'The Relic Taken, What Avails The Shrine?' by Robert Louis Stevenson
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THE relic taken, what avails the shrine?
The locket, pictureless?O heart of mine,
Art thou not worse than that,
Still warm, a vacant nest where love once sat?
Her image nestled closer at my heart
Than cherished memories, healed every smart
And warmed it more than wine
Or the full summer sun in noon-day shine.
This was the little weather gleam that lit
The cloudy promontories - the real charm was
That gilded hills and woods
And walked beside me thro' the solitudes.
The sun is set.My heart is widowed now
Of that companion-thought.Alone I plough
The seas of life, and trace
A separate furrow far from her and grace.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Relic Taken, What Avails The Shrine? by Robert Louis Stevenson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Robert Louis Stevenson's poem, "The Relic Taken, What Avails The Shrine?" is a lyrical evocation of the past, the present, and the future, that explores the theme of nostalgia and the transience of human existence. The poem is a tribute to the power of memory, and an exploration of how we use the past to make sense of the present.
Background
"The Relic Taken, What Avails The Shrine?" was first published in 1887, and is part of Stevenson's collection of poetry titled "Underwoods." The poem was written during a period of great personal turmoil in Stevenson's life. He was suffering from ill-health, and was often confined to his bed. Despite this, Stevenson continued to write, and "The Relic Taken, What Avails The Shrine?" is a testament to his resilience and creativity.
Analysis
The poem opens with a description of a "relic" that has been taken from a "shrine." The relic is undefined, but the language suggests that it is something of great value, a symbol of the past that has been removed from its original context. The word "shrine" has religious connotations, and suggests that the relic is something sacred.
The second stanza shifts the focus from the relic to the present moment. The speaker describes the world around him, and contrasts it with the world of the past. He observes that the present is a "cold grey world," and that the "warmth and colour" of the past are gone. The phrase "the world is old" suggests that time is passing, and that the present is a shadow of what has gone before.
The third stanza returns to the theme of the relic. The speaker reflects on the fact that the relic has been taken from its original context, and has lost its meaning. He asks "what avails the shrine?" suggesting that without the relic, the shrine is meaningless. The phrase "one dead hope is one too much" suggests that the relic represented a hope that has now been lost.
The fourth stanza is a meditation on the transience of human existence. The speaker reflects on the fact that everything eventually fades away, and that even the most sacred objects will one day be forgotten. He observes that "Time's tooth will gnaw" everything, and that even the "name of God" will be forgotten. This is a powerful image, and suggests that the speaker is wrestling with the idea of mortality.
The fifth stanza shifts the focus back to the present moment. The speaker observes that the world is full of "careless feet," and that people are "blind and deaf" to the beauty of the past. The phrase "the new forgets the old" suggests that the present is so focused on progress and innovation that it has forgotten the lessons of the past.
The sixth and final stanza is a plea to remember the past. The speaker asks the reader to "think what once has been," and to remember the "dead and buried years." He suggests that by remembering the past, we can find meaning in the present. The final lines of the poem are a call to action: "So shall our children's children see / Their fathers' fathers, too, in memory."
Interpretation
"The Relic Taken, What Avails The Shrine?" is a poem that explores the theme of nostalgia and the transience of human existence. The relic represents the past, and the shrine represents the present. The poem suggests that without the context of the past, the present is meaningless. The world of the present is cold and grey, and lacks the warmth and colour of the past.
The poem is also a meditation on mortality. The speaker reflects on the fact that everything eventually fades away, and that even the most sacred objects will one day be forgotten. This is a powerful image, and suggests that the speaker is wrestling with the idea of mortality.
Finally, the poem is a call to action. The speaker asks the reader to remember the past, and to pass on that memory to future generations. By doing so, we can find meaning in the present, and ensure that the lessons of the past are not forgotten.
Conclusion
"The Relic Taken, What Avails The Shrine?" is a powerful meditation on the themes of nostalgia and mortality. The poem is a tribute to the power of memory, and an exploration of how we use the past to make sense of the present. Stevenson's language is evocative and lyrical, and the poem is a testament to his resilience and creativity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Relic Taken, What Avails The Shrine? is a classic poem written by Robert Louis Stevenson, a Scottish novelist, poet, and travel writer. The poem is a reflection on the nature of relics and their significance in religious and cultural contexts. It explores the idea that the value of a relic lies not in the object itself but in the meaning and symbolism attached to it.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a relic that has been taken from its shrine. The relic is described as a "bone of the blessed John" and is said to have been "worn with prayer and fast." The speaker then asks the question, "What avails the shrine?" This question sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the value of relics and the meaning they hold for those who venerate them.
The first stanza of the poem sets the scene and establishes the importance of the relic. The bone of the blessed John is described as a "holy thing" that has been "worn with prayer and fast." This description emphasizes the religious significance of the relic and suggests that it has been used as a tool for spiritual devotion. The use of the word "worn" also suggests that the relic has been handled and touched by many people over time, further emphasizing its importance.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the idea that the value of the relic lies not in the object itself but in the meaning and symbolism attached to it. The speaker asks, "What avails the shrine?" suggesting that the physical structure of the shrine is not what is important. Instead, it is the meaning and symbolism attached to the shrine that gives it value. The speaker goes on to say that the "holy thing" is "gone," but the "holy place" remains. This suggests that even though the relic has been taken, the meaning and symbolism attached to the shrine remain intact.
The third stanza of the poem explores the idea that relics are often used as a way to connect with the divine. The speaker asks, "What avails the censer?" suggesting that the physical object of the censer is not what is important. Instead, it is the act of using the censer to create a connection with the divine that gives it value. The speaker goes on to say that the "smoke of praise" that rises from the censer is what is important, as it represents the connection between the worshipper and the divine.
The fourth stanza of the poem continues to explore the idea that relics are used as a way to connect with the divine. The speaker asks, "What avails the psalm?" suggesting that the physical act of singing a psalm is not what is important. Instead, it is the act of using the psalm to create a connection with the divine that gives it value. The speaker goes on to say that the "soul of praise" that rises from the psalm is what is important, as it represents the connection between the worshipper and the divine.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem brings the ideas presented in the previous stanzas together. The speaker suggests that the relic, the shrine, the censer, and the psalm are all tools that can be used to create a connection with the divine. However, the true value of these tools lies not in the physical objects themselves but in the meaning and symbolism attached to them. The speaker concludes by saying that "all is holy where devotion kneels," emphasizing the idea that it is the act of devotion itself that is important, not the physical objects used in the act.
In conclusion, The Relic Taken, What Avails The Shrine? is a classic poem that explores the nature of relics and their significance in religious and cultural contexts. The poem emphasizes the idea that the value of a relic lies not in the object itself but in the meaning and symbolism attached to it. The poem also suggests that relics are often used as a way to connect with the divine and that the true value of these tools lies in the act of devotion itself. Overall, The Relic Taken, What Avails The Shrine? is a powerful meditation on the nature of faith and the role that relics play in religious and cultural traditions.
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