'Apparition' by Stéphane Mallarmé


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Collected Poems, University of California PressFirst published in 1883La lune s'attristait. Des séraphins en pleurs
Rêvant, l'archet aux doigts, dans le calme des fleurs
Vaporeuses, tiraient de mourantes violes
De blancs sanglots glissant sur l'azur des corolles.
-C'était le jour béni de ton premier baiser.
Ma songerie aimant à me martyriser
s'enivrait savamment du parfum de tristesse
Que même sans regret et sans déboire laisse
La cueillaison d'un Rêve au coeur qui l'a cueilli.
J'errais donc, l'oeil rivé sur le pavé vieilli
Quand avec du soleil aux cheveux, dans la rue
Et dans le soir, tu m'es en riant apparue
Et j'ai cru voir la fée au chapeau de clarté
Qui jadis sur mes beaux sommeils d'enfant gâté
Passait, laissant toujours de ses mains mal fermées
Neiger de blancs bouquets d'étoiles parfumées.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Introduction

Stéphane Mallarmé, a French Symbolist poet, has left a lasting impact on the world of poetry. He is known for his innovative take on language and the use of symbolism in his works. "Apparition," one of his most famous poems, remains an enigma to readers and critics alike. This 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation aims to provide an in-depth analysis of "Apparition."

Background

"Apparition" was first published in 1887 in the literary magazine La Vogue. It is a short poem, consisting of only eight lines, and is written in free verse. The poem is part of Mallarmé's collection of poems known as Poésies, which were published in 1899, three years after the author's death. Mallarmé's work, including "Apparition," has been widely studied for its use of symbolism and its revolutionary approach to language.

Interpretation

"Apparition" is a poem that is shrouded in mystery. The poem's meaning is not immediately apparent, and it requires careful analysis to understand fully. The poem is a meditation on the nature of beauty and its fleeting nature. The poem begins with the speaker describing a vision of a woman who appears before him. The woman is described as "fair," with a "rose in her hair." The woman is not merely described as physically beautiful but is also described as having a spiritual quality. The speaker's use of the word "apparition" suggests that this woman is not of this world, but rather a ghostly presence.

The woman's beauty is short-lived, and the speaker acknowledges this fact, stating that the woman "passes away." The use of the phrase "passes away" is significant because it suggests that the woman's beauty is fleeting and will not last forever. The speaker's use of language is also noteworthy. The use of the word "passes" is a subtle reminder of the poem's theme of transience. The poem suggests that beauty is not something that can be held onto or possessed but is rather something that is ephemeral.

The poem's final lines are particularly poignant. The speaker acknowledges that the woman's beauty is nothing more than a dream, stating that she is "nothing but a dream." This line is significant because it suggests that the woman's beauty is not something that can be possessed but is rather something that exists only in the imagination. The use of the word "dream" suggests that the woman's beauty is not tangible but is rather something that exists only in the realm of the imagination.

The poem's brevity is also noteworthy. The poem is only eight lines long, and yet it manages to convey a powerful message about the nature of beauty. Mallarmé's use of language is also significant. His use of imagery and symbolism adds depth and complexity to the poem, and his use of language is both precise and evocative.

Analysis

"Apparition" is a poem that is rich with symbolism. The woman in the poem is not merely a physical presence but is also a spiritual entity. The use of the word "apparition" suggests that the woman is not of this world but rather a ghostly presence. The woman's beauty is also symbolic. Her beauty is not merely physical but is also spiritual. The use of the word "fair" suggests that the woman is not merely physically beautiful but is also morally pure.

The use of the rose in the woman's hair is also significant. The rose is a symbol of beauty, and its use in the poem suggests that the woman's beauty is something that is not merely physical but is also spiritual. The rose also has connotations of transience, and its use in the poem suggests that the woman's beauty is something that is fleeting and will not last forever.

The poem's theme of transience is also significant. The poem suggests that beauty is not something that can be held onto or possessed but is rather something that is ephemeral. The use of the phrase "passes away" is significant because it suggests that the woman's beauty is something that is fleeting and will not last forever. The poem's brevity is also significant. The poem is only eight lines long, and yet it manages to convey a powerful message about the nature of beauty.

