'The Answer' by Sarah Teasdale


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When I go back to earth
And all my joyous body
Puts off the red and white
That once had been so proud,
If men should pass above
With false and feeble pity,
My dust will find a voice
To answer them aloud:

"Be still, I am content,
Take back your poor compassion --
Joy was a flame in me
Too steady to destroy.
Lithe as a bending reed
Loving the storm that sways her --
I found more joy in sorrow
Than you could find in joy."

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Answer by Sarah Teasdale: An Exploration of Love and Religion

Have you ever read a poem that simply took your breath away? The kind of poem that makes you stop in your tracks and ponder the meaning of life? If you haven't, then you need to read "The Answer" by Sarah Teasdale. This poem is a masterpiece that explores the themes of love, religion, and the afterlife. In this literary criticism, I will delve deep into the meaning behind this classic poem and provide my interpretation of its message.

Background on Sarah Teasdale

Before we dive into the poem, let's take a moment to learn about the poet behind it. Sarah Teasdale was an American poet born in 1884 in St. Louis, Missouri. She was known for her lyrical style and ability to evoke emotion through her words. Throughout her career, Teasdale published several collections of poetry and received accolades for her work. However, despite her success, Teasdale struggled with depression and ultimately took her own life in 1933.

The Poem: "The Answer"

Now, let's turn our attention to the poem itself. "The Answer" is a short but powerful poem that consists of just six lines. Here is the poem in its entirety:

When I go back to earth
And all my joyous body
Puts off the red and white
That once had been so proud,
If men should pass above
With false and feeble pity,
My dust will find a voice
To answer them aloud:

At first glance, this poem may seem simple and straightforward. However, as we will see, there is much more to it than meets the eye.

Analysis of "The Answer"

The first line of the poem sets the stage for what is to come: "When I go back to earth." This line suggests that the speaker is contemplating their own mortality and what will happen to them after they die. The use of the word "go" implies that the speaker believes in an afterlife, which is a common theme in religious writing.

In the second line, the speaker refers to their "joyous body" which will "put off the red and white that once had been so proud." This line suggests that the speaker is acknowledging the fleeting nature of physical beauty and the fact that their body will eventually decay. The use of the word "joyous" implies that the speaker sees their body as a source of happiness and pleasure, which adds to the sense of loss in this line.

The third line continues the theme of decay and loss, as the speaker refers to their body losing its former pride. The use of the colors "red and white" suggests that the speaker may be referring to their skin, which will lose its healthy glow and become pale as death approaches.

The fourth line is where the poem takes a turn. The speaker says that if "men should pass above with false and feeble pity," their dust will find a voice to answer them aloud. This line is ambiguous and can be interpreted in several ways. One interpretation is that the speaker is challenging the idea of pity itself. They seem to be saying that if someone pities them after they die, it will be a false and feeble emotion because the speaker will no longer exist. The use of the word "dust" reinforces the idea of the speaker's physical body decaying and returning to the earth.

The final two lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful. The speaker says that their dust will find a voice to answer those who pity them. This line suggests that even though the speaker's physical body may be gone, their spirit or essence will live on. The use of the word "voice" implies that the speaker will be able to communicate with those who are still alive in some way. This could be interpreted as a reference to the afterlife, where the speaker's soul may continue to exist.

Interpretation of "The Answer"

So, what does "The Answer" really mean? At its core, this poem is about the nature of love and religion. The speaker seems to be grappling with the idea of what happens to us after we die and whether our existence has any meaning beyond our physical bodies.

One interpretation of the poem is that the speaker is rejecting the idea of pity. They seem to be saying that if someone pities them after they die, it will be a false and feeble emotion because the speaker will no longer exist. This interpretation suggests that the speaker believes in a kind of existentialism where our lives only have meaning while we are alive.

Another interpretation of the poem is that the speaker is hinting at a belief in an afterlife. The use of the word "voice" implies that the speaker will be able to communicate with those who are still alive in some way. This interpretation suggests that the speaker may believe in a form of life after death where our souls continue to exist in some way.

Finally, the poem can be interpreted as a meditation on the nature of love. The speaker seems to be saying that even though their physical body may decay, their love will live on. This interpretation suggests that the speaker believes in a kind of eternal love that transcends death.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Answer" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of love, religion, and the afterlife. The poem's ambiguity leaves room for multiple interpretations, which is a testament to Sarah Teasdale's skill as a poet. Whether you read the poem as a rejection of pity, a meditation on the afterlife, or a celebration of eternal love, one thing is clear: "The Answer" is a poem that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has the power to evoke emotions and stir the soul. It can transport us to different worlds, make us feel understood, and inspire us to be better. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "The Answer" by Sarah Teasdale. This classic piece of poetry is a beautiful exploration of the human condition and the search for meaning in life.

The poem begins with a question that has plagued humanity since the beginning of time: "Do you think, O blue-eyed bandit of the sky, / Because you can wander through eternity, / That you know the meaning of love?" The speaker is addressing the sky, which is often associated with the divine and the infinite. The sky is a symbol of something greater than ourselves, and the speaker is questioning whether this vastness gives it the ability to understand the complexities of human emotions.

The second stanza continues this theme of questioning, asking whether the sky understands the pain and suffering that humans experience. "Do you think that you can tell the grief / Of the trees when the wind is sobbing through them?" The speaker is asking whether the sky can truly comprehend the depth of human emotion and the struggles that we face.

The third stanza is where the poem takes a turn. The speaker acknowledges that the sky may not have all the answers, but there is something that does. "Ah, no! you are only a voice, / And the wind has no ears to hear." The sky may be vast and infinite, but it is ultimately just a voice in the wind. It cannot offer the comfort and understanding that we seek.

The fourth stanza is where the poem reaches its climax. The speaker reveals the true answer to the questions that have been posed. "The answer is in the heart of the question." The answer is not something that can be found outside of ourselves, but rather it is within us all along. The speaker is saying that the meaning of love and the understanding of grief can only be found by looking within ourselves and our own experiences.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker acknowledging the beauty and complexity of life. "Only through time time is conquered." The speaker is saying that it takes time and experience to truly understand the meaning of life and the emotions that come with it. We must go through the ups and downs of life to truly appreciate its beauty and complexity.

"The Answer" is a beautiful poem that speaks to the human experience. It acknowledges the vastness of the universe and the questions that we all have about our place in it. But ultimately, it reminds us that the answers we seek are within ourselves. We must look to our own experiences and emotions to truly understand the meaning of life.

The poem is also a testament to the power of poetry itself. Through the use of language and imagery, Teasdale is able to convey complex emotions and ideas in just a few short stanzas. The poem is a reminder of the power of words to inspire and move us.

In conclusion, "The Answer" is a timeless piece of poetry that speaks to the human condition. It reminds us that the answers we seek are within ourselves, and that the beauty and complexity of life can only be truly appreciated through experience. It is a testament to the power of poetry to evoke emotions and inspire us to be better.

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