'I WHo All The Winter Through' by Robert Louis Stevenson


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I WHO all the winter through
Cherished other loves than you,
And kept hands with hoary policy in marriage-bed and pew;
Now I know the false and true,
For the earnest sun looks through,
And my old love comes to meet me in the dawning and the dew.

Now the hedged meads renew
Rustic odour, smiling hue,
And the clean air shines and tinkles as the world goes wheeling through;
And my heart springs up anew,
Bright and confident and true,
And my old love comes to meet me in the dawning and the dew.


Editor 1 Interpretation

"I Who All The Winter Through" by Robert Louis Stevenson: A Deep Dive into the Poetic Journey

Are you a lover of poetry? Do you enjoy the art of weaving words together to create a tapestry of emotions, imagery, and meaning? If so, then you are in for a treat! In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the classic poem "I Who All The Winter Through" by Robert Louis Stevenson.

This poem is a lyric poem, which means it is a type of poetry that expresses the thoughts and feelings of the poet. "I Who All The Winter Through" was published in the volume "Underwoods" in 1887. The title of the poem suggests a speaker who has endured the cold winter season, and the poem explores themes of loneliness, isolation, and the passage of time.

Let us begin our journey through the poem, stanza by stanza.

Stanza 1

I who all the winter through, Cherished other loves than you, And kept hands with hoary policy in marriage-bed and pew; Now I know the false and true, For the earnest sun looks through, And my old love comes to meet me in the browning of the dew.

The first stanza of the poem introduces the speaker, who has spent the winter season cherishing other loves besides the one addressed in the poem. The line, "And kept hands with hoary policy in marriage-bed and pew," suggests that the speaker has gone through the motions of being married and has been faithful to social expectations, rather than authentic love. However, the speaker now realizes the difference between true and false love, as the "earnest sun looks through," and the "old love comes to meet me in the browning of the dew."

The imagery in this stanza is striking, as the sun represents truth and clarity, while the "browning of the dew" suggests the fading of the memory of the speaker's other loves. The use of "hoary policy" emphasizes the idea of something old, outdated, and inflexible, which the speaker has now moved beyond.

Stanza 2

But I do not shed him now, That old beloved avatar, For the new and better vow Scorns to wait upon a star. Love shall still be lord of all, And the musical soul of me That hearkened to its call, Still bids me bow the knee.

In this stanza, the speaker acknowledges that they still hold affection for their old love, the "old beloved avatar." The speaker then contrasts this with the idea of a "new and better vow" that "scorns to wait upon a star," suggesting that true love is not simply based on external factors or ideals, but rather a deep connection between two individuals.

The speaker declares that "Love shall still be lord of all," emphasizing the power and importance of love in their life. The line, "And the musical soul of me/That hearkened to its call," suggests that the speaker's soul is attuned to the call of love, and they will always respond to it.

Stanza 3

But they coming through the snow, Fearful, where no fear should be, All to hear the north-wind blow, All to know the worst's a-lee. But, my dear, the snow is on, And the worst that can befall Is the staying of the sun And the clouds that snow enthrall.

In this stanza, the speaker describes the fear and anxiety that can come with the winter season. The imagery of "coming through the snow" and being "fearful, where no fear should be" suggests a sense of isolation and vulnerability. The phrase, "All to hear the north-wind blow," emphasizes the harshness of the winter weather and the sense of danger it can bring.

However, the speaker reassures their beloved that despite the snow, the worst that can happen is the temporary absence of the sun and the clouds that bring snow. This reassurance suggests a sense of comfort and protection that the speaker wants to offer their beloved.

Stanza 4

And the ski gleams so and high, And the hills are gay with snow, And the vale is a Christmas pie, And the merry bells outgo. Could but love and Christmas be Young once more on earth for me, Ah, my dear, ah, my dear, All the world were only we!

The final stanza of the poem presents a vision of beauty and joy in the winter season. The imagery of the "ski gleams" and the "hills are gay with snow" create a sense of playfulness and excitement. The phrase, "the vale is a Christmas pie," suggests abundance and celebration.

The speaker then expresses a desire for love and Christmas to be "Young once more on earth." This desire for something that has passed suggests a sense of longing and nostalgia. The final lines, "Ah, my dear, ah, my dear,/All the world were only we!" emphasize the power and importance of love, and the desire for a world where only the two lovers exist.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "I Who All The Winter Through" by Robert Louis Stevenson is a beautiful lyric poem that explores themes of love, loneliness, and the passage of time. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, the speaker takes us on a journey through the winter season, exploring the complexity of love and the various emotions that come with it. The poem ultimately leaves us with a sense of comfort and hope, as we are reminded of the power of love to bring joy and happiness into our lives.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, paint vivid pictures in our minds, and transport us to different worlds. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "I Who All The Winter Through" by Robert Louis Stevenson. This poem is a beautiful representation of the winter season and the emotions that come with it. In this article, we will delve deep into the poem and analyze its meaning, structure, and literary devices used by the poet.

The poem "I Who All The Winter Through" is a short but powerful piece of poetry that captures the essence of winter. The poem is written in the first person, and the speaker is someone who has experienced the winter season for a long time. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme of the poem is AABB, which means that the first and second lines rhyme, and the third and fourth lines rhyme.

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker says, "I who all the winter through / Cherished other loves than you" (lines 1-2). The speaker is addressing someone who they have loved in the past but has now moved on from. The winter season has brought about a change in the speaker's emotions, and they have found new loves to cherish. The use of the word "cherished" is significant as it implies that the speaker has found something that they value and hold dear.

The second stanza of the poem is where the imagery of winter is introduced. The speaker says, "Only when the sullen skies / Come weeping, weeping, will I rise" (lines 5-6). The use of the word "sullen" to describe the skies is significant as it implies that the speaker sees the winter season as a time of sadness and gloom. The repetition of the word "weeping" emphasizes the sadness that the speaker feels during this time. The speaker also says that they will only rise when the skies are weeping, which could mean that they are only motivated to move forward when they are feeling sad.

The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker's emotions are revealed. The speaker says, "Not for joys that perish fast / Not for love that hopes will cast" (lines 9-10). The speaker is saying that they are not interested in temporary joys or love that is based on hope. The use of the word "perish" implies that the speaker is looking for something that will last. The speaker goes on to say, "But for sorrow, that is sweet / Only when it sings and weeps" (lines 11-12). The speaker is saying that they find comfort in sadness and that it is only when they are feeling sad that they can truly appreciate the beauty of life.

The poem "I Who All The Winter Through" is a beautiful representation of the winter season and the emotions that come with it. The poem is structured in a way that emphasizes the speaker's emotions and the imagery of winter. The use of the first person allows the reader to connect with the speaker on a personal level and understand their emotions. The rhyme scheme of the poem adds to its musicality and makes it a pleasure to read.

The poem also makes use of several literary devices that add to its beauty. The use of imagery is significant as it allows the reader to visualize the winter season and the emotions that come with it. The use of repetition emphasizes the sadness that the speaker feels during this time. The use of the word "cherished" and "perish" adds to the emotional depth of the poem and highlights the speaker's desire for something that will last.

In conclusion, "I Who All The Winter Through" is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of the winter season and the emotions that come with it. The poem is structured in a way that emphasizes the speaker's emotions and the imagery of winter. The use of literary devices adds to its beauty and makes it a pleasure to read. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry and its ability to evoke emotions and transport us to different worlds.

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