Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Snowflake Which Is Now and Hence Forever" is a poem by Archibald MacLeish, an American poet, playwright, and public intellectual who lived from 1892 to 1982. The poem is a meditation on the nature of time and the ways in which individual moments can be both fleeting and eternal. The poem reflects on the beauty and fragility of the natural world, and the importance of appreciating and preserving it in the face of human impermanence.

Context:

"The Snowflake Which Is Now and Hence Forever" was likely written in the mid-20th century, during a period of ecological awareness and concern for the impact of human activity on the environment. The poem reflects a broader interest in the relationship between the individual and the natural world, and the ways in which human actions can both affect and be affected by the environment. The poem is part of a larger tradition of nature poetry, which sought to use literary forms to explore the beauty and complexity of the natural world.

Content:

"The Snowflake Which Is Now and Hence Forever" is a poem in which the speaker reflects on the nature of time and the ways in which individual moments can be both fleeting and eternal. The poem explores the idea of the snowflake as a symbol of both beauty and fragility, and reflects on the importance of appreciating and preserving the natural world in the face of human impermanence. The poem emphasizes the need for individual responsibility and action in protecting the environment and ensuring the survival of future generations.

Form:

"The Snowflake Which Is Now and Hence Forever" is written in free verse, with a contemplative and meditative tone that reflects the speaker's reflection on the natural world and the passage of time. The poem is divided into several stanzas, each containing a different aspect of the speaker's meditation on the snowflake and its meaning.

Poetic Elements:

"The Snowflake Which Is Now and Hence Forever" makes use of several poetic techniques and devices, including metaphor, imagery, and repetition. The use of metaphor, such as the comparison of the snowflake to "a fragile thing / In a world of fragile things," adds to the poem's emotional impact, while the imagery of the natural world emphasizes the beauty and complexity of the snowflake and its environment. The repetition of phrases such as "the fragile snow" and "the world of fragile things" emphasizes the poem's focus on the fragility and vulnerability of both the snowflake and the natural world.

Summary:

"The Snowflake Which Is Now and Hence Forever" is a notable example of nature poetry, and a significant contribution to Archibald MacLeish's body of work. The poem's reflection on the nature of time and the fragility of the natural world is a timeless theme that continues to resonate with readers today. The poem's use of metaphor, imagery, and repetition adds to its poetic and emotional impact, while also conveying the speaker's concern for the environment and the need for individual responsibility and action. Overall, "The Snowflake Which Is Now and Hence Forever" is a noteworthy example of MacLeish's poetic skill and his engagement with the relationship between the individual and the natural world.

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