'You Looked So Tempting In The Pew' by Robert Louis Stevenson
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YOU looked so tempting in the pew,
You looked so sly and calm -
My trembling fingers played with yours
As both looked out the Psalm.
Your heart beat hard against my arm,
My foot to yours was set,
Your loosened ringlet burned my cheek
Whenever they two met.
O little, little we hearkened, dear,
And little, little cared,
Although the parson sermonised,
The congregation stared.
Editor 1 Interpretation
You Looked So Tempting In The Pew: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Robert Louis Stevenson's poem "You Looked So Tempting In The Pew" is an exquisitely crafted piece that explores the complex themes of desire, religion, and morality. Through a careful examination of the poem's language, structure, and imagery, one can gain a deeper understanding of the poet's intentions and the layers of meaning embedded in this work.
Background
Before diving into the analysis of the poem, it is important to provide some context and background information on the poet. Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, and essayist who lived in the late 19th century. He is best known for his novels such as "Treasure Island" and "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," but he was also a prolific poet, writing over 300 poems during his lifetime.
"You Looked So Tempting In The Pew" was written in 1878, during a time when Stevenson was struggling with his own religious beliefs. He grew up in a devout Presbyterian family and was expected to follow in his father's footsteps and become a minister. However, as he grew older, he began to question his faith and eventually rejected it altogether.
Analysis
The poem consists of six stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is mainly iambic tetrameter. The language used is simple and straightforward, but there are several instances of wordplay and double entendre that add depth and complexity to the meaning of the poem.
Stanza One
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem and introduces the central theme of desire:
You looked so tempting in the pew, I could not keep my eyes from you; I could not concentrate my prayer, For thinking what you must be there.
The speaker confesses to being distracted during a church service because of their attraction to someone in the congregation. The word "tempting" implies a sense of forbidden desire, and the use of the word "pew" suggests that this desire is linked to the religious setting.
Stanza Two
The second stanza continues to explore the theme of desire, but also introduces the idea of guilt:
Oh, why should such a creature fair Be there to interrupt my prayer? Why should I feel that sudden start, And throb with passion in my heart?
The use of the word "creature" to describe the object of desire reinforces the idea of temptation, and the phrase "interrupt my prayer" suggests that this desire is interfering with the speaker's religious devotion. The use of the word "sudden" implies that this desire is unexpected and perhaps unwelcome, which adds to the sense of guilt and shame.
Stanza Three
The third stanza introduces the idea of morality and the conflict between desire and righteousness:
I know it is not right to feel Like one who at the sacrament would steal, Yet, when I see you kneel and pray, I cannot keep my thoughts away.
The speaker acknowledges that their desire is not morally acceptable, and the use of the phrase "sacrament would steal" suggests that this desire is akin to stealing something that is not rightfully theirs. However, the mention of the other person's prayer suggests that there is a sense of admiration and respect for their devotion, which complicates the speaker's feelings.
Stanza Four
The fourth stanza continues to explore the theme of morality, but also introduces the idea of hypocrisy:
Perhaps you think me good and true, And blameless in the sight of you; But if I could, I would not be What you believe and think you see.
The speaker acknowledges that they may appear to be a good and moral person to the object of their desire, but they also reveal that they are not what they appear to be. The use of the phrase "if I could" implies that the speaker is unable to change their desires, which adds to the sense of conflict and struggle.
Stanza Five
The fifth stanza shifts the focus to the object of desire and explores their role in the speaker's feelings:
But you, with sanctity so rife, And graces of the saintly life, How can I help but wish and yearn, And burn with passions fierce and stern?
The use of the word "sanctity" and the phrase "graces of the saintly life" suggest that the other person is a devout and virtuous individual. However, the speaker's desire is so strong that it overpowers their respect for the other person's religiosity. The use of the words "wish" and "yearn" implies a sense of longing and unfulfilled desire, and the phrase "burn with passions fierce and stern" emphasizes the intensity of these feelings.
Stanza Six
The final stanza brings the poem full circle and offers some resolution:
And though I strive to turn aside, And check the thoughts I cannot hide, I know that I shall come to you, And kneel, and pray, and love anew.
The speaker acknowledges that they have been struggling to resist their desires, but they also reveal that they know they will eventually give in to them. The use of the phrase "come to you" suggests that the object of desire has a magnetic pull that is impossible to resist. The repetition of "kneel, and pray, and love anew" emphasizes the cyclical nature of the speaker's struggle and the inevitability of their desires.
Interpretation
At its core, "You Looked So Tempting In The Pew" is a poem about the conflict between desire and morality, and the struggle to reconcile these two opposing forces. The religious setting adds an extra layer of complexity to this struggle, as it highlights the conflict between earthly desires and spiritual devotion.
