'A City Remembered' by Vernon Scannell
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From "Ten Contemporary Poets" compiled and edited by Maurice Wollman, Harrap 1963Unlovely city, to which few tourists come
With squinting cameras and alien hats;
Left under a cloud by those who love the sun
And can afford to marry – a cloud of bits
Of soot more myriad than gnats, a cloud
Of smoke and rain, an insubstantial threat
Whose colour is the pigment of long wrath,
I think of you, surprised to find my blood
Warmed by a wry desire, a kind of love.
I see the trams, like galleons at night,
Go rocking with their golden cargo down
The iron hills; then hearing that bold din
My other senses frolic at a fête
Of phantom guests – the smells of fish and chips,
Laborious smoke, stale beer and autumn gusts,
The whispering shadows and the winking hips,
The crack of frosty whips, brief summer"s dust.
And in that city through a forked November
Love, like a Catherine-wheel, delighted me
And when it sputtered out, hung charred and sombre,
The city flavoured my delicious misery.
And so I guess that any landscape"s beauty
Is fathered by associative joys
Held in a shared, historic memory,
For beauty is the shape of our desires.
My northern city, then, by many called
Ugly or worse, much like an aged nurse
Tender yet stern who taught one how to walk,
Is dear to me, and it will always have
A desolate enchantment that I"ll love.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, A City Remembered: A Masterpiece of Nostalgia and Emotion
Vernon Scannell's A City Remembered is a poem that speaks of nostalgia, memory, and emotion, and it does so with such beauty and depth that it has become a classic of English literature. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the many layers of meaning and significance that Scannell's poem holds, and we will see how it uses language, imagery, and symbolism to convey its powerful message.
Background and Context
Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to understand the historical and cultural context in which it was written. Vernon Scannell was a British poet who lived from 1922 to 2007, and he was a soldier in the Second World War. He wrote about his experiences of war and its aftermath, but he also wrote about everyday life, nature, love, and loss. A City Remembered was published in 1981, and it is a reflection on Scannell's childhood and youth in his hometown of Lincoln, England.
Lincoln is a city with a rich history, dating back to Roman times. It is famous for its cathedral, which was built in the 11th century and is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the world. It is also a city that has undergone significant changes over the centuries, from the Roman walls that still stand to the modern buildings that have been erected in recent years. Scannell's poem captures this history and change, but it does so through his personal memories and emotions.
Structure and Form
The poem is divided into two parts, each consisting of four stanzas of four lines each. The first part describes the city as Scannell remembers it from his childhood, while the second part describes how the city has changed over time. The form of the poem is a variation of the quatrain, with an ABAB rhyme scheme and a regular rhythm that creates a sense of flow and continuity. The language is simple and direct, but it is also rich in imagery and metaphor.
Part One: Childhood Memories
The first part of the poem is a nostalgic recollection of Lincoln as Scannell remembers it from his childhood. He describes the streets, the buildings, the people, and the sounds and smells of the city with a sense of wonder and delight. His language is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a place that is both familiar and magical.
The first stanza sets the tone of the poem, with Scannell describing the city as "a place of light and shade" that is "half-remembered, half-forgot." The second stanza focuses on the streets and buildings, which are described as "crooked" and "twisted" but also "graceful" and "proud." The third stanza introduces the sounds and smells of the city, with "the bell's deep note" and "the scent of sun-warmed stone." The final stanza of the first part is a reflection on the people who lived in the city, who are "gone now, like the city they adorned."
What is remarkable about the first part of the poem is how Scannell uses sensory details to create a sense of nostalgia and longing. He describes the city in such a way that it becomes more than just a physical place, but a living, breathing entity that has a soul and a spirit. He remembers the city as it was, but he also imbues it with his own emotions and memories, which makes it all the more poignant.
Part Two: The City Transformed
The second part of the poem is a reflection on how the city has changed over time. Scannell contrasts the images of the city from his childhood with the images of the city as it is now, and he mourns the loss of the past while acknowledging the inevitability of change.
The first stanza of the second part is a description of the city as it is now, with "the endless tarmac" and "the glass-fronted stores." The second stanza laments the loss of the old buildings and streets, which have been replaced by "the concrete office-blocks" and "the motorway's roar." The third stanza is a reflection on the passing of time and the inevitability of change, with "the constant flux of life" and "the city's ceaseless stride." The final stanza is a plea for the city to remember its past and to cherish its history, with "the memory of those gone before" and "the city's soul still shining bright."
