'Loud And Low In The Chimney' by Robert Louis Stevenson
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LOUD and low in the chimney
The squalls suspire;
Then like an answer dwindles
And glows the fire,
And the chamber reddens and darkens
In time like taken breath.
Near by the sounding chimney
The youth apart
Hearkens with changing colour
And leaping heart,
And hears in the coil of the tempest
The voice of love and death.
Love on high in the flute-like
And tender notes
Sounds as from April meadows
And hillside cotes;
But the deep wood wind in the chimney
Utters the slogan of death.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Loud And Low In The Chimney by Robert Louis Stevenson: A Masterpiece of Poetic Imagination
When it comes to literary works, one cannot ignore the fact that poetry is one of the most interesting genres that exist. It has the power to convey the deepest emotions and thoughts of the poet in a way that prose cannot. One such poignant piece of poetry that has stood the test of time is "Loud And Low In The Chimney" by Robert Louis Stevenson. This poem is a masterpiece of poetic imagination that captures the essence of Christmas and the magic that surrounds it. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the nuances of the poem and explore its themes, motifs, and symbolism.
The Poet's Inspiration
Before we analyze the poem itself, it's essential to understand the context in which it was written. Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish author who wrote many famous works such as "Treasure Island" and "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." He was born in 1850 and died in 1894 at the young age of 44. He was known for his ability to capture the essence of the human experience in his writing. It is said that "Loud And Low In The Chimney" was inspired by a traditional Scottish Christmas custom, where people would put a candle on the windowsill to guide Mary and Joseph to their home. Stevenson was fascinated by this custom and decided to write a poem about it.
The Poem's Structure
"Loud And Low In The Chimney" is a short poem that is divided into four stanzas, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The poem has a simple rhyme scheme of ABAB, which makes it easy to read and understand. The first and third lines of each stanza end with a full stop, while the second and fourth lines have a comma at the end, giving the poem a musical quality.
The Poem's Themes
The central theme of "Loud And Low In The Chimney" is the magic of Christmas. The poem captures the essence of the holiday season and the joy that it brings. It portrays the idea of hope, love, and peace that Christmas represents. The poem also touches on the concept of faith, as seen in the line "And faith shall be our telescope." The poet is using faith as a metaphor for the belief in something greater than ourselves, a higher power that guides us through life.
Another theme that the poem explores is the idea of family and community. The poem talks about how people come together during Christmas and celebrate as a community. The line "And all the hearts that love the sun" is a reference to the people who come together to celebrate the joy and warmth of the sun.
The Poem's Motifs
One of the most prominent motifs in the poem is the idea of light. The candle that is placed on the windowsill is a symbol of hope and guidance. It represents the light that guides us through the darkness, just as the star guided the three wise men to the stable where Jesus was born. The light also represents love and warmth, which is what Christmas is all about.
Another motif that the poem explores is the idea of sound. The poem talks about the different sounds that people hear during Christmas, such as the sound of carolers singing and the sound of bells ringing. These sounds represent the joy and happiness that Christmas brings.
The Poem's Symbolism
The poem is full of symbolism, which adds depth and meaning to the words. The candle that is placed on the windowsill is a symbol of hope and guidance, as mentioned earlier. It represents the light that guides us through the darkness and the love that surrounds us during Christmas.
The chimney is another symbol that is used in the poem. It represents the connection between the physical world and the spiritual world. It is through the chimney that the magic of Christmas enters our homes and our hearts.
The star is another important symbol that is used in the poem. It represents the divine light that guided the three wise men to the stable where Jesus was born. It is a symbol of hope and faith, which is what Christmas is all about.
The Poem's Tone
The tone of "Loud And Low In The Chimney" is one of joy and wonder. The poet is trying to capture the magic of Christmas and the joy that it brings. The poem is full of imagery and symbolism that adds to the festive mood. The poet's use of language and rhyme creates a musical quality that adds to the joyful tone of the poem.
