Dejection: An Ode
6
Poem • Fiction
2012
Adult
18+ years
In "Dejection: An Ode," a speaker reflects on their profound sadness and longing for emotional awakening. They experience a disconnect from the external world and natural beauty, yearning for personal transformation and relief from inner turmoil. The poem conveys themes of despondency, the search for joy, and the impact of the natural world on the human spirit.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Mysterious
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Dejection: An Ode by Samuel Taylor Coleridge is lauded for its profound emotional depth and introspection. Critics praise its exploration of despair and the human condition, along with Coleridge's mastery of language and imagery. However, some find its dense poetic style challenging. Overall, it remains a poignant reflection on inner turmoil and artistic struggle.
A reader drawn to introspective and emotional works, rich in Romanticism, would enjoy Coleridge's Dejection: An Ode. Fans of Wordsworth's Tintern Abbey or Keats' Ode to a Nightingale may connect deeply with its exploration of nature, existential despair, and emotional complexity.
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Dejection: An Ode was originally penned by Coleridge as a personal letter to his friend Sara Hutchinson, which gives insight into the poet's life beyond its literary value.
The poem reflects Coleridge's struggle with depression and creative stagnation, making it an early literary exploration of mental health themes.
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Coleridge wrote Dejection: An Ode in response to Wordsworth's 'Ode: Intimations of Immortality,' forming a kind of poetic conversation between the two famous poets.
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6
Poem • Fiction
2012
Adult
18+ years
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