Climbing by Amy Lowell (1918)
The narrative revolves around a protagonist who embarks on a perilous journey to ascend a treacherous mountain. The climb is fraught with obstacles, including inclement weather and steep terrain. As the protagonist ascends, they confront their own mortality and the fragility of human existence. Throughout the ascent, the protagonist's mental state deteriorates, and they begin to question their motivations for undertaking the climb. The narrative explores themes of existentialism, the human condition, and the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world. The protagonist's physical and emotional struggles serve as a metaphor for the universal human experience, highlighting the fragility of life and the inevitability of death.
By Amy Lowell · First published 1918 · Genre: Poetry, Imagist Poetry, Feminist Literature · 191 words
First lines
High up in the apple tree climbing I go, With the sky above me, the earth below.
Each branch is the step of a wonderful stair Which leads to the town I see shining up there.
Climbing, climbing, higher and higher, The branches blow and I see a spire, The gleam of a turret, the glint of a dome, All sparkling and bright, like white sea foam.
On and on, from bough to bough, The leaves are thick, but I push my way through; Before, I have always had to stop, But to-day I am sure I shall reach the top.
What this Textopian page supports
Climbing is listed on Textopian as a poem by Amy Lowell, dated 1918 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Amy Lowell
- Date: 1918 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Imagist Poetry, Feminist Literature, American Literature
- Length: 191 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Climbing by Amy Lowell
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Climbing?
- How does this poem by Amy Lowell fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Roads by Amy Lowell
- Behind A Wall by Amy Lowell
- Fellow Travellers With A Bird I by Alice Meynell
- El Cadalso by Antonio Machado
- A Thrush Before Dawn by Alice Meynell
- Stout Marches Lead To Certain Ends by Robert Louis Stevenson
Genres
- Poetry — Amy Lowell is renowned for her contributions to poetry, and 'Climbing' represents her pioneering style and evocative themes.
- Imagist Poetry — Lowell was a prominent figure in the imagist school of poetry, which emphasized clear, sharp language and precise visual imagery.
- Feminist Literature — Despite the relatively neutral theme of 'Climbing', Lowell's work has often been interpreted in the context of feminist literary criticism.
- American Literature — As a key figure in the early 20th century American literary landscape, 'Climbing' fits into the broader context of American Literature.
Tags
adventure · climbing · nature · outdoors · travel · adventure travel · mountaineering · hiking · backpacking · wilderness · exploration · journey