Silver - Walter De La Mare | BOSEM Class 9 English Literature Reader

Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BOSEM)

English Literature Reader

Class: IX

Chapter: 4

Silver

Walter De La Mare

Substance/Summary of the Poem

The poem "Silver" by Walter de la Mare portrays the influence of the moon's silver light on ordinary objects and creatures during the night-time. The speaker begins by highlighting the moon's gentle illumination of the earth as it moves slowly across the sky, seemingly taking its time to observe everything below. Various everyday elements, such as windows, doves, a dog, and sleeping fish, are bathed in this "silver light," transforming them from mundane and ordinary to enhanced and beautiful, providing a different perspective under the moon's glow.

Detailed Analysis of the Poem

Slowly, silently, now the moon
Walks the night in her silver shoon;
This way, and that, she peers, and sees
Silver fruit upon silver trees;

In the opening stanza of this poem, the poet starts by depicting the movement of the moon across the sky. The moon's movement is characterized as "Slowly" and "silently," following the expected path. The speaker personifies the moon by referring to it as "she," suggesting that the moon is purposefully traversing the night. The moon's leisurely journey through the night is portrayed as if it is her own deliberate choice. As she progresses, she takes her time to "peer" and "See" everything.

Amidst the night-time scene, one particular sight captures the moon's attention—the "Silver fruit upon silver trees." Throughout the subsequent couplets in the text, the colour "silver" is consistently used to describe the various sights witnessed by the moon. This silvery hue is attributed to her own radiance, which illuminates the ground. The moon is captivated by the beauty of her own luminous presence, which first manifests on the fruit trees. These trees symbolise life and abundance, serving as significant and joyful elements within the world.

One by one the casements catch
Her beams beneath the silvery thatch;
Couched in his kennel, like a log,
With paws of silver sleeps the dog;

The speaker proceeds to depict additional scenes observed by the moon. She focuses her attention on the "casements," which are the hinged part of a window. The small metal components of the casement reflect the light beautifully. This enables one to draw a connection between the light and two distinct types of objects—both natural and manmade creations are influenced by the moon.

The initial event described in this passage occurs "beneath the silvery thatch," referring to the roof of a building, likely a modest house. Here, the light finds its way into the interior of a simple home with a thatched roof, usually made of straw or a similar material. Despite its simplicity, the windows and the roof radiate with the moonlight.

Subsequently, the speaker shifts her focus to a more lively subject, a "dog," which is fast asleep "like a log" in "his kennel," an outdoor shelter. Unbeknownst to the dog, the moonlight touches him, casting a silver hue on his paws.

From their shadowy cote the white breasts peep
Of doves in a silver-feathered sleep;
A harvest mouse goes scampering by,
With silver claws, and silver eye;

In the following pair of verses, the speaker shifts the focus to another animal, a dove, or rather, many doves. They are nestled in their "shadowy cote," or shelter, sound asleep. The entire world is at rest, and only the speaker and the intended listener(s) are privy to the beauty unfolding outside. This time, the "silver" light also caresses the doves and a "harvest mouse."

It's noteworthy that de la Mare deliberately selected the most unremarkable subjects for this poem. Their significance is heightened and they are made more prominent due to their proximity to the moonlight. The moon does not differentiate between various objects or animals. For example, the mouse is portrayed as more beautiful with its "silver claws" and "silver eye." These creatures take on a sense of mystery that they previously lacked. De la Mare's intention was to encourage readers to reconsider the worth of these everyday living beings and inanimate objects beneath the night sky.

And moveless fish in the water gleam,
By silver reeds in a silver stream.

The concluding two lines of the poem create a sense of tranquillity and motion, prompting the reader to imagine the scene extending beyond the poem's conclusion. The poet initially describes the fish, which are also in a state of rest, as they are "motionless" in the shining water.

Solved Textual Questions and Answers

I. Answer the following questions in a sentence each.

1. What does 'silver shoon' refer to in the poem?
Ans.: - The phrase 'Silver shoon' in this context symbolises the radiant, silvery glow of the moon. It is used to compare the moon to a person wearing shimmering silver shoes, personifying the moon as a graceful and elegant figure.

2. 'One by one the casements catch' What do the casements catch?
Ans.: - The casements catch the moon beams beneath the silvery thatch.

3. Describe the effect of the moonlight on the dog.
Ans.: - When the moonlight touches the sleeping dog, it casts a silvery hue on his paws.

4. How does the poet describe the harvest mouse? What turns its claws and eyes silver?
Ans.: - The poet depicts the harvest mouse as having enhanced beauty due to its "silver claws" and "silver eye," which are illuminated by the reflection of moonlight.

5. Explain 'moveless fish'.
Ans.: - The poet depicts the fish, which are inactive, as being "motionless" in the gleaming water.

II. Answer the following questions briefly.

1. Describe the way the moon walks.
Ans.: - The moon moves slowly and quietly through the night, wearing her silver shoes. She takes her time to observe everything on Earth. The moon casts its light upon all the creatures of the earth, turning them silver.

2. What are the effects of the moonlight on the dog?
Ans.: - The dog is sound asleep "like a log" in "his kennel." Little does the dog know, the moonlight gently caresses him, giving his paws a silvery glow. This captivating moment is made even more special by the commonplace setting.

3. Why is the cote shadowy while the doves are white and silvery?
Ans.: - The cote is shadowy because the moonlight is unable to penetrate its interior, creating shadows. In contrast, the doves' bright feathers reflect the moon's silver light, making them appear bright and silvery in the moonlight.