the emotions of the speaker. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker bidding farewell to a loved one. The second stanza is more introspective, with the speaker reflecting on the past and the memories they shared. The final stanza is a plea for the loved one to remember the speaker and the love they shared.

The theme of the poem is the pain of separation. The speaker is saying goodbye to someone they love, and they are struggling to come to terms with it. The poem is filled with emotions of sadness, regret, and longing. The speaker is trying to hold on to the memories they shared, but they know that they must let go.

The first stanza begins with the speaker bidding farewell to their loved one. The line "Farewell! but whenever you welcome the hour" sets the tone for the poem. The speaker is saying goodbye, but they are also acknowledging that the loved one will always be welcome in their heart. The line "That awakens the night-song of your heart" is a beautiful metaphor. It suggests that the loved one has a song in their heart, and the speaker hopes that they will always remember the love they shared.

The second stanza is more introspective. The speaker is reflecting on the past and the memories they shared. The line "From the fountain of memory, long, long ago" suggests that the memories are old, but they are still fresh in the speaker's mind. The line "Like echoes that come back from the distance" is a beautiful metaphor. It suggests that the memories are like echoes, fading away but still present.

The final stanza is a plea for the loved one to remember the speaker and the love they shared. The line "And in thinking of me, do not forget" is a powerful statement. The speaker is asking the loved one to remember them, even though they are no longer together. The line "All those faithful moments that together we spent" is a reminder of the love they shared. The final line "When you hear a song or see a flower" is a beautiful way to end the poem. It suggests that the loved one will always be reminded of the speaker, even in the smallest things.

The poem is filled with literary devices that enhance the emotions of the speaker. The use of metaphors is particularly effective. The line "That awakens the night-song of your heart" is a beautiful metaphor that suggests the loved one has a song in their heart. The line "Like echoes that come back from the distance" is another effective metaphor that suggests the memories are like echoes, fading away but still present.

The use of repetition is also effective in conveying the emotions of the speaker. The repetition of the word "farewell" in the first line of each stanza emphasizes the pain of separation. The repetition of the word "remember" in the final stanza is a powerful reminder of the love they shared.

The poem is also filled with imagery that enhances the emotions of the speaker. The line "From the fountain of memory, long, long ago" is a beautiful image that suggests the memories are old but still fresh in the speaker's mind. The line "When you hear a song or see a flower" is another effective image that suggests the loved one will always be reminded of the speaker.

In conclusion, A Farewell by Alfred Lord Tennyson is a beautiful and emotional poem that captures the pain of separation. The structure, themes, and literary devices used in the poem are effective in conveying the emotions of the speaker. The use of metaphors, repetition, and imagery enhances the emotions of the speaker and makes the poem a timeless classic.

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