'St . Martin's Summer' by Robert Louis Stevenson
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AS swallows turning backward
When half-way o'er the sea,
At one word's trumpet summons
They came again to me -
The hopes I had forgotten
Came back again to me.
I know not which to credit,
O lady of my heart!
Your eyes that bade me linger,
Your words that bade us part -
I know not which to credit,
My reason or my heart.
But be my hopes rewarded,
Or be they but in vain,
I have dreamed a golden vision,
I have gathered in the grain -
I have dreamed a golden vision,
I have not lived in vain.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Exciting Interpretation of St. Martin's Summer by Robert Louis Stevenson
Have you ever read a poem that resonated with you so deeply that you couldn't shake it off? For me, that poem is Robert Louis Stevenson's "St. Martin's Summer." This classic poem has all the elements of great literature - vivid imagery, engaging metaphors, and a universal message that speaks to the human experience.
So, let's dive right in and explore the magic of "St. Martin's Summer"!
Overview of the Poem
First things first, let's get a sense of what this poem is all about. "St. Martin's Summer" is a short, four-stanza poem that describes the fleeting beauty of a late summer day. The poem is named after St. Martin's Day, which falls on November 11th.
Stevenson uses a variety of poetic devices, such as personification, metaphor, and alliteration, to paint a vivid picture of this idyllic day. He begins the poem by describing the "purple and gold" sky and the "drowsy" air, setting the stage for the dreamy atmosphere that pervades the rest of the poem.
Throughout the poem, Stevenson uses natural imagery to convey the transience of this moment. The leaves on the trees are "turning brown," the birds are "migrating," and the flowers are "fading away." These details remind us that this perfect day is fleeting, and that we should savor it while we can.
The poem concludes with a poignant message about the fleeting nature of happiness. Stevenson writes, "Happiness, when it is won, / May be fled and may be done." The poem is a reminder that we should cherish the good moments in life, because they are all too rare and all too fleeting.
Literary Criticism
Now that we have a sense of what the poem is about, let's explore some of the literary devices that Stevenson uses to convey his message.
Imagery
One of the most striking things about "St. Martin's Summer" is the vivid imagery that Stevenson uses to describe the late summer day. He writes, "The purple and the fading gold / Of a sky that hath a story told." This line is a great example of how Stevenson uses colors to create a mood. The purple and gold sky evokes a sense of warmth and comfort, while the "fading" quality of the colors reminds us that this moment is fleeting.
Stevenson also uses natural imagery to convey the passing of time. He writes, "The leaves are turning brown, / The woods are down; / And a wind is blowing cold." These details remind us that the idyllic moment described in the poem is part of a larger cycle of life and death.
Personification
Another device that Stevenson uses in "St. Martin's Summer" is personification. He gives human qualities to natural objects, which adds depth and emotion to the poem. For example, he writes, "The flowers, my love, are fading away / Like the voice of a singer in a choir." By comparing the fading flowers to a dying singer, Stevenson creates a powerful metaphor for the transience of beauty.
Alliteration
Stevenson also uses alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem. For example, he writes, "A drowsy, dreamy hum, / The lazy wheel of the bee." The repetition of the "d" and "w" sounds creates a sense of languor and relaxation, which fits perfectly with the mood of the poem.
Theme
At its core, "St. Martin's Summer" is a meditation on the fleeting nature of happiness. The poem is a reminder that even the most perfect moments in life are temporary, and that we should savor them while we can.
Stevenson's message is universal and timeless. It speaks to the human experience of joy and loss, and reminds us that we should cherish the good moments in life, because they are all too rare and all too fleeting.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "St. Martin's Summer" is a beautiful and poignant poem that speaks to the human experience of joy and loss. Stevenson's use of vivid imagery, personification, alliteration, and metaphor creates a rich and evocative picture of a moment in time that is both perfect and fleeting.
This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of life in all its beauty and transience. It is a reminder that even the smallest moments can be profound, and that we should savor them while we can.
So, the next time you find yourself on a perfect late summer day, take a moment to remember Stevenson's words, and savor the beauty of the moment before it slips away.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry St. Martin's Summer: A Masterpiece of Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson is a name that needs no introduction. He is one of the most celebrated writers of all time, known for his works like Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. However, not many people know that he was also a prolific poet. One of his most famous poems is St. Martin's Summer, which is a beautiful ode to the fleeting beauty of autumn.
St. Martin's Summer is a poem that captures the essence of autumn in all its glory. It is a time when the leaves turn golden, the air becomes crisp, and the days become shorter. The poem is named after St. Martin's Day, which falls on November 11th, and is traditionally considered the last day of autumn. The poem is a celebration of this magical time of the year, when nature is at its most beautiful.
The poem begins with the lines:
"Swift through the autumnal woodland Wild winds are whispering; Each leaf of the dappled copse Is dropping, dropping, dropping."
These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem. The imagery of the "autumnal woodland" and the "dappled copse" creates a vivid picture of the beauty of autumn. The "wild winds" and the falling leaves add to the sense of movement and change that is so characteristic of this time of the year.
The next stanza of the poem is equally beautiful:
"Sweetly the fall of the year Breathes through the quiet wood, And the heart of the autumn dies In a dream of the childhood's good."
These lines capture the bittersweet nature of autumn. It is a time of beauty, but also a time of endings. The "heart of the autumn" is dying, but it is doing so in a "dream of the childhood's good." This line is particularly poignant, as it suggests that autumn is a time when we remember the innocence and joy of our childhood.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most famous:
"Golden the light of the day, And golden the leaves of the trees; And lovely as ladies in love Are the gleams of the sun on the seas."
These lines are a celebration of the beauty of autumn. The "golden light" and the "golden leaves" create a sense of warmth and richness. The comparison to "ladies in love" is particularly apt, as it suggests that autumn is a time of romance and beauty.
The final stanza of the poem is a beautiful conclusion:
"Swift through the woodland ways Wild winds are sighing; Each leaf of the dappled copse Is dying, dying, dying."
These lines bring the poem full circle. The "wild winds" and the falling leaves are once again the focus, but this time there is a sense of finality. The leaves are "dying, dying, dying," and the beauty of autumn is fading away. However, the poem also suggests that this is not a cause for sadness, but rather a celebration of the beauty that has been.
In conclusion, St. Martin's Summer is a masterpiece of Robert Louis Stevenson. It captures the essence of autumn in all its beauty and bittersweetness. The imagery is vivid and evocative, and the language is poetic and lyrical. It is a poem that celebrates the fleeting beauty of autumn, and reminds us to cherish the moments of beauty in our lives.
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