Herbsttag Von Rainer Maria Rilke

Rainer Maria Rilke's poem "Herbsttag" (Autumn Day) is one of the most celebrated German-language poems about the season of autumn. It's a masterpiece of brevity and emotional depth, capturing the melancholic beauty of a season of transition. This article provides a detailed explanation of the poem, exploring its themes, imagery, and historical context to enhance your understanding and appreciation of this iconic work.

Understanding the Poem's Structure

The poem consists of three stanzas, each with five lines (a quintain). This concise structure contributes to the poem's impact. Each stanza focuses on a specific aspect of autumn, building a complete and emotionally resonant picture of the season.

Stanza 1: A Question of Agency

The first stanza introduces the central question of the poem. It directly addresses a figure, presumably God or a higher power responsible for the changing seasons:

Herr: es ist Zeit. Der Sommer war sehr groß.
Leg deinen Schatten auf die Sonnenuhren,
und auf den Fluren laß die Winde los.

The opening line, "Herr: es ist Zeit" ("Lord: it is time"), immediately sets a tone of acceptance and inevitability. The speaker acknowledges that summer, which is described as "sehr groß" ("very great"), is ending. The size of the summer emphasizes its past abundance and amplifies the sense of loss. The speaker then instructs the "Lord" to "Leg deinen Schatten auf die Sonnenuhren" ("Place your shadows on the sundials"). This isn't a request for destruction or punishment but rather a plea for a natural transition. The sundials, measuring time, are to be covered by shadow, suggesting a slowing down of life and a preparation for the stillness of winter. Finally, the Lord is asked to "auf den Fluren laß die Winde los" ("release the winds upon the fields"). This imagery depicts the physical manifestation of autumn's arrival – the winds that scatter leaves and bring a chill to the air. The use of the word "Fluren" (fields) is significant. It evokes a sense of vastness and open space, highlighting the scale of the seasonal change.

Stanza 2: A Harvest of Sorrow

The second stanza shifts the focus from a divine being to the actions and feelings of ordinary individuals in the face of autumn's arrival:

Befiehl den letzten Früchten voll zu sein;
gib ihnen noch zwei südlichere Tage,
dränge sie zur Vollendung hin, und jage
die letzte Süße in den schweren Wein.

Here, the speaker implores the "Lord" to "Befiehl den letzten Früchten voll zu sein" ("command the last fruits to be full"). This line reflects a desire to savor the remaining abundance of the harvest before winter sets in. The use of "befiehl" (command) again emphasizes the speaker's recognition of a higher power's control. The request to "gib ihnen noch zwei südlichere Tage" ("give them two more southern days") reveals a yearning for warmth and prolongation of summer's bounty. It's a poignant request for a temporary reprieve from the approaching cold. The lines "dränge sie zur Vollendung hin, und jage / die letzte Süße in den schweren Wein" ("urge them to completion, and chase the last sweetness into the heavy wine") are particularly evocative. The fruits are being urged to ripen completely, to achieve their full potential before they are harvested and transformed into wine. The phrase "schweren Wein" ("heavy wine") suggests the rich, intense flavors of autumn's produce, but also hints at a certain heaviness or melancholy associated with the season.

Stanza 3: Isolation and Introspection

The final stanza takes a more personal and introspective turn. It explores the emotional impact of autumn on the individual:

Wer jetzt kein Haus hat, baut sich keines mehr.
Wer jetzt allein ist, wird es lange bleiben,
wird wachen, lesen, lange Briefe schreiben
und wird in den Alleen hin und her
unruhig wandern, wenn die Blätter treiben.

