Final Poem Analyses

Poems can often have deeper meanings to it. The poem, Silence of Love, contains layers of metaphors and symbolism. Being a student who has lots to learn, at first glance I thought the poem is about the speaker of the poem missing his lover who broke up with him. However, as I researched and learned about the poem, I started to see the deeper meaning of the poem. I found out that the lover the poet is referring to can be Korean Independence Movement, Buddha, or just a lover.

The poem is written during Japanese Colonial Era. During the era, many Korean writers used symbolism to cover their nationalism so they won't get executed by the Japanese. I believe the poem is also written to bring Korean nationalism. The lines "As we dread parting when we meet, so,/ we promise to meet again we part./ Though my love is gone, I am not parted from love" (Han 21-23) proves the claim; the lines are referring to Korea which has been invaded by the Japanese is gone but the poet still misses it and believes he will bring independence. Also lines "The separation came so suddenly/ it broke my heart and with renewed sorrow./ Yet, I know parting can only destroy our love if/ it causes futile tears to fall./ I would rather transfer the surge of this sorrow onto summits of hopefulness" (Han 15-20) tells that the poet still has hope for the country.

The poet, Yong un Han, is a Buddhist monk. Thus the poem is deeply related to Buddhism. One of the core teachings of Buddhism is that if one comes, then one goes out. It's like a zero-sum game, in which one's loss is later balanced with gains. Following this rule, the speaker addresses that he knew they are going to part when they met from lines "Since it is human to love, I, alert, dreaded a/ parting to come when we met" (Han 13-14). The lines talk about the rule that when there is birth, then there is death and when there is love, there's also going to be sorrow.

Lastly, the one the speaker is referring to can simply be his lover. Throughout the poem, descriptions of the lover and the speaker are mentioned. "Love is gone, gone is my love/ Tearing himself away from me he has gone" (Han 1-2) says that the lover is leaving the speaker. Also "I remember his poignant first kiss and its memory/ had wrought a complete change in my destiny,/ the withdrawn into oblivion" (Han 9-11). The speaker flashbacks his memory with the lover.

The poem is not only important and famous because of its symbolism, but it's also beautifully written. It uses descriptions of the nature and colors to express love. Lines "on a little path that stretches in the splendor of/ a green hill into the autumn-tinted forest/ Our last oath, shinning and enduring/ like a gold-mosaicked flower/ has turned to cold ashes blown away/ in the breath of wind" (Han 3-8). The poet uses warm colors, like gold and autumn-tinted, to express the warn love and cold colors, like ash gray, to express the parting.

Therefore this beautifully written poem can have multiple meanings, which is what makes the poem so special and unique. Although most obviously it can just be a poem about a break up but it can also be a poem about  the poet's eagerness to achieve independence or his devotion of Buddha.