Guitar Song
By Victor Hugo
How shall we flee sorrow — flee sorrow? said he.
How, how! How shall we flee sorrow — flee sorrow? said he.
How — how — how? answered she.
How shall we see pleasure — see pleasure? said he.
How, how! How shall we see pleasure — see pleasure? said he.
Dream — dream — dream! answered she.
How shall we be happy — be happy? said he.
How, how! How shall we be happy — be happy? said he.
Love — love — love! whispered she.
Poem Analysis:
Victor Hugo's poem "Guitar Song" explores the themes of sorrow, pleasure, and happiness through a rhythmic dialogue between two voices. The poem's structure and language create a poignant reflection on the nature of these emotional states and the paths to transcendence and fulfillment. Through its repetitive and lyrical quality, the poem delves into the complexities of human emotion and the elusive search for contentment.
Theme and Content
The central theme of "Guitar Song" is the quest for relief from sorrow and the pursuit of happiness. The poem presents a dialogue in which one voice repeatedly questions how to escape sorrow, experience pleasure, and achieve happiness. Each question is met with a response that suggests a different path to these emotional states.
- Escape from Sorrow: The repeated questioning about fleeing sorrow emphasizes the depth of the speaker's despair and confusion. The answer, "Dream — dream — dream!" implies that imagination or escapism can offer a temporary reprieve from sorrow. It suggests that while one cannot completely escape sorrow, dreaming allows for a temporary shift from pain.
- Experience of Pleasure: The response to the query about seeing pleasure is similarly focused on the idea of dreaming. This repetition highlights the idea that pleasure, like escape from sorrow, is also elusive and requires a form of imaginative or idealistic vision.
- Attainment of Happiness: When the speaker asks how to achieve happiness, the answer shifts to "Love — love — love!" The repetition here underscores love as the ultimate path to happiness. Unlike dreaming, which offers only temporary relief or escape, love is portrayed as a more profound and lasting source of fulfillment.
Imagery and Tone
The tone of the poem is contemplative and somewhat melancholic, reflecting the existential questioning of the speaker. The repeated phrases create a musical, almost hypnotic rhythm that mirrors the song-like quality suggested by the title. This rhythmic repetition emphasizes the cyclical nature of these emotional quests and the ongoing search for meaning.
The imagery of "dream" and "love" contrasts with the more abstract notion of "sorrow," providing concrete pathways through which one might address these emotional states. Dreaming and loving are presented as active, engaging responses to the challenges of life, suggesting that while sorrow is an inherent part of human experience, pleasure and happiness are attainable through internal and external engagement.
Structure and Style
Hugo's use of repetition serves to highlight the persistent nature of the questions being posed. The refrain-like quality of the repeated phrases "How shall we flee sorrow?" and "How shall we see pleasure?" creates a sense of rhythm and urgency, drawing attention to the cyclical nature of the inquiry.
The poem's structure, with its simple dialogue format, allows for a direct and impactful exploration of its themes. The alternating questions and answers create a conversational dynamic that reflects the internal dialogue one might have when grappling with these profound emotional concerns.
Victor Hugo's "Guitar Song" provides a reflective and lyrical exploration of sorrow, pleasure, and happiness. Through its repetitive structure and rhythmic dialogue, the poem emphasizes the complexity of human emotions and the various paths to finding relief and fulfillment. The answers provided — "Dream" for pleasure and "Love" for happiness — offer insights into the ways individuals might navigate their emotional landscapes. The poem’s musical quality and contemplative tone capture the essence of the human quest for meaning and joy, highlighting the interplay between suffering, imagination, and love.