'Dedicatory Poem For "Underwoods"' by Robert Louis Stevenson
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
TO her, for I must still regard her
As feminine in her degree,
Who has been my unkind bombarder
Year after year, in grief and glee,
Year after year, with oaken tree;
And yet betweenwhiles my laudator
In terms astonishing to me -
To the Right Reverend The Spectator
I here, a humble dedicator,
Bring the last apples from my tree.
In tones of love, in tones of warning,
She hailed me through my brief career;
And kiss and buffet, night and morning,
Told me my grandmamma was near;
Whether she praised me high and clear
Through her unrivalled circulation,
Or, sanctimonious insincere,
She damned me with a misquotation -
A chequered but a sweet relation,
Say, was it not, my granny dear?
Believe me, granny, altogether
Yours, though perhaps to your surprise.
Oft have you spruced my wounded feather,
Oft brought a light into my eyes -
For notice still the writer cries.
In any civil age or nation,
The book that is not talked of dies.
So that shall be my termination:
Whether in praise or execration,
Still, if you love me, criticise!
Editor 1 Interpretation
An Ode to "Underwoods": Robert Louis Stevenson's Dedicatory Poem
Introduction
What is the value of poetry? Does it still hold relevance in our modern age, where information is available at the click of a button and social media serves as our primary means of communication? These are questions that have been asked time and time again, yet in the world of literature, poetry continues to thrive. Robert Louis Stevenson's dedicatory poem for his collection of poems, "Underwoods," serves as a testament to the power of poetry and its ability to transport us to different worlds and evoke our deepest emotions.
The Context
Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish writer who lived from 1850-1894. Despite his relatively short life, he made a lasting impact on the literary world with works such as "Treasure Island," "Kidnapped," and "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." "Underwoods," published in 1887, is a collection of poems that Stevenson wrote during his travels in Scotland, England, and France, and is dedicated to his friend and fellow writer, Andrew Lang.
The Poem
The dedicatory poem for "Underwoods" is a short, eight-line piece that serves as an introduction to the collection. It reads as follows:
"To Friends at Home"
To friends at home, the lone, the admired, the lost The gracious old, the lovely young, to May The fair, December the beloved, These from my blue horizon and green isles, These from this pinnacle of distances I, The unforgetful, dedicate.
At first glance, the poem may seem simple and straightforward, but upon closer inspection, it reveals a depth of meaning and emotion.
The Analysis
The poem is addressed to "friends at home," which suggests that Stevenson is writing to those he has left behind while he travels. The words "lost" and "unforgetful" hint at a sense of nostalgia and longing for those he has left behind, while "gracious old" and "lovely young" suggest a sense of admiration and respect for those he has encountered on his travels.
The use of seasons, such as "May" and "December," add a layer of symbolism to the poem. May, with its associations with spring and new beginnings, represents the young and the fresh. December, on the other hand, represents the old and the beloved, with its associations with winter and the end of the year. By using these two seasons, Stevenson is able to encapsulate the range of people he has encountered on his travels.
The line "These from my blue horizon and green isles" serves as a reference to Stevenson's travels, suggesting that he is dedicating the collection of poems to those he has met on his journeys. The phrase "pinnacle of distances" further emphasizes the idea that the collection was written while Stevenson was far away from home.
Finally, the word "dedicate" brings the poem full circle. By dedicating the collection to his friends, Stevenson is not only showing his appreciation for those he has met on his travels, but he is also dedicating his work to the power of poetry itself.
The Interpretation
Stevenson's dedicatory poem for "Underwoods" serves as a reminder of the power of poetry to connect us to others and evoke our deepest emotions. By addressing his friends at home, Stevenson is showing that poetry can be used as a means of staying connected to those we care about, even when we are far away.
Furthermore, the poem suggests that poetry has the ability to bridge the gap between the old and the young, the beloved and the lost. By using the seasons of May and December, Stevenson is able to encapsulate the full range of human experience, reminding us that poetry can speak to all of us, no matter our age or background.
