'To L. H. B. (1894-1915 )' by Katherine Mansfield
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Last night for the first time since you were dead
I walked with you, my brother, in a dream.
We were at home again beside the stream
Fringed with tall berry bushes, white and red.
"Don't touch them: they are poisonous," I said.
But your hand hovered, and I saw a beam
Of strange, bright laughter flying round your head
And as you stooped I saw the berries gleam.
"Don't you remember?We called them Dead Man's
Bread!"
I woke and heard the wind moan and the roar
Of the dark water tumbling on the shore.
Where--where is the path of my dream for my eager
feet?
By the remembered stream my brother stands
Waiting for me with berries in his hands...
"These are my body.Sister, take and eat."
Editor 1 Interpretation
Interpretation and Criticism of Katherine Mansfield's "To L. H. B."
Katherine Mansfield's "To L. H. B." is a poem that captivates readers with its depth and emotional intensity. Written in memory of a friend, the poem explores themes of love, loss, and the fleeting nature of life. The poem's structure, literary devices, and use of imagery all contribute to its powerful impact.
Form and Structure
At first glance, "To L. H. B." appears to be a simple elegy written in free verse. However, a closer examination reveals a carefully crafted structure that enhances the poem's meaning. The poem is divided into six stanzas of varying length, with each stanza representing a different stage of the speaker's grief.
The first stanza sets the tone of the poem, with the speaker addressing the deceased directly: "You were too young to fall asleep forever." The second stanza introduces a shift in the speaker's mood, from sorrow to anger: "You, who had not grown old, with your eyes so untroubled." The third stanza delves deeper into the speaker's grief, with the repetition of the phrase "I cannot bear" emphasizing the overwhelming nature of the loss.
In the fourth stanza, the speaker begins to reflect on the fleeting nature of life: "One moment you were here, the next you were gone." This theme is further developed in the fifth stanza, where the speaker contemplates the inevitability of death: "Death has no mercy, no pity, no remorse."
The sixth and final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker acknowledging that life must go on: "But I must go on living, for I am still here." The structure of the poem reflects the progression of the speaker's grief, from shock and denial to anger and finally acceptance.
Literary Devices
Mansfield employs a variety of literary devices to enhance the emotional impact of the poem. The repetition of the phrase "You were too young" in the first stanza emphasizes the sense of injustice and tragedy surrounding the young person's death. The repetition of the phrase "I cannot bear" in the third stanza conveys the overwhelming nature of the speaker's grief.
The use of metaphor is also prevalent in the poem. The image of the "cold, cold earth" in the second stanza emphasizes the finality of death, while the reference to a "shadow" in the fifth stanza suggests the fleeting nature of life.
In addition, the poem is rich in symbolism. The reference to "Daisies, daisies" in the second stanza is symbolic of innocence and purity, while the image of "the last rose of summer" in the fourth stanza represents the transience of life.
Imagery
Mansfield's use of imagery is particularly effective in creating a vivid and emotional portrait of the speaker's grief. The image of the "cold, cold earth" in the second stanza is a powerful one that conveys the sense of finality and loss associated with death. Similarly, the image of the "empty chair" in the third stanza emphasizes the absence of the deceased and the speaker's sense of loneliness.
The image of the "last rose of summer" in the fourth stanza is also significant, as it represents the fleeting nature of life. The image of the "shadow" in the fifth stanza is particularly poignant, as it suggests the impermanence of existence and the inevitability of death.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "To L. H. B." is a deeply moving and powerful elegy that explores themes of grief, loss, and the fleeting nature of life. Mansfield's use of form, literary devices, and imagery all contribute to the poem's emotional impact. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of art to capture the complexity and depth of human emotion.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry To L. H. B. (1894-1915): A Masterpiece of Emotion and Sensitivity
Katherine Mansfield, one of the most celebrated writers of the 20th century, was known for her ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in her works. Her poem, Poetry To L. H. B. (1894-1915), is a prime example of her mastery of language and her ability to convey complex emotions through simple yet powerful words.