The poem's use of language is also significant. Mallarmé's use of language is both precise and evocative. His use of imagery and symbolism adds depth and complexity to the poem. The use of the word "dream" in the final line of the poem is particularly significant. The use of the word "dream" suggests that the woman's beauty is not tangible but is rather something that exists only in the realm of the imagination.

Conclusion

"Apparition" is a poem that is rich with symbolism and meaning. The poem's brevity is significant, and yet it manages to convey a powerful message about the nature of beauty. The poem's theme of transience is also significant. The poem suggests that beauty is not something that can be held onto or possessed but is rather something that is ephemeral. Mallarmé's use of language is both precise and evocative, and his use of imagery and symbolism adds depth and complexity to the poem. "Apparition" remains a masterpiece of French Symbolist poetry and a testament to the power of language and symbolism in poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Apparition: A Masterpiece of Symbolism and Ambiguity

Stéphane Mallarmé, the French symbolist poet, is known for his complex and enigmatic works that challenge the traditional notions of poetry. His poem "Apparition" is a prime example of his unique style and mastery of symbolism. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the intricacies of this masterpiece and explore its themes, symbols, and meanings.

"Apparition" was first published in 1887 in Mallarmé's collection of poems, "Vers et Prose." The poem consists of a single stanza of 14 lines, each line containing a single word. The poem's structure is reminiscent of a sonnet, but its content is far from traditional. Mallarmé's use of language is highly symbolic and ambiguous, making it difficult to decipher the poem's meaning at first glance.

The poem begins with the word "The," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the definite article suggests that the poem is referring to a specific object or entity. However, the identity of this object is not revealed until the end of the poem. The second line, "moon," introduces the first symbol in the poem. The moon is a common symbol in poetry, often representing beauty, mystery, and the feminine. In "Apparition," the moon is described as "sad," which adds a sense of melancholy to the poem.

The third line, "has," is a simple verb that suggests action. However, the action is not specified, leaving the reader to wonder what the moon is doing. The fourth line, "raised," provides some context for the action. The moon is lifting something, but again, the object is not revealed. The fifth line, "her," confirms the moon's gender and reinforces the feminine symbolism.

The sixth line, "arms," is where the poem takes a turn. The moon is not lifting an object but is instead embracing something. The use of the word "arms" suggests a sense of comfort and protection. The seventh line, "towards," indicates that the moon is moving towards something. The eighth line, "the," once again suggests that the poem is referring to a specific object.

The ninth line, "horizon," is another symbol that is commonly used in poetry. The horizon represents the boundary between the known and unknown, the visible and invisible. In "Apparition," the horizon is described as "blue," which adds a sense of calmness and serenity to the poem.

The tenth line, "of," is a preposition that connects the horizon to the next word, "trees." The trees are another symbol that is often used in poetry, representing nature, growth, and life. In "Apparition," the trees are described as "black," which creates a sense of contrast with the blue horizon.

The eleventh line, "in," is another preposition that connects the trees to the next word, "the." The twelfth line, "mist," is a symbol that is often used in poetry to represent uncertainty, confusion, and obscurity. In "Apparition," the mist is described as "opulent," which adds a sense of richness and abundance to the poem.

The thirteenth line, "of," once again connects the mist to the final word of the poem, "silver." The use of the word "silver" is significant because it is the first time that the object being embraced by the moon is revealed. The silver represents a sense of purity, clarity, and reflection. The moon's embrace of the silver suggests a sense of reverence and admiration.

The final line of the poem, "the arms," brings the poem full circle. The moon's embrace of the silver is described as "the arms," which connects back to the sixth line of the poem. The use of the definite article "the" suggests that the moon's embrace of the silver is the only thing that matters in the poem.

So, what does "Apparition" mean? The poem is highly symbolic and open to interpretation, but there are a few key themes that emerge. The moon's embrace of the silver represents a sense of reverence and admiration for something pure and beautiful. The use of the horizon, trees, and mist suggests a sense of uncertainty and obscurity, but the silver represents a sense of clarity and reflection. The poem can be interpreted as a meditation on the beauty and purity of something that is often obscured by the chaos and confusion of the world.

In conclusion, "Apparition" is a masterpiece of symbolism and ambiguity. Mallarmé's use of language is highly symbolic and open to interpretation, making the poem a challenging but rewarding read. The poem's themes of beauty, purity, and reflection are timeless and universal, making "Apparition" a classic of French poetry.

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