'The Shadow Of The Cross' by John McCrae
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At the drowsy dusk when the shadows creep
From the golden west, where the sunbeams sleep,
An angel mused:"Is there good or ill
In the mad world's heart, since on Calvary's hill
'Round the cross a mid-day twilight fell
That darkened earth and o'ershadowed hell?"
Through the streets of a city the angel sped;
Like an open scroll men's hearts he read.
In a monarch's ear his courtiers lied
And humble faces hid hearts of pride.
Men's hate waxed hot, and their hearts grew cold,
As they haggled and fought for the lust of gold.
Despairing, he cried, "After all these years
Is there naught but hatred and strife and tears?"
He found two waifs in an attic bare;
-- A single crust was their meagre fare --
One strove to quiet the other's cries,
And the love-light dawned in her famished eyes
As she kissed the child with a motherly air:
"I don't need mine, you can have my share."
Then the angel knew that the earthly cross
And the sorrow and shame were not wholly loss.
At dawn, when hushed was earth's busy hum
And men looked not for their Christ to come,
From the attic poor to the palace grand,
The King and the beggar went hand in hand.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Shadow Of The Cross: A Masterpiece of War Poetry
John McCrae's "The Shadow Of The Cross" is a hauntingly beautiful poem that captures the essence of war and its devastating effects on human life. The poem is a reflection on the sacrifice of soldiers who fought and died for their country, and the impact of their loss on those left behind.
As a literary work, "The Shadow Of The Cross" is a masterful example of poetry. The imagery is vivid and powerful, the language is evocative and emotional, and the structure of the poem is carefully crafted to convey a deep sense of meaning and emotion.
The Context of the Poem
John McCrae was a Canadian physician and soldier who served in World War I. He was inspired to write "The Shadow Of The Cross" after witnessing the devastation of the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915, in which he lost a close friend.
The battle was fought between the Allied and German forces, and it was the first time that the Germans used poison gas in warfare. The gas caused horrific injuries and deaths, and it left a lasting impression on McCrae, who wrote the poem as a tribute to his fallen comrades.
The Poem's Structure and Language
"The Shadow Of The Cross" is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem that follows a strict rhyme scheme and meter. The poem is divided into two parts, an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines).
The octave sets the scene and establishes the theme of the poem, while the sestet provides a resolution or conclusion. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABBAABBA CDCDCD, which is typical of the Petrarchan sonnet.
The language of the poem is rich and evocative, with powerful imagery that conveys the horror and tragedy of war. The use of personification and metaphor adds depth and complexity to the poem, and the repetition of certain phrases and words creates a sense of rhythm and musicality.
Analysis of the Poem
The poem begins with the image of a shadow cast by a cross, a symbol of sacrifice and redemption. The shadow is described as "deep and black", suggesting the darkness and despair that war brings.
The octave then describes the soldiers who have fallen in battle, lying "in their sleep" beneath the shadow of the cross. The image of sleep is used to soften the harsh reality of death, but it also suggests a sense of peace and rest.
The soldiers are described as "sons of men", suggesting their humanity and the fact that they are not just faceless soldiers, but individuals with families and loved ones. The image of the "village street" evokes a sense of home and community, and the mention of "women's eyes" suggests the pain and grief of those left behind.
The sestet provides a resolution to the poem, with the speaker urging the living to remember the sacrifice of the fallen soldiers. The repetition of the phrase "lest we forget" emphasizes the importance of honoring and remembering the dead, and the final line, "God of our fathers, known of old", suggests a sense of tradition and continuity.
Themes and Interpretation
The central theme of "The Shadow Of The Cross" is the sacrifice of soldiers in war. The poem emphasizes the human cost of war and the impact of loss on those left behind. The image of the shadow of the cross suggests a sense of sacrifice and redemption, but it also conveys a sense of darkness and despair.
The poem can be interpreted as a call to remember the fallen soldiers and honor their sacrifice. The repetition of the phrase "lest we forget" emphasizes the importance of not forgetting the sacrifices made by those who fought and died in war.
The poem also suggests a sense of continuity and tradition. The reference to the "God of our fathers" suggests a sense of heritage and history, and the poem can be interpreted as a reminder of the values and ideals that soldiers fought for.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Shadow Of The Cross" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the horror and tragedy of war. The poem's vivid imagery and carefully crafted structure create a sense of depth and complexity, and the language is rich and evocative.
The poem's central themes of sacrifice, remembrance, and tradition are still relevant today, and the poem serves as a reminder of the human cost of war and the importance of honoring those who have fought and died for their country.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Shadow of the Cross: A Poetic Masterpiece by John McCrae
Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, stir the soul, and inspire the mind. It is a medium that allows us to express our deepest thoughts and feelings in a way that is both beautiful and profound. One such masterpiece of poetry is "The Shadow of the Cross" by John McCrae.
John McCrae was a Canadian poet, physician, and soldier who served in World War I. He is best known for his iconic poem "In Flanders Fields," which has become a symbol of remembrance for fallen soldiers. However, "The Shadow of the Cross" is another one of his works that deserves recognition for its powerful imagery and poignant message.
The poem is a sonnet, which is a 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and meter. McCrae uses the sonnet form to convey his message of the human condition and the struggle between good and evil. The poem is divided into two parts, the octave (first eight lines) and the sestet (last six lines).
In the octave, McCrae sets the stage for the poem by describing the shadow of the cross. He writes, "Upon the shadowy shore of death / The cross stands black against the sky." This image of the cross on the shore of death is a powerful metaphor for the struggle between life and death, good and evil. The cross represents the hope of salvation, while the shadow represents the darkness of sin and death.
McCrae continues to describe the scene, saying, "Upon its arms the lost soul's breath / Will echo till eternity." Here, he suggests that the cross is a symbol of hope for the lost soul, and that its message will echo throughout eternity. The use of the word "breath" is significant, as it suggests that the cross is a source of life and renewal.
In the sestet, McCrae shifts his focus to the human condition and the struggle between good and evil. He writes, "But evil stands beside the way / In shapes of foul and hateful things." Here, he personifies evil as a physical presence that stands in the way of salvation. The use of the words "foul" and "hateful" emphasizes the repulsive nature of evil.
McCrae continues, "It preys upon the souls that stray / And darkens all the springs of springs." This line suggests that evil preys upon those who are weak and vulnerable, and that it has the power to corrupt even the purest of souls. The use of the word "springs" is significant, as it suggests that evil has the power to corrupt the very source of life and renewal.
In the final two lines of the poem, McCrae offers a message of hope and redemption. He writes, "Yet on the shadowy hills of time / The cross still stands, serenely high." Here, he suggests that despite the presence of evil in the world, the cross still stands as a symbol of hope and salvation. The use of the word "serenely" suggests that the cross is a source of peace and calm in the midst of chaos and turmoil.
In conclusion, "The Shadow of the Cross" is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the human condition and the struggle between good and evil. McCrae's use of imagery and metaphor creates a vivid and haunting picture of the cross on the shore of death, and his message of hope and redemption offers comfort and solace in the face of darkness and despair. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to inspire, uplift, and transform the human spirit.
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