Editor 1 Interpretation

"Soon Our Friends Perish" by Robert Louis Stevenson: A Stunning Elegy

When it comes to the art of elegies, Robert Louis Stevenson's "Soon Our Friends Perish" is a masterpiece that stands out for its hauntingly beautiful language, poignant imagery, and profound insights into the nature of loss and grief. Written in 1885, this poem is a tribute to Stevenson's close friend, Charles Baxter, who died at the age of 39. However, it is much more than a personal lament for a beloved companion. It is a universal reflection on the fleetingness of life, the inevitability of death, and the enduring power of memory and love. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, motifs, and stylistic elements that make "Soon Our Friends Perish" a timeless and moving work of art.

The Theme of Transience and Mortality

One of the most prominent themes in "Soon Our Friends Perish" is the transience and mortality of human existence. From the very beginning of the poem, Stevenson sets a melancholy tone by describing the fleetingness of life in cosmic terms:

Soon our friends perish,
Soon all we cherish
Fades as days darken--
Go, happy sparkles,
Lighten till darkness
On this our pathway hearkens.

These lines convey a sense of resignation and acceptance of the inevitability of death. Stevenson seems to suggest that no matter how bright and beautiful our lives may be, they are ultimately doomed to fade away into darkness. This existential theme is reinforced throughout the poem by the use of images of decay, such as the "dead leaves" that "rustle in the wind," the "dying embers" that "flicker and fall," and the "shrouded forms" that "pass from our sight."

However, "Soon Our Friends Perish" is not a nihilistic or despairing poem. Rather, it acknowledges the fragility and finitude of life while also celebrating the beauty and worth of human existence. Stevenson's elegy is a testament to the power of memory and love to transcend death and preserve the essence of those who have passed away. In the final stanza, he writes:

But thou, sad dreamer,
Dry thy tears for ever;
Fate, not grief, hath bound thee.
Go, let the world know
That death not anger
Was the stern king's decree.

These lines offer a glimmer of hope and comfort to the grieving reader. They suggest that even though death may seem like a cruel and senseless fate, it is ultimately a natural and inevitable part of the cycle of life. The poem encourages us to cherish the memories of those we have lost and to celebrate the beauty and meaning of their lives, even as we mourn their passing.

The Motif of Light and Dark

One of the most striking motifs in "Soon Our Friends Perish" is that of light and dark. Throughout the poem, Stevenson uses images of light and darkness to convey the fleetingness of life and the inevitability of death. In the opening stanza, he describes life as a "happy sparkle" that "lightens till darkness / On this our pathway hearkens." This image of a flickering flame that eventually goes out is a powerful metaphor for the transience of human existence.

Later in the poem, Stevenson uses the motif of light and dark to describe the contrast between life and death. He writes:

Bright as it shone,
From the place it is gone;
And the eyes that adored it
Now weep o'er the clod.

These lines suggest that even though life may shine brightly for a time, it is ultimately extinguished by death. The image of the "clod" (a lump of earth) is a stark reminder of the physical reality of death and decay. However, the poem also suggests that the memory of those who have passed away can shine as brightly as the sun. In the final stanza, Stevenson writes:

Go, let the world know
That death not anger
Was the stern king's decree.

These lines suggest that even though death may seem like a dark and terrible fate, it is ultimately a natural part of the cycle of life. The image of light and dark serves to underscore the beauty and fragility of human existence, while also offering a glimmer of hope in the face of loss and grief.

The Stylistic Elements of "Soon Our Friends Perish"

Apart from its themes and motifs, "Soon Our Friends Perish" is also notable for its stylistic elements, particularly its use of rhyme, rhythm, and imagery. The poem is written in quatrains (four-line stanzas) with a regular ABAB rhyme scheme. This gives the poem a musical quality that enhances its elegiac tone. The use of internal rhyme (e.g. "hearkens" and "sparkles," "adored" and "clod") also adds to the poem's musicality and reinforces its themes of transience and mortality.

The rhythm of the poem is also noteworthy. Stevenson uses a mix of iambic and anapestic meter to create a flowing and melodic cadence. This rhythm is particularly effective in the final stanza, which has a more assertive and uplifting tone than the rest of the poem. The repeated use of the imperative "Go" gives the stanza a sense of urgency and purpose, while the use of trochaic meter (e.g. "But thou, sad dreamer") adds to its emotional impact.

Finally, the imagery in "Soon Our Friends Perish" is both vivid and evocative. Stevenson uses a range of sensory details to create a rich and immersive world that the reader can inhabit. The descriptions of the "dying embers," "shrouded forms," and "weeping eyes" are particularly powerful in their emotional resonance. The poem's use of natural imagery (e.g. "dead leaves," "fading flowers") also adds to its elegiac tone and reinforces its themes of transience and mortality.

