The Dying Child to its Mother (Poem by Victor Hugo)

The Dying Child to its Mother

By Victor Hugo

Ah, you said too often to your angel

    There are other angels in the sky — 

There, where nothing changes, nothing suffers,

    Sweet it were to enter in on high.

To that dome on marvellous pilasters,

    To that tent roofed o'er with colored bars,

That blue garden full of stars like lilies,

    And of lilies beautiful as stars.

And you said it was a place most joyous,

    All our poor imaginings above,

With the wingèd cherubim for playmates,

    And the good God evermore to love.

Sweet it were to dwell there in all seasons,

    Like a taper burning day and night,

Near to the child Jesus and the Virgin,

    In that home so beautiful and bright.

But you should have told him, hapless mother,

    Told your child so frail and gentle too,

That you were all his in life's beginning,

    But that also he belonged to you.

For the mother watches o'er the infant,

    He must rise up in her latter days,

She will need the man that was her baby

    To stand by her when her strength decays.

Ah, you did not tell enough your darling

    That God made us in this lower life,

Woman for the man, and man for woman,

    In our pains, our pleasures and our strife.

So that one sad day, O loss, O sorrow!

    The sweet creature left you all alone;

'Twas your own hand hung the cage door open,

    Mother, and your pretty bird is flown.

Poem Analysis:

Victor Hugo's poem, "The Dying Child to Its Mother," delves into the profound and heartbreaking bond between a mother and her child, exploring themes of love, loss, and the unbreakable connection that transcends life and death. Through the voice of the dying child, Hugo crafts a poignant narrative that serves as a meditation on the essence of maternal love and the enduring presence of departed loved ones.

Themes:

1. Maternal Love: The poem prominently emphasizes the boundless love of a mother for her child. The mother-child relationship is depicted as deeply emotional, sacred, and eternal, transcending the boundaries of life and death.
2. Loss and Grief: "The Dying Child to Its Mother" explores the themes of loss and grief. The child's impending death and the mother's sorrow highlight the profound pain associated with losing a loved one.
3. Eternal Connection: The poem suggests that the love between mother and child endures even beyond death. The child's transition to the afterlife is portrayed as a continuation of this sacred connection, where the child remains close to the mother's heart.

Structure and Language:

1. Stanza Structure: The poem is organized into quatrains (four-line stanzas). This structure provides a sense of order and rhythm to the poem, which contrasts with the emotional weight of its content.
2. Imagery: Hugo employs vivid and poignant imagery throughout the poem, such as the description of the heavenly realm with "colored bars" and a "blue garden full of stars like lilies." These images create a sense of beauty and serenity in the afterlife.
3. Metaphor: The poem uses the metaphor of the child as a "bird" and the mother as a caregiver. This metaphor enhances the emotional impact of the poem, emphasizing the idea of nurturing and protection.

Analysis:

1. The Power of Maternal Love: "The Dying Child to Its Mother" vividly illustrates the unwavering love of a mother for her child. The child's words convey a sense of reassurance and comfort to the mother, even in the face of impending separation.
2. Loss and Transcendence: The poem explores the theme of loss, but it also suggests a form of transcendence. While the child's physical presence may be lost, their memory and love continue to reside in the mother's heart and in the ethereal realm described in the poem.
3. Spiritual Imagery: Hugo uses spiritual and celestial imagery to evoke a sense of beauty, tranquility, and hope. The child's description of a heavenly realm provides solace and reassurance, implying that love endures beyond the earthly realm.

"The Dying Child to Its Mother" by Victor Hugo is a poignant exploration of maternal love, loss, and the enduring connection between a mother and her child. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt language, the poem conveys the profound emotions associated with parting and the belief in the enduring nature of love. Hugo's work reminds us of the enduring bond that transcends life and death, offering solace to those who have experienced the pain of loss while celebrating the enduring power of love.