I Remember, I Remember

Detailed Analysis and Themes in "I Remember, I Remember"

Learn about the various themes and analysis of the poem to prepare for your Class 9 ICSE English Paper 2:

Innocence and Adult Life

One major theme of the poem is the contrast between childhood innocence and adult experiences. Thomas Hood shows childhood as a joyful, carefree time, filled with simple pleasures like playing outdoors, enjoying nature, and feeling free from worries. He fondly remembers these days, highlighting the joy and purity that childhood brings.

As the poet moves into adulthood, however, he finds life more complicated and burdensome. The happiness of childhood fades, replaced by stress, responsibilities, and sadness. Hood emphasizes how growing up often involves losing the simple joys and innocence of youth, leaving behind a longing to relive those carefree days.

Memories and Nostalgia

Memories and nostalgia are central to the poem. Hood warmly recalls specific images from his childhood, such as flowers blooming in the garden, the warmth of the morning sun, and the feeling of swinging freely. These vivid memories bring comfort and happiness, showing how powerful and meaningful past experiences can be.

However, nostalgia also brings sadness. While these memories remind the poet of happier times, they also highlight what has been lost. Hood conveys the universal experience of looking back at simpler, happier times and wishing they could be lived again, even knowing this is impossible.

The Pain of Adult Life

The poem also explores the emotional pain and disappointment of adulthood. Hood expresses how heavy and difficult adult life feels compared to his carefree childhood. The image of his spirit becoming "heavy" captures how adulthood can weigh people down with responsibilities, worries, and stress.

This theme is especially strong because Thomas Hood himself faced many hardships in his life, including poor health, financial struggles, and disappointments. His personal experiences add authenticity to his description of adulthood’s struggles, making his message more relatable and powerful. The poem encourages readers to recognize that growing older involves facing life's challenges, something everyone experiences as they mature.

Line by Line Summary of “I Remember, I Remember”

Understanding the poem in depth will help you score well in your ICSE English Literature Paper. Find the line by line summary of the poem, I remember, I remember below.

Stanza 1

The poet recalls the house where he was born, especially remembering the small window through which the morning sun gently shone. As a child, the sunrise never felt too early, and days never seemed too long. He is personifying the sun in these lines. But, things have changed and at present he wishes he never woke up to see the sun. This means the poet is longing to be dead.

But now, I often wish the night
Had borne my breath away!

Stanza 2

In this stanza, the poet Thomas Hood recalls vivid memories from his childhood garden. He remembers the beautiful flowers—red and white roses, violets, and lilies—which seemed so bright and fresh to his young eyes that he describes them as "flowers made of light," emphasizing their beauty.

He also fondly remembers the lilac bushes where robins made their nests, symbolizing the lively presence of nature in his childhood. Additionally, he recalls a special memory—the laburnum tree his brother planted on his birthday. The poet emphasizes that this tree is "living yet," indicating that even though time has passed and his childhood has ended, this tree remains as a living reminder of those joyful days.

The laburnum on his birthday,—
The tree is living yet!

Stanza 3

As a child, swinging made him feel as light and free as birds flying effortlessly through the air. He compares himself to swallows, imagining that the air felt just as refreshing and exciting to him as it did to those birds.

However, now as an adult, the poet feels weighed down by worries and responsibilities, symbolized by his "heavy" spirit. He contrasts this heaviness with his carefree childhood when he felt as light as feathers. He further expresses his current discomfort by mentioning that even the refreshing water of summer pools cannot ease the "fever" or stress that he feels as an adult.

These lines reflect the poet's longing for the simplicity, joy, and carefree nature of childhood, highlighting the emotional burdens and challenges that come with growing older.

Stanza 4

In this stanza, Thomas Hood recalls how, as a child, he was amazed by the tall, dark fir trees. He believed their slender tops were so high that they almost touched the sky. This idea reflects the innocence and imagination of childhood, where everything seems possible and magical.

However, the poet now realizes this belief was simply "childish ignorance," meaning it was an innocent misunderstanding. As an adult, he's sadly aware that such innocent beliefs aren't true. He feels that adulthood has made him realize he's actually much farther away from "heaven," or happiness and innocence, than he imagined as a child.

These lines beautifully express the sense of loss and disappointment that can accompany adulthood, highlighting how growing older can distance people from the joy, wonder, and simplicity they experienced in childhood.

But now 'tis little joy
To know I'm farther off from heav'n
Than when I was a boy.

Literary Devices in the Poem

Here are some literary devices from the poem to learn and remember for your ICSE English literature exam.

Imagery

The poet uses vivid descriptions of nature, such as the flowers "made of light" and the "slender tops" of the fir trees, to create strong visual images.

Personification

The poet personifies the sun by describing it as peeking through the window, giving it human-like characteristics.

Symbolism

Flowers symbolize the beauty and innocence of childhood.

The swing symbolizes freedom and carefree joy.

Contrast

The poet contrasts his joyous, innocent childhood with the burdensome and stressful reality of adulthood.

About the Author

• Thomas Hood is an English poet also known for his illustrations and engravings.
• Born: 23 May 1799
• Died: 3 May 1845
• Place of Birth: London, United Kingdom
• Major Works: ‘Past and Present’, and ‘The Song of the Shirt’
• Best Known For: Thomas Hood was an earnest writer and produced his own magazine. He is celebrated for his artistic abilities that do not confide in writing and literature.