“A Shropshire Lad II: Loveliest of Trees” by A.E. Housman: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “A Shropshire Lad II: Loveliest of Trees” by A.E. Housman

“A Shropshire Lad II: Loveliest of Trees” by A.E. Housman, first appeared in 1896 as part of his poetic collection A Shropshire Lad, explores themes of mortality, the fleeting nature of youth, and the pastoral beauty of the English countryside. The poem itself is renowned for its evocative imagery and melancholic tone, as the speaker reflects on the transient beauty of cherry blossoms in spring and the brevity of human life. Its popularity endures due to its universal themes and Housman’s ability to intertwine profound philosophical reflection with vivid, accessible language that captures both the personal and the universal. This timeless quality has cemented the poem’s place in the canon of English literature.

Text: “A Shropshire Lad II: Loveliest of Trees” by A.E. Housman

Annotations: “A Shropshire Lad II: Loveliest of Trees” by A.E. Housman

Line	Annotation
Loveliest of trees, the cherry now	The speaker describes the cherry tree as the most beautiful, emphasizing its visual appeal and symbolism of fleeting beauty.
Is hung with bloom along the bough,	This line vividly portrays the tree adorned with blossoms, signifying renewal and the richness of springtime.
And stands about the woodland ride	The cherry tree is personified as standing, suggesting a majestic presence in the natural setting of the woods.
Wearing white for Eastertide.	The tree’s white blossoms are likened to a garment, symbolizing purity, rebirth, and the Christian celebration of Easter.
Now, of my threescore years and ten,	The speaker references the Biblical lifespan of seventy years (“threescore years and ten”) to reflect on human mortality.
Twenty will not come again,	The speaker acknowledges that their first twenty years are gone, evoking a sense of loss and the passage of time.
And take from seventy springs a score,	A mathematical reflection, calculating the time left by subtracting the years already lived (a “score” equals twenty).
It only leaves me fifty more.	The speaker confronts the brevity of their remaining lifespan, underscoring the urgency to savor life’s beauty.
And since to look at things in bloom	The speaker expresses a yearning to appreciate the beauty of nature, particularly the transient blooms of spring.
Fifty springs are little room,	Even fifty years is perceived as a short time to fully enjoy and appreciate nature’s recurring seasonal beauty.
About the woodlands I will go	The speaker resolves to make the most of their remaining time by immersing themselves in the beauty of nature.
To see the cherry hung with snow.	The cherry blossoms are metaphorically described as “snow,” emphasizing their delicate, fleeting nature and purity.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “A Shropshire Lad II: Loveliest of Trees” by A.E. Housman

Device	Example	Explanation
Alliteration	” Wearing white for Eastertide “	Repetition of the “w” sound in “wearing” and “white” creates a rhythmic quality.
Anaphora	“And stands about the woodland ride / Wearing white for Eastertide”	The repetition of “And” at the start of lines creates emphasis and rhythm.
Antithesis	“Twenty will not come again, / And take from seventy springs a score”	The contrast between “twenty” and “seventy” highlights the fleeting nature of time.
Assonance	“And stands about the woodland ride”	The repetition of the “o” sound in “about,” “woodland,” and “ride” creates a melodious tone.
Caesura	“Now, of my threescore years and ten, / Twenty will not come again”	A pause in the middle of a line, creating a break in rhythm and adding emphasis to the reflection on the passage of time.
Imagery	“Wearing white for Eastertide”	Visual imagery is used to describe the cherry tree in bloom, likening it to the white of Easter celebrations.
Metaphor	“cherry hung with snow”	The blooming cherry tree is metaphorically compared to snow, emphasizing its white flowers.
Personification	“The cherry now / Is hung with bloom”	The cherry tree is given human qualities, as though it is wearing bloom, making the tree seem alive and expressive.
Rhyme	“snow” and “bough”	The rhyme between “snow” and “bough” creates musicality and adds to the poem’s flow.
Simile	“Wearing white for Eastertide”	The comparison of the cherry tree to the color of Easter (white) suggests purity and beauty.
Symbolism	“The cherry”	The cherry tree symbolizes youth, beauty, and the passage of time, as it is associated with spring and life.
Synecdoche	“Threescore years and ten”	“Threescore” refers to sixty years, and “ten” to the full span of the speaker’s life, representing life as a whole.
Enjambment	“And take from seventy springs a score, / It only leaves me fifty more.”	The continuation of a thought beyond the line break mirrors the unbroken flow of time and life.
Metre	Iambic tetrameter	The poem follows a rhythmic pattern of four iambic feet per line, contributing to the smooth, flowing quality of the poem.
Contrast	“Now of my threescore years and ten / Twenty will not come again”	The juxtaposition of the fullness of youth with the inevitability of old age highlights the brevity of life.
Juxtaposition	“Fifty more” versus “seventy springs”	The placement of these two ideas side by side emphasizes the speaker’s growing awareness of the passing of time.
Allusion	“For Eastertide”	Refers to the period in the Christian calendar, symbolizing renewal, hope, and the natural cycle of life.
Apostrophe	“And since to look at things in bloom”	The speaker addresses an abstract idea (things in bloom), which conveys a sense of longing or contemplation.
Oxymoron	“Fifty springs are little room”	The juxtaposition of “little room” with the concept of “springs” implies the insufficiency of time left to experience life.
Hyperbole	“Seventy springs”	The exaggeration of “seventy springs” underscores the idea of a full, rich life, although fleeting.
Consonance	“Bough,” “now,” and “snow”	The repetition of consonant sounds, such as “b” and “w,” creates a smooth sound pattern that enhances the poem’s musicality.

