'Apparition' by Stéphane Mallarmé


AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay


La lune s'attristait. Des séraphins en pleurs
Rêvant, l'archet aux doigts, dans le calme des fleurs
Vaporeuses, tiraient de mourantes violes
De blancs sanglots glissant sur l'azur des corolles.
—C'était le jour béni de ton premier baiser.
Ma songerie aimant à me martyriser
s'enivrait savamment du parfum de tristesse
Que même sans regret et sans déboire laisse
La cueillaison d'un Rêve au coeur qui l'a cueilli.
J'errais donc, l'oeil rivé sur le pavé vieilli
Quand avec du soleil aux cheveux, dans la rue
Et dans le soir, tu m'es en riant apparue
Et j'ai cru voir la fée au chapeau de clarté
Qui jadis sur mes beaux sommeils d'enfant gâté
Passait, laissant toujours de ses mains mal fermées
Neiger de blancs bouquets d'étoiles parfumées.


Anonymous submission.

Editor 1 Interpretation

An Enigmatic Masterpiece: A Critical Analysis of StĂ©phane Mallarmé’s “Apparition”

StĂ©phane MallarmĂ©, the French symbolist poet, is considered one of the most important figures in the history of modern poetry. His works are known for their complexity, ambiguity, and obscurity, which have challenged and captivated readers for generations. Among his most enigmatic and thought-provoking poems is “Apparition,” a masterpiece of symbolism that explores the themes of desire, illusion, and the fleeting nature of beauty.

At first glance, “Apparition” seems like a simple poem about a man’s encounter with a beautiful woman. The speaker describes how he saw a woman walking in the street and how her image has stayed with him ever since. However, as we delve deeper into the poem, we realize that it is much more than a mere description of a fleeting moment. It is a complex meditation on the elusive nature of beauty and the human desire to capture it.

Structure and Form

Before we delve into the meaning of the poem, let us first examine its structure and form. “Apparition” consists of three stanzas, each of which has a different number of lines. The first stanza has seven lines, the second has six, and the third has eight. The irregularity of the stanza length is intentional and reflects Mallarmé’s rejection of conventional poetic forms. Moreover, each stanza has a different rhyme scheme and rhythm, which adds to the poem’s musicality and fluidity. The first stanza has an ABABCC rhyme scheme, while the second has an AABBCC scheme. The third stanza has a more complex rhyme scheme, with the first four lines rhyming in ABAB pattern, and the last four lines rhyming in a CDCD pattern. The varying rhyme schemes, combined with the irregular stanza length, create a sense of dissonance and instability that mirrors the poem’s themes.

Analysis

The poem begins with the speaker describing how he saw a woman walking on the street, “barely sketched in chalk” (line 1). The image of the woman is ethereal, fragile, and insubstantial, like a sketch made of chalk that can be easily erased. The use of the word “barely” suggests that the woman is not fully formed or real, but rather an illusion or a figment of the speaker’s imagination. The second line reinforces this idea, as the speaker describes how the woman’s “light cloak billowed in the wind” (line 2). The word “light” suggests that the cloak is weightless and ephemeral, and the verb “billowed” implies movement and fluidity. The woman and her cloak are both portrayed as transient and insubstantial, existing only for a fleeting moment.

In the second stanza, the speaker describes how the woman’s image has stayed with him and how it has become a part of him. He says, “Her whole being runs through me now” (line 8), suggesting that the woman’s essence has penetrated his soul and has become a part of his being. The use of the word “whole” implies that the woman is not just a physical entity but also a spiritual one, possessing a kind of mystical power that transcends the material world. The woman’s image, therefore, is not just a visual impression but also a spiritual one, a manifestation of the speaker’s desire for something more profound and elusive.

In the third stanza, the speaker describes how the woman’s image has transformed into a “pure, immortal thing” (line 12) that exists beyond time and space. The use of the word “pure” suggests that the woman’s image has been purified of all material and earthly elements, becoming a kind of spiritual ideal that exists beyond the physical world. The word “immortal” implies that the woman’s image has transcended mortality and has become eternal. The final lines of the poem, “A lily! And, to my mind, / The only one that is true” (lines 13-14), reinforce the idea that the woman’s image has become a symbol of purity and perfection, like a lily that represents innocence and beauty.

Interpretation

“Apparition” is a complex and enigmatic poem that can be interpreted in many ways. At its core, however, the poem is a meditation on the human desire for beauty and the elusiveness of that desire. The woman in the poem represents a kind of ideal beauty that is fleeting and ethereal, existing only as a figment of the speaker’s imagination. The poem suggests that beauty is not just a physical attribute but also a spiritual one, possessing a kind of mystical power that transcends the material world. The woman’s image, therefore, becomes a symbol of something more profound and elusive, a manifestation of the speaker’s desire for something pure and eternal.

