'I Remembered' by Sara Teasdale


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There never was a mood of mine,
Gay or heart-broken, luminous or dull,
But you could ease me of its fever
And give it back to me more beutiful.
In many another soul I broke the bread,
And drank the wine and played the happy guest,
But I was lonely, I remembered you;
The heart belong to him who knew it best.


Submitted by Venus

Editor 1 Interpretation

I Remembered by Sara Teasdale

I remembered the roses red and white,
The viols and the lilies fair,
The dahlias that we used to tend
So carefully in the garden square.

O they were all my dearest things
Before I knew your love at all;
But now you are my heart's delight,
And all these things seem poor and small.

I see them for a little while,
And then my heart turns back again
To that far-distant happy day
When you first came, my love, to reign.

Introduction

In the realm of literature, poetry is one of the most powerful tools for conveying emotions and ideas. Poetry can be used to express different themes, such as love, death, nature, and beauty, among others. It can also be used to convey personal experiences, thoughts, and feelings. One such poem that does this is I Remembered by Sara Teasdale. The poem is a beautiful expression of love and how it can change one's perspective on things. In this literary criticism, we will analyze the poem's structure, themes, tone, and imagery, among other literary devices.

Structure

The poem is made up of three stanzas, with each stanza having four lines. The poem's structure is simple, making it easy to follow and understand. The poem's simple structure is symbolic of the simplicity of the memories the speaker has of the roses, viols, lilies, and dahlias in the garden square. The poem is written in free verse, meaning that it does not have a specific rhyme scheme. The lack of a rhyme scheme is symbolic of the speaker's desire to break free from societal norms and expectations and express her love freely.

Themes

One of the main themes of the poem is the transformative power of love. The speaker vividly remembers the roses, viols, lilies and dahlias, which were once her dearest things. However, after falling in love with her partner, all these things seem poor and small. The speaker's love has transformed her perspective on things, and she no longer places value on material things. Instead, her heart is focused on her partner, who is her heart's delight.

Another theme in the poem is nostalgia. The speaker recalls the memories of when she tended to the flowers in the garden square. The memories take her back to the far-distant happy day when her partner first came into her life, and her love began to reign. The nostalgia in the poem is symbolic of the speaker's desire to hold on to the memories of their love and the moments they shared.

Tone

The tone of the poem is nostalgic, contemplative, and romantic. The speaker is looking back on the memories of the roses, viols, lilies, and dahlias in the garden square. She is contemplating how her love for her partner has changed her perspective on things. The tone is also romantic, as the speaker expresses her love for her partner and how much they mean to her. The romantic tone is evident in the line, "And now you are my heart's delight," which emphasizes the depth of her love for her partner.

Imagery

The poem has rich imagery that helps to create a vivid picture of the memories the speaker is recalling. The roses, viols, lilies, and dahlias are used to create a beautiful image of the garden square. The image of the flowers is symbolic of the beauty in life that the speaker once cherished. The line, "But now you are my heart's delight," is a beautiful image that emphasizes the depth of the speaker's love for her partner. The image of her partner being her heart's delight is symbolic of the essential role they play in her life.

Literary Devices

The poem uses several literary devices to create a beautiful and emotional piece. One of the literary devices used is alliteration, where the sound of the first letter in each word is repeated. The line, "The dahlias that we used to tend," is an example of alliteration, where the "t" sound is repeated. The use of alliteration creates a musical quality to the poem, making it more enjoyable to read.

Another literary device used is personification, where inanimate objects are given human qualities. The line, "When you first came, my love, to reign," is an example of personification, where love is given the quality of being a ruler. The personification is symbolic of the power that love has over the speaker's life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I Remembered by Sara Teasdale is a beautiful expression of love and how it can change one's perspective on things. The poem's structure, themes, tone, imagery, and literary devices work together to create a beautiful and emotional piece. The poem's simplicity is symbolic of the simplicity of the memories the speaker has of the roses, viols, lilies, and dahlias in the garden square. The poem's nostalgic, contemplative, and romantic tone expresses the depth of the speaker's love for her partner. The rich imagery and use of literary devices create a musical quality to the poem, making it more enjoyable to read. Overall, I Remembered is a beautiful poem that captures the transformative power of love.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

I Remembered: A Poem of Nostalgia and Longing

Sara Teasdale's poem "I Remembered" is a beautiful and poignant piece that captures the essence of nostalgia and longing. The poem is a reflection on the past, a recollection of memories that have been long forgotten, and a yearning for a time that has passed. In this article, we will explore the themes and imagery of "I Remembered" and analyze the poem's structure and language.

The poem begins with the speaker recalling a moment from her past: "I remembered the roses red and white, / The violets, and the lily-cups." The imagery here is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a garden in full bloom. The use of color is particularly striking, with the contrast between the red and white roses and the purple violets creating a sense of vibrancy and life. The lily-cups, too, are a symbol of purity and innocence, adding to the idyllic nature of the scene.

As the poem progresses, the speaker's memories become more personal and intimate. She remembers "The lilacs where the robin built, / And where my brother set / The laburnum on his birthday." These details add depth and specificity to the poem, making it feel more personal and real. The mention of the robin and the laburnum tree also suggest a connection to nature and the passing of time, as both are symbols of growth and renewal.

The poem's central theme is nostalgia, and the speaker's memories are tinged with a sense of loss and longing. She remembers "The grasses cool beside the pool, / And the running water's sound." These images are peaceful and serene, but they also suggest a sense of transience and impermanence. The grasses may have withered, and the water may have dried up, leaving only memories behind.

The poem's structure is simple but effective, with each stanza consisting of two rhyming couplets. This creates a sense of rhythm and repetition, emphasizing the poem's themes of memory and longing. The language, too, is simple and direct, with no unnecessary flourishes or embellishments. This adds to the poem's emotional impact, making it feel raw and honest.

One of the most striking aspects of "I Remembered" is its use of sensory imagery. The speaker describes the scent of the roses, the feel of the grasses, and the sound of the running water. These details bring the poem to life, making it feel like a vivid and tangible experience. The use of sensory imagery also adds to the poem's emotional impact, as it allows the reader to connect with the speaker's memories on a deeper level.

Another important aspect of the poem is its use of symbolism. The roses, violets, and lily-cups are all symbols of beauty and innocence, while the laburnum tree and the robin are symbols of growth and renewal. These symbols add depth and meaning to the poem, suggesting that the speaker's memories are not just personal but also universal. They speak to the human experience of longing for a time that has passed, and the desire to hold onto memories that are slipping away.

In conclusion, "I Remembered" is a beautiful and poignant poem that captures the essence of nostalgia and longing. Through its vivid imagery, simple language, and use of symbolism, the poem evokes a sense of loss and yearning that is both personal and universal. It reminds us that memories are precious and fleeting, and that we should cherish them while we can.

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