Themes: “A Shropshire Lad II: Loveliest of Trees” by A.E. Housman

1. The Passage of Time
   One of the central themes of the poem is the inevitability of time’s passage. The speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of life, noting that “twenty will not come again” and that he has only “fifty more” springs to experience. This acknowledgment of mortality highlights the brevity of human existence, urging the speaker—and by extension, the reader—to value the present moment before it slips away. The theme of time is further reinforced by the contrast between the youthful beauty of the cherry tree in bloom and the speaker’s limited years, marking the passage from youth to old age.
2. The Beauty of Nature
   Housman celebrates the natural beauty of the cherry tree in full bloom as a symbol of the vitality of life. The speaker describes the cherry tree as “the loveliest of trees,” emphasizing its radiant appearance as it is “hung with bloom along the bough” and “wearing white for Eastertide.” The vivid imagery of the tree adorned in white evokes purity and joy, contrasting the fleeting beauty of nature with the passage of time. The cherry tree, in this way, serves as both a symbol of life’s beauty and a poignant reminder of its transience.
3. Mortality and the Human Condition
   The theme of mortality is deeply interwoven throughout the poem, as the speaker grapples with the inevitability of aging and death. The phrase “Now, of my threescore years and ten,” indicates that the speaker has lived a significant portion of their life, but the looming certainty of death is evident as they count the remaining years. The cherry tree’s temporary bloom contrasts with the permanence of death, which the speaker cannot avoid. The poem reflects a broader meditation on human vulnerability, encouraging an appreciation of life’s beauty while confronting its inevitable end.
4. Carpe Diem (Seize the Day)
   The poem also explores the theme of carpe diem—the idea of making the most of the present moment. The speaker, aware that only “fifty more” springs remain, decides to go out and appreciate the beauty of the blooming cherry tree, recognizing that time is limited. By choosing to “see the cherry hung with snow,” the speaker expresses a desire to embrace life’s fleeting moments and enjoy nature’s beauty before it passes. The cherry tree’s bloom symbolizes the idea of living fully in the present, savoring the transient beauty of life before it fades.