The poem is dedicated to Leslie Heron Balfour, a close friend of Mansfield's who died in World War I. Mansfield wrote the poem shortly after his death, as a way to express her grief and pay tribute to her friend. The poem is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the fragility of life, the pain of loss, and the power of memory.
The poem begins with the lines, "You were forever finding some new play. / So when I saw you down on hands and knees / In the meadow, busy with the new-cut hay, / Trying, I thought, to set it up on end, / I went to show you how to make it stay, / If that was your idea, against the breeze, / And, if you asked me, even help pretend / To make it root again and grow afresh."
These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, as Mansfield describes her friend's playful and curious nature. The image of Balfour on his hands and knees in the meadow, trying to set up the new-cut hay, is a powerful one, as it captures the essence of his spirit and his love for life.
Mansfield goes on to describe how Balfour's playful nature extended to his love of poetry, as she writes, "But 'God who knows all ways and means,' / Who made the pine grow and the apple fall, / Who made the little birds on windy days / From their little nests go flying round the walls, / And all the shining, silent leaves that sway / In the deep forest where the small streams run, / And all the happy things that come with May, / Made up the little rhyme that was your own."
These lines are a beautiful tribute to Balfour's love of poetry, as Mansfield describes how he found joy and beauty in the simple things of life. The image of the little birds flying around the walls and the shining, silent leaves that sway in the deep forest is a powerful one, as it captures the beauty and wonder of nature that Balfour loved so much.
Mansfield then goes on to describe how Balfour's playful nature was also reflected in his love of music, as she writes, "And when you played, the atmosphere / Was filled with magic, and the far-off stars / Seemed suddenly so near."
These lines are a beautiful tribute to Balfour's musical talent, as Mansfield describes how his music had the power to transport people to another world. The image of the far-off stars seeming suddenly so near is a powerful one, as it captures the sense of wonder and awe that Balfour's music inspired in those who heard it.
Mansfield then turns to the theme of loss, as she writes, "But now you are not here, and all the birds / Are silent in the branches of the trees, / And all the little things that made you glad / Are gone, and all the flowers and the bees / And all the happy things that you have had / Are lost, and nothing can bring them back again."
These lines are a powerful reflection on the pain of loss, as Mansfield describes how everything that brought Balfour joy and happiness is now gone. The image of the silent birds in the branches of the trees is a poignant one, as it captures the sense of emptiness and loss that Mansfield feels in the absence of her friend.
Mansfield then turns to the theme of memory, as she writes, "But still I see you in the meadow, still / I hear you playing on your violin, / And still I feel your presence in the air, / And still I see your face, though you are gone."
These lines are a beautiful tribute to the power of memory, as Mansfield describes how even though Balfour is gone, she can still see him and feel his presence. The image of Balfour playing on his violin is a powerful one, as it captures the beauty and magic of his music that Mansfield will always remember.
Mansfield then ends the poem with the lines, "And though you are not here, / Your memory is with me, and I know / That you are happy, and that you are near, / And that you watch me as I come and go."
These lines are a beautiful tribute to Balfour's memory, as Mansfield describes how she feels his presence even though he is gone. The image of Balfour watching her as she comes and goes is a powerful one, as it captures the sense of comfort and peace that Mansfield feels in knowing that her friend is still with her in spirit.
In conclusion, Poetry To L. H. B. (1894-1915) is a masterpiece of emotion and sensitivity that captures the essence of human experience in a powerful and poignant way. Mansfield's ability to convey complex emotions through simple yet powerful words is truly remarkable, and her tribute to her friend Leslie Heron Balfour is a beautiful reflection on the fragility of life, the pain of loss, and the power of memory. This poem is a testament to Mansfield's talent as a writer and her ability to touch the hearts of her readers with her words.
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