Alfred, Lord Tennyson's 'Dark House, by Which Once More I Stand' delves into the depths of grief following the death of his friend Arthur Henry Hallam. The poem, part of the larger elegy 'In Memoriam A.H.H.,' uses a somber house as a metaphor for loss and the void left behind. Tennyson's masterful use of form and language captures the relentless nature of mourning and the disconnection from a world that moves on, indifferent to personal sorrow.
Show More
Tennyson's extensive elegy for his friend Arthur Henry Hallam
17 years of labor
Tennyson's dedication to crafting this collection
ABBA rhyme scheme and iambic tetrameter
The poetic structure that adds a somber and contemplative rhythm to the verse
Literary devices
Enjambment and metaphor used to express the narrator's grief and complex emotions
The dark house and absence of welcoming hands symbolize the void created by Hallam's death
The narrator's sleepless nights and visits to the house reflect his struggle to come to terms with his loss and longing for the past
The contrast between the narrator's static mourning and the bustling sounds of life resuming highlights the surreal and isolating experience of grief
The strict ABBA rhyme scheme and iambic tetrameter reflect the persistent and unyielding nature of grief
The use of enjambment creates a sense of continuity, echoing the relentless progression of the narrator's sorrow
The use of metaphor, such as "drizzling rain," externalizes the narrator's internal state of despair
00
Arthur Henry Hallam's role in 'In Memoriam A.H.H.'
Hallam, Tennyson's close friend, inspired the elegy through his sudden death in 1833.
01
Metrical structure of 'In Memoriam A.H.H.'
The poem uses iambic tetrameter, creating a reflective, rhythmic quality.
02
Rhyme scheme of 'In Memoriam A.H.H.'
Employs an ABBA pattern, contributing to the poem's somber, meditative tone.
