In a Convex Mirror
By Rosemary Dobson
See, in the circle, how we stand,
As pictured angels touching wings
Inflame a Dutch interior
Bespeaking birth, foretelling kings.The room is still and brushed with dusk;
Shall we not disregard the clock
Or let alone be eloquent
The silence between tick and tock?Shall we be fixed within the frame,
This breathing light to clear-cold glass
Until our images are selves
And words to wiser silence pass?But ruined Rostov falls in flame,
Cities crumble and are gone,
Time’s still waters deeply flow
Through Here and Now as Babylon.And swirling through this little frame
Will rive the two of us apart,
Engulfing with unnumbered floods
The hidden spaces of the heart.
Summary of In a Convex Mirror
- Popularity of “In a Convex Mirror”: Rosemary Dobson’s “In a Convex Mirror” is a celebrated poem, appearing in her 1944 collection of the same name. It is often considered a masterful exploration of time, art, and the complexities of human relationships. The poem presents a couple observed within the distorted reflection of a convex mirror, linking their present moment to both the past and a premonition of the future.
- “In a Convex Mirror” As a Representative of Art and Love: The poem unfolds as a meditation on a painting, the viewer contemplating the figures within it – the poet and her beloved. The convex mirror doesn’t just reflect an image; it distorts it, suggesting a shifting, unreliable perception of reality. The initial stanzas explore the idea of being captured within art, questioning whether to embrace the stillness of the frame or acknowledge the relentless passage of time. The poem then shifts towards a sense of foreboding, hinting at the inevitable decay and loss that accompany existence. The mirror, originally presenting a contained beauty, becomes a vortex threatening to pull the lovers apart.
- Major Themes in “In a Convex Mirror”: At its heart, the poem grapples with the tension between permanence and transience. The painting represents a desire to capture a moment, to freeze time, but the imagery of crumbling cities and engulfing floods emphasizes the unstoppable force of change. Love, too, is presented as vulnerable to this force, a delicate connection threatened by the vastness of time and the inevitability of loss. The poem doesn’t offer easy answers; instead, it presents a complex, nuanced exploration of these fundamental human experiences.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in In a Convex Mirror
Rosemary Dobson skillfully employs a range of literary devices to create the poem’s evocative and thought‑provoking effect. Understanding these devices unlocks a deeper appreciation of the poem’s artistry.
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds adds musicality and emphasis. For example, in the line “Bespeaking birth, foretelling kings,” the repeated ‘e’ sound creates a flowing, lyrical quality.
- Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds creates a sense of rhythm and connection. “Clear cold glass” utilizes alliteration to create a subtle emphasis on the reflective surface.
- Consonance: Similar to alliteration, but involving the repetition of consonant sounds within words. “As pictured angels touching wings” showcases consonance with the repeated ‘ng’ sound.
- Enjambment: This is the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause. Consider these lines:
Shall we be fixed within the frame,
This breathing light to clear-cold glass
Until our images are selves
And words to wiser silence pass?The enjambment creates a sense of flow, mirroring the continuous passage of time and the merging of image and reality.
- Imagery: The poem is rich in vivid imagery that appeals to the senses. “The room is still and brushed with dusk” creates a visual picture of a quiet, fading light. “Time’s still waters deeply flow” provides a potent visual metaphor for the relentless passage of time.
- Metaphor: Dobson utilizes metaphors to create deeper meaning. Silence itself is treated as an entity with its own qualities – “wiser silence.” Time is presented as “still waters,” suggesting both calmness and a hidden, powerful current.
- Personification: Inanimate objects are given human qualities. “Wiser silence” personifies silence, suggesting it possesses understanding and awareness.
- Rhetorical Question: The poem poses questions not meant to be answered, but to provoke thought. “Shall we not disregard the clock / Or let alone be eloquent” challenges the reader to consider the relationship between time, language, and meaning.
- Simile: A comparison using “like” or “as”. “As pictured angels touching wings” directly compares the figures in the painting to angelic beings.
- Symbolism: The convex mirror itself is a potent symbol, representing distorted perception, the passage of time, and the interplay between reality and illusion. The crumbling cities symbolize the inevitability of decay and loss.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in In a Convex Mirror
Beyond literary devices, Dobson employs specific poetic techniques to enhance the poem’s structure and impact.
- Diction: The poet’s careful choice of words – often evocative and precise – contributes significantly to the poem’s atmosphere and meaning. The use of words like “bespeaking,” “eloquent,” and “rive” adds a layer of sophistication and complexity.
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem predominantly follows an ABCB rhyme scheme, creating a sense of musicality and cohesion. However, variations in the final stanzas disrupt the pattern, perhaps mirroring the disruption and uncertainty explored in the poem’s themes.
- Stanza: The poem is structured into five quatrains (four‑line stanzas), creating a balanced and controlled form. The consistent stanza length contributes to the poem’s overall sense of order and contemplation.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines from “In a Convex Mirror” offer compelling insights into the poem’s central themes and can serve as points of discussion or inspiration:
Shall we be fixed within the frame,
This breathing light to clear-cold glass
Until our images are selves
And words to wiser silence pass?
This excerpt highlights the tension between capturing a moment in art and acknowledging the inevitable passage of time, prompting reflection on the relationship between image, language, and reality.