Literary Theories and “A Shropshire Lad II: Loveliest of Trees” by A.E. Housman

Literary Theory	Explanation	References from the Poem
New Historicism	New Historicism emphasizes the historical and cultural context in which a text is produced, recognizing the impact of the author’s time on their work. Housman’s poem reflects a personal, historical awareness of time and mortality, contextualizing life within the broader human experience of aging and inevitable death.	The speaker’s acknowledgment of “my threescore years and ten” reflects a historical awareness of human life expectancy, grounded in the context of 19th-century England, when life was often shorter.
Romanticism	Romanticism celebrates the connection between nature and human emotion. In this poem, nature, represented by the blooming cherry tree, is a metaphor for the beauty and transience of life. The poem’s focus on individual emotion and nature aligns with the ideals of Romanticism.	The cherry tree “wearing white for Eastertide” and “hung with bloom along the bough” embodies the natural world as both beautiful and fleeting, an essential Romantic theme of life’s beauty.
Existentialism	Existentialism explores themes of individual experience, choice, and the inherent meaninglessness of life. In the poem, the speaker confronts the brevity of life and the inevitable approach of death, reflecting existential concerns about the human condition.	The speaker’s reflection on “twenty will not come again” and the realization that “fifty more” springs remain showcases an existential contemplation of time, mortality, and the finite nature of human existence.

Critical Questions about “A Shropshire Lad II: Loveliest of Trees” by A.E. Housman

• How does Housman use the cherry tree as a symbol of the passage of time?
• The cherry tree in the poem serves as a potent symbol of the transient nature of life. It is described as “hung with bloom along the bough” and “wearing white for Eastertide,” representing the fleeting beauty of youth and vitality. The tree’s bloom mirrors the speaker’s awareness of life’s impermanence, as it is contrasted with the inevitable passage of time. By mentioning that “twenty will not come again” and that he only has “fifty more” springs to enjoy, Housman juxtaposes the cherry tree’s brief bloom with the finite nature of human life, urging readers to recognize the value of the present moment before it passes.
• What role does the theme of mortality play in the poem?
• Mortality is a central theme in Housman’s poem, as the speaker reflects on the limited time left to experience life. The lines “Now, of my threescore years and ten, / Twenty will not come again” highlight the awareness of aging and the inevitable approach of death. This contemplation is further emphasized by the speaker’s decision to go out and appreciate the cherry tree before his time runs out. The poem underscores the idea that time is precious, and this realization makes the speaker cherish the fleeting beauty of the cherry tree, symbolizing life’s transience and the necessity of embracing the present.
• How does the poem explore the relationship between nature and human experience?
• In the poem, nature is deeply intertwined with the speaker’s emotional and existential reflections. The cherry tree, described as “the loveliest of trees,” serves as both a literal and metaphorical representation of life’s fleeting beauty. The tree’s bloom symbolizes youth and vitality, while its inevitable withering reflects the inevitability of aging and death. The speaker’s decision to “see the cherry hung with snow” reflects the desire to experience nature’s beauty in the face of limited time. Thus, nature in the poem becomes a mirror for the speaker’s own life, both beautiful and transient, encouraging readers to appreciate life’s moments before they fade.
• What is the significance of the poem’s structure and meter in conveying its themes?
• The structure and meter of the poem play a key role in reinforcing its thematic concerns of time, mortality, and the fleeting nature of beauty. The poem follows a regular rhythmic pattern, specifically iambic tetrameter, which creates a smooth, flowing quality that contrasts with the themes of fleeting time and inevitable death. The consistent meter mirrors the unbroken passage of time, while the enjambment in lines such as “And take from seventy springs a score, / It only leaves me fifty more” reflects the continuous flow of life and time. The poem’s rhythmic regularity serves as a subtle reminder of the natural, unstoppable progression of time, which the speaker is both contemplating and experiencing.

Literary Works Similar to “A Shropshire Lad II: Loveliest of Trees” by A.E. Housman

1. “To Autumn” by John Keats
   Similar to Housman’s celebration of nature’s fleeting beauty, Keats’ “To Autumn” explores the transience of the seasons and the inevitable passage of time, with a focus on the fullness of autumn as a metaphor for life’s cycle.
2. “The Garden” by Andrew Marvell
   Like Housman’s reflection on the fleeting cherry blossom, Marvell’s “The Garden” contrasts the transient nature of human life with the timeless beauty of nature, highlighting nature’s role in providing solace and contemplation.
3. “The Soldier” by Rupert Brooke
   Similar to the theme of mortality in Housman’s poem, Brooke’s “The Soldier” reflects on the inevitability of death, presenting the speaker’s untimely death as an offering to the land, echoing a sense of finite time and the value of present moments.
4. “The Wild Swans at Coole” by W.B. Yeats
   In both poems, the speaker reflects on the passage of time and the unchanging beauty of nature. Yeats’ meditation on the swans’ grace mirrors Housman’s focus on the cherry tree’s bloom as a symbol of transient beauty.
5. “Ode to a Nightingale” by John Keats
   Keats’ “Ode to a Nightingale” shares similarities with Housman’s poem in its exploration of the contrast between the impermanence of human life and the eternal, transcendent nature of art and beauty, symbolized by the nightingale’s song.

