Poem Analysis - Lassie Wi The Lintwhite Locks

An Invitation to Love and Nature

Robert Burns' poem Lassie wi' the lintwhite locks is a pastoral love poem that captures the essence of rural Scottish life and the pure, innocent love between two young people. The tone is romantic and nostalgic, with a sense of longing and anticipation. The poem shifts from a joyful, carefree mood in the spring and summer to a more protective and comforting tone in the winter, reflecting the changing seasons and the speaker's enduring love.

Themes of Love and Nature

The poem explores several themes, with love and nature being the most prominent. The speaker's love for the lassie is pure and innocent, as seen in the repeated phrase my Dearie O. This phrase, along with the use of the word artless, suggests a love that is free from deceit and guile. The theme of nature is intertwined with love, as the speaker uses natural imagery to express his feelings and to create a romantic setting for his proposal. The changing seasons also symbolize the progression of their relationship, from the joyful spring to the protective winter.

Another theme is the idyllic rural life, which is portrayed as simple, beautiful, and full of natural wonders. The speaker invites the lassie to share in this life, to tend the flocks with him and to enjoy the beauty of nature together. This theme is developed through vivid imagery of flowers, birds, and animals, all of which contribute to the pastoral setting and the speaker's romantic vision.

Recurring Symbols and Imagery

The poem is rich in natural imagery, with each season bringing its own unique symbols. In the spring, the primrose bank, wimpling burn, and cuckoo on the milkwhite thorn all symbolize the beauty and vitality of nature. The wanton lambs at rosy morn represent innocence and playfulness, reflecting the speaker's feelings for the lassie. The simmer shower and woodbine bower in the summer symbolize refreshment and romance, inviting the lassie to share in these pleasures with the speaker.

The speaker's promise to protect the lassie from the howling wintry blast symbolizes his enduring love and commitment. The use of the word faithfu' in the phrase my faithfu' breast emphasizes the speaker's loyalty and devotion. The yellow waving fields and the silver ray of Cynthia (the moon) in the autumn and winter symbolize the passage of time and the speaker's enduring love, which remains constant despite the changing seasons.

The recurring phrase my Dearie O is a symbol of the speaker's love and affection for the lassie. It is a term of endearment that reflects the speaker's pure and innocent feelings. The phrase also serves as a refrain, tying the poem together and emphasizing the speaker's persistent invitation to the lassie.

The Significance of the Poem

Lassie wi' the lintwhite locks is a beautiful pastoral love poem that captures the essence of rural Scottish life and the pure, innocent love between two young people. Through vivid natural imagery and a recurring phrase of endearment, the speaker invites the lassie to share in his life and his love. The poem's significance lies in its celebration of nature, love, and the simple pleasures of rural life. It is a testament to the enduring power of love, which remains constant despite the changing seasons and the passage of time.