'Chartres' by Edith Wharton


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I

Immense, august, like some Titanic bloom,
The mighty choir unfolds its lithic core,
Petalled with panes of azure, gules and or,
Splendidly lambent in the Gothic gloom,
And stamened with keen flamelets that illume
The pale high-alter. On the prayer-worn floor,
By worshippers innumerous thronged of yore,
A few brown crones, familiars of the tomb,
The stranded driftwood of Faith's ebbing sea--
For these alone the finials fret the skies,
The topmost bosses shake their blossoms free,
While from the triple portals, with grave eyes,
Tranquil, and fixed upon eternity,
The cloud of witnesses still testifies.

II

The crimson panes like blood-drops stigmatise
The western floor. The aisles are mute and cold.
A rigid fetich in her robe of gold,
The Virgin of the Pillar, with blank eyes,
Enthroned beneath her votive canopies,
Gathers a meagre remnant to her fold.
The rest is solitude; the church, grown old,
Stands stark and grey beneath the burning skies.
Well-nigh again its mighty framework grows
To be a part of nature's self, withdrawn
From hot humanity's impatient woes;
The floor is ridged like some rude mountain lawn,
And in the east one giant window shows
The roseate coldness of an Alp at dawn.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Chartres by Edith Wharton: An Exploration of Light and Darkness

As I read Edith Wharton's Chartres, I couldn't help but marvel at the way she used language to paint vivid mental images of the magnificent cathedral. From the opening lines, the reader is transported to a world of beauty, awe, and wonder.

The Power of Contrast

One of the most striking elements of the poem is the use of contrast, particularly between light and darkness. Wharton masterfully weaves these opposing forces together to create a sense of tension and drama. The poem begins with the image of the "scorching plain," a barren and lifeless landscape that stands in stark contrast to the "heavenly fane" of Chartres.

Throughout the poem, this contrast is amplified, with Wharton describing the "pale dawn" giving way to "fierce noon," and the "deepening shadows" of evening. Yet it is not just the contrast between light and darkness that Wharton explores, but also between the physical and the spiritual. The cathedral itself is both a physical structure and a symbol of something greater, a testament to the human spirit and a gateway to the divine.

The Power of Description

Wharton's skillful use of descriptive language is another key element of the poem's power. The cathedral is described in minute detail, with every arch, column, and carving lovingly rendered. The poet's eye for detail is evident in lines like "the flying buttress poised in air," and "the dim-lit choir's deep-shadowed screen."

But it is not just the physical details of the cathedral that Wharton captures so beautifully. She also manages to convey the emotional and spiritual impact of the building. Lines like "the soaring nave's immensities of light" and "the mystic glory of the chancel's space" evoke a sense of wonder and reverence that is truly awe-inspiring.

The Power of Symbolism

As I read on, I began to appreciate the deeper layers of symbolism that Wharton weaves into the poem. The cathedral becomes a symbol of the human spirit, with its soaring arches and intricate carvings representing the triumph of creativity and imagination over the limitations of the physical world.

The contrast between light and darkness also takes on a symbolic significance, representing the struggle between good and evil, between the material and the spiritual. The poem is not just a celebration of the cathedral's physical beauty, but also a meditation on the deeper meanings and implications of that beauty.

The Power of the Human Spirit

Ultimately, what I take away from Chartres is a sense of the power of the human spirit. Despite the hardships and challenges of life, we are capable of creating something truly magnificent, and of reaching for something greater than ourselves. As Wharton writes, "The toiling earth-born craft of man / has reared aloft its heavenward span."

In conclusion, Chartres is a truly remarkable poem that celebrates the beauty and majesty of one of the world's greatest architectural achievements. Through her skillful use of contrast, description, and symbolism, Wharton manages to capture not just the physical grandeur of the cathedral, but also its emotional and spiritual impact. Above all, the poem is a testament to the power of the human spirit to reach for something greater than ourselves, and to create something truly magnificent in the process.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Chartres: A Masterpiece of Poetic Imagery

Edith Wharton’s Chartres is a masterpiece of poetic imagery that captures the essence of the magnificent cathedral of Chartres. The poem is a tribute to the beauty and grandeur of the cathedral, which has stood the test of time and remains a symbol of faith, art, and culture. Wharton’s poem is a celebration of the human spirit and its ability to create something that transcends time and space.

The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the cathedral. The first part describes the exterior of the cathedral, with its soaring spires and intricate carvings. The second part focuses on the interior of the cathedral, with its stained glass windows and vaulted ceilings. The third part is a reflection on the spiritual significance of the cathedral and its role in the lives of those who visit it.

The first part of the poem is a vivid description of the exterior of the cathedral. Wharton uses powerful imagery to convey the grandeur and majesty of the building. She describes the spires as “uplifted fingers pointing to the sky” and the carvings as “a scroll of stone unrolled.” The use of personification in these lines gives the cathedral a sense of life and movement, as if it is reaching out to the heavens.

Wharton also uses imagery to convey the intricate details of the cathedral’s architecture. She describes the “lace-like traceries” of the windows and the “delicate fretwork” of the carvings. These descriptions create a sense of awe and wonder, as if the cathedral is a work of art that has been crafted with the utmost care and precision.

The second part of the poem focuses on the interior of the cathedral. Wharton uses imagery to convey the sense of space and light that fills the building. She describes the “flood of light” that pours through the stained glass windows and the “vaulted arches” that seem to reach up to the heavens. These descriptions create a sense of transcendence, as if the cathedral is a gateway to a higher realm.

Wharton also uses imagery to convey the spiritual significance of the cathedral. She describes the “dim religious light” that fills the building and the “incense-laden air” that hangs heavy with the scent of prayer. These descriptions create a sense of reverence and awe, as if the cathedral is a sacred space that has been consecrated by centuries of worship.

The third part of the poem is a reflection on the spiritual significance of the cathedral. Wharton uses imagery to convey the sense of peace and serenity that comes from being in the presence of something greater than oneself. She describes the “hush of prayer” that fills the building and the “deep, unutterable calm” that descends upon those who enter its doors. These descriptions create a sense of transcendence, as if the cathedral is a place where one can connect with the divine.

Wharton also uses imagery to convey the sense of community that is created by the cathedral. She describes the “multitude of souls” that have passed through its doors and the “unbroken chain of prayer” that links them together. These descriptions create a sense of unity and connection, as if the cathedral is a place where people from all walks of life can come together in worship and fellowship.

In conclusion, Edith Wharton’s Chartres is a masterpiece of poetic imagery that captures the essence of the magnificent cathedral of Chartres. The poem is a celebration of the human spirit and its ability to create something that transcends time and space. Through her use of powerful imagery, Wharton conveys the grandeur and majesty of the cathedral, the sense of transcendence that comes from being in its presence, and the sense of community that is created by its worshipers. Chartres is a testament to the enduring power of faith, art, and culture, and a reminder of the beauty and wonder that can be found in the world around us.

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