'An Autumn Sunset' by Edith Wharton

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Artemis to Acteaon and Other Verse1909ILeaguered in fire
The wild black promontories of the coast extend
Their savage silhouettes;
The sun in universal carnage sets,
And, halting higher,
The motionless storm-clouds mass their sullen threats,
Like an advancing mob in sword-points penned,
That, balked, yet stands at bay.
Mid-zenith hangs the fascinated day
In wind-lustrated hollows crystalline,
A wan Valkyrie whose wide pinions shine
Across the ensanguined ruins of the fray,
And in her hand swings high o'erhead,
Above the waste of war,
The silver torch-light of the evening star
Wherewith to search the faces of the dead.IILagooned in gold,
Seem not those jetty promontories rather
The outposts of some ancient land forlorn,
Uncomforted of morn, Where old oblivions gather,
The melancholy unconsoling fold
Of all things that go utterly to death
And mix no more, no more
With life's perpetually awakening breath?
Shall Time not ferry me to such a shore,
Over such sailless seas,
To walk with hope's slain importunities
In miserable marriage? Nay, shall not
All things be there forgot,
Save the sea's golden barrier and the black
Close-crouching promontories?
Dead to all shames, forgotten of all glories,
Shall I not wander there, a shadow's shade,
A spectre self-destroyed,
So purged of all remembrance and sucked back
Into the primal void,
That should we on that shore phantasmal meet
I should not know the coming of your feet?

Editor 1 Interpretation

Literary Criticism and Interpretation of Edith Wharton's An Autumn Sunset

Introduction

Edith Wharton, a Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist, short story writer, and designer, is well known for her works that explore the lives of the wealthy and privileged during the Gilded Age. She was also a talented poet, and her poem "An Autumn Sunset" presents a vivid picture of the beauty of nature and the fleeting nature of human life. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze the deeper meanings and themes present in this classic poem.

Overview of the Poem

"An Autumn Sunset" is a sonnet consisting of 14 lines, with a rhyme scheme of ABBA ABBA CDC DCD. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which gives it a regular and rhythmic flow. The title of the poem sets the scene for the readers and prepares them for the imagery that follows.

Analysis of the Poem

Stanza 1

The first stanza of the poem presents us with a beautiful autumn sunset scene. The speaker describes the sun setting behind the mountains and the sky turning from blue to gold to red. The use of visual and sensory imagery helps the reader to visualize the scene and feel the beauty of the moment.

Stanza 2

In the second stanza, the speaker shifts the focus from the sunset to the transience of human life. The speaker compares the setting sun to the end of a human life, and the changing colors of the sky to the passing of time. The line "So pass the days of youth upon the earth" reflects the idea that youth is fleeting and quickly fades away.

Stanza 3

The third stanza continues the theme of the fleeting nature of human life. The speaker uses the image of the leaves falling from the trees to illustrate how everything in life, including life itself, has a beginning and an end. The line "Like leaves we wither and are blown away" conveys the idea of impermanence and the inevitability of death.

Stanza 4

In the final stanza, the speaker reflects on the beauty of the sunset and how it will never be seen again. The line "No eyes again will see that spectacle" highlights the idea that every moment in life is unique and can never be repeated. The speaker also acknowledges that while the sunset will be gone forever, its beauty will live on in memory and in the heart.

Themes in the Poem

Transience of Life

One of the most prominent themes in "An Autumn Sunset" is the transience of life. The poem presents the idea that everything in life, including life itself, is fleeting and quickly fades away. The speaker compares the setting sun to the end of a human life, and the changing colors of the sky to the passing of time. The poem encourages readers to appreciate the beauty of life before it passes them by.

Impermanence

The theme of impermanence is closely related to the transience of life. The speaker uses the image of the leaves falling from the trees to illustrate how everything in life has a beginning and an end. The poem encourages readers to accept the impermanent nature of life and to appreciate the beauty of each moment before it passes away.

Beauty of Nature

Another important theme in the poem is the beauty of nature. The speaker's description of the sunset and the changing colors of the sky create a vivid and captivating image that encourages readers to appreciate the beauty of the natural world. The poem suggests that the beauty of nature can help us to find meaning and purpose in our lives.

