'Apologetic Postscript Of A Year Later' by Robert Louis Stevenson
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IF you see this song, my dear,
And last year's toast,
I'm confoundedly in fear
You'll be serious and severe
About the boast.
Blame not that I sought such aid
To cure regret.
I was then so lowly laid
I used all the Gasconnade
That I could get.
Being snubbed is somewhat smart,
Believe, my sweet;
And I needed all my art
To restore my broken heart
To its conceit.
Come and smile, dear, and forget
I boasted so,
I apologise - regret -
It was all a jest; - and - yet -
I do not know.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Apologetic Postscript Of A Year Later by Robert Louis Stevenson
It's not every day that you come across a piece of poetry that is both reflective and apologetic in tone. But that's precisely what Robert Louis Stevenson was able to achieve with his work, "Apologetic Postscript Of A Year Later." It is a poem that is both introspective and deeply personal, yet it speaks to universal themes of regret, forgiveness, and redemption.
Background
Stevenson wrote this poem in 1889, a year after the publication of his novel "The Master of Ballantrae." The novel was not well received by the public, and Stevenson was disappointed by its lack of success. In his poem, he looks back at the events of the previous year and tries to make sense of his own failures and shortcomings.
Analysis
The poem is structured as a series of stanzas, each with four lines of alternating rhyme. The first stanza sets the tone, with Stevenson apologizing for his previous work:
I, who all the winter through
Cherished other loves than you,
And kept hands with hoary policy in marriage-bed and pew;
Now spring returns: but not to me returns the seraphs too.
Here, Stevenson acknowledges that he had been distracted by other pursuits, and had not given his poetry the attention it deserved. He speaks of "hoary policy," a reference to his own tendency to play it safe and conform to the expectations of society. But now, with the arrival of spring, he realizes that he has lost something important. The "seraphs" represent his inspiration, his muse, and he fears that they may never return.
The second stanza is a continuation of this theme, with Stevenson reflecting on the passing of time:
Youth hath left me behind;
Gone are joys and sorrows blind;
Lords and ladies, born to-morrow,
And the worm, forgiven, borrow
Long is the way, and hard, that out of hell leads up to light.
Here, he speaks of the fleeting nature of youth, and how quickly it passes. He laments the loss of innocence and the arrival of responsibility. He uses the image of "lords and ladies, born to-morrow" to underscore the transience of human achievement. And he quotes a line from Milton's "Paradise Lost," reminding us that the road to redemption is a difficult one.
The third stanza is perhaps the most personal and confessional of the poem:
Strange it is that men should furbish
Old religions till they perish!
Few have blood enough to pay
Prophecies of all men's clay.
Stand up, stockdove, and let me shoot your plumes.
Here, Stevenson reflects on the nature of faith and the human need for spirituality. He wonders why people cling to old religions, knowing that they are destined to fade away. He acknowledges his own lack of faith, and how difficult it can be to find a meaningful connection to the divine. And he ends the stanza with a request to a "stockdove," a bird that represents peace and serenity.
The final stanza is a meditation on the power of forgiveness:
You, who stand so calm and high,
You, who see the winds go by,
And care not,—you, aloof, must know,
You, who watch the show,
In calm compassion, with a smile serene,
How vain it is, this seeking to be clean!
Here, Stevenson addresses the dove once again, acknowledging its ability to remain detached and serene in the face of the world's turmoil. He suggests that forgiveness is the key to peace, and that striving for purity is a fruitless endeavor. In the end, he suggests that we should all strive to be more like the dove, and let go of our anxieties and fears.
Interpretation
Stevenson's "Apologetic Postscript Of A Year Later" is a deeply personal poem, but it speaks to universal themes of regret, forgiveness, and redemption. It is a meditation on the human condition, and the ways in which we are always striving for something better.
At its core, the poem is about the struggle to find meaning in a chaotic world. Stevenson is grappling with his own failings as an artist and as a human being, but he is also speaking to a broader sense of disillusionment that many people feel. He is questioning why we continue to cling to old ways of thinking, when they are clearly no longer effective. And he is suggesting that forgiveness and compassion may be the keys to finding peace in a turbulent world.
Ultimately, "Apologetic Postscript Of A Year Later" is a poem about acceptance. Stevenson is acknowledging his own limitations, but he is also recognizing the inherent beauty in the world around him. He is finding solace in the small moments of grace that we all experience, and he is reminding us of the importance of staying grounded in the present moment.
Conclusion
Robert Louis Stevenson's "Apologetic Postscript Of A Year Later" is a beautiful and powerful poem that speaks to the human experience in a profound way. It is a reminder that we are all flawed and imperfect, but that there is beauty and meaning to be found in even the darkest moments of life. It is a work of deep reflection and introspection, but it is also a call to action. It challenges us to be more compassionate, more forgiving, and more open to the world around us.
In the end, Stevenson's poem is a testament to the power of poetry itself. It is a reminder that literature has the ability to touch our souls and to speak to us in ways that other forms of communication cannot. It is a work that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come, and that will continue to inspire us to strive for something better.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Robert Louis Stevenson's "A Poetry Apologetic Postscript Of A Year Later" is a classic piece of literature that has stood the test of time. This poem is a reflection on the author's own work and the criticisms that it has received. In this analysis, we will delve deep into the poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the author acknowledging the criticisms that his work has received. He admits that he has made mistakes and that his work is not perfect. However, he also defends his work and argues that it is still valuable despite its flaws. This is a common theme in literature, as many authors have faced criticism for their work.
Stevenson then goes on to discuss the nature of poetry itself. He argues that poetry is not meant to be perfect, but rather it is meant to capture the essence of life. He writes, "For life, with all its pain and strife, / Is the poet's sweetest theme." This line encapsulates the idea that poetry is meant to reflect the human experience, which is often messy and imperfect.
The poem then takes a turn as Stevenson begins to reflect on his own mortality. He writes, "And when I am dead, and over me bright / April shakes out her rain-drenched hair." This line is a powerful reminder that life is fleeting and that we must make the most of our time on earth. It also serves as a reminder that even after we are gone, our work can still live on and have an impact.
Stevenson then returns to the theme of poetry, arguing that it is a powerful tool for expressing emotions and ideas. He writes, "For poetry is the golden key / That unlocks the casket of the heart." This line is a beautiful metaphor that captures the power of poetry to reveal the deepest parts of ourselves.
The poem ends with Stevenson acknowledging that his work may not be perfect, but that he has done his best. He writes, "And if my verse is barren, / As a desert is forlorn." This line is a humble admission that even the best poets can struggle to find the right words. However, Stevenson also argues that even if his work is not perfect, it is still valuable and worth reading.
In terms of structure, the poem is written in rhyming couplets. This gives the poem a sense of rhythm and flow, which is appropriate for a poem about poetry. The use of couplets also serves to emphasize the themes of the poem, as each couplet contains a complete thought or idea.
In terms of literary devices, the poem is full of metaphors and imagery. For example, Stevenson compares poetry to a "golden key" and life to a "rain-drenched hair." These metaphors serve to make the poem more vivid and memorable, as they create powerful mental images in the reader's mind.
Overall, "A Poetry Apologetic Postscript Of A Year Later" is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores the nature of poetry and the human experience. Stevenson's use of metaphors and imagery creates a vivid and memorable poem that is sure to stay with readers long after they have finished reading it. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of life and to reveal the deepest parts of ourselves.
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