Questionings by Madison Cawein
The work explores themes of introspection, existential questioning, and the interplay between life and death. It begins with a depiction of a bleak winter landscape, evoking feelings of solitude and reflection. The speaker grapples with memories and the weight of conscience, suggesting a deep internal struggle as they confront the mysteries of existence. The imagery of winter sunsets and starless nights symbolizes a sense of desolation and the passage of time. The speaker's solitude prompts a confrontation with their own thoughts and fears, leading to a sense of superstition and dread. The mention of a "Gorgon face" represents the terrifying unknowns of life and death, emphasizing the struggle to comprehend the divine and the afterlife. As the poem progresses, the speaker expresses a profound weariness of spirit, burdened by the inevitability of death and the unanswered questions that accompany it. The juxtaposition of life’s inquiries and death’s inscrutable nature highlights the tension between the desire for understanding and the acceptance of uncertainty. The work ultimately reflects on the human condition, the search for meaning, and the haunting presence of mortality.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1903 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Lyrical · 203 words
First lines
Now when wan winter sunsets be Canary-colored down the sky; When nights are starless utterly, And sleeted winds cut moaning by, One's memory keeps one company, And conscience puts his "when" and "why."
Such inquisition, when alone, Wakes superstition in the head, A Gorgon face of hueless stone With staring eyes to terror wed, Stamped on her brow God's words, "Unknown! Behind the dead, behind the dead."
And, oh! that weariness of soul That leans upon our dead, the clod And air have taken as a whole Through some mysterious period: -- Life! with thy questions of control: Death! with thy unguessed laws of God.
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Questionings is listed on Textopian as a poem by Madison Cawein, dated 1903 CE.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Madison Cawein
- Date: 1903 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Lyrical, Romanticism, Existential
- Length: 203 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Philosophical — The themes explore deep questions about life, death, and existence.
- Lyrical — The emotional expression and personal reflection are central to the writing style.
- Romanticism — The focus on nature, emotion, and individual experience aligns with Romantic ideals.
Tags
Poetry · Philosophical · Existential · Psychological · Stream-of-consciousness · Literary Fiction · American Literature · 20th Century Literature · Symbolism · Imagery · Metaphor · Allegory