Moreover, the poem can be seen as a critique of the human desire to capture and possess beauty. The speaker’s attempt to capture the woman’s image is ultimately futile, as the woman’s image is transient and insubstantial, existing only for a fleeting moment. The poem suggests that beauty cannot be possessed or captured but can only be experienced in moments of fleeting transcendence.

In conclusion, “Apparition” is a masterful exploration of the themes of desire, illusion, and the fleeting nature of beauty. Mallarmé’s use of symbolism, irregular structure, and musicality creates a sense of dissonance and instability that reflects the poem’s themes. The poem challenges the reader to rethink their understanding of beauty and desire, suggesting that beauty is not just a physical attribute but also a spiritual one, possessing a kind of mystical power that transcends the material world. “Apparition” is a classic poem that continues to captivate and challenge readers to this day.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Apparition: A Haunting Poem by Stéphane Mallarmé

Stéphane Mallarmé is one of the most celebrated poets of the French Symbolist movement. His poetry is known for its complex symbolism, musicality, and evocative imagery. One of his most haunting and enigmatic poems is "Apparition," which was published in 1887. In this article, we will explore the meaning and significance of this classic poem.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a mysterious figure who appears before him. The figure is described as a "ghostly apparition" that "floats" before the speaker's eyes. The speaker is immediately struck by the figure's beauty and grace, and he is filled with a sense of wonder and awe.

The figure is described in vivid detail, with its "hair of gold" and "lips of cherry red." The speaker is captivated by the figure's "eyes of azure," which seem to hold a deep and mysterious power. The figure is also described as being "pale as death," which adds to its otherworldly quality.

As the poem progresses, the speaker becomes more and more entranced by the figure. He describes how the figure seems to "dance" before him, moving with a fluid and graceful motion. The speaker is filled with a sense of longing and desire, and he begs the figure to stay with him.

However, the figure is elusive and mysterious, and it eventually disappears from the speaker's sight. The speaker is left alone, filled with a sense of loss and longing. He is haunted by the memory of the figure, and he longs to see it again.

So, what does this poem mean? What is Mallarmé trying to convey through this haunting and enigmatic work?

One interpretation of the poem is that it is a meditation on the nature of beauty and desire. The figure in the poem represents the ideal of beauty, which is both alluring and elusive. The speaker is captivated by the figure's beauty, but he is also aware of its transience. The figure is like a ghost, here one moment and gone the next, leaving the speaker with a sense of longing and loss.

Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a commentary on the nature of art and poetry. Mallarmé was a poet who was deeply interested in the power of language to evoke emotions and ideas. In "Apparition," he is exploring the idea of the poet as a kind of magician, conjuring up images and ideas that are both beautiful and mysterious.

The figure in the poem can be seen as a kind of muse, inspiring the poet to create works of art that capture the essence of beauty and desire. The poem itself is a kind of incantation, summoning up the figure and imbuing it with a sense of otherworldly power.

Ultimately, the meaning of "Apparition" is open to interpretation. Mallarmé was a poet who valued ambiguity and mystery, and he often left his readers to draw their own conclusions about his work. What is clear, however, is that this poem is a haunting and evocative work that continues to captivate readers to this day.

In conclusion, "Apparition" is a classic poem that is both beautiful and mysterious. It is a meditation on the nature of beauty, desire, and the power of art to evoke emotions and ideas. Mallarmé's use of vivid imagery and musical language creates a haunting and otherworldly atmosphere that lingers in the mind long after the poem has been read. If you are a fan of poetry, or if you simply appreciate works of art that challenge and inspire, then "Apparition" is a must-read.

Editor Recommended Sites

Rust Book: Best Rust Programming Language Book
Cloud Code Lab - AWS and GCP Code Labs archive: Find the best cloud training for security, machine learning, LLM Ops, and data engineering
Deploy Multi Cloud: Multicloud deployment using various cloud tools. How to manage infrastructure across clouds
Analysis and Explanation of famous writings: Editorial explanation of famous writings. Prose Summary Explanation and Meaning & Analysis Explanation
Dev Make Config: Make configuration files for kubernetes, terraform, liquibase, declarative yaml interfaces. Better visual UIs

Recommended Similar Analysis

Sonnet 129: Th' expense of spirit in a waste of shame by William Shakespeare analysis
Infant Sorrow by William Blake analysis
A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift analysis
Bathed In War's Perfume by Walt Whitman analysis
A November Night by Sarah Teasdale analysis
Glory Of Women by Siegfried Sassoon analysis
Sympathy by Paul Laurence Dunbar analysis
I Love Thee by Thomas Hood analysis
Endymion (excerpts) by John Keats analysis
The Applicant by Sylvia Plath analysis