'Evening Song of the Thoughtful Child' by Katherine Mansfield
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Shadow children, thin and small,
Now the day is left behind,
You are dancing on the wall,
On the curtains, on the blind.
On the ceiling, children, too,
Peeping round the nursery door,
Let me come and play with you,
As we always played before.
Let's pretend that we have wings
And can really truly fly
Over every sort of things
Up and up into the sky.
Where the sweet star children play--
It does seem a dreadful rule,
They must stay inside all day.
I suppose they go to school.
And to-night, dears, do you see,
They are having such a race
With their father moon--the tree
Almost hides his funny face.
Shadow children, once at night,
I was all tucked up in bed,
Father moon came--such a fright--
Through the window poked his head;
I could see his staring eyes,
O, my dears, I was afraid,
That was not a nice surprise,
And the dreadful noise I made!
Let us make a fairy ring,
Shadow children, hand in hand,
And our songs quite softly sing
That we learned in fairyland.
Shadow children, hin and small,
See, the day is far behind;
And I kiss you--on the wall--
On the curtains--on the blind.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Evening Song of the Thoughtful Child: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Katherine Mansfield's "Evening Song of the Thoughtful Child" is a poem that instantly captivates the reader with its simplicity and beauty. It speaks of innocence, wonder, and the joys of childhood, but also touches upon themes of loss, death, and the transience of life. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve deeper into the poem's meanings, themes, and literary devices, and explore why it continues to resonate with readers even after almost a century since its writing.
The Poem
Before we analyze the poem, let's read it in full:
Here in the garden where the lilac tree
Darkens the grass with its shade,
Carol and I remember,
We have been sad in the valley of the shadow.
But the bird that sings in the lilac tree,
Loud as he can sing,
He is not sad though he knows
The valley of the shadow is darkening.
And the heart that beats in my breast,
Each moment it sings "Goodbye, goodbye,"
For it knows that the valley of the shadow
Is a valley of tears and sighs.
At first glance, "Evening Song of the Thoughtful Child" seems like a simple and straightforward poem, with only four stanzas and a total of sixteen lines. However, upon closer inspection, we can see that it is a complex and multi-layered piece of writing. The poem's structure consists of two couplets, each with a rhyme scheme of ABAB, and two tercets, with a rhyme scheme of AAB. The use of rhyme and meter gives the poem a musical quality, which enhances its lyrical and emotional impact.
Analysis
Title
The title of the poem, "Evening Song of the Thoughtful Child," is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it sets the tone and mood of the poem, indicating that it will be a reflective and introspective piece. Secondly, it establishes the persona of the speaker as a child, which adds to the poem's innocence and vulnerability. Finally, the use of the word "song" suggests that the poem will have a musical quality, which is reflected in its rhythmic structure and use of repetition.
Setting
The setting of the poem is a garden, specifically under a lilac tree. The image of the lilac tree, which "Darkens the grass with its shade," creates a sense of stillness and tranquility, which is echoed in the poem's language and imagery. The choice of setting is significant because it contrasts with the earlier reference to the "valley of the shadow," which suggests a place of darkness and despair. The garden, on the other hand, is a place of life and growth, which symbolizes hope and renewal.
Themes
One of the main themes of "Evening Song of the Thoughtful Child" is the contrast between innocence and experience. The persona of the speaker is a child who has already experienced sadness and loss, as evidenced by the line "We have been sad in the valley of the shadow." However, despite this, the child is not completely jaded or cynical, as seen in the lines "But the bird that sings in the lilac tree, / Loud as he can sing, / He is not sad though he knows / The valley of the shadow is darkening." The bird, which is a symbol of innocence and freedom, is able to sing loudly and joyfully even though it is aware of the darkness and sorrow in the world. This contrast between the child's knowledge of pain and the bird's innocence highlights the fragility of childhood and the importance of preserving it.
Another theme in the poem is mortality and the transience of life. The reference to the "valley of the shadow" is a biblical allusion to the valley of the shadow of death, which signifies the darkness and uncertainty that comes with mortality. The image of the heart beating and singing "Goodbye, goodbye" emphasizes the inevitability of death and the impermanence of life. However, the poem also implies that death is not something to be feared or avoided, but rather a natural part of the cycle of life. The bird's singing and the child's reflection suggest that even in the face of death, there can still be beauty and joy.
Literary Devices
Mansfield uses several literary devices in "Evening Song of the Thoughtful Child" to enhance its meaning and impact. One of the most notable devices is imagery, particularly the use of the lilac tree and the bird. The lilac tree symbolizes growth, renewal, and beauty, while the bird represents innocence, freedom, and joy. The contrast between these two images underscores the poem's themes of innocence and experience, and the tension between the darkness and light in life.
Another device used in the poem is repetition, particularly in the repetition of the phrase "valley of the shadow." This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and musicality, while also emphasizing the importance of this phrase in the poem's meaning. The repetition of the word "goodbye" also adds to the poem's musicality, while also emphasizing the theme of mortality and the inevitability of parting.
