'On A Ruined house In A Romantic Country' by Samuel Taylor Coleridge


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And this reft house is that the which he built,
Lamented Jack ! And here his malt he pil'd,
Cautious in vain ! These rats that squeak so wild,
Squeak, not unconscious of their father's guilt.
Did ye not see her gleaming thro' the glade ?
Belike, 'twas she, the maiden all forlorn.
What though she milk no cow with crumpled horn,
Yet aye she haunts the dale where erst she stray'd ;
And aye beside her stalks her amorous knight !
Still on his thighs their wonted brogues are worn,
And thro' those brogues, still tatter'd and betorn,
His hindward charms gleam an unearthly white ;
As when thro' broken clouds at night's high noon
Peeps in fair fragments forth the full-orb'd harvest-moon !

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Haunting Glimpse into a Romantic Country: A Literary Criticism of Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "On a Ruined House in a Romantic Country"

When one thinks of Romanticism, one often imagines lush landscapes, grandiose emotions, and a focus on the individual's experience of the world. Yet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "On a Ruined House in a Romantic Country" challenges these conventional notions of Romanticism. Through his haunting depiction of a crumbling house, Coleridge presents readers with a different, more melancholy understanding of the Romantic era.

A Haunting Introduction

"Ah! what a warning for a thoughtless man, Could field or grove, could any spot of earth, Show to his eye an image of the pangs, Which it hath witnessed; render back an echo Of the sad steps by which it hath been trod!"

From the very beginning, Coleridge sets a mournful tone, emphasizing the warning that this ruined house provides. The use of the exclamation "Ah!" elicits a sense of despair, as if the speaker is already mourning what has been lost. This sets the stage for the rest of the poem, as Coleridge delves into the history of this house and the emotions it evokes.

A Bleak Landscape

"Unploughed, untrodden, and no longer crowned With waving corn fields, as it was of yore, But fenced with rank weeds, and the meagre, sheep Bleat pleasantly along the shady vale."

In these lines, Coleridge describes a bleak and desolate landscape. The fields are no longer cultivated and the house is surrounded by "rank weeds." The use of the phrase "of yore" emphasizes the passage of time and the loss of what once was. The image of the sheep bleating "pleasantly" provides a stark contrast to the overall tone of the poem, highlighting the fact that even in the midst of decay, life continues.

History and Nostalgia

"Oft did the cliffs reverberate the sound Of parted friends, or children driven to exile, Or calling home the husband from the sea, Or chiding smugglers on the moonlight bay:"

Here, Coleridge delves into the history of the house, describing the various events that took place there. The use of the word "reverberate" emphasizes the echoes of the past that still linger in the present. The mention of "parted friends" and "children driven to exile" highlights the sadness and displacement that often accompanied life in the Romantic era. The emphasis on the sea and smugglers adds a sense of danger and adventure, further complicating the nostalgia that pervades the poem.

The Power of Nature

"Save where the beetle wheels his droning flight, And drowsy tinklings lull the distant folds: Save that I saw the dark mole groping there, And heard the startled grasshopper in the brake."

In these lines, Coleridge shifts his focus to the natural world, highlighting the power of nature to persist even in the midst of ruin. The use of the word "save" emphasizes the contrast between the stillness of the house and the buzzing activity of the insects. The mention of the "dark mole" and the "grasshopper" provides a sense of life and vitality that stands in stark contrast to the decay of the house.

A Sense of Loss

"Yet as I gazed, the saddening truth arose, How all around was hung with blackest shade, And all within, shewed like a hollow tomb."

In these final lines, Coleridge underscores the overall sense of loss and melancholy that pervades the poem. The use of the word "saddening" emphasizes the despair that the speaker feels as they gaze upon the ruined house. The mention of the "blackest shade" and the "hollow tomb" further emphasize the sense of death that pervades the poem.

Conclusion

Through his haunting depiction of a ruined house, Samuel Taylor Coleridge presents readers with a nuanced understanding of Romanticism. Rather than focusing on grandiose emotions and lush landscapes, Coleridge highlights the melancholy and sense of loss that often accompanied life in the Romantic era. By emphasizing the echoes of the past and the power of nature to persist even in the midst of ruin, Coleridge creates a haunting glimpse into a Romantic country that still resonates today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry On A Ruined House In A Romantic Country: A Masterpiece of Romanticism

Samuel Taylor Coleridge, one of the greatest poets of the Romantic era, wrote "Poetry On A Ruined House In A Romantic Country" in 1798. This poem is a perfect example of Romanticism, which was a literary and artistic movement that emphasized emotion, imagination, and individualism. In this article, we will analyze and explain this masterpiece of Romanticism in detail.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a ruined house in a romantic country. The house is in a state of decay, and nature has taken over it. The windows are broken, the roof is falling apart, and the walls are covered in ivy. The speaker then imagines the people who used to live in the house, and how they must have enjoyed the beauty of the surrounding nature. He says:

"Ah! Surely nothing dies but something mourns!"

This line shows the speaker's empathy towards the people who used to live in the house. He feels their absence and mourns their loss. This is a common theme in Romanticism, where the poets often express their emotions and feelings towards nature and the world around them.

The speaker then goes on to describe the beauty of the surrounding nature. He talks about the "green and silent dell" and the "wild and tangled forest." He also mentions the "mountain torrent" and the "murmuring stream." These descriptions show the speaker's love for nature and his appreciation for its beauty. This is another common theme in Romanticism, where the poets often express their love for nature and its beauty.

The speaker then imagines the people who used to live in the house, and how they must have enjoyed the beauty of the surrounding nature. He says:

"Here, where a few torn shrubs the place disclose, The village preacher's modest mansion rose."

This line shows the speaker's imagination and his ability to create a story in his mind. He imagines the preacher living in the house and enjoying the beauty of the surrounding nature. This is another common theme in Romanticism, where the poets often use their imagination to create stories and images in their minds.

The speaker then goes on to describe the preacher's life and his connection to nature. He says:

"The red-breast, oft, at evening hours, Shall kindly lend his little aid, With hoary moss, and gathered flowers, To deck the ground where thou art laid."

This stanza shows the speaker's belief in the connection between nature and human life. He imagines the red-breast, a bird, helping to decorate the preacher's grave with flowers and moss. This shows the speaker's appreciation for the beauty of nature and its ability to connect with human life.

The speaker then goes on to describe the preacher's life and his connection to nature. He says:

"There, through the long, long summer hours, The golden light should lie, And thick young herbs and groups of flowers Stand in their beauty by."

This stanza shows the speaker's appreciation for the beauty of nature and its ability to provide comfort and joy to human life. He imagines the preacher enjoying the beauty of nature during the long summer hours, surrounded by flowers and herbs. This is another common theme in Romanticism, where the poets often express their appreciation for the beauty of nature and its ability to provide comfort and joy to human life.

The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on the beauty of the ruined house and the surrounding nature. He says:

"Thus, though abroad perchance I might roam In solitude, tears, and pain, Thy memory shall restore the calm, And soothe my heart again."

This stanza shows the speaker's belief in the power of memory and imagination. He believes that the memory of the ruined house and the surrounding nature will bring him comfort and soothe his heart during times of solitude, tears, and pain. This is another common theme in Romanticism, where the poets often express their belief in the power of memory and imagination.

In conclusion, "Poetry On A Ruined House In A Romantic Country" is a masterpiece of Romanticism. It expresses the themes of empathy, imagination, love for nature, and the power of memory and imagination. The poem is a perfect example of how the Romantic poets used their emotions and feelings to create beautiful and meaningful works of art. Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem is a timeless masterpiece that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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