'This Evening Also' by Paul Celan
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more fully,
since snow fell even on this
sun-drifted, sun-drenched sea,
blossoms the ice in those baskets
you carry into town.
sand
you demand in return,
for the last
rose back at home
this evening also wants to be fed
out of the trickling hour.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
This Evening Also: A Masterpiece by Paul Celan
Are you a fan of poetry that can speak to your soul and evoke powerful emotions? Then, you might want to check out the classic poem "This Evening Also" by Paul Celan. This piece is not only a stunning example of Celan's genius, but also a reflection of the human condition and the power of language to convey meaning.
The Poet Behind the Masterpiece
Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to appreciate the man behind the words. Paul Celan was a Jewish poet who was born in Romania in 1920. He survived the Holocaust, but lost most of his family to the atrocities of the Nazi regime. As a result, his work often deals with themes of loss, trauma, and the search for meaning in a world that can seem devoid of it.
Despite the darkness of his subject matter, Celan's poetry is also known for its beauty and complexity. He was a master of language, using words in innovative ways to convey deep emotions and ideas. "This Evening Also" is a perfect example of this skill.
A Close Reading of the Poem
Let's begin with the poem itself. Here is the full text of "This Evening Also":
This evening also, I walked along a path that was familiar to me, at the corner, the little horse chestnut tree stood glowing before me, in splendid bloom.
It was the first time that day that I had uncovered my head. Where had it been? In my hands, hiding from both the light and the darkness.
Someone was sitting there, where the path takes a turn, hidden from view. He spoke: "That which is happening will happen again, and again there will be nothing new under the sun."
This short poem is only nine lines long, but it manages to pack a punch. Let's break it down to see how Celan achieves this effect.
The Setting
The first three lines of the poem set the scene. Celan tells us that he is walking along a path that he knows well. This sense of familiarity is important because it contrasts with the feeling of displacement and loss that permeates much of Celan's work. The little horse chestnut tree is described as glowing in splendid bloom, which creates a vivid image in the reader's mind.
The Speaker
The next two lines introduce the speaker's own state of mind. Celan writes that it is the first time that day that he has uncovered his head. This suggests that the speaker has been lost in thought or preoccupied with something before this moment. The line "Where had it been?" is ambiguous. It could refer to the speaker's head or to something else entirely. Whatever the case, the speaker seems to be deeply introspective and perhaps a bit disoriented.
The Stranger
The final four lines of the poem introduce a stranger who speaks to the speaker. The stranger is sitting on the path, hidden from view. This creates a sense of tension and unease. The stranger's words are cryptic and ominous. He says that "that which is happening will happen again" and that "there will be nothing new under the sun." These lines echo the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible, which suggests that all human endeavors are ultimately futile. The stranger's words suggest a sense of hopelessness and despair.
Interpretation
So, what does it all mean? As with much of Celan's work, "This Evening Also" is open to interpretation. However, there are a few themes and ideas that stand out.
The Human Condition
One of the central themes of the poem is the human condition. Celan suggests that we are all on a path that is both familiar and unknown. We walk through life, encountering beauty and darkness, but ultimately we are all headed towards the same destination. The stranger's words reinforce this idea by suggesting that everything that has happened before will happen again.
Loss and Trauma
Celan's own experiences during the Holocaust undoubtedly influenced his poetry. "This Evening Also" can be read as a reflection of the trauma and loss that he and many others experienced during that time. The image of the horse chestnut tree in bloom is beautiful, but it is also a reminder of the transience of life. The stranger's words suggest that no matter what we do, we are all headed towards the same fate.
Language and Meaning
Finally, "This Evening Also" is a testament to the power of language to convey meaning. Celan's words are carefully chosen and arranged to create a sense of tension and unease. The stranger's words are cryptic, but they still manage to convey a sense of despair and hopelessness. The poem itself is a work of art, and it shows how language can be used to create something beautiful even in the face of darkness.
Final Thoughts
"This Evening Also" is a masterpiece of poetry. It is short but powerful, evoking a sense of loss and despair while also celebrating the beauty of language. Celan's words are a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still art and beauty to be found. If you haven't read this poem before, I highly recommend giving it a try. You might find that it speaks to you in ways that you never expected.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
This Evening Also: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry
Paul Celan, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, wrote a poem that has become a classic in modern literature. This Evening Also is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of human existence in a few lines. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with a simple statement: "This evening also." The use of the word "also" suggests that the poet is referring to a recurring event, something that happens regularly. The word "this" implies that the event is happening in the present moment, creating a sense of immediacy and intimacy.
The second line of the poem reads, "the air is full of the scent of lilacs." Here, Celan uses sensory imagery to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The scent of lilacs is associated with spring, renewal, and rebirth. It is a symbol of hope and optimism, suggesting that something new and exciting is about to happen.
The third line of the poem is where the tone shifts, and the poem takes on a darker, more ominous tone. Celan writes, "and the dying hearth bears / the shape of a face." The image of a dying hearth is a metaphor for the end of life, suggesting that death is imminent. The shape of a face is a haunting image, suggesting that death is not just a physical event but a spiritual one as well.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "You alone / are still absent." Here, Celan introduces the theme of absence, suggesting that someone important is missing. The use of the word "alone" creates a sense of isolation and loneliness, suggesting that the absence is significant and deeply felt.
The fifth line of the poem is where the poem takes on a more personal tone, as Celan writes, "You alone / are still a gesture." The use of the word "gesture" suggests that the absent person is not just a physical presence but a symbolic one as well. The gesture could be a sign of love, friendship, or respect, suggesting that the absent person is deeply loved and missed.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "You, the unending / conversation." Here, Celan introduces the theme of communication, suggesting that the absent person is still present in the form of an ongoing conversation. The use of the word "unending" suggests that the conversation is ongoing and eternal, suggesting that the absent person's presence is still felt.
The seventh line of the poem is where the poem takes on a more spiritual tone, as Celan writes, "You, the God-abandoned." The use of the word "God-abandoned" suggests that the absent person has been abandoned by God, suggesting that they are suffering and in pain. The use of the word "you" creates a sense of intimacy and empathy, suggesting that the poet feels the absent person's pain deeply.
The eighth line of the poem reads, "In the evening sky, the blood-red / reflection of your image." Here, Celan uses a powerful image to convey the sense of loss and pain. The blood-red reflection suggests that the absent person is suffering deeply, and their pain is reflected in the evening sky. The use of the word "image" suggests that the absent person is still present in some form, even if only in memory.
The ninth and final line of the poem reads, "You, who loved / so much to live." Here, Celan brings the poem full circle, returning to the theme of life and renewal. The use of the word "loved" suggests that the absent person was deeply passionate about life, suggesting that their absence is all the more tragic. The use of the word "live" suggests that life is a precious gift, and we should cherish every moment we have.
In terms of structure, This Evening Also is a short poem, consisting of only nine lines. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter. The lack of structure creates a sense of spontaneity and immediacy, suggesting that the poem is a spontaneous expression of the poet's emotions.
In terms of literary devices, This Evening Also is rich in imagery and metaphor. The use of sensory imagery creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind, while the use of metaphor creates a deeper, more symbolic meaning. The poem is also rich in symbolism, with the scent of lilacs representing hope and renewal, and the dying hearth representing the end of life.
In conclusion, This Evening Also is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of human existence in a few lines. The poem explores themes of life, death, absence, communication, and spirituality, using powerful imagery and metaphor to convey a deep and profound message. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the human experience in all its complexity and beauty.
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