Beauty in November- Poetry Analysis

The Beauty “In November”
By: Emilie Parsonage
Have you ever seen something that at first glance may look like nothing, but when you dig deeper and deeper into it, you are able to see the true beauty shining through? In the poem, In November by Archibald Lampman, the true beauty of a burned forest is masked by broken ground and charred trees and bush. At first glance, there appears to be nothing remaining but wreckage. However, through the use of personification, visual and kinesthetic imagery and similes, the poet illustrates the theme of finding beauty in all things big and small. Written in a narrative style, the poet forces the reader to see the true beauty of the barren landscape; a landscape waiting, with open arms, to embrace the coming of winter.
In November is a narrative poem written from the poet’s point-of-view. The speaker, in this case the poet, describes in depth the setting around him and how he feels in this vacant environment. As he walks through the forest, all he can see around him is what remains from forest fires that left the area broken and barren. The poet speaks of his surroundings in a calming tone letting the reader know that he senses no horror about what he is witnessing. He writes in a way that says even though the forest may be burned and gloomy underneath, all of this is a beautiful place that will once again return to its natural splendour. At first glance you may not realize what the poet is trying to emphasize but once you look more deeply into the meaning of the poem you understand that he is conveying a message of inner beauty; a beauty that exists if we delve deep enough and really seek to see beyond the obvious.
The poet uses visual and kinesthetic imagery to emphasize that beauty may be found in the most unexpected places. The visual imagery is shown through his description of the mulleins as “shriveled, thin, gray, haggard and austere” (lines 13-14); plants that remind him of hermit folk (line 17). The plants had chosen a resting place within the forest in which to await death. The repetition of the word “dead” and “death” builds a feeling of calmness and ease rather than one of dreariness and gloom. Lampman’s description of the sun illuminating the fallen leaves, creating a yellow multitude (line 38), subsequently provides a spectral happiness that the reader is able to relate to and feel good about. Similarly, Lampman’s description of his still and sombre self as one of the mullein stalks, emphasizes his use of kinesthetic imagery. The “winds secret stir” (line 24) and the silence of the woods are almost tangible, building upon this sense of wonder he experiences while surrounded by this pre-winter landscape. His personification of the mulleins as hermit folk from long ago, waving to and fro (lines 17-18), gives the feeling that the poet is truly connected to his surroundings, almost as if he was part of the forest. Likewise, Lampman’s use of simile (“The melancholy bright, like a half-reflected gleam”—lines 40-41) and (“Drew my thought closer, like a cloak “--line 51) bring about a feeling of serenity and awakening of one’s soul, “a nameless and unnatural cheer, A pleasure secret and austere.”(lines 53 – 54).
Overall, I found the poet’s message to be inspiring and I really enjoyed how Lampman was able to describe a dry, barren forest as a place of beauty and wonder. He was able to create a strong image in my mind paralleling a place I’d seen before, but unfortunately had overlooked the true beauty hidden within. I liked how the poet did not directly tell us how the beauty should be exposed, but rather he used strong visual images and other literary devices that forced the reader to see for him/herself the hidden beauty. I think that this was a well written poem and I enjoyed reading it very much. I appreciated the tone--one of calmness and serenity. Similarly, I enjoyed that I could connect with the poet on both a spiritual and personal level. I have now been gently reminded to pause and look longer and deeper and to not pass judgement, for there truly is beauty in November and in all things, both big and small.

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