Lake by Carlos Drummond de Andrade
The poem explores the speaker's introspective and melancholic state, triggered by a lake's serene atmosphere. The speaker's thoughts oscillate between the lake's tranquility and their own turbulent emotions, creating a sense of disconnection. Through the juxtaposition of the natural world's calmness and the speaker's inner turmoil, the poem conveys the struggle to reconcile one's emotional landscape with the external environment.
By Carlos Drummond de Andrade · First published 1930 · Genre: Poetry, Modernist Literature, Symbolism · 174 words
First lines
I never saw the sea.
I don't know if it's pretty, I don't know if it's rough.
The sea doesn't matter to me.
I saw the lake.
What this Textopian page supports
Lake is listed on Textopian as a poem by Carlos Drummond de Andrade, dated 1930 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Carlos Drummond de Andrade
- Date: 1930 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Modernist Literature, Symbolism, Imagism, Existentialism
- Length: 174 words
- Structure: 1 section, 13 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in a poetic form with repetitive and rhythmic elements.
- Modernist Literature — The work reflects modernist themes such as introspection and the mundane aspects of life.
- Symbolism — The use of the lake and the stone as symbols to convey deeper meanings is evident.
- Imagism — The vivid imagery and focus on visual elements like the shimmering lake align with imagist principles.
Tags
Poetry · Brazilian Literature · Modernism · Symbolism · Nature · Landscape · Reflection · Contemplation · Solitude · Melancholy · Nostalgia · Memory