This stanza is perhaps the most famous and the most often quoted. The opening line, "Wer jetzt kein Haus hat, baut sich keines mehr" ("Whoever has no house now, will never build one"), is a powerful statement about the finality of missed opportunities. The image of building a house represents security, belonging, and a stable future. The speaker suggests that those who haven't established these things by autumn are unlikely to do so before winter's harshness arrives. The line "Wer jetzt allein ist, wird es lange bleiben" ("Whoever is alone now, will remain so for a long time"), reinforces this sense of isolation and permanence. Autumn is seen as a time when loneliness becomes amplified. The remaining lines paint a picture of quiet solitude and restless reflection. The individual "wird wachen, lesen, lange Briefe schreiben" ("will stay awake, read, write long letters") – activities that are typically done in isolation and often associated with introspection. The final image of the person "in den Alleen hin und her / unruhig wandern, wenn die Blätter treiben" ("restlessly wandering back and forth in the avenues, when the leaves are drifting") is deeply poignant. The fallen leaves symbolize the passage of time and the ephemeral nature of life. The "Alleen" (avenues) suggest a structured, yet perhaps confining, environment. The restless wandering reflects the inner turmoil and uncertainty that the season can evoke.

Themes and Interpretation

"Herbsttag" explores several key themes that resonate deeply with readers:

The Acceptance of Change: The poem is fundamentally about accepting the inevitability of change. The speaker doesn't resist the arrival of autumn but rather acknowledges its natural progression.
The Beauty of Melancholy: Rilke finds beauty in the melancholy of autumn. The season's colors, sounds, and atmosphere evoke a sense of peace and introspection, even as they remind us of the passing of time.
The Significance of Time: Time is a central theme, emphasized by the sundials, the ripening fruits, and the fallen leaves. The poem reminds us of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of appreciating the present moment.
Isolation and Introspection: The poem touches on the theme of isolation, especially in the final stanza. Autumn can be a time of heightened introspection and a feeling of being alone with one's thoughts.

Imagery and Symbolism

Rilke masterfully uses imagery and symbolism to create a rich and evocative portrait of autumn:

Sundials: Represent the measurement of time and the inevitable progression towards winter.
Fields (Fluren): Symbolize vastness, open space, and the broad scope of seasonal change.
Fruits: Represent abundance, ripeness, and the fulfillment of summer's potential.
Wine: Symbolizes the richness and intensity of autumn's harvest, but also a certain heaviness or melancholy.
House: Represents security, belonging, and a stable future.
Leaves: Symbolize the passage of time, the ephemeral nature of life, and the inevitability of decay.
Winds: Represent change, transition, and the physical arrival of autumn.

Historical Context

Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926) was one of the most important poets of the 20th century. His work is characterized by its intense emotionality, its exploration of existential themes, and its innovative use of language. "Herbsttag" was written in 1902, during a period of great creative output for Rilke. The poem reflects the Fin de Siècle (end of the century) mood that permeated European culture at the time, a sense of weariness, introspection, and a feeling of impending change. Rilke's work often grappled with themes of mortality, spirituality, and the search for meaning in a world that seemed increasingly uncertain.

Why is "Herbsttag" so enduring?

"Herbsttag" continues to resonate with readers for several reasons:

Universality of Themes: The poem's themes of change, loss, and reflection are universally relatable. Everyone experiences the passage of time and the feeling of melancholy that can accompany seasonal transitions.
Concise and Evocative Language: Rilke's use of language is both precise and deeply evocative. He creates powerful images and emotions with a minimal number of words.
Musicality of the Verse: The poem's rhythm and rhyme scheme contribute to its musicality and memorability. It is a poem that is meant to be read aloud and savored.
Emotional Depth: Despite its brevity, "Herbsttag" is a poem of great emotional depth. It captures the complex feelings of sadness, acceptance, and beauty that are often associated with autumn.

In conclusion

"Herbsttag" is more than just a poem about autumn; it's a meditation on life, time, and the human condition. By understanding its structure, themes, and imagery, you can gain a deeper appreciation for this timeless masterpiece and connect with its enduring message of acceptance, introspection, and the beauty of melancholy. It remains a poignant reflection on the transient nature of life and the bittersweet acceptance of change.