Kennst Du Das Land by Madison Cawein
The poem explores a longing for an idyllic land characterized by natural beauty and tranquility. It begins with a series of rhetorical questions, inviting the reader to envision a place where lemon trees bloom and orange trees thrive, suggesting a warm, vibrant environment. The speaker expresses a deep yearning to escape to this paradise with a beloved companion. The imagery shifts to a grand house supported by columns, adorned with gleaming halls and galleries. The presence of sculpture evokes a sense of history and artistry, while the question posed by the marble figure hints at a sense of loss or suffering experienced by the speaker. This juxtaposition of beauty and sorrow deepens the emotional resonance of the poem. The final stanza introduces a mountain with a precarious bridge shrouded in mist, symbolizing both danger and adventure. The mention of ancient dragons and a raging torrent adds a mythical quality, suggesting that the journey to this idealized land is fraught with challenges. The repeated plea to flee emphasizes a desire for escape from current troubles, seeking solace in a place of beauty and safety. Overall, the work encapsulates themes of longing, beauty, and the contrast between the ideal and the real, inviting readers to reflect on their own desires for escape and the places they hold dear.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1902 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Nature Writing · 259 words
First lines
FROM THE GERMAN OF GOETHE.
Know'st thou the land where the lemon-tree flowers; The orange glows gold in the darkness of bowers, Out of blue heaven a softer zephyr blows, And still the myrtle, tall the laurel grows? Know'st it indeed? Thither, ah, me! ah, me! Would I with thee, O my beloved, flee.
Know'st thou the house? Columns support its beams, Its long hall glitters and its gallery gleams; And sculpture glows and asks, in marble mild, "What have they done to thee, thou poor, poor child? " Know'st it indeed? Thither, ah, me! ah, me! Would I with thee, O my protector, flee.
What this Textopian page supports
Kennst Du Das Land is listed on Textopian as a poem by Madison Cawein, dated 1902 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Madison Cawein
- Date: 1902 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Nature Writing, Lyric, Translation
- Length: 259 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is a lyrical poem that expresses deep emotions and vivid imagery.
- Romanticism — The themes of nature, longing, and idealized love align with Romantic ideals.
- Nature Writing — The poem extensively describes natural landscapes and elements.
- Lyric — The personal expression of feelings and thoughts characterizes it as a lyric poem.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Nature · Philosophy · Existentialism · Symbolism · Imagery · Metaphor · Allegory · Mythology · Folklore