'A Last Word' by Ernest Dowson
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Let us go hence: the night is now at hand;
The day is overworn, the birds all flown;
And we have reaped the crops the gods have sown;
Despair and death; deep darkness o'er the land,
Broods like an owl; we cannot understand
Laughter or tears, for we have only known
Surpassing vanity: vain things alone
Have driven our perverse and aimless band.
Let us go hence, somewhither strange and cold,
To Hollow Lands where just men and unjust
Find end of labour, where's rest for the old,
Freedom to all from love and fear and lust.
Twine our torn hands! O pray the earth enfold
Our life-sick hearts and turn them into dust.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Last Word by Ernest Dowson
A Last Word is a poem that has stood the test of time. It's a powerful piece of literature that has been studied and analyzed by many scholars over the years. But what makes this poem so special? Why has it captured the imagination of so many people for so long? In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore these questions and more.
Background Information
Ernest Dowson was an English poet, novelist, and short-story writer. He was born in 1867 and died at the young age of 32 in 1900. Despite his short life, he left behind a rich legacy of literature that has influenced generations of writers.
Dowson was a member of the Decadent movement, which was popular in the late 19th century. The Decadent movement was characterized by its rejection of traditional values and its embrace of art for art's sake. It was a movement that celebrated beauty, pleasure, and sensuality.
Analysis
A Last Word is a short poem that consists of just three stanzas. Despite its brevity, it is a poem that is packed with meaning and emotion. The poem is written in the first person, and the speaker is addressing someone who has wronged them. The speaker is angry and bitter, and their words are filled with sarcasm and irony.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker says, "Let us go hence: the night is now at hand." This line suggests that the speaker is ready to leave and that the night is a metaphor for death. The speaker goes on to say, "The day is overworn, the birds all flown." This line suggests that the speaker is tired and that they have been through a lot.
In the second stanza, the speaker addresses the person who has wronged them. They say, "See, yonder fire is dying out at last." This line suggests that the person who has wronged them is like a dying fire. They have lost their passion and their energy. The speaker goes on to say, "Into the stillness of the west, our dream." This line suggests that the speaker and the person who has wronged them once had a dream, but that dream is now dead.
The third stanza is the most powerful stanza in the poem. The speaker says, "Out of the dreams of avarice and spite, / Out of the tedious ranks of settled wrong, / We rise, we rise, we rise." This line suggests that the speaker and the person who has wronged them are rising above their petty concerns and their grievances. They are moving on to something greater.
The poem ends with the line, "The same as those who never have been born." This line suggests that the speaker and the person who has wronged them are now dead. They are no longer alive, and they are no longer suffering.
Interpretation
A Last Word is a poem about death and the human condition. It is a poem that explores the idea of moving on from the petty concerns of this world and embracing something greater. The speaker is bitter and angry, but they are also trying to find meaning in their suffering.
The poem is also a commentary on the Decadent movement. The speaker is rejecting the values of the Decadent movement and is searching for something more meaningful. The Decadent movement celebrated beauty and pleasure, but the speaker realizes that these things are fleeting and that there is something more important in life.
In conclusion, A Last Word is a powerful and moving poem that explores the human condition. It is a poem that is both bitter and hopeful, and it speaks to the universal themes of life, death, and meaning. Ernest Dowson was a masterful poet, and this poem is a testament to his talent and his legacy.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Ernest Dowson's "A Last Word" is a classic poem that has been celebrated for its haunting beauty and melancholic tone. The poem is a reflection on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. It is a poignant reminder that everything in life is fleeting and that we must cherish every moment we have.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing his lover, telling her that he has come to say goodbye. He tells her that he is leaving her and that he will not be coming back. The speaker then goes on to describe the beauty of the world around him, the flowers, the trees, and the birds. He tells his lover that he will miss all of these things, but that he must go.
The second stanza of the poem is where the speaker really begins to delve into the theme of mortality. He tells his lover that he is not afraid of death, but that he is afraid of what comes after. He wonders if there is an afterlife, and if so, what it will be like. He also wonders if he will be remembered after he is gone, or if he will simply fade away into obscurity.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most haunting. The speaker tells his lover that he will miss her most of all. He describes her beauty and her grace, and he tells her that he loves her. He then goes on to say that he hopes she will remember him after he is gone, and that she will think of him from time to time.
The final stanza of the poem is where the speaker really brings everything together. He tells his lover that he is leaving her with a last word, a word that will stay with her long after he is gone. He tells her that the word is "Adieu," which means goodbye in French. He then goes on to say that he hopes she will remember him fondly, and that she will think of him whenever she hears the word "Adieu."
Overall, "A Last Word" is a beautiful and haunting poem that speaks to the transience of life and the inevitability of death. It is a reminder that we must cherish every moment we have, and that we must never take anything for granted. The poem is also a testament to the power of love, and to the enduring nature of human connection. It is a poem that will stay with you long after you have read it, and that will continue to resonate with you for years to come.
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