In Memoriam A.H.H. (VII) - Alfred, Lord Tennyson
A Poignant Reflection on Loss and Hope
Dark house, by which once more I stand
Here in the long unlovely street,
Doors, where my heart was used to beat
So quickly, waiting for a hand,
A hand that can be clasp'd no more—
Behold me, for I cannot sleep,
I creep at night upon your floor,
And in the dark hear those who weep.
Dark house, with doors for ever shut,
Through which I hear the low reply
Of one who answers to my cry,
“O Love, thy lights are all put out!“
Thou livest in the breathless past,
Loving and loved; but here am I,
Who have not seen thee, nor can say
When thou art gone, or when to die.
Yet if some voice from out the sky
Should murmur, “Friend, remember me,“
Then would I tell thee, though I lie
In bonds of death, how dear thou art to me.
Overview of the Poem
"In Memoriam A.H.H. (VII)" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson is a poignant elegy that captures the deep sense of loss and longing felt by the poet after the death of his close friend, Arthur Henry Hallam. The poem is part of a larger work, "In Memoriam A.H.H.," which is a collection of 133 cantos written over 17 years as a tribute to Hallam. This particular canto reflects on themes of grief, memory, and the haunting presence of the deceased in the life of the bereaved.
Line-by-Line Explanation
Dark house, by which once more I stand / Here in the long unlovely street,
The poem begins with the image of a dark, somber house located on a dreary, unattractive street. This setting immediately establishes a mood of melancholy and desolation. The "dark house" symbolizes the emptiness and void left by the absence of the loved one.
Doors, where my heart was used to beat / So quickly, waiting for a hand,
The speaker reminisces about the past when he would eagerly wait at these doors, his heart racing in anticipation of meeting his beloved friend. The "hand" represents the physical presence and connection that once brought joy and excitement but is now forever lost.
A hand that can be clasp'd no more— / Behold me, for I cannot sleep,
The realization that the hand can no longer be held is a stark reminder of the irreversible nature of death. The speaker's inability to sleep suggests his restlessness and the persistent thoughts of his lost friend that haunt him during the night.
I creep at night upon your floor, / And in the dark hear those who weep.
In his solitude and despair, the speaker imagines himself creeping through the dark house, listening to the sounds of others who are also mourning. This imagery conveys the universality of grief and how it connects individuals through shared sorrow.
Dark house, with doors for ever shut, / Through which I hear the low reply
The metaphor of the "doors for ever shut" emphasizes the finality of death and the barrier it creates between the living and the dead. Despite this, the speaker perceives a faint response from beyond, suggesting a lingering spiritual connection or memory.
Of one who answers to my cry, / “O Love, thy lights are all put out!”
The imagined reply echoes the speaker’s lament, acknowledging the extinguishing of love's light due to the loss. The exclamation underscores the depth of the speaker's emotional pain and the darkness that has enveloped his life.
Thou livest in the breathless past, / Loving and loved; but here am I,
The speaker contrasts the vibrant, loving past with his current state of being trapped in a stagnant present. While his friend exists only in cherished memories, the speaker remains in a world devoid of that love, highlighting the painful disconnect between past and present.
Who have not seen thee, nor can say / When thou art gone, or when to die.
This line reflects the uncertainty and confusion that accompany grief. The speaker feels disoriented, unable to fully grasp the reality of his friend's death or foresee his own mortality. It illustrates the existential crisis often triggered by profound loss.
Yet if some voice from out the sky / Should murmur, “Friend, remember me,”
The hypothetical scenario of hearing a voice from the heavens introduces a glimmer of hope and comfort. The possibility of communication from the deceased offers solace and reassurance that the bond of friendship endures beyond physical existence.
Then would I tell thee, though I lie / In bonds of death, how dear thou art to me.
In conclusion, the speaker affirms his enduring love and devotion, even in the face of death. The phrase "bonds of death" signifies the ultimate surrender to mortality, yet the declaration of affection transcends these limits, affirming the timeless nature of true friendship.
Themes and Interpretation
Grief and Longing: The poem vividly portrays the intense emotions associated with losing a loved one. The recurring imagery of darkness and silence underscores the profound sense of emptiness and yearning experienced by the bereaved.
Memory and Presence: Despite the physical absence of the friend, his presence lingers in the memories and emotions of the speaker. This theme highlights how the deceased continue to influence and shape the lives of those they leave behind.
Mortality and Existential Reflection: The poem delves into questions about life, death, and the afterlife. The speaker's contemplation of his own mortality adds a philosophical dimension to the personal narrative of loss.
Conclusion
Tennyson's "In Memoriam A.H.H. (VII)" is a masterful exploration of grief, capturing the complex interplay of memory, emotion, and existential reflection. Through evocative imagery and heartfelt expression, the poem conveys the enduring impact of love and loss, offering a timeless meditation on the human experience of bereavement.
Key points
This poem reflects Tennyson's deep sorrow over the loss of his friend Arthur Henry Hallam, capturing universal themes of mourning, faith, and resilience; it reminds readers that even in moments of profound grief, hope and love can guide us through darkness, offering solace and strength to endure life’s trials.
