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Poem Name - The Last Ride Together
Poet’s Name - Robert Browning
Genre - Dramatic Monologue
Language - English
Published in- 1855
About the Poet
Great Victorian poet Robert Browning (1812–1889) stood apart from others because of his distinct style. In his formative years, Browning was regarded as a minor poet. He became famous near the end of his life for his extraordinarily dramatic monologues. It is no secret that he was deeply influenced by his wife Elizabeth Barrett Browning. During their 14 years of blissful marriage, the literary couple both praised and analysed each other's work.
In many ways, Browning was ahead of his time. As the 19th century rolled towards its end, an increasing number of authors and intellectuals came to respect and value his work. And over the years, his reputation has only gotten better.
Synopsis – Spoiler Alert!
A lover's final wish to be with his beloved is the subject of Robert Browning's, "The Last Ride Together." The speaker in this dramatic monologue first gives the story's backdrop. The speaker is departing from his partner. He simply asks to take his loved one for one final ride before they part ways. The woman says yes to the invitation.
She appears eager to spend a few more minutes with the speaker who causes her heart to leap with ecstasy. Both the speaker and his beloved wish to cherish the moment, this last ride together because it is the final chapter of their relationship.
The beloved doesn't speak a word in the entire poem. But, the speaker reflects on his emotions with various comparisons to prove that they are in a better position. Though short, their love is sublime. Although they won't be meeting anytime soon, they can always recall this moment of love and joy.
About the Poem
The Last Ride Together was first published in 1855 in the book Men and Women. The poem expresses Browning's philosophy that love is the ultimate experience in life. It focuses on the speaker’s emotions and takes place in his heart and mind.
Some critics perceive Freudian symbols in the poem. According to them, the poem, and the title, especially are seen as a sexual act metaphor.
The Last Ride Together as a Dramatic Monologue
A perfect depiction of a dramatic monologue is seen in Robert Browning's poem "The Last Ride Together." This poem is about two lovers who have decided to separate when the speaker asks his beloved for one last ride together. The entire poem is about the speaker's feelings when he ponders his love and feelings.
Themes Involved
The poem "The Last Ride Together" by Browning contains several subjects. The poet explores concepts like life, love, eternity, time, physicality, and spirituality.
Love: The poem implies that love has the power to both break people's hearts and give them a glimpse of paradise. Even if the speaker's loss and disappointment are painful, he has had the profound experience of loving someone. So much so that spending even a short period with them makes him feel the happiest he can be. Even when somebody's love isn't reciprocated, love claims to be spiritually significant.
Expectations vs Reality: The speaker in the poem believes that expectations are very different from reality. While everyone strives for the best, not everyone succeeds. It does not mean that we give up on those dreams and hopes and ambitions. We need to accept that some things are not meant to be and work harder on things that we can achieve.
The Speaker
The speaker in The Last Ride Together is extremely upset. When his beloved rejects his proposal, he is heartbroken. He believes that everything in his life means nothing. Yet he isn't angry.
He decides to get the most out of the moment and asks his beloved to go for the last ride together. On the ride, he reflects on his feelings and rejection. He realises that it is easy to find paradise if we accept the rejection and move forward in our life.
Famous Quotes
“ Who knows but the world may end tonight? “
“ Why, all men strive and who succeeds? “
“ My soul
Smoothed itself out, a long-cramped scroll
Freshening and fluttering in the wind.
Past hopes already lay behind. “
“ I hoped she would love me; here we ride. “
The Bottom Line
The Last Ride Together is undoubtedly one of the most well-known poems in English literature. This remarkable poem's beauty has survived into the modern era and continues to attract admirers.
My rating for the poem is 4 on 5
Written by Garima Jain
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