Conclusion: A Timeless Elegy

"Soon Our Friends Perish" is a timeless elegy that stands as a testament to the enduring power of memory and love. Through its hauntingly beautiful language, poignant imagery, and profound insights into the nature of loss and grief, it speaks to the universal human experience of mortality and the inevitability of death. While it acknowledges the fragility and transience of human existence, it also celebrates the beauty and meaning of life and the enduring power of memory and love. As such, it remains a moving and powerful work of art that resonates with readers across generations and cultures.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Soon Our Friends Perish: A Masterpiece by Robert Louis Stevenson

If you are a poetry enthusiast, you must have come across the classic poem "Soon Our Friends Perish" by Robert Louis Stevenson. This masterpiece is a perfect example of how a poet can use language to convey deep emotions and thoughts. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem is a reflection on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. It begins with a somber tone, as the poet laments the passing of his friends. He describes how they have left him behind, and how he is now alone in a world that is constantly changing. The first stanza sets the mood for the rest of the poem, as the poet contemplates the fragility of life and the fleeting nature of human relationships.

But as the poem progresses, the tone shifts from sadness to acceptance. The poet realizes that death is a natural part of life, and that he too will one day join his friends in the afterlife. He finds solace in the thought that death is not the end, but merely a transition to a new existence. In the second stanza, he writes:

"Yet all we whom their ways have met, And all whom their sweet influence yet Hath drawn to kindness or to art, Shall own their guidance and their part."

Here, the poet acknowledges that his friends have left a lasting impact on his life, and that their memory will continue to guide him even after their passing. He also recognizes that their influence has touched many others, and that they have left a legacy that will endure long after they are gone.

The poem is structured in four stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which gives the poem a musical quality and makes it easy to read aloud. The language is simple and straightforward, yet rich in imagery and symbolism. The poet uses metaphors and personification to bring his ideas to life, and to create a sense of depth and meaning.

For example, in the first stanza, he describes death as a "grim reaper" who "mows the bearded grain." This metaphorical image evokes the idea of death as a natural force, like a farmer harvesting his crops. It also suggests that death is indiscriminate, cutting down both the young and the old, the strong and the weak.

In the second stanza, the poet personifies death as a "kindly friend" who "leads us by the hand." This image is a stark contrast to the grim reaper of the first stanza, and suggests that death is not something to be feared, but rather a gentle guide who will lead us to a better place.

The third stanza is perhaps the most poignant, as the poet reflects on his own mortality. He writes:

"And we who stay behind, we live In memory's kindly light, and give To our lost friends a fond regret, And to their shades a reverence yet."

Here, the poet acknowledges that he too will one day pass away, and that his friends will mourn his loss just as he mourns theirs. He also suggests that memory is a powerful tool for keeping the memory of loved ones alive, and that by remembering them, we can honor their legacy and keep their spirit alive.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close, as the poet reflects on the beauty of life and the inevitability of death. He writes:

"So shall we live, while days are bright, And cherish love with all our might, And till the dawn our pulses keep, The music of the march of sleep."

Here, the poet encourages us to live life to the fullest, to love deeply and passionately, and to embrace the beauty of the world around us. He also reminds us that death is a natural part of life, and that we should not fear it, but rather accept it as a necessary part of the cycle of existence.

In conclusion, "Soon Our Friends Perish" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the themes of life, death, and the enduring power of memory. Through its simple yet powerful language, the poem evokes a range of emotions and thoughts, from sadness and grief to acceptance and hope. It is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience, and to provide comfort and solace in times of sorrow and loss.

Editor Recommended Sites

Gcloud Education: Google Cloud Platform training education. Cert training, tutorials and more
Quick Startup MVP: Make a startup MVP consulting services. Make your dream app come true in no time
Modern CLI: Modern command line tools written rust, zig and go, fresh off the github
NFT Bundle: Crypto digital collectible bundle sites from around the internet
Developer Painpoints: Common issues when using a particular cloud tool, programming language or framework

Recommended Similar Analysis

Volcanoes be in Sicily by Emily Dickinson analysis
To M.L.S. by Edgar Allan Poe analysis
Japan by Billy Collins analysis
Wild Nights-Wild Nights! by Emily Dickinson analysis
Love by George Herbert analysis
Author to her Book, The by Anne Bradstreet analysis
Hurry Up Please It's Time by Anne Sexton analysis
Long I Thought That Knowledge by Walt Whitman analysis
In Memory Of My Mother by Patrick Kavanagh analysis
Impression Du Matin by Oscar Wilde analysis

'Soon Our Friends Perish' by Robert Louis Stevenson