Representative Quotations of “A Shropshire Lad II: Loveliest of Trees” by A.E. Housman

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspective
“Loveliest of trees, the cherry now”	The speaker begins by describing the cherry tree in full bloom, emphasizing its beauty and vivid presence.	Romanticism – Celebrates nature and beauty, reflecting on the connection between human emotions and the natural world.
“Is hung with bloom along the bough”	The tree is depicted as being adorned with blossoms, symbolizing the peak of its life and vitality.	Symbolism – The cherry tree symbolizes the fleeting beauty of youth and life.
“And stands about the woodland ride”	The tree stands in a prominent position, symbolizing a point of contemplation for the speaker amidst the natural world.	New Historicism – Reflects the speaker’s personal relationship with nature within the historical context of his life and era.
“Wearing white for Eastertide”	The tree’s blossoms are likened to white garments for Easter, symbolizing purity and renewal, and tying nature to cultural and religious significance.	Cultural Criticism – Nature’s cyclical processes mirror the cultural and religious symbolism of rebirth associated with Easter.
“Now, of my threescore years and ten”	The speaker reflects on the biblical lifespan of “threescore years and ten” (seventy years), marking the passage of time.	Existentialism – Acknowledges the brevity of life, focusing on the finite nature of human existence.
“Twenty will not come again”	The speaker recognizes that youth is behind them, and the years spent cannot be reclaimed, emphasizing the inevitability of aging.	Existentialism – A confrontation with the limitations of time and the realization of life’s impermanence.
“And take from seventy springs a score”	The speaker subtracts twenty years from their life, further highlighting the limited time remaining to experience the world.	Time Theory – Reflects the idea of a “finite time” that is shrinking, urging the need to appreciate the present moment.
“It only leaves me fifty more”	The reality of mortality becomes clear, as the speaker faces the remaining years they have, only fifty more springs.	Existentialism – Focuses on the finite nature of human existence, urging a reflection on how to use the limited time left.
“And since to look at things in bloom”	The speaker expresses the desire to appreciate the fleeting beauty of the cherry tree in bloom before time runs out.	Carpe Diem – The speaker’s choice to seize the moment reflects the “seize the day” theme, urging full engagement with life.
“Fifty springs are little room”	The speaker laments the small amount of time left to enjoy the natural beauty of the world, highlighting the brevity of life.	Romanticism – Reflects the idea that life is short and nature’s beauty is both fleeting and a source of personal emotional resonance.

Suggested Readings: “A Shropshire Lad II: Loveliest of Trees” by A.E. Housman

1. Bailey, D. R. Shackleton. “A. E. Housman.” Grand Street, vol. 4, no. 1, 1984, pp. 151–62. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/25006685. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.
2. Paul Leitch. “Butterworth’s Housman Re-Assessed: Lad Culture.” The Musical Times, vol. 140, no. 1866, 1999, pp. 18–28. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/1193484. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.
3. Allison, A. F., and A. E. Housman. “The Poetry of A. E. Housman.” The Review of English Studies, vol. 19, no. 75, 1943, pp. 276–84. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/509489. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.
4. FIRCHOW, PETER E. “The Land of Lost Content: Housman’s Shropshire.” Mosaic: A Journal for the Interdisciplinary Study of Literature, vol. 13, no. 2, 1980, pp. 103–21. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/24777185. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.
5. Rockwell, Kiffin Ayres. “A. E. Housman, Poet-Scholar.” The Classical Journal, vol. 52, no. 4, 1957, pp. 145–48. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/3295110. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.