Poem Analysis - The Apology

Initial Impressions and Tone

The poem The Apology by Ralph Waldo Emerson presents a speaker who defends his solitary and contemplative lifestyle. The tone is initially apologetic, as the speaker anticipates and addresses potential criticisms from others. However, the tone shifts to one of justification and even pride in his chosen way of life. The speaker's defense is rooted in his belief in the spiritual and intellectual value of nature and solitude.

Themes of Solitude and Nature

The poem explores several interconnected themes, with solitude and nature being the most prominent. The speaker's preference for walking alone in groves and glens suggests a desire for solitude, which he finds enriching rather than isolating. Nature is portrayed as a source of divine wisdom and inspiration. The speaker goes to the god of the wood to fetch his word to men, indicating that he sees nature as a conduit for spiritual communication. This theme is reinforced by the imagery of clouds writing letters in his book and birds telling secret histories in the bowers.

The Value of Contemplation

Another significant theme is the value of contemplation over physical labor. The speaker defends his idleness, arguing that his inaction is not laziness but a form of productive contemplation. He contrasts his gathering of thoughts from flowers with the laborious band's physical work. This theme is further developed through the imagery of gathering a second crop in a song, suggesting that the speaker's contemplative work yields a different but valuable harvest. The speaker's defense of his idleness is a critique of the societal emphasis on physical labor and productivity, advocating instead for the value of intellectual and spiritual pursuits.

Symbols of Nature and Contemplation

The poem is rich in symbols that reinforce its themes. The god of the wood represents the spiritual presence in nature, and the speaker's visits to him symbolize his quest for divine wisdom. The clouds writing letters in his book and the birds telling secret histories in the bowers are vivid images that symbolize the speaker's belief in nature as a source of knowledge and inspiration. The aster flowers he brings home, each loaded with a thought, symbolize the fruits of his contemplation. The oxen bringing home a harvest and the speaker gathering a second crop in a song are symbols that contrast physical labor with intellectual work, highlighting the value of the latter.

Conclusion

The Apology by Ralph Waldo Emerson is a defense of solitude and contemplation as valuable pursuits. Through vivid imagery and symbols, the poem argues for the spiritual and intellectual value of nature and solitude. The speaker's defense of his idleness is a critique of societal emphasis on physical labor, advocating instead for the value of intellectual and spiritual pursuits. The poem's significance lies in its advocacy for a contemplative lifestyle and its celebration of nature as a source of wisdom and inspiration.