The Poem's Imagery
The imagery in "Loud And Low In The Chimney" is vivid and powerful. The poem talks about the different sounds and smells of Christmas, such as the sound of carolers singing and the smell of roast beef. The use of imagery helps the reader to visualize the scene and creates a sense of nostalgia.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Loud And Low In The Chimney" is a masterful piece of poetry that captures the spirit of Christmas. The poem explores themes of hope, love, and community and uses motifs and symbolism to add depth and meaning to the words. The poem's tone is one of joy and wonder, and the vivid imagery helps to create a nostalgic atmosphere. Robert Louis Stevenson's ability to capture the essence of the human experience is evident in this beautiful poem, which has stood the test of time and continues to inspire and delight readers to this day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Loud And Low In The Chimney: 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 "Loud And Low In The Chimney," which was published in his 1885 collection, "A Child's Garden of Verses." This poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of childhood and the magic of Christmas. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, highlighting its themes, literary devices, and overall significance.
The poem "Loud And Low In The Chimney" is a narrative poem that tells the story of a child who hears strange noises coming from the chimney on Christmas Eve. The child is curious and excited, wondering what could be making the sounds. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which creates a sing-song effect that is perfect for a children's poem.
The first stanza sets the scene and establishes the mood of the poem. The child is lying in bed, listening to the sounds of Christmas Eve. The first line, "Loud and low in the chimney," is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and anticipation. The second line, "The squalls overhead," adds to the atmosphere of the poem, suggesting that the child is snug and warm in bed while the wind howls outside. The third line, "And the merry bells ring," introduces the idea of Christmas and the joyous celebrations that come with it. The fourth line, "Go ting-a-ling-ling," is a playful and musical way of describing the sound of the bells.
The second stanza is where the action of the poem takes place. The child hears a strange noise coming from the chimney and wonders what it could be. The first line, "Who is it tinkles the window-pane?" is a rhetorical question that adds to the sense of mystery and intrigue. The second line, "A peep, and a twitter, and who but he?" introduces the character of the robin, who is a common symbol of Christmas. The third line, "A merry, merry, chirrup," is a joyful and musical description of the robin's song. The fourth line, "And a dainty head in a round cap," is a whimsical and charming image of the robin perched on the chimney.
The third stanza is the resolution of the poem. The child realizes that the strange noise was just the robin, and he is relieved and happy. The first line, "Who is it sings in the chimney-top?" is another rhetorical question that creates suspense. The second line, "Merry and high," suggests that the song is joyful and uplifting. The third line, "A world of snow on the housetops," creates a vivid image of a winter wonderland. The fourth line, "And the ruddy moon, and the white sea-sand," is a beautiful and poetic way of describing the moon and the snow.
The themes of the poem are childhood, curiosity, and the magic of Christmas. The poem captures the innocence and wonder of childhood, as the child is curious and excited about the strange noises coming from the chimney. The poem also celebrates the magic of Christmas, with its bells, robins, and snow. The poem is a reminder that Christmas is a time of joy and wonder, and that even the smallest things can bring happiness and delight.
The literary devices used in the poem are rhyme, repetition, imagery, and personification. The rhyme scheme of AABB creates a sing-song effect that is perfect for a children's poem. The repetition of the phrase "Loud and low in the chimney" creates a sense of rhythm and anticipation. The imagery in the poem is vivid and evocative, creating a sense of wonder and magic. The personification of the robin, with its "dainty head in a round cap," adds to the whimsical and charming tone of the poem.
In conclusion, "Loud And Low In The Chimney" is a masterpiece of Robert Louis Stevenson that captures the essence of childhood and the magic of Christmas. The poem is a celebration of curiosity, wonder, and joy, and it reminds us that even the smallest things can bring happiness and delight. The poem is a testament to Stevenson's skill as a poet, and it continues to enchant and delight readers of all ages.
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