Poem Analysis - The Cross Of Snow

Initial Impression and Tone

The Cross of Snow by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is a poignant and reflective poem that explores themes of loss, memory, and enduring love. The tone is somber and introspective, with a sense of quiet resignation. The poem begins with a melancholic mood, describing the speaker's sleepless nights haunted by the memory of a loved one, and maintains this mood throughout, with a slight shift towards acceptance and enduring remembrance.

Themes of Loss and Memory

The poem delves deeply into the themes of loss and memory. The speaker is haunted by the memory of a loved one who has passed away, describing how her face appears to him in the night. The phrase gentle face the face of one long dead emphasizes the enduring presence of this memory, which is both a source of comfort and pain. The speaker's inability to forget is highlighted by the repetition of the word here, grounding the memory in a specific, tangible place. The use of the word benedight, meaning blessed, suggests that the loved one's life was exceptional, adding a layer of reverence to the memory.

The Symbolism of the Cross of Snow

The most striking image in the poem is the cross of snow on the mountain in the distant West. This cross serves as a powerful symbol of the speaker's enduring grief and remembrance. The cross is described as sun-defying, suggesting its permanence and resistance to change, much like the speaker's grief. The phrase changeless since the day she died underscores this idea, indicating that the speaker's grief has remained constant over the years. The cross also serves as a visual representation of the speaker's internal state, a tangible manifestation of his emotional landscape.

The Mountain and the Cross

The mountain itself is a vivid image that contributes to the poem's themes. The mountain is distant and remote, much like the speaker's grief, which is a private and personal experience. The mountain's deep ravines could symbolize the depths of the speaker's sorrow, while the cross of snow stands out starkly against this backdrop, drawing attention to the speaker's enduring love and loss. The mountain's location in the West could also be significant, as the West is often associated with the setting sun and the end of life, reinforcing the theme of mortality.

Conclusion

The Cross of Snow is a deeply personal and introspective poem that explores the enduring nature of grief and memory. Through vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, Longfellow conveys the speaker's profound loss and his inability to forget. The cross of snow serves as a poignant symbol of this enduring grief, a tangible representation of the speaker's internal state. The poem ultimately offers a glimpse into the human experience of loss, highlighting the ways in which memory and love can persist long after a loved one has passed away. The poem's significance lies in its exploration of these universal themes, offering a sense of comfort and connection to readers who have experienced similar losses.