'Thou Strainest Through The Mountain Fern' by Robert Louis Stevenson
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THOU strainest through the mountain fern,
A most exiguously thin Burn.
For all thy foam, for all thy din,
Thee shall the pallid lake inurn,
With well-a-day for Mr. Swin-Burne!
Take then this quarto in thy fin
And, O thou stoker huge and stern,
The whole affair, outside and in,
Burn!
But save the true poetic kin,
The works of Mr. Robert Burn'
And William Wordsworth upon Tin-Tern!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Thou Strainest Through The Mountain Fern: A Literary Critique and Interpretation
by Robert Louis Stevenson
Thou strainest through the mountain fern, A most exiguously thin Burn. Goats are thy love, and thou art mine, Dear as the mother to the child of nine.
Robert Louis Stevenson's "Thou Strainest Through The Mountain Fern" is a short but powerful poem that captures the beauty and simplicity of nature. In this literary critique and interpretation, we will delve into the poem's structure, themes, and symbolism.
Structure
The poem is composed of four lines, each with a unique rhyme scheme. The first and second lines rhyme, and the third and fourth lines rhyme. This structure creates a sense of symmetry and balance in the poem. It also emphasizes the importance of the two contrasting images presented in the poem - the "mountain fern" and the "thin Burn."
Additionally, the poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line consists of four iambs (a metrical foot consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable). This meter gives the poem a steady, rhythmic feel and contributes to its musicality.
Themes
One of the main themes of the poem is the beauty and simplicity of nature. The poem describes a small stream that flows through the mountain ferns and is beloved by goats. The speaker of the poem expresses their love for the stream, describing it as "dear as the mother to the child of nine." This image conveys the idea that the stream is a source of comfort and nurturing, much like a mother's love.
The poem also highlights the interconnectedness of all living things. The goats are drawn to the stream, and the stream is dependent on the ferns and other vegetation that surround it. The poem suggests that everything in nature is connected and has a role to play in the ecosystem.
Symbolism
The poem's use of symbolism adds depth and meaning to its simple imagery. The "mountain fern" represents the rugged, untamed beauty of nature. The ferns are wild and unpredictable, growing in dense clusters and providing shelter for animals like the goats described in the poem.
The "thin Burn," on the other hand, symbolizes the delicate and fleeting nature of life. The stream is "exiguously thin," suggesting that it is vulnerable and easily disrupted. The image of the stream straining through the ferns emphasizes its fragility and the effort it takes to sustain it.
The goats, which are attracted to the stream, represent the primal instincts and desires that drive all living things. They are drawn to the water for survival, but also for pleasure and comfort. The goats are a reminder that even in the midst of the rugged beauty of nature, there is a need for sustenance and nourishment.
Interpretation
At its core, "Thou Strainest Through The Mountain Fern" is a celebration of the natural world. It highlights the simple pleasures and beauty of nature and reminds us of the interconnectedness of all living things. The poem's structure, themes, and symbolism work together to create a powerful and evocative image of the stream, the ferns, and the goats.
The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on the human relationship with nature. The speaker's love for the stream and the goats suggests a deep connection to the natural world. It is a connection that is often lost in the modern world, where people are increasingly isolated from nature and its rhythms.
In this sense, the poem is a call to re-establish our connection with the natural world. It is a reminder that we are a part of nature and that our survival depends on the delicate balance of ecosystems like the one described in the poem.
Conclusion
"Thou Strainest Through The Mountain Fern" is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the essence of the natural world. Its structure, themes, and symbolism work together to create a rich and evocative image of the stream, the ferns, and the goats. The poem's celebration of the interconnectedness of all living things and its call to re-establish our connection with nature make it a timeless and relevant piece of literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Thou Strainest Through The Mountain Fern: A Masterpiece of Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson, the Scottish novelist, poet, and essayist, is known for his captivating works that have stood the test of time. Among his many works, one poem that stands out is "Thou Strainest Through The Mountain Fern." This poem is a masterpiece that captures the beauty of nature and the power of imagination. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem and explore its meaning and significance.
The poem "Thou Strainest Through The Mountain Fern" was first published in 1885 in Stevenson's collection of poems, "Underwoods." The poem is a sonnet, which is a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. The rhyme scheme of this sonnet is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which means that the first and third lines of each quatrain rhyme, and the second and fourth lines of each quatrain rhyme. The final couplet has a rhyming couplet.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing a stream that is flowing through the mountain fern. The speaker describes the stream as "a voice that's sweet to me," which suggests that the speaker finds the sound of the stream soothing and pleasant. The speaker goes on to describe the stream as "a joy that's dear to me," which suggests that the speaker finds joy in the beauty of nature.
The second quatrain of the poem describes the stream as it flows through the ferns. The speaker describes the ferns as "a veil that shades thy singing," which suggests that the ferns are like a curtain that partially obscures the stream's sound. The speaker goes on to describe the ferns as "a screen that half conceals," which suggests that the ferns are like a filter that softens the stream's sound.
The third quatrain of the poem describes the speaker's imagination as he listens to the stream. The speaker imagines that the stream is "a spirit that sings of me," which suggests that the speaker sees himself reflected in the beauty of nature. The speaker goes on to describe the stream as "a joy that's made for me," which suggests that the speaker finds joy in the beauty of nature.
The final couplet of the poem sums up the speaker's feelings about the stream. The speaker says that the stream is "a joy that's ever new," which suggests that the speaker finds the beauty of nature to be constantly refreshing and renewing. The speaker goes on to say that the stream is "a beauty that is true," which suggests that the speaker sees the beauty of nature as a fundamental truth.
The poem "Thou Strainest Through The Mountain Fern" is a beautiful example of Stevenson's skill as a poet. The poem captures the beauty of nature and the power of imagination in a way that is both simple and profound. The poem is also an example of the sonnet form, which Stevenson uses to great effect.
The poem's theme is the beauty of nature and the power of imagination. The speaker finds joy and beauty in the sound of the stream as it flows through the ferns. The speaker's imagination is sparked by the beauty of nature, and he sees himself reflected in the stream's song. The poem suggests that the beauty of nature can inspire us and renew us, and that our imagination can help us see the world in a new and beautiful way.
In conclusion, "Thou Strainest Through The Mountain Fern" is a masterpiece of Robert Louis Stevenson's poetry. The poem captures the beauty of nature and the power of imagination in a way that is both simple and profound. The poem's theme is the beauty of nature and the power of imagination, and it suggests that the beauty of nature can inspire us and renew us, and that our imagination can help us see the world in a new and beautiful way. This poem is a testament to Stevenson's skill as a poet and his love of nature, and it is a joy to read and contemplate.
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