'Before This Little Gift Was Come' by Robert Louis Stevenson
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BEFORE this little gift was come
The little owner had made haste for home;
And from the door of where the eternal dwell,
Looked back on human things and smiled farewell.
O may this grief remain the only one!
O may our house be still a garrison
Of smiling children, and for evermore
The tune of little feet be heard along the floor!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry Analysis: "Before This Little Gift Was Come" by Robert Louis Stevenson
Are you looking for a poem that will capture your heart and leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside? Look no further than Robert Louis Stevenson's "Before This Little Gift Was Come." This beautiful poem explores the joys and wonders of anticipation and parenthood, painting a vivid picture of what it's like to eagerly await the arrival of a new little one.
The Poem
Before this little gift was come The little owner had made haste for home; And from the door of where the eternal dwell, Looked back on heaven and bade farewell. All rudely sheathed in fluttering bone and skin, The stupid tenant pushing from within, And aiming at proficiency, Repeated one dark sentence of the sea; Now to revisit realms of fog and cold, Now to grow up, and fight for wealth and gold.
The little owner of this "gift" is a baby who has yet to be born. Stevenson wastes no time setting the scene, painting a vivid picture of the baby rushing "hastily" towards Earth, eager to begin its journey. The speaker tells us that the baby looks back at heaven and says farewell, as if it knows it won't be returning there anytime soon. The image of the "eternal dwell" suggests that heaven is a permanent home, while Earth is only a temporary stop on the baby's journey.
Stevenson then shifts focus to the baby itself, describing it as "rudely sheathed in fluttering bone and skin." The use of the word "rudely" suggests that the baby has been born into a world that is not quite ready for it. It is not yet fully formed or "perfected," but is instead a "stupid tenant" pushing its way into the world.
Despite this, the baby is determined to succeed, "aiming at proficiency" and repeating "one dark sentence of the sea." The use of the sea as a metaphor suggests that the baby is embarking on a journey that is both dangerous and unpredictable, much like the ocean. The baby must learn to navigate its way through life, facing challenges and fighting for success.
Finally, Stevenson ends the poem by reminding us that the baby's journey is just beginning. It must "revisit realms of fog and cold," a reference to the challenges and uncertainties that lie ahead. But with determination and perseverance, the baby will "grow up, and fight for wealth and gold," achieving success and reaching its full potential.
Interpretation
At its core, "Before This Little Gift Was Come" is a poem about the joys and challenges of parenthood. Stevenson captures the excitement and anticipation that parents feel as they await the arrival of their child, as well as the uncertainty and fear that comes with the responsibility of raising a child.
The image of the baby rushing "hastily" towards Earth suggests that it is eager to begin its journey, just as parents are eager to meet their new little one. The baby's farewell to heaven suggests that it is leaving behind a perfect, idyllic world for one that is far more uncertain and imperfect.
The use of the sea as a metaphor for the baby's journey is particularly powerful. The ocean is vast, unpredictable, and full of dangers, much like life itself. The baby must learn to navigate its way through this journey, facing challenges and overcoming obstacles in order to achieve success.
At the same time, the poem also acknowledges the challenges and fears that come with parenthood. The baby's "rudely" formed body suggests that the process of childbirth is not always easy or straightforward. And the reference to the baby fighting for "wealth and gold" suggests that parents must also prepare their children for a world that is often competitive and unforgiving.
Overall, "Before This Little Gift Was Come" is a beautiful and poignant poem that captures the joys and challenges of parenthood. It reminds us that life is a journey full of uncertainties and challenges, but that with determination and perseverance, we can achieve success and reach our full potential.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Before This Little Gift Was Come" is a beautiful and moving poem that explores the joys and challenges of parenthood. Through vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, Robert Louis Stevenson captures the excitement and anticipation that comes with the arrival of a new little one, as well as the uncertainty and fear that comes with the responsibility of raising a child. Whether you're a parent or not, this poem is sure to leave you feeling inspired and uplifted, reminding us all that with determination and perseverance, we can overcome any obstacle and achieve success in life.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Before This Little Gift Was Come: A Masterpiece by Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson, the Scottish novelist, poet, and essayist, is known for his captivating literary works that have stood the test of time. One of his most celebrated poems is "Poetry Before This Little Gift Was Come," which was written in 1885. This poem is a beautiful tribute to the joys of parenthood and the transformative power of love. In this article, we will take a closer look at this masterpiece and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.
Themes
The central theme of "Poetry Before This Little Gift Was Come" is the transformative power of love. The poem is a celebration of the joys of parenthood and the profound impact that a child can have on a person's life. Stevenson uses vivid imagery and powerful metaphors to convey the depth of emotion that he feels as a new parent. He describes the world before his child's arrival as "a barren place," devoid of meaning and purpose. However, with the birth of his child, everything changes. The world is suddenly filled with new meaning and beauty, and Stevenson is overwhelmed with love and gratitude.
Structure
"Poetry Before This Little Gift Was Come" is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem that follows a specific rhyme scheme and structure. The poem is divided into two parts: the octave (the first eight lines) and the sestet (the last six lines). The rhyme scheme of the octave is ABBAABBA, while the sestet follows the pattern CDCDCD. This structure gives the poem a sense of balance and symmetry, which reflects the transformative power of love that the poem celebrates.
Literary Devices
Stevenson employs several literary devices in "Poetry Before This Little Gift Was Come" to convey his message and create a vivid image in the reader's mind. One of the most prominent devices is imagery. Stevenson uses vivid descriptions to paint a picture of the world before and after his child's arrival. He describes the world before his child's birth as "a barren place," "a desert bare and brown," and "a land where all things always seem'd the same." These images convey a sense of emptiness and monotony, highlighting the transformative power of love that his child brings.
Another literary device that Stevenson uses is metaphor. He compares his child to a "little gift" that has transformed his life. This metaphor conveys the idea that his child is a precious and valuable addition to his life, and that he is grateful for the joy and meaning that his child brings.
Stevenson also uses personification to give life to his descriptions. He describes the world before his child's birth as "a land where all things always seem'd the same," giving the impression that the world was stagnant and unchanging. In contrast, he describes the world after his child's arrival as "a land where all things always seem to change," personifying the world as a living, breathing entity that is transformed by the arrival of his child.
Conclusion
"Poetry Before This Little Gift Was Come" is a beautiful and powerful poem that celebrates the transformative power of love. Through vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and literary devices, Stevenson conveys the depth of emotion that he feels as a new parent. The poem is a testament to the joy and meaning that a child can bring to a person's life, and it is a timeless tribute to the joys of parenthood.
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