Lines on a Child

Name: Lines on a Child
Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge

The poem presents a vivid scene of a child in a serene, moonlit wilderness, adorned only with a garland of leaves. The child is depicted as innocent and enchanting, engaged in the simple act of plucking fruits amidst a backdrop of lush vegetation. The atmosphere is tranquil, characterized by a bright moon and a gentle air, creating a picturesque and almost magical environment where fruits and flowers flourish together. The setting is described as a place where night is cherished more than day, suggesting a realm of beauty and peace. However, the poem raises questions about the child's solitude. The speaker expresses concern for the boy, pondering his isolation in such a remote and silent place. The absence of companionship, particularly a loving mother or friend, evokes a sense of vulnerability and longing. As the poem progresses, it explores themes of innocence, nature, and the emotional landscape of childhood. The juxtaposition of the child's beauty and the wilderness highlights the purity of youth, yet it also underscores the potential dangers of solitude. The speaker's reflections on the child's situation prompt deeper considerations about the nature of love, care, and the inherent need for connection. The imagery throughout the work is rich and evocative, painting a scene that is both enchanting and haunting. The child symbolizes the essence of innocence, yet his solitary existence raises questions about the safety and nurturing required for such purity to thrive. The poem ultimately serves as a meditation on the complexities of childhood, the interplay between beauty and vulnerability, and the essential human need for companionship and love.

By Samuel Taylor Coleridge · First published 1794 · Genre: Romanticism, Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry · 181 words

First lines

Encinctured with a twine of leaves, That leafy twine his only dress! A lovely Boy was plucking fruits, By moonlight, in a wilderness. The moon was bright, the air was free, And fruits and flowers together grew, On many a shrub and many a tree: And all put on a gentle hue, Hanging in the shadowy air Like a picture rich and rare. It was a climate where, they say, The night is more belov'd than day. But who that beauteous Boy beguil'd, That beauteous Boy to linger here? Alone, by night, a little child, In place so silent and so wild- Has he no friend, no loving mother near?

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Lines on a Child is listed on Textopian as a poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, dated 1794 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Date: 1794 CE
Language: English
Genres: Romanticism, Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry, Childhood Literature, Symbolism
Length: 181 words
Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Romanticism — The poem embodies the ideals of Romanticism, focusing on nature, emotion, and the innocence of childhood.
Lyric Poetry — The work is a personal expression of feelings and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
Nature Poetry — The vivid descriptions of the natural setting highlight the beauty and tranquility of the wilderness.
Childhood Literature — The central theme revolves around a child, exploring innocence and solitude.