Finally, the use of allusion is significant in "Evening Song of the Thoughtful Child," particularly in the reference to the "valley of the shadow." This allusion is drawn from the Bible, specifically Psalm 23, which speaks of walking through the valley of the shadow of death. By using this allusion, Mansfield adds a layer of religious and spiritual meaning to the poem, which underscores its themes of mortality and the fragility of life.
Interpretation
"Evening Song of the Thoughtful Child" is a poem that can be interpreted in many different ways, depending on the reader's perspective and experience. However, one possible interpretation is that the poem is a meditation on the nature of childhood and the importance of preserving innocence in the face of loss and mortality. The child speaker has already experienced sadness and loss, but is still able to find joy and beauty in the world, particularly in the singing of the bird. By contrast, the heart within the child beats with the knowledge of mortality, but even this knowledge does not dampen the child's spirits completely.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a commentary on the human condition, particularly the tension between darkness and light in life. The "valley of the shadow" represents the darkness and sorrow that inevitably comes with living, but even in this darkness, there can still be moments of joy and renewal. The bird's singing represents the light and beauty that can still be found in the world, despite its imperfections and sorrows.
Ultimately, the meaning of "Evening Song of the Thoughtful Child" is left open to interpretation, and it is up to each reader to find their own personal meaning in the poem's words and images.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Katherine Mansfield's "Evening Song of the Thoughtful Child" is a beautifully crafted poem that speaks to the fragility of childhood, the inevitability of mortality, and the tension between darkness and light in life. Through its use of imagery, repetition, and allusion, the poem creates a sense of musicality and emotion that resonates with readers long after they have finished reading it. Whether read as a meditation on childhood or as a commentary on the human condition, "Evening Song of the Thoughtful Child" is a poem that continues to provoke thought and reflection almost a century since it was written.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Beauty of Katherine Mansfield's Poetry Evening Song of the Thoughtful Child
Katherine Mansfield, a renowned New Zealand writer, is known for her exceptional literary works that have inspired many readers around the world. One of her most celebrated works is the Poetry Evening Song of the Thoughtful Child, which is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of childhood innocence and imagination. In this article, we will explore the beauty of this poem and analyze its themes, structure, and literary devices.
Overview of the Poem
The Poetry Evening Song of the Thoughtful Child is a short poem that consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is written in a simple and straightforward language, which makes it easy to understand and appreciate. The poem is narrated from the perspective of a child who is observing the world around them and reflecting on their thoughts and feelings.
Themes
The poem explores several themes that are relevant to childhood and human experience. One of the main themes of the poem is the beauty of nature and the wonder that it inspires in children. The child in the poem is fascinated by the stars, the moon, and the trees, and they express their admiration for these natural wonders in their own unique way.
Another theme of the poem is the power of imagination and the importance of creativity in childhood. The child in the poem is not content with simply observing the world around them; they also use their imagination to create their own stories and adventures. This theme is particularly relevant in today's world, where children are often encouraged to focus on academic achievement rather than creative expression.
Finally, the poem also explores the theme of innocence and the purity of childhood. The child in the poem is not burdened by the worries and responsibilities of adulthood, and they are free to explore the world with a sense of wonder and curiosity. This theme is a reminder of the importance of preserving childhood innocence and protecting children from the harsh realities of the world.
Structure
The Poetry Evening Song of the Thoughtful Child is structured in a way that reflects the child's thought process and imagination. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with four lines, which creates a sense of symmetry and balance. The use of repetition and rhyme also adds to the poem's structure and creates a musical quality that is pleasing to the ear.
The poem also uses imagery and sensory language to create a vivid picture of the child's world. The use of words like "silver," "shimmer," and "twinkle" to describe the stars and moon creates a sense of magic and wonder, while the use of words like "rustling" and "whispering" to describe the trees creates a sense of movement and life.
Literary Devices
The Poetry Evening Song of the Thoughtful Child uses several literary devices to enhance its meaning and beauty. One of the most prominent literary devices used in the poem is repetition. The phrase "I am thinking" is repeated throughout the poem, which creates a sense of continuity and reinforces the child's thought process.
The poem also uses metaphor to create a deeper meaning. For example, the line "The moon like a flower, In heaven's high bower" compares the moon to a flower, which creates a sense of beauty and fragility. This metaphor also reinforces the theme of nature's beauty and the child's admiration for it.
Finally, the poem uses personification to give life to the natural world. The trees are described as "whispering" and the stars are described as "twinkling," which creates a sense of movement and animation. This personification also reinforces the child's sense of wonder and imagination.
Conclusion
The Poetry Evening Song of the Thoughtful Child is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of childhood innocence and imagination. The poem explores several themes that are relevant to human experience, including the beauty of nature, the power of imagination, and the purity of childhood. The poem's structure and literary devices enhance its meaning and beauty, creating a sense of magic and wonder that is sure to inspire readers of all ages.
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