Conclusion

"An Autumn Sunset" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that presents readers with a vivid picture of the beauty of nature and the fleeting nature of human life. Through its use of visual and sensory imagery, the poem encourages readers to appreciate the beauty of life and the natural world before it passes them by. The themes of transience of life, impermanence, and the beauty of nature make this poem a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

As the leaves begin to change color and the air turns crisp, the beauty of autumn is undeniable. Edith Wharton's poem "An Autumn Sunset" captures the essence of this season with its vivid imagery and melancholic tone. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and historical context of this classic poem.

Firstly, let's take a look at the poem itself. "An Autumn Sunset" is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. Wharton's sonnet follows the traditional structure of an Italian sonnet, with an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines). The rhyme scheme is ABBA ABBA CDCDCD, which creates a sense of symmetry and balance in the poem.

The poem begins with a description of the setting sun, which is "like a crimson rose." This simile sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the rose is a symbol of beauty and love, but also of transience and impermanence. The use of color imagery is also significant, as the crimson red of the sun suggests both passion and danger.

The second quatrain introduces the theme of death and decay, as the speaker describes the "dying day" and the "waning west." The use of alliteration in these lines creates a sense of melancholy and sadness. The third quatrain continues this theme, as the speaker describes the "fading fire" of the sun and the "dying embers" of the day. The repetition of the word "dying" emphasizes the inevitability of death and the passing of time.

The volta, or turn, of the poem occurs in the ninth line, where the speaker shifts from describing the sunset to addressing a specific person. The speaker asks, "What does it matter, love, that thou art dead?" This line introduces the theme of love and loss, which is central to the poem. The use of the word "thou" suggests that the person being addressed is someone from the past, perhaps a lover who has died.

The final sestet of the poem explores this theme in more detail. The speaker asks, "What though the world has all forgotten thee?" This line suggests that the person being addressed is no longer remembered by anyone else, but the speaker still remembers and mourns their loss. The use of the word "thee" emphasizes the personal nature of this grief.

The final two lines of the poem offer a sense of acceptance and resignation. The speaker acknowledges that "Love, love alone, can wreathe with daisies red / And redden with the sunset's glow the brow of the beloved dead." This line suggests that love is the only thing that can bring beauty and color to the world of death and decay. The use of the word "beloved" emphasizes the depth of the speaker's feelings.

Now that we have analyzed the structure and themes of the poem, let's take a look at some of the literary devices that Wharton uses to create her powerful imagery. One of the most striking devices is the use of color imagery, particularly the use of red. The crimson rose, the fading fire, and the daisies red all suggest passion, danger, and love. The use of alliteration in lines such as "dying day" and "fading fire" creates a sense of melancholy and sadness.

Another important device is the use of personification. The setting sun is described as "dying" and "fading," which gives it a sense of agency and emotion. The use of the word "love" as a personified force that can "wreathe with daisies red" also creates a sense of agency and power.

Finally, the use of the sonnet form itself is significant. The strict rhyme scheme and structure create a sense of order and balance, which contrasts with the themes of death and decay in the poem. The volta, or turn, in the ninth line also creates a sense of surprise and emotional impact.

In terms of historical context, it is important to note that Wharton was writing in the early 20th century, a time when the world was still recovering from the devastation of World War I. The themes of death and loss in the poem can be seen as a reflection of this larger cultural trauma. Additionally, Wharton was a member of the upper class in New York society, and her writing often explores the themes of privilege and social status. The theme of love and loss in "An Autumn Sunset" can be seen as a reflection of this privileged perspective, as the speaker mourns the loss of a loved one who is no longer remembered by the world.

In conclusion, "An Autumn Sunset" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the beauty and melancholy of the autumn season. Through its vivid imagery, use of literary devices, and exploration of themes such as love and loss, Wharton creates a work of art that resonates with readers to this day. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply appreciate the beauty of the natural world, this classic poem is sure to leave a lasting impression.

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