E Tenebris by Oscar Wilde (1891)

Name: E Tenebris
Author: Oscar Wilde

The work explores themes of despair, faith, and the search for redemption. It begins with a speaker in deep anguish, feeling abandoned and overwhelmed by life's trials. The imagery of drowning and a stormy sea symbolizes the speaker's emotional turmoil and sense of hopelessness. The reference to biblical figures highlights the struggle between faith and doubt, as the speaker calls out for divine intervention. As the narrative unfolds, the speaker reflects on the loss of joy and goodness in life, likening their heart to a barren land devoid of sustenance. This metaphor emphasizes the depth of their suffering and the belief that their soul is condemned. The invocation of Christ suggests a yearning for salvation and a desperate plea for help in the face of overwhelming despair. The speaker's tone oscillates between desperation and a flicker of hope, as they anticipate a vision of Christ, described with vivid imagery of physical attributes that evoke compassion and humanity. This moment signifies a longing for connection and understanding, contrasting the earlier feelings of abandonment. Throughout the work, the interplay between darkness and light serves as a central motif, illustrating the struggle between despair and the possibility of redemption. The speaker's journey reflects a universal quest for meaning and solace in times of suffering, ultimately culminating in a confrontation with faith and the divine. The work encapsulates the tension between human frailty and the desire for transcendence, leaving readers to ponder the complexities of belief and the nature of salvation.

By Oscar Wilde · First published 1891 · Genre: Poetry, Religious, Symbolism · 170 words

First lines

Come down, O Christ, and help me! reach thy hand, For I am drowning in a stormier sea Than Simon on thy lake of Galilee:

The wine of life is spilt upon the sand, My heart is as some famine-murdered land Whence all good things have perished utterly, And well I know my soul in Hell must lie If I this night before God's throne should stand.

"He sleeps perchance, or rideth to the chase, Like Baal, when his prophets howled that name From morn to noon on Carmel's smitten height."

Nay, peace, I shall behold, before the night, The feet of brass, the robe more white than flame, The wounded hands, the weary human face.

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E Tenebris is listed on Textopian as a poem by Oscar Wilde, dated 1891 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Poem
Author: Oscar Wilde
Date: 1891 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Religious, Symbolism, Romanticism, Gothic
Length: 170 words
Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genres

Poetry — The work is written in verse and employs poetic devices, focusing on themes of despair and divine intervention.
Religious — The text explores themes of faith, salvation, and the relationship between humanity and the divine.
Symbolism — The imagery and metaphors used convey deeper meanings and emotional states, characteristic of Symbolist literature.
Romanticism — The emotional intensity and focus on individual experience align with Romantic literary themes.