Who, in the night on horses wild astride,
With torches flaming out like loosened hair
On to the chase through the great swift wind ride.
I wish to stand as on a boat and dare
The sweeping storm, mighty, like flag unrolled
In darkness but with helmet made of gold
That shimmers restlessly. And in a row,
Behind me in the dark, ten men that glow
With helmets that are restless, too, like mine,
Now old and dull, now clear as glass they shine.
One stands by me and blows a blast apace
On his great flashing trumpet and the sound
Shrieks through the vast black solitude around
Through which, as through a wild mad dream we race.
The houses fall behind us on their knees,
Before us bend the streets and them we gain,
The great squares yieled to us and them we seize —
And on our steeds rush like the roar of rain.
Poem Analysis:
Rainer Maria Rilke's poem "The Boy" delves into themes of youthful yearning, adventure, and the desire for freedom. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Rilke captures the essence of youthful imagination and the longing for daring exploits.
Yearning for Adventure: The poem opens with the speaker expressing a deep longing to emulate those who embark on daring adventures in the night. The imagery of riding "on horses wild astride" with "torches flaming out like loosened hair" evokes a sense of exhilaration and freedom. The speaker desires to experience the thrill of the chase and the rush of the wind as they ride through the darkness.
Symbolism of the Storm: The sweeping storm symbolizes the challenges and trials that the speaker wishes to confront fearlessly. The storm is described as "mighty" yet adorned with a "helmet made of gold," suggesting both power and beauty in adversity. The speaker's desire to stand on a boat amidst the storm reflects a yearning for resilience and courage in the face of life's tempests.
Imagery of Companionship: The poem portrays the speaker surrounded by companions, described as "ten men" with helmets that shimmer restlessly. These companions symbolize camaraderie and shared courage in the midst of adversity. The imagery of the flashing trumpet and the sound shrieking through the vast black solitude reinforces the sense of unity and purpose among the companions as they journey together through the darkness.
Conquest and Triumph: As the group rides through the night, they conquer the landscape, with houses falling behind them and streets bending before them. The imagery of seizing great squares and rushing like the roar of rain suggests a triumphal progression, symbolizing the conquest of obstacles and the fulfillment of youthful dreams.
Themes of Youthful Idealism: "The Boy" explores themes of youthful idealism and the pursuit of adventure and freedom. The speaker's yearning to emulate the daring exploits of those who ride through the night reflects a longing for excitement and transcendence beyond the constraints of ordinary life. The poem celebrates the vitality and imagination of youth, capturing the spirit of exploration and the quest for meaning and fulfillment.
In conclusion, Rainer Maria Rilke's "The Boy" is a poignant exploration of youthful longing and the desire for adventure and freedom. Through vivid imagery and rich symbolism, Rilke evokes the thrill of the chase and the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The poem invites readers to embrace the boundless possibilities of youth and the courage to pursue dreams with unwavering determination.