IN MEMORIAM

 IN MEMORIAM (sections 54-56)

Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809 - 1892)

After some research I’ve discovered that this poem is part of a very long poem which is a requiem for Tennyson’s friend Arthur Henry Hallam, who died in 1833. I was amazed to learn this poem was written over a period of 17 years. According to Bradley and Johnson we can distinguish four different themes throughout its sections: despair (1-27), doubt (28-77), faith (78-102), and hope (103-131) .

In the sections selected (54-56) the poet fluctuates between faith and doubt. He presents humanity as God’s most beloved creation but at the same time wonders whether there is a purpose, a goal in human existence. Tennyson also portrays Nature at strife with God, Nature does not care about human being’s needs and desires, and suggests the human race might disappear as many other species have extinguished. That’s why I’ve included the pictures of natural disasters. The lines quoted below express human being´s insignificance in comparison to the vast universe.

“But what am I?

an infant crying in the night:

 an infant crying for the light:

and with no language but a cry.

I think everybody has felt like this at least once in their life.

Tennyson also challenges religious certainties. He questions the existence of eternal life, and debates with himself whether we should believe that God is love and that everything happens for a reason, or believing that faith and the pursuit of truth and justice is in vain.

I’ve chosen this poem because I was deeply touched by it when I read it and felt identified with the questions posed by the author. It’s simply marvelous how the poet can express our human uncertainties so beautifully! I found the poem so thought provoking, it reminded me of those moments I find myself daydreaming, wondering about the meaning of life, asking myself what is the purpose of everything I do…

I’ve chosen different sounds for the two feelings the author expresses: “Tristeza de un doble A” (Piazzolla) for sadness and despair, and “Innuendo” (Queen) for a more optimistic view. And I’ve included a beautiful poem that came into my mind when reading In Memoriam: “Adam cast forth” (Borges). In this poem the author also challenges the existence of the Garden of Eden. I’ve posted two versions, the original in Spanish and a translation (I don´t know whether this is the best translation).

In my opinion the reflective tone of the poem can be related to the novel “To the Lighthouse”, especially to Lily Briscoe’s constant considerations about the meaning of life. What’s more, as some critics believe the whole poem “In Memoriam” is an account of Tennyson’s thoughts and feelings as he copes with his grief throughout the years, we can relate it to the different stages of mourning that Lily Briscoe undergoes in Woolf´s novel.