I Care not, Shall I See my Dear (Lyric)
The work expresses profound themes of loss, alienation, and the longing for one's homeland. The speaker reflects on their existence as a slave, feeling disconnected from their roots and the land they cherish. There is a deep sense of resignation regarding their fate, as they ponder whether they will ever return to their homeland before death. The speaker grapples with the idea of being forgotten, buried in a foreign land, and the absence of familial connections or mourning. The imagery of a "desert waste" and "alien snow" emphasizes the stark contrast between the speaker's memories of their homeland and their current desolate surroundings. The speaker's identity is intertwined with their homeland, yet they feel it slipping away, as they acknowledge that their legacy will not be remembered or honored by future generations. The absence of a father passing down the story of sacrifice for the homeland highlights a generational disconnect and the erasure of cultural memory. Despite the speaker's initial claims of indifference, a deep emotional turmoil surfaces, revealing a profound care for their homeland's fate. The speaker cannot bear the thought of their land being deceived and destroyed, indicating a strong attachment to their cultural identity and a desire for justice. The work encapsulates the struggle between resignation and the enduring hope for recognition and remembrance, ultimately portraying a poignant reflection on the impact of oppression and the longing for freedom and belonging.
By Taras Shevchenko · First published 1847 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Nationalism · 240 words
First lines
I care not, shall I see my dear / Own land before I die, or no, / Nor who forgets me, buried here / In desert wastes of alien snow; / Though all forget me -- better so.
A slave from my first bitter years, / Most surely I shall die a slave / Ungraced of any kinsmen's tears; / And carry with me to my grave / Everything; and leave no trace, / No little mark to keep my place / In the dear lost Ukraina / Which is not ours, though our land.
And none shall ever understand; / No father to his son shall say: / -Kneel down, and fold your hands, and pray; / He died for our Ukraina.
I care no longer if the child / Shall pray for me, or pass me by.
What this Textopian page supports
I Care not, Shall I See my Dear (Lyric) is listed on Textopian as a poem by Taras Shevchenko, dated 1847 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Taras Shevchenko
- Date: 1847 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Nationalism, Existentialism, Elegy
- Length: 240 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for I Care not, Shall I See my Dear (Lyric) by Taras Shevchenko
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work is a personal expression of emotions and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — The themes of longing for homeland and deep emotional introspection align with Romantic ideals.
- Nationalism — The poem reflects a strong connection to the Ukrainian land and identity, emphasizing national themes.
- Existentialism — The contemplation of existence, death, and legacy suggests existential themes.
Tags
Poem · Ukrainian Literature · Romanticism · Love Poem · Lyric Poetry · 19th Century Literature · Nationalist Sentiment · Patriotism · Longing · Separation · Loss · Memory