At Ithaca by Hilda Doolittle (1926)
The poem explores the speaker's longing for a lost love who has left Ithaca, a place of departure and return. The speaker reflects on their time together, recalling moments of joy and sorrow. They acknowledge that the relationship was marked by impermanence and separation, but also by a deep emotional connection. The poem is structured around the idea of return, with the speaker reflecting on what they will find when they return to Ithaca. They consider the possibility of finding their lost love again, but ultimately conclude that this is unlikely. Throughout the poem, the speaker grapples with the complexities of memory and longing. They acknowledge that memories can be both comforting and painful, and that the act of remembering can be a bittersweet experience. The poem's themes are characterized by a sense of melancholy and introspection, as the speaker comes to terms with the loss of their love. The tone is contemplative and reflective, inviting the reader to consider the complexities of human emotion and relationships.
By Hilda Doolittle · First published 1926 · Genre: Poetry, Classical Mythology, Modernist Literature · 413 words
First lines
Over and back, the long waves crawl and track the sand with foam; night darkens and the sea takes on that desperate tone of dark that wives put on when all their love is done.
Over and back, the tangled thread falls slack, over and up and on; over and all is sewn; now while I bind the end, I wish some fiery friend would sweep impetuously these fingers from the loom.
What this Textopian page supports
At Ithaca is listed on Textopian as a poem by Hilda Doolittle, dated 1926 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Hilda Doolittle
- Date: 1926 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Classical Mythology, Modernist Literature, Feminist Literature, Psychological Fiction
- Length: 413 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- Fragment Forty One by Hilda Doolittle
- She Contrasts With Herself Hippolyta by Hilda Doolittle
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing poetic devices such as imagery, metaphor, and rhythm.
- Classical Mythology — References to figures like Athene and Hector suggest themes and characters from Greek mythology.
- Modernist Literature — The style reflects modernist themes of introspection and fragmented narrative.
- Feminist Literature — Explores themes of female experience and agency, particularly through the lens of a woman's perspective.
Tags
Modernist poetry · Symbolic language · Autobiographical elements · Greek mythology references · Imagery rich · Lyrical prose · Stream-of-consciousness narrative · Inner monologue · Self-discovery theme · Coming of age · Female perspective · Psychoanalytic undertones