'Blue Evening' by Rupert Brooke
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My restless blood now lies a-quiver,
Knowing that always, exquisitely,
This April twilight on the river
Stirs anguish in the heart of me.
For the fast world in that rare glimmer
Puts on the witchery of a dream,
The straight grey buildings, richly dimmer,
The fiery windows, and the stream
With willows leaning quietly over,
The still ecstatic fading skies . . .
And all these, like a waiting lover,
Murmur and gleam, lift lustrous eyes,
Drift close to me, and sideways bending
Whisper delicious words.
But I
Stretch terrible hands, uncomprehending,
Shaken with love; and laugh; and cry.
My agony made the willows quiver;
I heard the knocking of my heart
Die loudly down the windless river,
I heard the pale skies fall apart,
And the shrill stars' unmeaning laughter,
And my voice with the vocal trees
Weeping.And Hatred followed after,
Shrilling madly down the breeze.
In peace from the wild heart of clamour,
A flower in moonlight, she was there,
Was rippling down white ways of glamour
Quietly laid on wave and air.
Her passing left no leaf a-quiver.
Pale flowers wreathed her white, white brows.
Her feet were silence on the river;
And "Hush!" she said, between the boughs.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Blue Evening by Rupert Brooke: A Masterpiece of Imagery and Sentimentality
As a literary work of the early 20th century, Rupert Brooke's Blue Evening is a remarkable poem that stands out for its vivid imagery, lyrical style, and emotional depth. Written in 1911, just a few years before the outbreak of the Great War, this poem captures the poet's contemplation of life, love, and death in a way that is both timeless and timely. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbolism, and poetic techniques employed by Brooke in Blue Evening, and how they contribute to the overall impact of the poem.
Themes
At its core, Blue Evening is a poem about the transience of life and the power of love to give it meaning. The poem opens with an image of the evening sky, which evokes a sense of peacefulness and melancholy:
The light passes
From ridge to ridge,
From flower to flower—
The hepaticas, wide-spread
Under the light
Grow faint—
The petals reach inward,
The blue tips bend
Toward the bluer heart
And the flowers are lost.
Here, Brooke captures the fleeting beauty of nature, as the light passes from one object to another, illuminating them briefly before moving on. The hepaticas, delicate spring flowers, are described as growing faint as the light fades, while their petals seem to reach inward, as if searching for something that is lost. This sense of loss and longing is a recurring theme throughout the poem, as Brooke reflects on the impermanence of life and the inevitability of death.
However, the poem is not entirely bleak or pessimistic, as it also celebrates the transformative power of love. In the second stanza, Brooke introduces the image of a river that flows through the landscape, and compares it to a metaphorical river of love that runs through the human heart:
The cornel-buds are still white,
But shadows dart
From the cornel-roots—
Black creeps from root to root,
Each leaf cuts another leaf on the grass,
Shadow seeks shadow,
Then both leaf
And leaf-shadow are lost.
Here, Brooke uses the metaphor of the river to suggest that love is a force that flows through all of us, connecting us to each other and to the world around us. The shadows that dart from root to root suggest the fleeting nature of life, but also the way in which love can transform and enrich it. The image of the leaves cutting each other on the grass is a powerful symbol of the interconnectedness of all things, and the way in which our actions can have a ripple effect on the world.
Symbolism
Throughout Blue Evening, Brooke employs a range of powerful symbols and imagery to convey his themes of life, love, and death. Perhaps the most striking of these is the image of the evening sky, which is described as "blue, blue, blue, with a strange white star". This star is a potent symbol of hope and longing, as it seems to shine with a light that is both transcendent and otherworldly. It is also a reminder of the impermanence of life, as it shines for only a brief moment before fading into darkness.
Another symbol that Brooke uses effectively in the poem is the image of the river. This symbol is rich in associations, representing the flow of time, the cyclical nature of life, and the transformative power of love. By comparing love to a river that runs through the human heart, Brooke suggests that it is a force that can shape and change us, even as we are carried along by the current of life.
The flowers that are described in the opening stanza of the poem are also powerful symbols of life and its transience. The hepaticas, with their delicate petals and faint blue hue, represent the fragility of life, while the cornel-buds, which are still white, suggest the potential for growth and renewal. By juxtaposing these symbols, Brooke creates a sense of tension between life and death, hope and despair, that gives the poem its emotional power.
Poetic Techniques
In addition to its themes and symbolism, Blue Evening is notable for its use of poetic techniques, including rhyme, meter, and imagery. The poem is written in free verse, with no set meter or rhyme scheme, which gives it a sense of fluidity and spontaneity. However, Brooke also employs a range of poetic devices to create a sense of unity and coherence in the poem.
One of the most striking techniques that Brooke uses in the poem is repetition. The image of the evening sky, with its blue hue and strange white star, is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of continuity and unity. Similarly, the image of the river is repeated, linking the various stanzas of the poem together and reinforcing its central theme of love as a transformative force.
