Poem Analysis - The River Merchants Wife A Letter

Initial Impression and Tone

The River-merchant's Wife: A Letter by Ezra Pound presents a poignant narrative of love, longing, and the passage of time. The poem begins with a nostalgic and playful tone, recalling childhood memories, but shifts to a more somber and reflective mood as it progresses. The speaker's voice evolves from innocence to longing and finally to a sense of melancholy and anticipation. The poem's form, a series of vignettes, supports its themes by allowing each stage of the relationship to stand out clearly.

Themes of Love and Longing

The poem explores the theme of love through the lens of a woman's memories and longing for her husband. The speaker's love is depicted as deep and enduring, from her childhood play with her future husband to her desire for eternal union. The phrase Forever and forever and forever emphasizes the intensity and permanence of her love. This longing is further highlighted by the husband's absence, which leaves the speaker in a state of waiting and anticipation. The final lines, where she asks to be informed of his return, underscore her enduring love and hope.

Themes of Time and Change

The passage of time is a significant theme, marked by the speaker's age and the changing seasons. The progression from childhood to adolescence and adulthood is noted with specific ages, indicating the passage of time. The natural world also reflects this change, with the falling leaves and the yellowing butterflies symbolizing the inevitable march of time. The moss growing over the path and the early falling leaves suggest a sense of neglect and the relentless passage of time, contrasting with the speaker's enduring love.

Symbolism and Imagery

The poem is rich in vivid imagery and symbolism. The bamboo stilts and blue plums in the opening lines evoke a sense of childhood innocence and playfulness. The moss growing over the path symbolizes neglect and the passage of time, while the falling leaves and yellowing butterflies represent the transient nature of life and love. The river, mentioned in the title and the final lines, can be seen as a symbol of the journey of life and the challenges faced along the way. The river's swirling eddies and the narrows of the river Kiang may also symbolize the obstacles and difficulties encountered in the journey of love and life.

Conclusion

The River-merchant's Wife: A Letter is a deeply moving exploration of love, longing, and the passage of time. Through vivid imagery and symbolic language, Pound captures the enduring nature of love and the inevitable changes brought by time. The poem's final lines, where the speaker expresses her hope for her husband's return, offer a poignant insight into the human experience of love and longing. The poem's significance lies in its universal themes and its ability to evoke a deep emotional response from the reader.