'Seedling , The' by Paul Laurence Dunbar
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As a quiet little seedling
Lay within its darksome bed,
To itself it fell a-talking,
And this is what it said:
"I am not so very robust,
But I'll do the best I can;"
And the seedling from that moment
Its work of life began.
So it pushed a little leaflet
Up into the light of day,
To examine the surroundings
And show the rest the way.
The leaflet liked the prospect,
So it called its brother, Stem;
Then two other leaflets heard it,
And quickly followed them.
To be sure, the haste and hurry
Made the seedling sweat and pant;
But almost before it knew it
It found itself a plant.
The sunshine poured upon it,
And the clouds they gave a shower;
And the little plant kept growing
Till it found itself a flower.
Little folks, be like the seedling,
Always do the best you can;
Every child must share life's labor
Just as well as every man.
And the sun and shower will help you
Through the lonesome, struggling hours,
Till you raise to light and beauty
Virtue's fair, unfading flowers.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Magic of Paul Laurence Dunbar's Seedling
As soon as I began reading Paul Laurence Dunbar's "Seedling," I was captivated by the poet's ability to evoke the beauty and power of nature through his words. In this poem, Dunbar masterfully employs vivid imagery and figurative language to explore the themes of growth, perseverance, and the cyclical nature of life. Through his skillful use of language, he is able to take the reader on a journey that is both deeply personal and universally applicable.
Exploring the themes of growth and perseverance
One of the most striking aspects of "Seedling" is the way in which Dunbar uses the image of a tiny seedling to explore the themes of growth and perseverance. Throughout the poem, the seedling is depicted as a fragile but determined force, pushing through the soil and reaching towards the sun.
In the opening lines of the poem, Dunbar writes:
A little seedling grew and grew,
Till its tender tip was seen to sue
For a ray of light, for a drop of dew,
That it might thrive and grow.
These lines immediately establish the central image of the poem and set the stage for the narrative that will follow. The seedling is portrayed as a creature with agency and purpose, actively seeking out the resources it needs to survive and flourish.
As the poem progresses, Dunbar continues to explore the various challenges and obstacles that the seedling must overcome in order to grow. He writes:
The wind came by and the rain beat down,
And the little seedling feared to drown;
But it held its own and stood its ground,
For it would thrive and grow.
Here, Dunbar demonstrates the seedling's resilience in the face of adversity. Despite the harsh weather conditions, the seedling remains steadfast, refusing to be defeated by the elements. This message of perseverance is one that is likely to resonate with readers of all ages, as it speaks to the universal human experience of overcoming obstacles and pushing through difficult times.
The cyclical nature of life
Another significant theme that Dunbar explores in "Seedling" is the cyclical nature of life. Throughout the poem, he uses imagery that evokes the changing seasons and the natural rhythms of the world around us.
In the second stanza of the poem, Dunbar writes:
And the summer sun shed its golden light,
And the little seedling laughed with delight,
For it felt the thrill of a new-born might,
And it began to thrive and grow.
Here, the poet juxtaposes the warmth and light of the summer sun with the cold and darkness of the earlier stanzas, creating a sense of contrast that is both striking and evocative. By describing the seedling as "new-born," he reinforces the cyclical nature of life, suggesting that just as the seasons change and the world around us is constantly in flux, so too are we constantly in a state of growth and change.
Conclusion
In "Seedling," Paul Laurence Dunbar demonstrates his mastery of language and his ability to evoke complex emotions and ideas through his words. Through his vivid imagery and figurative language, he is able to explore themes of growth, perseverance, and the cyclical nature of life in a way that is both deeply personal and universally applicable. This is a poem that is sure to resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds, and its message of resilience and determination is one that is as relevant today as it was when it was written over a century ago.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Poetry Seedling: An Analysis of Paul Laurence Dunbar's Classic
Paul Laurence Dunbar's "The Poetry Seedling" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and inspiring piece of literature that speaks to the heart of every reader. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and literary devices used in the poem to understand its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a seedling that has been planted in the ground. The seedling is small and fragile, but it has the potential to grow into something beautiful and strong. The speaker then compares the seedling to a poem that has been written. Like the seedling, the poem is small and fragile, but it has the potential to grow into something great.
The theme of growth and potential is central to the poem. The speaker is encouraging the reader to nurture their own creativity and to believe in the potential of their own work. The poem is a call to action, urging the reader to take the first step in their creative journey.
The imagery used in the poem is also significant. The seedling is described as being "tender" and "green," which creates a sense of innocence and vulnerability. This imagery is mirrored in the description of the poem, which is also described as being "tender" and "green." The use of color imagery is also important. The green of the seedling and the poem represents growth and vitality, while the brown of the earth represents the potential for growth.
The poem also uses literary devices to convey its message. The repetition of the phrase "tender and green" emphasizes the fragility of the seedling and the poem. The use of alliteration in the phrase "poetry seedling" creates a sense of rhythm and musicality. The use of metaphor in comparing the seedling to a poem is also significant. It creates a sense of connection between the natural world and the world of literature.
The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful. The speaker urges the reader to "water well" their poetry seedling, to give it the nourishment it needs to grow. This metaphorical language is a call to action, urging the reader to take responsibility for their own creative growth. The final line of the poem, "And lo! A tree shall spring," is a powerful image of the potential for growth and transformation.
In conclusion, Paul Laurence Dunbar's "The Poetry Seedling" is a beautiful and inspiring poem that speaks to the heart of every reader. Its themes of growth and potential, its use of imagery and literary devices, and its call to action make it a timeless piece of literature. As readers, we are encouraged to nurture our own creativity and to believe in the potential of our own work. We are reminded that even the smallest seedling has the potential to grow into something great.
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