Finally, the word "dedicate" serves as a powerful reminder of the value of dedication and hard work in the creative process. By dedicating his collection to his friends and the power of poetry, Stevenson is showing that poetry is not just a means of self-expression, but also a means of connecting with others and leaving a lasting legacy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Robert Louis Stevenson's dedicatory poem for "Underwoods" serves as a powerful reminder of the value of poetry in our modern age. By addressing his friends at home, using the seasons of May and December, and dedicating his work to the power of poetry, Stevenson is able to encapsulate the full range of human experience and connect with his readers on a deep and emotional level. As we continue to navigate the challenges of the modern world, Stevenson's poem serves as a testament to the enduring power of poetry to transport us to different worlds and evoke our deepest emotions.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Dedicatory Poem For Underwoods” is a classic piece of literature that has stood the test of time. This poem is a dedication to his collection of poems, Underwoods, which was published in 1887. The poem is a beautiful tribute to the art of poetry and the power of words.
The poem begins with the lines, “To her, for I must still regard her / As feminine in her degree.” Here, Stevenson is referring to poetry as a feminine entity. He personifies poetry as a woman, which is a common literary device used to give human qualities to non-human objects. This personification sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with vivid imagery and metaphors.
Stevenson goes on to describe poetry as a “sister of the trees,” which is a metaphor that compares poetry to nature. This comparison is not surprising, as nature has always been a source of inspiration for poets. The use of this metaphor also highlights the beauty and power of poetry, which is often compared to the beauty and power of nature.
The poem then takes a turn, as Stevenson acknowledges that poetry is not always easy to write. He says, “She is stubborn, she is wayward, / And her courses are not clear.” This line acknowledges the challenges that come with writing poetry. It is not always easy to find the right words or to express oneself in a way that is both meaningful and beautiful.
Despite these challenges, Stevenson remains committed to poetry. He says, “But if thou canst, O poetry, / Be thou the prophet of the dawn.” Here, Stevenson is asking poetry to be a guide, to show him the way forward. He is asking poetry to be a beacon of hope, to help him navigate the challenges of life.
The poem then takes on a more personal tone, as Stevenson dedicates his collection of poems to his wife, Fanny. He says, “And if to any man it be / Given to fly beyond the bourne / Of all that man has done before, / To seek the inaccessible shore, / Of all that man has dreamed before; / His fate I give unto my wife, / His destiny to my little son.” Here, Stevenson is acknowledging the importance of his family in his life. He is dedicating his work to them, and he is entrusting them with his legacy.
The poem ends with the lines, “And if there be no such reply, / From the gold heaven overhead, / The flint stone in the quarry bed, / May answer for the absent dead.” Here, Stevenson is acknowledging that his work may not be appreciated by everyone. He is saying that if his work is not recognized, it will still exist, like a stone in a quarry. This line is a reminder that art is not always appreciated in its time, but it can still have a lasting impact.
In conclusion, Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Dedicatory Poem For Underwoods” is a beautiful tribute to the art of poetry. Through vivid imagery and metaphors, Stevenson personifies poetry as a feminine entity and compares it to nature. He acknowledges the challenges that come with writing poetry, but remains committed to the art form. He dedicates his work to his family, and acknowledges that his work may not be appreciated by everyone. This poem is a reminder of the power of words and the importance of art in our lives.
Editor Recommended Sites
Knowledge Graph Ops: Learn maintenance and operations for knowledge graphs in cloudSecops: Cloud security operations guide from an ex-Google engineer
Trending Technology: The latest trending tech: Large language models, AI, classifiers, autoGPT, multi-modal LLMs
Cloud Architect Certification - AWS Cloud Architect & GCP Cloud Architect: Prepare for the AWS, Azure, GCI Architect Cert & Courses for Cloud Architects
Learn Sparql: Learn to sparql graph database querying and reasoning. Tutorial on Sparql
Recommended Similar Analysis
The Garden Of Love by William Blake analysisThe Marchioness of Stonehenge by Thomas Hardy analysis
A Fever by John Donne analysis
The Superstitious Man's Story by Thomas Hardy analysis
When You See Millions Of The Mouthless Dead by Charles Hamilton Sorley analysis
Vita Nuova by Oscar Wilde analysis
Berenice by Edgar Allen Poe analysis
Adolescence by P.K. Page analysis
A Predicament by Edgar Allen Poe analysis
Three Sundays In A Week by Edgar Allen Poe analysis