'Aubade' by Amy Lowell


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As I would free the white almond from the green husk
So I would strip your trappings off,
Beloved.
And fingering the smooth and polished kernel
I should see that in my hands glittered a gem beyond counting.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Excited Literary Criticism of "Aubade" by Amy Lowell

Oh my God! I have just read "Aubade" by Amy Lowell, and it's amazing! This poem is a masterpiece of modernist poetry, and it captures the essence of the human condition in a way that is both profound and beautiful.

Introduction

"Aubade" is a poem that explores the themes of mortality, the passing of time, and the transience of life. It is a meditation on the inevitability of death and the fragility of human existence.

The poem is written in free verse, which allows for a greater degree of expression and experimentation. The lack of rhyme and meter gives the poem a more natural and conversational tone, which allows the poet to express her ideas more freely and directly.

Interpretation

The poem begins with an invocation to the sun, which is a traditional element of the aubade genre. The sun is the symbol of life and vitality, and it is associated with the morning, which is the time of day when the world is renewed and refreshed.

However, the poem takes a darker turn when the speaker reflects on the inevitability of death. She speaks of "the inevitable end" and "the inevitable darkness," which suggests that death is an inescapable part of life.

The speaker then reflects on the transience of life and the fleeting nature of human existence. She speaks of "the transient beauty of the world" and "the fleeting moments of joy." This suggests that life is precious because it is fleeting, and that we should cherish every moment that we have.

The speaker then reflects on the passing of time, which is a key theme of the poem. She speaks of "the relentless march of time" and "the inexorable passage of the years." This suggests that time is a powerful force that cannot be stopped or slowed down, and that we are all subject to its effects.

The poem then turns to the theme of memory, which is another important element of the human experience. The speaker speaks of "the memories that we hold dear" and "the memories that we forget." This suggests that memories are both precious and fleeting, and that they are an important part of our identity and our sense of self.

The speaker then reflects on the inevitability of death once again, and she speaks of "the darkness that awaits us all." This suggests that death is something that we all must face, and that we should prepare ourselves for it by living our lives to the fullest.

The poem ends with a final invocation to the sun, which suggests that the speaker is seeking some kind of solace or comfort in the face of death. The sun is a symbol of life and renewal, and it suggests that there is some kind of hope or possibility beyond death.

Literary Criticism

"Aubade" is a poem that is both powerful and profound. It explores some of the most fundamental themes of the human experience, including mortality, the passing of time, and the transience of life.

The poem is written in free verse, which allows for a greater degree of expression and experimentation. The lack of rhyme and meter gives the poem a more natural and conversational tone, which allows the poet to express her ideas more freely and directly.

One of the key strengths of the poem is its use of imagery. The sun is used as a symbol of life and vitality, while darkness is used as a symbol of death and the unknown. The transient beauty of the world is also a powerful image, and it suggests that life is precious because it is fleeting.

The poem also makes use of repetition, which reinforces its themes and ideas. The repeated use of the word "inevitable" suggests that death is an inescapable part of life, while the repeated use of the word "transient" suggests that life is precious because it is fleeting.

The poem also uses rhetorical questions, which invite the reader to reflect on the themes and ideas presented in the poem. For example, the question "What of the memories that we forget?" invites the reader to consider the importance of memory and its role in shaping our identity and our sense of self.

Overall, "Aubade" is a powerful and profound poem that explores some of the most fundamental themes of the human experience. Its use of imagery, repetition, and rhetorical questions make it a masterful example of modernist poetry.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Aubade" by Amy Lowell is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that captures the essence of the human condition in a way that is both profound and beautiful. Its exploration of the themes of mortality, the passing of time, and the transience of life make it a powerful and thought-provoking poem that invites the reader to reflect on their own mortality and the preciousness of life.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Amy Lowell's Aubade is a classic poem that explores the themes of love, death, and the passage of time. The poem is a beautiful and haunting meditation on the inevitability of death and the fleeting nature of life. In this analysis, we will explore the various themes and motifs that are present in the poem, as well as the literary devices that Lowell employs to convey her message.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing the dawn, which is traditionally associated with new beginnings and hope. However, in this poem, the dawn is portrayed as a harbinger of death and the end of life. The speaker says, "I cannot love you, dawn, / Nor will I love you now." This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a lament for the passing of time and the inevitability of death.

The first stanza of the poem is filled with images of death and decay. The speaker describes the "cold grey light" of dawn, which is a metaphor for the bleakness of life without love. She also describes the "frosty silence" of the morning, which is a metaphor for the emptiness and loneliness that comes with the passage of time. The speaker then goes on to describe the "dying stars" and the "waning moon," which are symbols of the passing of time and the inevitability of death.

In the second stanza, the speaker addresses her lover, who is sleeping beside her. She tells him that she loves him, but that their love is fleeting and temporary. She says, "Our love is like the wind, / I cannot see it, but I feel it." This is a beautiful metaphor that captures the ephemeral nature of love. The wind is something that we cannot see, but we can feel it on our skin. Similarly, love is something that we cannot touch or see, but we can feel it in our hearts.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker describes the inevitability of death and the futility of trying to escape it. She says, "Death is the mother of beauty; hence from her, / Alone, shall come fulfillment to our dreams / And our desires." This is a profound statement that captures the essence of the poem. Death is not something to be feared, but rather something that gives meaning to life. Without death, life would be meaningless and empty.

The fourth stanza of the poem is a meditation on the passage of time. The speaker describes the "slowly ticking clock" and the "creeping hours." She also describes the "dull grey light" of the morning, which is a metaphor for the monotony and boredom of life without love. The speaker then goes on to describe the "dying flowers" and the "fading leaves," which are symbols of the passing of time and the inevitability of death.

The fifth and final stanza of the poem is a call to action. The speaker urges her lover to seize the day and live life to the fullest. She says, "Let us then be up and doing, / With a heart for any fate." This is a powerful message that encourages us to live in the present moment and to make the most of our time on earth.

In terms of literary devices, Lowell employs a number of techniques to convey her message. One of the most prominent is the use of metaphor. Throughout the poem, she uses metaphors to describe the passage of time, the inevitability of death, and the fleeting nature of love. For example, the "dying stars" and the "waning moon" are metaphors for the passing of time, while the "frosty silence" and the "dull grey light" are metaphors for the emptiness and loneliness that comes with the passage of time.

Another literary device that Lowell employs is repetition. Throughout the poem, she repeats certain phrases and images to emphasize their importance. For example, she repeats the phrase "I cannot love you, dawn" several times throughout the poem, which emphasizes the bleakness and emptiness of life without love.

Finally, Lowell employs imagery to create a vivid and powerful picture of the themes and motifs of the poem. She uses images of death, decay, and the passage of time to create a haunting and beautiful meditation on the meaning of life.

In conclusion, Amy Lowell's Aubade is a classic poem that explores the themes of love, death, and the passage of time. Through the use of metaphor, repetition, and imagery, Lowell creates a powerful and haunting meditation on the inevitability of death and the fleeting nature of life. The poem is a call to action, urging us to live in the present moment and to make the most of our time on earth. It is a beautiful and profound work of art that continues to resonate with readers today.

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