'At Last She Comes' by Robert Louis Stevenson
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AT last she comes, O never more
In this dear patience of my pain
To leave me lonely as before,
Or leave my soul alone again.
Editor 1 Interpretation
At Last She Comes: A Masterpiece by Robert Louis Stevenson
Have you ever read a poem that captures the essence of life and death, love and loss, and the beauty of nature? At Last She Comes by Robert Louis Stevenson is one such poem that transcends time and space with its lyrical beauty and profound insights into the human condition. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism of this masterpiece and explain why it is still relevant and meaningful today.
Background and Context
Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) was a Scottish writer, poet, and essayist who is best known for his adventure novels such as Treasure Island and Kidnapped. Stevenson started writing poetry at a young age and published his first collection, An Inland Voyage, in 1878. At Last She Comes was published in his second collection, Underwoods, in 1887.
The poem is a sonnet, a 14-line poem with a strict rhyme scheme and meter, that follows the traditional structure of the form. The sonnet is divided into two quatrains (four-line stanzas) and two tercets (three-line stanzas), with the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The meter is iambic pentameter, which means each line has ten syllables with a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables (da-DUM).
Stevenson's sonnet follows in the tradition of English Romantic poetry, which emphasizes the beauty and power of nature, the subjective experience of the individual, and the transcendent power of the imagination. However, Stevenson adds his own unique twist to the sonnet form by using it to explore the themes of love, death, and the cycle of life.
Themes
One of the most prominent themes in At Last She Comes is the theme of love and loss. The poem begins with the speaker describing a beautiful woman who represents the object of his desire. The woman is described as a "queenly stranger" who is "fair as morning" and "sweet as summer." The speaker is clearly in love with this woman and longs for her presence.
However, the poem takes a darker turn in the second quatrain when the speaker describes the arrival of autumn, which symbolizes the onset of decay and death. The leaves fall from the trees, the flowers wither and die, and the birds fly away. The speaker laments the loss of the beauty and warmth of summer and compares it to the loss of his beloved.
The third quatrain introduces the idea of the cycle of life, which is a recurring theme in Stevenson's poetry. The speaker describes how the seasons come and go, how life and death are intertwined, and how everything is part of a larger cosmic order. The woman whom the speaker loves is also part of this cycle, and the speaker realizes that she will return to him in another form, just as the flowers will bloom again in the spring.
Finally, the last tercet brings the poem full circle as the speaker welcomes the return of spring and the woman he loves. He describes her as a "queenly stranger" once again and imagines her coming back to him with "roses in her hair." The cycle of life continues, and the speaker finds solace in the knowledge that his beloved will always return to him.
Imagery and Symbolism
Stevenson's use of imagery and symbolism is one of the strengths of this poem. The imagery is vivid and evocative, and the symbols are rich with meaning.
The opening lines of the poem set the tone with their sensual and romantic imagery:
At last she comes, O never more In this dear patience of my pain To leave me lonely here again, Or add a terror to the night!
The woman is described as a "queenly stranger" who is "fair as morning" and "sweet as summer." The use of the word "queenly" suggests that she is powerful and majestic, while the comparison to nature emphasizes her beauty and vitality.
The imagery of autumn is equally powerful and symbolic. The falling leaves, the fading flowers, and the departing birds all represent the idea of decay and death. The speaker laments the loss of summer and the beauty that it represents, just as he laments the loss of his beloved.
The final tercet brings the imagery full circle as the speaker welcomes the return of spring and the woman he loves. The image of "roses in her hair" suggests that she is once again a part of nature and the cycle of life.
Interpretation
At Last She Comes is a poem that invites multiple interpretations. One possible interpretation is that the poem is a meditation on the nature of love and the cycle of life. The woman whom the speaker loves represents the beauty and vitality of life, while the arrival of autumn symbolizes the onset of decay and death. However, the poem suggests that death is not the end, but rather a part of a larger cycle of life and rebirth.
Another possible interpretation is that the poem is a tribute to the power of imagination and poetry. The sonnet form itself is a testament to the power of poetry to capture and express complex emotions in a structured and beautiful way. The poem also suggests that the imagination has the power to transcend time and space and connect us to something larger than ourselves.
Finally, the poem can be seen as a reflection on the human condition and the universal experience of loss and renewal. The cycle of life and death is something that we all must face, and the poem suggests that there is a deeper meaning and purpose to this cycle that we may not fully understand.
Conclusion
At Last She Comes is a masterpiece of English Romantic poetry that continues to resonate with readers today. The poem's themes of love, death, and the cycle of life are timeless, and its imagery and symbolism are rich with meaning. Stevenson's use of the sonnet form adds a structure and beauty to the poem that enhances its emotional impact. Whether read as a meditation on the nature of love, a tribute to the power of poetry, or a reflection on the human condition, At Last She Comes is a poem that deserves to be treasured and celebrated for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry At Last She Comes: A Masterpiece of Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson, the Scottish novelist, poet, and essayist, is known for his exceptional literary works that have stood the test of time. One of his most celebrated poems is "At Last She Comes," which is a beautiful ode to the arrival of spring. This poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the season and the joy it brings to our lives. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
Structure
"At Last She Comes" is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem that follows a specific rhyme scheme. The poem is divided into two quatrains (four-line stanzas) and two tercets (three-line stanzas). The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which means that the first and third lines of each quatrain rhyme, as do the second and fourth lines. The tercets follow a different rhyme scheme, with the first and third lines rhyming, and the second line rhyming with the final couplet.
Themes
The poem's central theme is the arrival of spring and the joy it brings to our lives. The poet describes the season as a time of renewal and rebirth, a time when nature awakens from its slumber and bursts into life. The poem celebrates the beauty of spring, with its flowers, birds, and sunshine, and the sense of hope and optimism that it brings.
Another theme that runs through the poem is the idea of time and change. The poet reflects on the passing of time and the cyclical nature of the seasons. He acknowledges that spring will eventually give way to summer, and then to autumn and winter, but he also suggests that the memory of spring will endure, and that it will return again next year.
Literary Devices
Stevenson employs a range of literary devices to create a vivid and evocative picture of spring. One of the most striking is his use of imagery. He describes the season in rich and vibrant detail, using metaphors and similes to bring it to life. For example, he compares the "budding thorn" to "a rose in June," and the "dewy lawn" to "a carpet spread with pearls." These images help to create a sense of the beauty and abundance of spring.
The poet also uses personification to give nature a sense of agency and vitality. He describes the "budding thorn" as "eager," and the "dewy lawn" as "smiling." This personification helps to create a sense of the season as a living, breathing entity, with its own desires and intentions.
Another literary device that Stevenson employs is alliteration. He uses repeated consonant sounds to create a musical effect and to draw attention to certain words and phrases. For example, he writes, "The blackbird fills the air with melody," where the repeated "m" sound creates a sense of the bird's song.
Finally, the poem's structure and rhyme scheme contribute to its overall effect. The sonnet form is a traditional and elegant structure that gives the poem a sense of order and balance. The rhyme scheme creates a sense of harmony and resolution, with the final couplet providing a satisfying conclusion to the poem.
Conclusion
"At Last She Comes" is a beautiful and evocative poem that celebrates the arrival of spring and the joy it brings to our lives. Through his use of imagery, personification, and alliteration, Stevenson creates a vivid and vibrant picture of the season, capturing its beauty and abundance. The poem's structure and rhyme scheme contribute to its overall effect, giving it a sense of order and harmony. This poem is a true masterpiece of Robert Louis Stevenson's literary works and a testament to his skill as a poet.
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