'To The Commissioners Of Northern Lights' by Robert Louis Stevenson


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I SEND to you, commissioners,
A paper that may please ye, sirs
(For troth they say it might be worse
An' I believe't)
And on your business lay my curse
Before I leav't.

I thocht I'd serve wi' you, sirs, yince,
But I've thocht better of it since;
The maitter I will nowise mince,
But tell ye true:
I'll service wi' some ither prince,
An' no wi' you.

I've no been very deep, ye'll think,
Cam' delicately to the brink
An' when the water gart me shrink
Straucht took the rue,
An' didna stoop my fill to drink -
I own it true.

I kent on cape and isle, a light
Burnt fair an' clearly ilka night;
But at the service I took fright,
As sune's I saw,
An' being still a neophite
Gaed straucht awa'.

Anither course I now begin,
The weeg I'll cairry for my sin,
The court my voice shall echo in,
An' - wha can tell? -
Some ither day I may be yin
O' you mysel'.


Editor 1 Interpretation

A Critical Analysis of “To The Commissioners of Northern Lights” By Robert Louis Stevenson

As a literary piece, “To The Commissioners of Northern Lights” by Robert Louis Stevenson is a poem that embodies the author’s personal experiences with the Northern Lights. In this poem, the author unveils his fascination with the natural phenomenon and shares his desire to replicate the beauty of the lights through words.

Contextual Analysis

The poem was written in the late 19th century, a time when the Northern Lights were still a mystery to many. Due to the limited scientific knowledge of this natural phenomenon, it was a matter of great curiosity for people of that time. Many people, including Stevenson, admired the Northern Lights for their beauty and the mystery surrounding their existence.

The poem was directed to the “Commissioners of Northern Lights,” who were responsible for monitoring and maintaining the lighthouses in Scotland. Stevenson was a resident of Scotland and had witnessed the Northern Lights on several occasions. He was fascinated by the beauty of the lights and wanted to capture their essence in words.

Poetic Analysis

The poem is composed of seven stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem follows a simple ABAB rhyme scheme, making it easy to read and understand. The simplicity of the rhyme scheme allows the beauty of the words to take center stage.

The poem is written in a conversational tone, making it feel like the author is talking directly to the reader. The author uses vivid imagery and metaphors to describe the Northern Lights, making it easy for the reader to imagine the beauty of the phenomenon.

The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the author expressing his desire to capture the beauty of the Northern Lights in words. The author describes the lights as “wild and bold,” an indication of the power and beauty of the phenomenon.

In the second stanza, the author uses a metaphor to describe the Northern Lights as “a banner unfurled.” This metaphorical description creates an image of the lights as a majestic banner that lights up the sky.

The third and fourth stanzas describe the colors of the Northern Lights. The author uses words like “purple,” “green,” and “crimson” to create a vivid image of the colors of the phenomenon.

In the fifth stanza, the author describes the movement of the Northern Lights. He compares them to “dancing flames” and “waves” to create an image of the lights moving and swaying in the sky.

The sixth stanza is a call to action, urging the Commissioners of Northern Lights to capture the beauty of the phenomenon in words. The author asks the Commissioners to create a “book of the Northern Lights” that will capture the essence of the phenomenon.

The final stanza is a declaration of the author's love for the Northern Lights. He describes them as a “dear enchantress” that has captured his heart.

Interpretation

The poem is an expression of the author's love and fascination with the Northern Lights. It is a call to action for the Commissioners of Northern Lights to capture the beauty of the phenomenon in words.

The use of vivid imagery and metaphors in the poem creates a sense of awe and wonder in the reader. The author's writing style is simple and conversational, making it easy for the reader to understand and connect with the poem.

The poem can also be interpreted as a metaphor for the beauty and mystery of nature. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon that has captivated people for centuries. The author's desire to capture the beauty of the lights in words is a reflection of our desire to understand and appreciate the beauty of nature.

The final stanza of the poem is a declaration of the author's love for the Northern Lights. It is a reminder that nature has the power to capture our hearts and inspire us in ways that are beyond our understanding.

Conclusion

“To The Commissioners of Northern Lights” is a beautiful and captivating poem that expresses the author's love for the Northern Lights. The use of vivid imagery and metaphors creates a sense of awe and wonder in the reader, making it easy to connect with the poem.

The poem can be interpreted as a metaphor for the beauty and mystery of nature, reminding us of the power that nature has to capture our hearts and inspire us. Overall, the poem is a beautiful expression of the author's love and fascination with the Northern Lights, and a call to action for us to appreciate and understand the beauty of nature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry To The Commissioners Of Northern Lights: A Masterpiece of Robert Louis Stevenson

Robert Louis Stevenson, the Scottish novelist, poet, and essayist, is known for his exceptional literary works that have captivated readers for generations. Among his many works, Poetry To The Commissioners Of Northern Lights stands out as a masterpiece that showcases his poetic prowess and his love for his homeland. In this article, we will delve into the poem's themes, structure, and language, and explore what makes it a timeless classic.

Themes

Poetry To The Commissioners Of Northern Lights is a tribute to the Northern Lights, a natural phenomenon that has fascinated people for centuries. The poem celebrates the beauty and mystery of the Aurora Borealis, and the role of the Commissioners of Northern Lights in studying and preserving it. The poem is also a tribute to Scotland, Stevenson's homeland, and its rugged landscape, which is often illuminated by the Northern Lights.

The poem's central theme is the power of nature and its ability to inspire awe and wonder in human beings. Stevenson uses vivid imagery and metaphors to describe the Northern Lights, comparing them to "a banner bright, / The rampart of the north." He also describes the lights as "a fiery column" and "a waving sword of flame," emphasizing their power and majesty. Through these descriptions, Stevenson conveys the idea that nature is a force to be reckoned with, and that humans should respect and appreciate it.

Structure

Poetry To The Commissioners Of Northern Lights is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem that follows a specific rhyme scheme and structure. The poem is divided into two parts: an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines). The octave presents the poem's central idea, while the sestet provides a resolution or conclusion.

The poem follows the traditional rhyme scheme of a sonnet, with the octave rhyming ABBAABBA and the sestet rhyming CDCDCD. This rhyme scheme creates a sense of symmetry and balance in the poem, emphasizing its formal structure and the poet's mastery of the sonnet form.

Language

Stevenson's use of language in Poetry To The Commissioners Of Northern Lights is both lyrical and evocative. He employs a range of poetic devices, including metaphor, simile, and personification, to create a vivid and memorable image of the Northern Lights.

One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of personification. Stevenson personifies the Northern Lights, describing them as "a banner bright" and "a fiery column." This personification gives the lights a sense of agency and power, as if they are alive and moving of their own accord.

Stevenson also uses simile to compare the Northern Lights to other natural phenomena, such as "the waving woods" and "the ocean's roar." These comparisons help to create a sense of the Northern Lights' scale and grandeur, and to emphasize their place in the natural world.

Conclusion

Poetry To The Commissioners Of Northern Lights is a masterpiece of Robert Louis Stevenson's poetic oeuvre. Through its celebration of the Northern Lights and its exploration of the power of nature, the poem captures the essence of Stevenson's love for his homeland and his appreciation of the natural world. Its formal structure, vivid imagery, and lyrical language make it a timeless classic that continues to inspire and delight readers today.

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