Poem Analysis - This Love

Introduction: A Love of Contradictions

Jacques Prévert's "this love" is a raw and honest exploration of love's multifaceted nature. The poem is a tapestry of contrasting emotions, reflecting the intensity, fragility, and enduring power of love. The tone oscillates between celebration and lament, acknowledging both the joy and the pain inherent in deep connection. It's a testament to love's ability to be simultaneously beautiful and destructive, unwavering yet vulnerable, ultimately begging for preservation against the inevitable forces of time and memory.

Themes: The Dichotomy of Love

One central theme is the duality of love. Prévert presents love as a force containing opposing qualities. It is "violent" yet "fragile," "beautiful as the day" and "bad as the weather." This constant juxtaposition highlights the complex and often contradictory nature of love, suggesting that its strength lies in its ability to encompass a wide range of experiences, both positive and negative. The poem recognizes that genuine love is not always easy or perfect; it can be messy, painful, and even frightening.

Another prominent theme is the enduring power of love despite external pressures. The lines "This love that made others afraid / That made them speak / That made them go pale" suggest that the relationship faced disapproval or judgment. Despite this, the love persists, described as "Still so lively / And so sunny." The speaker emphasizes the love's resilience, its ability to survive criticism and even active attempts to destroy it ("Run down hurt trampled finished denied forgotten"). This underscores the idea that true love can withstand adversity.

Finally, the poem explores the theme of memory and the fear of forgetting. The later stanzas are a desperate plea for the love to remain present, a fear that it will fade with time. "Don't forget us," the speaker urges, acknowledging that "We who loved each other / We've forgotten you." This highlights the fragility of memory and the potential for love to be lost not through hatred, but through simple forgetting. The call for a "sign of life" in the "forest of memory" expresses a deep longing to keep the love alive and relevant, even in the face of inevitable change.

Recurring Symbols: Light and Darkness

The poem uses recurring symbols of light and darkness to represent the opposing forces within love. Light, associated with "beautiful as the day" and "so sunny," represents the positive aspects of love: joy, happiness, and hope. Conversely, darkness, linked to "bad as the weather" and "a child in the dark," symbolizes the pain, fear, and uncertainty that can also be part of love. The interplay of these symbols reinforces the poem's central theme of love as a complex and multifaceted experience.

The "forest of memory" is a vivid image that functions as a symbol of the subconscious. It suggests that memories, particularly those associated with love, can be both comforting and disorienting. The speaker's plea for love to "Appear suddenly" in this forest implies a desire for unexpected reminders of the past, a way to reconnect with the emotions and experiences that shaped the relationship. The image suggests that love, even when seemingly forgotten, can still resurface and offer solace or guidance.

Conclusion: An Eternal Plea

"this love" is a powerful and moving exploration of the complexities of love, capturing its beauty, fragility, and enduring power. Prévert's poem is a testament to love's ability to withstand adversity, even as it acknowledges the pain and uncertainty that can be part of the experience. Ultimately, the poem is a plea for love to be remembered and cherished, a recognition that love, like memory, is a precious and fragile resource that must be protected. The final image of the outstretched hand offers a poignant message of hope, suggesting that even in the "dark night" of forgetting, love can still offer salvation.