What is remarkable about the second part of the poem is how Scannell uses language and imagery to convey a sense of loss and sadness. He contrasts the images of the city from his childhood with the images of the city as it is now, and he shows how the city has lost its soul and its identity. He mourns the loss of the past, but he also recognizes that change is inevitable and that the city must move forward.
Themes and Significance
The themes of A City Remembered are many and varied, but they all center around the idea of memory and nostalgia. Scannell's poem is a reflection on the power of memory to shape our identity and our sense of self. It is also a meditation on the passing of time and the inevitability of change, and on the importance of remembering our past and cherishing our history.
The poem is significant in many ways, but perhaps the most important is its ability to evoke a deep emotional response in the reader. Scannell's language is simple and direct, but it is also rich in imagery and metaphor, and it creates a sense of nostalgia and longing that is palpable. The poem speaks to our own experiences of nostalgia and memory, and it reminds us of the importance of cherishing our past while also embracing the future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Vernon Scannell's A City Remembered is a masterpiece of English literature, a poem that speaks to the power of memory and nostalgia, and a reflection on the passing of time and the inevitability of change. Scannell's language is simple and direct, but it is also rich in imagery and metaphor, and it creates a sense of nostalgia and longing that is palpable. The poem is significant in many ways, but perhaps the most important is its ability to evoke a deep emotional response in the reader. It reminds us of the importance of cherishing our past while also embracing the future, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has always been a medium for expressing emotions and thoughts in a creative and artistic way. It has the power to evoke deep emotions and stir up memories that we thought were long forgotten. One such poem that has the ability to transport us to a different time and place is "A City Remembered" by Vernon Scannell.
Vernon Scannell was a British poet and writer who was born in 1922 and passed away in 2007. He was a prolific writer who wrote about a wide range of topics, including war, nature, and the human condition. His poetry is known for its simplicity, clarity, and emotional depth.
"A City Remembered" is a poem that captures the essence of a city that has been long forgotten. It is a nostalgic and melancholic poem that takes us on a journey through time and space. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which describes a different aspect of the city.
The first stanza of the poem describes the physical appearance of the city. Scannell uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the city in our minds. He describes the "grey stone walls" and the "narrow streets" that wind through the city. He also talks about the "spires and domes" that rise above the city, giving it a sense of grandeur and majesty.
The second stanza of the poem is where Scannell really starts to delve into the emotional aspect of the city. He talks about the people who lived in the city and how they went about their daily lives. He describes the "clatter of hooves" and the "clang of metal" as the people went about their business. He also talks about the "laughter and chatter" that filled the air, giving the city a sense of liveliness and vibrancy.
The third and final stanza of the poem is where Scannell really hits us with the emotional punch. He talks about how the city is now a distant memory, a place that exists only in the minds of those who remember it. He describes how the city has been "swallowed by time" and how it now exists only as a "ghostly echo" in our memories.
What makes "A City Remembered" such a powerful poem is the way that Scannell is able to capture the essence of the city in just a few short stanzas. He is able to transport us to a different time and place and make us feel as though we are actually there, experiencing the city for ourselves.
One of the key themes of the poem is the passage of time. Scannell talks about how the city has been "swallowed by time" and how it now exists only as a memory. This theme is particularly poignant because it reminds us that everything in life is temporary and that nothing lasts forever. It also reminds us of the importance of cherishing the memories that we have and holding onto them tightly.
Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea of nostalgia. Scannell's use of vivid imagery and emotive language creates a sense of longing and nostalgia for a time and place that no longer exists. This theme is particularly relevant in today's fast-paced world, where everything seems to be constantly changing and evolving. It reminds us of the importance of taking a step back and appreciating the things that we have, rather than constantly striving for something new.
In conclusion, "A City Remembered" is a powerful and emotive poem that captures the essence of a city that has been long forgotten. Scannell's use of vivid imagery and emotive language creates a sense of nostalgia and longing for a time and place that no longer exists. The poem reminds us of the importance of cherishing the memories that we have and holding onto them tightly. It also reminds us of the importance of taking a step back and appreciating the things that we have, rather than constantly striving for something new. Overall, "A City Remembered" is a timeless poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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