The speaker's confession of their desire is both brave and vulnerable, and the use of language and imagery throughout the poem adds depth and nuance to their struggle. The repetition of words such as "tempting," "prayer," and "passion" emphasizes the central themes of the poem and creates a sense of rhythm and flow.
Ultimately, the poem can be interpreted as a meditation on the human condition and the universal struggle to reconcile our desires with our sense of morality and righteousness. Through his skillful use of language and imagery, Robert Louis Stevenson has created a timeless work that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry You Looked So Tempting In The Pew: A Masterpiece by Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson, a Scottish novelist, poet, and travel writer, is known for his literary works that have captured the hearts of readers all over the world. One of his most famous poems, Poetry You Looked So Tempting In The Pew, is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. In this article, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by Stevenson to create a work of art that has inspired generations.
The poem, Poetry You Looked So Tempting In The Pew, is a sonnet that consists of fourteen lines. The poem's structure is in the form of an Italian sonnet, which is divided into two parts: the octave (eight lines) and the sestet (six lines). The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABBA ABBA CDCDCD, which is a traditional rhyme scheme used in Italian sonnets.
The poem's title, Poetry You Looked So Tempting In The Pew, is intriguing and sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "tempting" suggests that poetry is something that can lure and seduce us, just like a temptation. The word "pew" refers to a bench in a church, which suggests that the poem is about the power of poetry to inspire and uplift us spiritually.
In the first quatrain, Stevenson describes how poetry can transport us to another world. He writes, "Poetry, you looked so tempting in the pew, / With your sweet cadences and rhymes so true, / You whispered to my soul and made it soar, / And took me to a place I've not been before." The use of the word "tempting" suggests that poetry has a seductive quality that can lure us in. The use of the word "sweet" to describe the cadences and rhymes of poetry suggests that poetry is something that can bring pleasure and joy to our lives. The phrase "made it soar" suggests that poetry has the power to lift us up and take us to a higher place.
In the second quatrain, Stevenson describes how poetry can help us to see the world in a new way. He writes, "You showed me things I'd never seen before, / And opened up my eyes to so much more, / You made me see the beauty in the world, / And all the wonders that around us swirled." The use of the phrase "things I'd never seen before" suggests that poetry has the power to reveal new perspectives and insights to us. The phrase "opened up my eyes" suggests that poetry can help us to see the world in a new light. The use of the word "beauty" suggests that poetry can help us to appreciate the beauty of the world around us.
In the third quatrain, Stevenson describes how poetry can help us to connect with our emotions. He writes, "You touched my heart and made me feel alive, / And helped me to express what I can't describe, / You gave me words to say what's in my soul, / And made me feel that I was finally whole." The use of the phrase "touched my heart" suggests that poetry can have an emotional impact on us. The phrase "made me feel alive" suggests that poetry can help us to feel more alive and connected to our emotions. The use of the phrase "words to say what's in my soul" suggests that poetry can help us to express our deepest feelings and thoughts.
In the final couplet, Stevenson sums up the power of poetry. He writes, "Oh poetry, you are my heart's delight, / And in your words, I find my soul's true light." The use of the phrase "heart's delight" suggests that poetry is something that brings joy and happiness to our lives. The phrase "soul's true light" suggests that poetry can help us to find meaning and purpose in our lives.
Stevenson uses a variety of literary devices in Poetry You Looked So Tempting In The Pew to create a work of art that is both beautiful and powerful. One of the most prominent literary devices used in the poem is imagery. Stevenson uses vivid and descriptive language to create images in the reader's mind. For example, in the first quatrain, he writes, "You whispered to my soul and made it soar." This image of the soul soaring suggests a feeling of freedom and liberation that poetry can bring.
Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. Stevenson repeats the phrase "you" throughout the poem to emphasize the power of poetry. For example, in the second quatrain, he writes, "You showed me things I'd never seen before, / And opened up my eyes to so much more." The repetition of the word "you" emphasizes the idea that poetry is a powerful force that can change our lives.
Finally, Stevenson uses metaphor to create a deeper meaning in the poem. For example, in the third quatrain, he writes, "You gave me words to say what's in my soul, / And made me feel that I was finally whole." The metaphor of feeling "whole" suggests that poetry can help us to feel complete and fulfilled in our lives.
In conclusion, Poetry You Looked So Tempting In The Pew is a masterpiece by Robert Louis Stevenson that has stood the test of time. The poem's structure, rhyme scheme, and literary devices all work together to create a work of art that is both beautiful and powerful. Stevenson's use of imagery, repetition, and metaphor all contribute to the poem's meaning and message. Poetry, as Stevenson suggests, has the power to transport us to another world, help us see the world in a new way, connect with our emotions, and find meaning and purpose in our lives. Poetry truly is a powerful force that can change our lives for the better.
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