A Farewell

Another one of my favorite works by Tennyson is "A Farewell." Simply put this poem is right down my alley. It is all about human existence and the questions we seek answers for even if there is no answer. Like why do we exist, whats the point, and how can we enjoy a doomed life? Tennyson starts out by talking about a rivulet flowing into a river. This serves a few purposes and makes a few points. First off, we are all part of something bigger.  Although it may seem like a negative to all come together considering how highly individualism is looked upon in American culture, it is not. It must be remembered that a river has more of an impact than a stream. This makes the point that together we are capable of much more collectively than by ourselves. It also serves the purpose to show us that no matter what we do we will be consumed. Unfortunately this is the truth of the world. Only those who have a large effect or have a huge impact on a large group of people will be widely remembered. As AP literature scholars this may offend us, we may think that is wrong and offensive. In literature, often those who go against the current are remembered. However, even they must gain attention to be remembered. They may not be with the largest river, but they are more than one drop of water. Today one person can have more of an impact. But it must be remembered that in Tennyson's day there was no social media. There was no instant communication. Only those who did something truly worthwhile were remembered. The third and final point of this stanza is one of a gloomy perspective. It is a darker interpretation to the work, but nonetheless realistic. This view is that all we do will one day be swept in to the river that is death. Therefore, our life truly has no meaning. A case can be made for this. However, as i have previously discussed and as i believe Tennyson would have wanted the reader to believe, this fragile nature of life is actually what does make it worth while. Either way, stanza two works to calm those fears. It uses the word softly. This is as if to say there is nothing to be feared, the world will be gentle. However, Tennyson closes the stanza with the same old lines. This tells us yes it will be gentle, but don't forget what the world is all about. The last two stanzas speak to the beauty of life. Tennyson's point here is the one i made earlier. It is a fragile world that can be truly cherished. Even in our unstoppable flow to the river, we can enjoy the tress along the way. We can enjoy the trees and the bushes. We can enjoy life, no matter how short it is. Tennyson also again mentions the footsteps. These speak again to the length of our life. This is the resounding message of the poem. No matter what we do, one day our footsteps will be gone, but the essence of the natural beauty around us exists eternally. It is important to notice that i said the essence. Tennyson isn't saying he knows exactly what plants will make it, or what animals will never be extinct. His point is that there will always be beauty in nature, and hopefully, we will always be engulfed in it.