Les Silhouettes by Oscar Wilde
“Les Silhouettes” is a captivating poem by Oscar Wilde, featured in his poetry collection Poems. The poem paints a vivid seascape, blending elements of nature with human activity. It skillfully juxtaposes the serene yet melancholic moods of the sea and the sky with the spirited joy of a young sailor. For those interested in exploring more of Wilde’s poetic works, Poems is available online at PageVio.
1. The Poem
The sea is flecked with bars of grey,
The dull dead wind is out of tune,
And like a withered leaf the moon
Is blown across the stormy bay.
Etched clear upon the pallid sand
Lies the black boat: a sailor boy
Clambers aboard in careless joy
With laughing face and gleaming hand.
And overhead the curlews cry,
Where through the dusky upland grass
The young brown-throated reapers pass,
Like silhouettes against the sky.
Download Les Silhouettes Poster
Size: 8″ x 12″ (2:3 ratio)
Format: PDF
Copyright information: For personal use only
Note: Actual poster background color is white. For the sample poster, the background is made gray for illustration purpose.
2. Les Silhouettes Analysis
“Les Silhouettes” paints a vivid picture of a seaside scene, blending elements of nature with human activity. Let’s break it down stanza by stanza:
The first stanza sets a somber, almost melancholic tone. The sea is described as “flecked with bars of grey,” suggesting a dull, overcast day. The “dull dead wind” being “out of tune” further adds to the sense of lifelessness or dissonance. The comparison of the moon to a “withered leaf” being blown across a stormy bay evokes a feeling of desolation and aging. The imagery here is striking, depicting a scene that is both natural and somewhat foreboding.
The second stanza contrasts the first with a more lively and detailed image. Here, the focus is on a black boat etched against the pallid sand, offering a sharp visual contrast. The presence of a “sailor boy” climbing aboard in “careless joy” introduces a human element, characterized by youthfulness and happiness. His “laughing face and gleaming hand” stand in stark contrast to the bleakness of the first stanza, suggesting perhaps the resilience or indifference of youth to the somber surroundings.
The final stanza shifts the focus upwards, to the curlews crying overhead. The scene is set in the evening, as indicated by the “dusky upland grass.” The “young brown-throated reapers” passing through the grass are likened to “silhouettes against the sky,” suggesting the end of the day’s work. This imagery might symbolize the cycle of life and work against the backdrop of nature’s vastness and beauty.
The poem juxtaposes different elements of a seaside landscape – the stormy sea and moon, the young sailor, and the reapers – to create a rich tapestry of images. It captures the interplay between the natural world and human life, hinting at themes of youth and age, joy and melancholy, and the enduring rhythm of nature amidst human activity.
3. Conclusion
Should “Les Silhouettes” captivate your interest, you might also enjoy exploring more of Oscar Wilde’s poetic works.
