Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"From a Railway Carriage" is a poem by Robert Louis Stevenson that vividly captures the fast-paced and fleeting nature of a train journey. The speaker describes the sights and scenes that pass by the window, creating a sense of movement and excitement.

The poem begins by emphasizing the incredible speed of the train, comparing it to fairies and witches. As the train rushes forward, it traverses various landscapes, including bridges, houses, hedges, and ditches. The imagery suggests a rapid succession of views, as if everything is zooming past in a blur.

The speaker likens the movement of the train to troops charging into battle, highlighting the energy and dynamism of the scene. Meadows, with their horses and cattle, fly by in a whirlwind. The sights of the hill and the plain come and go rapidly, resembling driving rain.

The painted stations on the railway route quickly pass by, with the speaker noting how they whistle by in an instant. The poem then shifts its focus to the people and objects seen from the train. A child can be observed climbing and gathering brambles, enjoying the freedom of exploration. A tramp stands and gazes, perhaps captivated by the passing train. The mention of the green for stringing daisies evokes a sense of a picturesque countryside.

The poem continues with the image of a runaway cart on the road, moving alongside the train. A mill and a river also come into view, providing glimpses of different aspects of the landscape. Each sight is transient, appearing briefly and then disappearing forever as the train moves relentlessly forward.

"From a Railway Carriage" captures the sensation of speed, the fleeting nature of passing scenes, and the variety of sights encountered during a train journey.