Mignon by Madison Cawein (1908)
The poem presents a vivid and passionate portrayal of a woman named Mignon, focusing on her physical beauty and the speaker's deep infatuation. The speaker uses rich imagery to describe Mignon's mouth and eyes, comparing them to natural and precious elements. Her mouth is likened to a rose and a shell, symbolizing beauty and allure, while her eyes are compared to blue gems and violets, emphasizing their captivating and enchanting qualities. The speaker expresses a profound emotional response to Mignon's beauty, suggesting that her features evoke feelings of desire, longing, and ecstasy. The repetition of "O" emphasizes the speaker's yearning and the intensity of their feelings. The poem captures the essence of romantic admiration, intertwining physical attraction with a sense of spiritual longing. Throughout the verses, the speaker's admiration transforms into a plea for mercy, indicating that Mignon's beauty has a powerful effect on their soul. The juxtaposition of beauty and desire creates a tension that highlights the complexities of love and attraction. The poem ultimately conveys a sense of vulnerability, as the speaker grapples with the overwhelming emotions that Mignon inspires.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1908 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Imagery · 219 words
First lines
Oh, Mignon's mouth is like a rose, A red, red rose, that half uncurls Sweet petals o'er a crimson bee: Or like a shell, that, opening, shows Within its rosy curve white pearls, White rows of pearls, Is Mignon's mouth that smiles at me.
Oh, Mignon's eyes are like blue gems, Two azure gems, that gleam and glow, Soft sapphires set in ivory: Or like twin violets, whose stems Bloom blue beneath the covering snow, The lidded snow, Are Mignon's eyes that laugh at me.
O mouth of Mignon, Mignon's eyes! O eyes of violet, mouth of fire! -- Within which lies all ecstasy Of tears and kisses and of sighs: -- O mouth, O eyes, and O desire, O love's desire, Have mercy on the soul of me!
What this Textopian page supports
Mignon is listed on Textopian as a poem by Madison Cawein, dated 1908 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: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Imagery, Symbolism, Nature Poetry
- Length: 219 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Mignon by Madison Cawein
- 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 Mignon?
- How does this poem by Madison Cawein fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Lyric Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Evasion by Madison Cawein
- Love In A Look Lyrics Dramatic And Personal by Henry Van Dyke
- His Heatless Room by Edna St Vincent Millay
- The Woman And The Angel by Robert W. Service
- Epilogue by Madison Cawein
- A Song Of Love by Lewis Carroll
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and feelings, focusing on beauty and desire, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — The themes of love, beauty, and nature align with the Romantic movement's emphasis on emotion and individual experience.
- Imagery — The vivid descriptions and sensory details create strong visual images, a hallmark of imagery in poetry.
- Symbolism — The use of symbols, such as the rose and gems, conveys deeper meanings related to love and beauty.
Tags
Poetry · Romance · Literary Fiction · 19th Century Literature · American Literature · Symbolism · Imagery · Metaphor · Allegory · Feminine Perspective · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery