“Good creatures, do you love your lives And have you ears for sense?Here is a knife like other knives, That cost me eighteen pence. I need but stick it in my heart And down will come the sky,And earth's foundations will depart And all you folk will die.”
Analysis
In this dark and morbid poem by A.E. Housman, the speaker contemplates the fragility of life and the power they hold in their hands to end it all with a simple knife. By addressing the "good creatures" and questioning if they truly value their lives and possess the ability to understand the gravity of the situation, the speaker highlights the potential for ultimate destruction and chaos. The imagery of sticking a knife in their heart and causing the sky to fall and the earth's foundations to crumble conveys a sense of apocalyptic destruction, effectively conveying the speaker's despair and nihilistic worldview. Overall, this quote serves as a stark reminder of the transient nature of life and the immense power individuals hold over their own existence.
Modern Relevance
In this poem by A.E. Housman, the speaker contemplates the fragility and fleeting nature of life. The idea of using a simple knife to end one's own life and bring about the destruction of the world may seem extreme, but it serves as a powerful reminder of how delicate life can be. In today's world, where mental health issues are prevalent and suicide rates are on the rise, this poem serves as a stark reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and the need to support those struggling with their inner demons. It highlights the fact that even the smallest of actions can have profound effects on not only our own lives but also the world around us.
A.E. Housman's Poem "Good creatures"
In this chilling excerpt from A.E. Housman's poem, the speaker contemplates the power of a simple knife to end everything. The ominous tone and imagery created by the speaker leave a lasting impact on the reader.
Reflection Questions:
This poem by A.E. Housman raises deep questions about mortality and the value of life. As you reflect on these verses, consider the following questions:
- How does the speaker's attitude towards life and death impact your understanding of the poem?
- What emotions does this poem evoke in you, and why do you think that is?
- Do you think the speaker truly believes the knife has the power to end the world, or is this more metaphorical?
- In what ways does this poem challenge or reinforce your own beliefs about the meaning of life?
- How does Housman's use of language and imagery contribute to the overall message of the poem?
Similar quotes
“My knives are like a tongue - I love, I do not love, I hate. If you don’t love me, I am ready to attack. I am a double-edged knife.”
“There are no lessons to be learned from the past. This is the first thing I learned from it. There is nothing back then that there isn't here now. There is nothing here now - nothing that matters - that wasn't back then. What matters. Are you a good person? Do you have any love in your heart? What would you do in a given circumstance? It all comes down to something like that.”
“It’s easy K. on one side of the page you got your costs and on the other side your benefits. All you do is mark which one is which, then you weigh one side against the other and you get your decision just like that. that’s all you ever have to do. i live by this.”"But what if you don’t know the difference between a benefit and a cost? what if you’ve never been very good at telling a plus from a minus?”
“If you have so earth-creeping a mind that it cannot lift itself up to look to the sky of poetry...thus much curse I must send you, in the behalf of all poets, that while you live, you live in love, and never get favour for lacking skill of a sonnet; and, when you die, your memory die from the earth for want of an epitaph.”
“So here's the truth - I love you. I love everything about you – the way you stick up for people even when it costs you. The way you keep trying to do the right thing even when you're not exactly sure what the right thing is. I love how you put words together. You're as skilled with words as any knife fighter with a blade. You can put an enemy down on his back, or you can raise people up so they find what's best in themselves. You've changed my life. You've given me the words I need to become whatever I want.I love how you talk to lytlings. You don't talk down to them. You respect them, and anybody can tell you're actually interested in what they have to say.I love the way you ride a horse – how you stick there like an upland thistle, whooping like a Demonai. I love the way you throw back your head and stomp your feet when you dance. I love how you go after what you want – whether it's kisses or a queendom.I love your skin, like copper dusted over with gold. And your eyes – they're the color of a forest lake shaded by evergreens. One of the secret places that only the Demonai know about.I love the scent of you – when you've been out in the fresh air, and that perfume you put behind your ears sometimes.Believe it or not, I even love your road smell – of sweat and horses and leather and wool.I want to breathe you in for the rest of my life.”