MEETING AT NIGHT

MEETING AT NIGHT 

       Robert Browning

 

1. What is the central idea of the poem "Meeting at Night".

Robert Browning believes that love is a power, a strong emotion that can conquer all adversities in life. The poem describes how a man secretly travels to meet his beloved and thinks nothing of the obstacles that may come his way. He is determined to achieve his goal. Every line of the poem expresses the intense emotions of the poet. The poem vividly describes the lover's desperation to reach his destination for which he finally defies all problems and obstacles. Browning proved that love can conquer all. Browning's optimistic philosophy of life proves that love is the guiding light of life that makes humanity proud. 

2. Discuss about the significance of the title of the poem "Meeting at Night".

Robert Browning's 'Meeting at Night' is a poem about a meeting of lovers at night. The title of the poem emphasizes the mystery present in the poem. Usually we tend (প্রবণতা) to associate (যুক্ত থাকা)night and darkness with secrecy and since the meeting in the poem is clearly a secret affair. The expressions used by the poet while describing landscape and sea create a romantic mystique(রোমান্টিক রহস্যময়তা) in the poem. The title of the poem successfully captures the tension and anxiety associated (যুক্ত থাকা) with the union(মিলন ঘটা) of lovers. Night only helps to create a dark atmosphere(পরিবেশ) and anxiety. So it can be said that the title of the poem is aptly apt.

3. "And the startled little waves that leap

In fiery ringlets from their sleep," ______

What does poet convey through the expression 'Startled little waves'? What are the ringlets?

Why are they called 'fiery'? 

The poet describes the lover's state of mind through the 'Startled little waves' that fluctuate through calmness and excitement. The lover thinks of the obstacles in the way of meeting with his lover. 

The awakening of small waves from a peaceful sleep, which startles them, tells the reader of the lover's heart stirring with excitement. Here the speaker silently observes the small waves of curly hair like fire. A clump of curly hair is a tiny circle or ring of water. This is the effect of moonlight on the waves. 

The waves look bright because of the moonlight. The waves burst into contact with the prow of the boat and burn like small circles of fire. Hence the waves are said to be fiery. 

4. "And a voice less loud,  through its joys and fears"----

Why is the voice 'less loud'?  Give significance of this line. 

In the poem 'Meeting at Night',  When lovers meet secretly in the dark of night, their hearts beat with excitement and joy. Their heartbeat overpowers the lover's voice. So his voice is 'less loud'.  

After a long and tiring journey the lover finally reaches the farmhouse where his beloved lives. She senses the presence of her lover on the window glass and becomes impatient to meet him. Although their hearts are full of joy, they have to be careful since their meeting is a secret affair. Amid joy and fear they come together and embrace each other. 

5. "As I gain the cove with pushing prow,

And quench its speed i' the slushy sand."

Write the meaning of the above two lines.

The 'pushing prow' marks the lover's desire and determination to continue the journey, which is risky and critical. Cove is the shelter where the narrator is safe from the dangers of the sea. It is the first success of the narrator who secretly wants to reach the destination. He succeeded in raising his arms against the turbulent sea and crossed it. Then as he enters the cove, the muddy sand slows the boat and stops it. The boat reaching the shore indicates the satisfied desire of the lover to meet his beloved. 

The poet thus describes the stopping of the boat figuratively.