1887 by A. E. Housman
"1887" is the opening poem of A. E. Housman’s celebrated collection, *A Shropshire Lad*, and serves as a poignant introduction to the themes and emotional tone that resonate throughout the work. Set against the backdrop of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, the poem contrasts the festive atmosphere of the celebration with a deep sense of melancholy. The speaker reflects on the loss of friends, many of whom have died in battle, expressing a bittersweet recognition of their sacrifices as "saviours" of the nation. Despite the prevailing joy of the occasion, the poem conveys a profound lament for those who cannot partake in the festivities due to their untimely deaths.
Housman’s exploration of themes such as loss, duty, and mortality is underscored by a somber mood, yet the speaker reaffirms a sense of loyalty to England and its monarchy. The closing lines suggest a reliance on the strength and bravery of young men, indicating that the future of the nation is intertwined with the legacy of those who came before. Ultimately, "1887" encapsulates the complex interplay of celebration and sorrow, inviting readers to reflect on the realities of life and death within the context of national pride. This poem acts as a frame for the collection, setting the stage for the ensuing exploration of similar themes throughout Housman’s work.
1887 by A. E. Housman
Excerpted from an article in Magill’s Survey of World Literature, Revised Edition
First published: 1896 (collected in A Shropshire Lad, 1896)
Type of work: Poem
The Work
In “1887,” the first poem in A Shropshire Lad, Housman establishes the main themes, the main technique, the chief setting, and the main mood that would characterize the remainder of the sixty-three short poems that constitute the collection. For this reason, “1887” is often referred to as a “frame poem,” along with poems LXII and LXIII, for a very deliberately arranged collection.
During the otherwise festive occasion of the eve of Queen Victoria’s Golden Anniversary, when others are poised for, or already engaged in, celebration, the persona in Housman’s poem adds a strong sense of melancholy as he recalls the past and ponders the future. In short, there is considerable lament over the fact that many friends have made the transition from life to death, many by the horrors of war. The speaker fully understands that the soldiers have performed their duty as “saviours” of the queen and England proper, but he interjects a tone of bitterness that on this happiest of occasions they could not join in the celebration because “themselves they could not save.”
Despite the gloominess of the poem, however, the speaker pledges continued love and allegiance to England, the queen, and God, seemingly fully realizing that death is a natural part of life and that life, despite its many travails, must be endured. Thus, the poem ends with a grave admonition that
Oh, God will save her, fear you not
Indeed, England’s continued success and the queen’s protection are dependent upon the strength of the Shropshire lads and their many counterparts.
Bibliography
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Bishop, John Peale. “The Poetry of A. E. Housman.” Poetry 56 (June, 1940): 144-153.
Bloom, Harold, ed. A. E. Housman. Philadelphia: Chelsea House, 2003.
Braithwaite, William Stanley. Introduction to A Shropshire Lad. Boston: International Pocket Library, 1919.
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Efrati, Carol. The Road of Danger, Guilt, and Shame: The Lonely Way of A. E. Housman. Madison, N.J.: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 2002.
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