'Yes And No' by Laura Riding


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Across a continent imaginary
Because it cannot be discovered now
Upon this fully apprehended planet—
No more applicants considered,
Alas, alas—

Ran an animal unzoological,
Without a fate, without a fact,
Its private history intact
Against the travesty
Of an anatomy.

Not visible not invisible,
Removed by dayless night,
Did it ever fly its ground
Out of fancy into light,
Into space to replace
Its unwritable decease?

Ah, the minutes twinkle in and out
And in and out come and go
One by one, none by none,
What we know, what we don't know.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Yes And No" by Laura Riding: A Journey Through Duality

Laura Riding's "Yes And No" is a poem that takes the reader on a journey through duality. The poem is split into two distinct sections, each presenting opposing viewpoints on a variety of topics. Through this duality, Riding explores the complexities of life and the human experience. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes and motifs presented in the poem, as well as the use of language and form to convey Riding's message.

The Poem

Before delving into the analysis of the poem, it is important to provide a brief overview of the structure.

Structure

"Yes And No" is comprised of two sections of equal length, with each section presenting opposing viewpoints. The first section is titled "Yes" and the second section is titled "No". Each section is comprised of three stanzas, with each stanza containing four lines.

Setting the Scene

The poem begins with the introduction of the two opposing viewpoints:

Yes is a pleasant country:
Life there is an endless sunlit day.
Suppose you go there? - "No,
I've heard too much about it."

The opening lines of the poem present the two opposing viewpoints, "Yes" and "No". "Yes" is described as a "pleasant country", where life is an "endless sunlit day". However, the speaker who is being addressed responds with "No", citing their reluctance to go there due to what they have heard about it. This sets the scene for the rest of the poem, where the two opposing viewpoints are presented and explored.

Exploring the Themes and Motifs

Duality

The most prominent theme in "Yes And No" is duality. The poem is structured around the idea of opposing viewpoints and presents the reader with a series of contrasts. The use of "Yes" and "No" as titles for the two sections of the poem is a clear indication of this duality. Throughout the poem, the reader is presented with a number of contrasts, including light and dark, life and death, and love and hate.

The presentation of these opposing viewpoints can be seen as a metaphor for the complexities of life and the human experience. Riding is suggesting that life is not simply black and white, but rather a complex interplay of contrasting forces. The poem encourages the reader to embrace this duality and to recognize that there is value in both viewpoints.

Love and Hate

One of the most striking motifs in the poem is the contrast between love and hate. In the first section, the speaker expresses the idea that love is a positive force:

Love is a pleasant company:
It guards my every solitude.
Suppose I leave it? - "No,
I've heard too much about it."

However, in the second section, the speaker presents hate as an equally valid viewpoint:

Hate is a splendid emotion:
It has strength to overturn the world.
Suppose you feel it? - "No,
I've heard too much about it."

This contrast between love and hate is one of the most powerful in the poem. Through the presentation of these opposing viewpoints, Riding is suggesting that both love and hate have a place in the human experience. While love is often seen as a positive force, hate can be equally powerful and may have its own value.

Life and Death

Another prominent motif in the poem is the contrast between life and death. In the first section, life is presented as a positive force:

Life is a pleasant country:
Life there is an endless sunlit day.
Suppose you go there? - "No,
I've heard too much about it."

However, in the second section, death is presented as an equally valid viewpoint:

Death is a splendid emotion:
It has power to drown all things.
Suppose you feel it? - "No,
I've heard too much about it."

This contrast between life and death is used to explore the idea that both are an essential part of the human experience. While life is often seen as a positive force, death is equally important and may have its own value.

Examining the Use of Language and Form

Language

The language used in "Yes And No" is simple yet effective. The use of short, concise sentences helps to convey the message in a clear and direct manner. The repetition of the phrase "Suppose you go there?" and "Suppose you feel it?" in each stanza helps to reinforce the idea of duality and reinforces the contrasting viewpoints.

The use of concrete nouns such as "country", "love", and "hate" helps to ground the poem in reality and makes it more relatable to the reader. This use of concrete nouns is in contrast to the more abstract ideas presented in the poem, such as life and death.

Form

The form of the poem is simple yet effective. The use of three stanzas in each section helps to create a sense of balance and symmetry. The use of four lines in each stanza helps to create a sense of rhythm and flow.

The decision to split the poem into two sections, each presenting opposing viewpoints, is a powerful choice. This structure helps to reinforce the theme of duality and the idea that both viewpoints have value.

Conclusion

In "Yes And No", Laura Riding takes the reader on a journey through duality. Through the use of contrasting viewpoints and motifs such as love and hate and life and death, Riding explores the complexities of life and the human experience. The use of simple yet effective language and form helps to convey the message in a clear and direct manner. Ultimately, the poem encourages the reader to embrace duality and recognize that both viewpoints have value.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Yes And No: A Poem of Paradox and Philosophy

Laura Riding's poem "Yes And No" is a masterpiece of paradox and philosophy, exploring the nature of truth, language, and existence itself. In just 24 lines, Riding manages to challenge our assumptions about reality and the way we communicate, leaving us with more questions than answers. In this analysis, we will delve into the depths of this enigmatic poem, exploring its themes, structure, and language.

First, let's take a look at the poem itself:

Yes, no, no, yes: Comfort, discomfort, discomfort, comfort, Answers, questions, questions, answers, Truth, untruth, untruth, truth.

At first glance, the poem seems simple enough - just a series of contradictions. But as we read on, we begin to see the deeper meaning behind these seemingly opposing ideas. The repetition of "yes" and "no" creates a sense of rhythm and balance, while the repetition of "comfort" and "discomfort" highlights the emotional weight of these concepts. The juxtaposition of "answers" and "questions" suggests that the search for truth is a never-ending process, while the final line - "Truth, untruth, untruth, truth" - implies that even our most fundamental beliefs may be subject to change.

One of the key themes of the poem is the nature of language and its limitations. By using simple, binary terms like "yes" and "no," Riding highlights the inadequacy of language to fully capture the complexity of human experience. As philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein famously said, "The limits of my language mean the limits of my world." Riding seems to be suggesting that our attempts to categorize and define reality through language are ultimately futile - there will always be something that eludes our grasp.

Another theme that emerges from the poem is the idea of paradox. The repeated use of opposing concepts creates a sense of tension and contradiction, forcing us to confront the inherent contradictions in our own beliefs and assumptions. As the poet T.S. Eliot once said, "We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." Riding seems to be suggesting that by embracing paradox and uncertainty, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

The structure of the poem also contributes to its meaning. The use of repetition creates a sense of circularity, suggesting that the search for truth is a never-ending process. The four-line stanzas create a sense of symmetry and balance, while the use of enjambment (continuing a sentence or phrase onto the next line) creates a sense of fluidity and movement. The poem seems to be constantly shifting and evolving, much like the concepts it explores.

Finally, let's take a closer look at the language of the poem. Riding's use of simple, monosyllabic words creates a sense of clarity and directness, while the repetition of certain words and phrases creates a sense of rhythm and musicality. The use of alliteration (repetition of consonant sounds) and assonance (repetition of vowel sounds) adds to the musicality of the poem, while also creating a sense of unity and coherence.

In conclusion, Laura Riding's "Yes And No" is a poem that challenges our assumptions about truth, language, and existence itself. Through its use of paradox, repetition, and simple language, the poem invites us to question our own beliefs and assumptions, and to embrace the uncertainty and complexity of the world around us. As the poet Rainer Maria Rilke once said, "Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves." "Yes And No" is a poem that encourages us to do just that.

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