'November' by William Cullen Bryant


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Yet one smile more, departing, distant sun!
One mellow smile through the soft vapoury air,
Ere, o'er the frozen earth, the loud winds ran,
Or snows are sifted o'er the meadows bare.
One smile on the brown hills and naked trees,
And the dark rocks whose summer wreaths are cast,
And the blue Gentian flower, that, in the breeze,
Nods lonely, of her beauteous race the last.
Yet a few sunny days, in which the bee
Shall murmur by the hedge that skim the way,
The cricket chirp upon the russet lea,
And man delight to linger in thy ray.
Yet one rich smile, and we will try to bear
The piercing winter frost, and winds, and darkened air.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Exploring the Depths of Emotion in William Cullen Bryant's "November"

As a lover of poetry, I can't help but be drawn to the raw emotion that is often conveyed through stanzas and verses. And when it comes to William Cullen Bryant's "November," I find myself completely immersed in the depth of feeling that is woven throughout the poem.

At first glance, the poem may seem like a simple description of the season, with references to falling leaves and cloudy skies. But upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that Bryant's words are conveying something much more profound - the beauty and pain of change, of endings and new beginnings.

Setting the Scene

The first stanza of the poem sets the scene, describing the landscape of November. Bryant writes:

Yet one smile more, departing, distant sun!
One mellow smile through the soft vapoury air,
Ere, o'er the frozen earth, the loud winds run,
Or snows are sifted o'er the meadow bare.

Right away, we get a sense of the melancholy tone that will permeate the poem. The idea of a departing sun, and the impending arrival of harsh winter winds and snow, sets a somber mood.

But even in this darkness, there is beauty to be found. The "soft vapoury air" creates a sense of hazy, dreamlike beauty, and the "mellow smile" of the sun adds a touch of warmth to the cold landscape.

The Beauty of Change

As the poem progresses, Bryant continues to explore the theme of beauty in the midst of change. He writes:

And thus, in silence, dreams of other days
Come back to me. The autumn sunsets blaze
With gold and purple, gold and purple grapes
Are glowing in the hedges, and the drapes
Of the low fir-trees, waving fragrant boughs,
Shine through the gaps of the divided house,
And on the ragged mossy stairs, and down
The forest aisle, the sunbeams strive to crown
The floor with gold, and, entering in, the day
Is kind to all things mortal.

Here, Bryant is describing the way in which the changing landscape of November brings back memories of other times, other seasons. The "gold and purple" of the autumn sunsets and grapes are a reminder of the beauty that still exists in the world, even as the days grow shorter and colder.

The image of the "ragged mossy stairs" and the "forest aisle" are particularly striking to me, as they convey a sense of age and decay, yet also a sense of quiet beauty that can be found even in the most unexpected places.

The Pain of Endings

Of course, with beauty comes pain. And in "November," Bryant doesn't shy away from exploring the pain of endings and loss.

He writes:

The widowed hour no vigil keeping,
Mourns o'er the loved and lost of years;
And finds in kindred, sorrowing,
The balm to heal its griefs and tears.

Here, Bryant is describing the way in which November is a time of mourning, a time to remember those who have been lost. The "widowed hour" is a poignant image, conveying the sense of loneliness and sorrow that can come with the end of something.

But even in this pain, there is a sense of connection to be found. The idea of "finding in kindred, sorrowing, the balm to heal its griefs and tears" is a powerful one, conveying the idea that even in loss, we are not alone.

New Beginnings

And yet, even in the midst of mourning, there is always the possibility of new beginnings. Bryant writes:

The winds come whispering softly by,
And bear the snowflakes through the sky;
The door is shut, the window fast,
Yet, round the chimney’s ruddy blast,
The night-wind, whistling, weaves its tune,
And in the sound forgets the moon.

Here, Bryant is describing the way in which the winds of November bring with them the possibility of new beginnings. The snowflakes flying through the sky are a reminder of the way in which even the harshest winter can give way to the sweet renewal of spring.

The image of the wind "whistling" and "weaving its tune" is a beautiful one, conveying the sense of movement and change that is inherent in all things.

Conclusion

In the end, "November" is a poem that explores the beauty and pain of change, of endings and new beginnings. Through Bryant's use of vivid imagery and poignant language, we are able to see the world through his eyes, to feel the emotions that he is conveying.

As a lover of poetry, I can't help but be moved by "November." It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is beauty to be found. And even in the midst of pain and loss, there is always the possibility of new beginnings.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry November: A Masterpiece of William Cullen Bryant

William Cullen Bryant, an American poet, journalist, and editor, is known for his romantic and nature-inspired poetry. His works are often characterized by their vivid descriptions of the natural world and their emphasis on the beauty of the changing seasons. One of his most famous poems, "Poetry November," is a perfect example of his style and mastery of language. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.

The poem "Poetry November" was first published in 1821 in the North American Review. It is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. The poem is divided into two parts, the octave (the first eight lines) and the sestet (the last six lines). The rhyme scheme of the octave is ABBAABBA, while the sestet follows the pattern CDCDCD.

The poem begins with a description of the natural world in November. The speaker describes the "gray and melancholy" sky, the "leafless" trees, and the "frosty" air. The imagery used in these lines is vivid and evocative, creating a sense of desolation and sadness. The speaker then contrasts this bleak landscape with the beauty of poetry, which he describes as a "bright creation" that can "cheer the lonely heart."

In the second part of the poem, the speaker goes on to describe the power of poetry to transport us to other worlds and times. He writes, "It hath the power to charm the past to life, / And call up busy spirits from the vasty deep." Here, the speaker is suggesting that poetry has the ability to bring the past to life and to connect us with the spirits of those who have gone before us. This idea is further developed in the final lines of the poem, where the speaker suggests that poetry can even bring us closer to God. He writes, "It hath a voice whose sound is like the sea, / Pure as the naked heavens, majestic, free."

The central theme of the poem is the power of poetry to transcend the limitations of time and space. The speaker suggests that poetry has the ability to connect us with the past, the present, and the future, and to bring us closer to the divine. This theme is reinforced by the use of vivid imagery and powerful language throughout the poem.

One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of personification. The speaker personifies poetry, describing it as a "bright creation" that can "cheer the lonely heart." This personification gives the poem a sense of vitality and energy, and helps to reinforce the idea that poetry is a living, breathing thing that can have a profound impact on our lives.

Another important feature of the poem is its use of metaphor. The speaker compares poetry to a "bright creation" and a "voice whose sound is like the sea." These metaphors help to create a sense of wonder and awe, and to suggest that poetry is something that is both beautiful and powerful.

The language used in the poem is also worth noting. The speaker uses a range of poetic devices, including alliteration, assonance, and repetition, to create a sense of rhythm and musicality. For example, in the line "The melancholy days are come, the saddest of the year," the repetition of the "m" sound creates a sense of melancholy and sadness.

In conclusion, "Poetry November" is a masterpiece of William Cullen Bryant's poetry. It is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the theme of the power of poetry to transcend time and space. The use of vivid imagery, personification, metaphor, and poetic language all contribute to the poem's impact and effectiveness. This poem is a testament to Bryant's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the beauty and power of the natural world in his writing.

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