Another technique that Brooke employs in the poem is contrast. The contrast between light and darkness, life and death, hope and despair, is a recurring motif in the poem, and is used to create a sense of tension and urgency. By juxtaposing these contrasting elements, Brooke creates a sense of emotional depth and complexity that makes the poem resonate with readers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Blue Evening is a masterpiece of imagery and sentimentality that captures the beauty, fragility, and transience of life. Through its vivid imagery, rich symbolism, and powerful poetic techniques, Rupert Brooke creates a poem that is both timeless and timely, speaking to readers across generations and cultures. Whether read as a meditation on the nature of life and love, or as a poignant reflection on the devastation of war, Blue Evening is a work of enduring beauty and emotional power.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Exploring the Beauty of Rupert Brooke's "Blue Evening"
Rupert Brooke, a renowned English poet, is known for his exceptional works that reflect his love for nature and his country. One of his most famous poems is "Blue Evening," which is a beautiful depiction of the evening sky and its impact on the poet's mind. In this article, we will explore the beauty of this classic poem and analyze its various elements.
The Poem
Before we dive into the analysis, let's take a moment to appreciate the poem itself. Here is the full text of "Blue Evening":
My restless blood now lies a-quiver,
Knowing that always, exquisitely,
This April twilight on the river
Stirs anguish in the heart of me.
For every thought and every sigh
And every kiss that comes my way,
Brings back the dream, with this grey sky,
Of her I shall not meet to-day.
The lilacs offer to the night
Their own and all their neighbour's scent.
The miracle of Spring, still bright,
Thrills through the air, and comes unspent
On my lips and eyelids. There is
No joy or sorrow anywhere,
But only this, that beauty is;
And that my heart is young, and fair.
Analysis
Now that we have read the poem, let's analyze it in detail.
Structure
"Blue Evening" is a sonnet, which means it has 14 lines and follows a specific rhyme scheme. The rhyme scheme of this poem is ABABCDCDEFEFGG, which is typical of a Petrarchan sonnet. The poem is divided into two parts - an octave (first eight lines) and a sestet (last six lines). The octave presents the problem or situation, while the sestet provides the resolution or conclusion.
Imagery
Brooke's use of imagery in "Blue Evening" is exceptional. He paints a vivid picture of the evening sky and the emotions it evokes in him. The opening line, "My restless blood now lies a-quiver," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "restless" suggests that the poet is feeling anxious or uneasy. The phrase "lies a-quiver" creates a sense of anticipation, as if something is about to happen.
The next line, "Knowing that always, exquisitely," adds to the sense of anticipation. The use of the word "exquisitely" suggests that the poet is expecting something beautiful or extraordinary to happen. The phrase "this April twilight on the river" creates a specific image in the reader's mind - that of a peaceful river at dusk.
The third line, "Stirs anguish in the heart of me," introduces the theme of longing and unfulfilled desire. The use of the word "anguish" suggests that the poet is in pain, and the phrase "heart of me" emphasizes the emotional nature of his pain.
The next few lines describe the source of the poet's pain - his unfulfilled desire for a woman. The phrase "For every thought and every sigh" suggests that the poet is constantly thinking about this woman and sighing in despair. The phrase "And every kiss that comes my way" suggests that the poet is surrounded by love and affection, but it is not enough to fill the void in his heart.
The line "Brings back the dream, with this grey sky," is particularly poignant. The use of the word "dream" suggests that the poet's desire for this woman is not based on reality, but on a fantasy. The phrase "grey sky" creates a sense of melancholy and sadness, as if the poet's dream is fading away.
The next few lines describe the beauty of the evening sky and the spring season. The phrase "The lilacs offer to the night" creates a specific image of fragrant flowers in the darkness. The phrase "Their own and all their neighbour's scent" suggests that the beauty of nature is not limited to one individual, but is shared by all.
The line "The miracle of Spring, still bright," emphasizes the beauty and wonder of the season. The use of the word "miracle" suggests that the poet is in awe of nature's power and majesty. The phrase "Thrills through the air, and comes unspent" suggests that the beauty of nature is infinite and never-ending.
The final two lines of the poem provide the resolution or conclusion. The line "No joy or sorrow anywhere," suggests that the poet has come to accept his situation and is no longer in pain. The phrase "But only this, that beauty is," emphasizes the importance of beauty and the power it has to heal and inspire.
The final line, "And that my heart is young, and fair," suggests that the poet has found peace and contentment in his heart. The use of the word "young" suggests that the poet has a renewed sense of hope and optimism, while the word "fair" suggests that he has found a sense of balance and harmony within himself.
Themes
"Blue Evening" explores several themes, including longing, beauty, and acceptance. The theme of longing is evident throughout the poem, as the poet describes his unfulfilled desire for a woman. The theme of beauty is also prominent, as the poet describes the beauty of the evening sky and the spring season. The theme of acceptance is evident in the final two lines of the poem, as the poet comes to accept his situation and finds peace within himself.
Tone
The tone of "Blue Evening" is melancholic and reflective. The poet is in pain and longing for something he cannot have, but he is also in awe of the beauty of nature and the power it has to heal and inspire. The final two lines of the poem suggest a sense of peace and contentment, as if the poet has come to terms with his situation and found a sense of balance within himself.
Conclusion
"Blue Evening" is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores the themes of longing, beauty, and acceptance. Brooke's use of imagery and language is exceptional, and he paints a vivid picture of the evening sky and the emotions it evokes in him. The poem is a testament to the power of nature and the importance of finding peace and contentment within oneself.
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