Summary: I Remember, I Remember - Class 9 PDF Download

Introduction

"I Remember, I Remember" by Thomas Hood is a poignant and nostalgic poem that captures the bittersweet essence of childhood memories juxtaposed against the burdens of adulthood. Written in a simple yet evocative style, the poem reflects on the speaker’s idyllic past, filled with vivid images of nature, innocence, and carefree joy, while contrasting it with the disillusionment and heaviness of adult life. Through its rhythmic structure and recurring refrain of “I remember, I remember,” Hood crafts a heartfelt exploration of lost innocence, the passage of time, and the enduring power of memory. The poem’s vivid imagery and emotional depth make it a compelling study for ICSE Class 9 English students, inviting them to reflect on the universal experience of growing up and the longing for a simpler, more joyful past.

Line-by-line explanation of the poem

1. I remember, I remember, / The house where I was born,

The poet recalls with nostalgia the home of his earliest memories.

2. The little window where the sun / Came peeping in at morn;

He remembers a specific window in his childhood home where the morning sun would shine through.

3. He never came a wink too soon, / Nor brought too long a day,

The sun was always timely, neither rising too early nor setting too late.

4. But now, I often wish the night / Had borne my breath away!

In his current state, he sometimes wishes that the night had taken his life, indicating a sense of despair in adulthood.

5. I remember, I remember, / The roses, red and white,

He reminisces about the vibrant roses from his childhood.

6. The violets, and the lily-cups, / Those flowers made of light!

He recalls other flowers that seemed to glow with a special light.

7. The lilacs where the robin built, / And where my brother set

He remembers the lilac bushes where a bird built its nest and a memory involving his sibling.

8. The laburnum on his birth-day, / The tree is living yet!

A tree was planted on his brother’s birthday, and it still stands, symbolizing enduring memories.

9. I remember, I remember, / Where I was used to swing

He recalls playing and swinging as a child.

10. And thought the air must rush as fresh / To swallows on the wing;

He felt the fresh air while swinging, comparing his joy to that of birds in flight.

11. My spirit flew in feathers then, / That is so heavy now,

His spirit was light and free during childhood but feels burdened in adulthood.

12. And summer pools could hardly cool / The fever on my brow!

He remembers the refreshing summer pools and the intense emotions of his youth.

13. I remember, I remember, / The fir trees dark and high;

He reminisces about the tall fir trees from his childhood.

14. I used to think their slender tops / Were close against the sky:

In his childhood, he believed the trees touched the sky.

15. It was a childish ignorance, / But now ’tis little joy

He realizes his naive childhood beliefs, and there’s less joy in knowing the reality now.

Summary of the poem

Thomas Hood’s “I Remember, I Remember” is a heartfelt dive into the world of nostalgia. It’s like opening an old photo album and getting lost in the memories of yesteryears.

The poem starts with Hood taking us back to his childhood home. He paints a vivid picture of a window where the morning sun would sneak a peek. But there’s a twist. While he cherishes these memories, he also hints at moments in his current life when he wishes the night would just sweep him away. It’s a stark reminder that adulthood isn’t always sunshine and roses.

Speaking of roses, Hood then takes us on a stroll through the gardens of his past. We see roses, violets, and even a robin setting up home in the lilacs. There’s a touching moment where he recalls his brother planting a tree on his birthday—a tree that’s still standing, a silent witness to the sands of time.

The next bit is all about the joys of being young and carefree. Hood reminisces about swinging and feeling as free as a bird. But, as with all good things, there’s a catch. That light-hearted spirit he once had? It’s now weighed down by the challenges of grown-up life.

Finally, Hood talks about those towering fir trees from his childhood days. He used to think they brushed the heavens. Realizing they don’t is a bit of a downer for him. It’s like waking up from a dream and realizing that maybe, just maybe, childhood was the closest he ever got to heaven.

Critical analysis of the poem

• “I Remember, I Remember” by Thomas Hood takes us on a heartfelt journey into childhood memories and the unstoppable passage of time.
• The poem is filled with nostalgia, highlighting the difference between the carefree days of childhood and the responsibilities of adulthood.
• It consists of four stanzas, each with eight lines, which reflects how memories cycle through our minds, especially with the repeating line “I remember, I remember.”
• This repeating phrase acts like an echo, reminding the speaker of the past that keeps coming back to them.
• Hood's imagery is so lifelike that it feels like stepping into a beautiful painting. For example, he writes about a “little window where the sun / Came peeping in at morn.”
• The flowers mentioned, such as “roses, red and white,”“violets,”“lily-cups,” and “lilacs,” symbolize a time when life was simpler and more innocent.
• As the poem continues, these light images are replaced by heavier thoughts about adulthood.
• Childhood feels like a joyful dance, with the speaker’s “spirit [flying] in feathers.” In contrast, adulthood feels much heavier.
• The realization that he is now “farther off from heaven” than in his younger days highlights the loss of innocence and the shadow of mortality.
• Nature plays a significant role in this poem; it is not just a background but a character. The sun, flowers, trees, and birds are all parts of the speaker’s past.
• The laburnum tree remains a strong reminder of memories that linger, even as time moves on.
• The mood of the poem is like a gentle sigh, filled with a mix of fond memories and a touch of sadness.
• There is a strong feeling of longing, especially when the speaker confesses, “But now, I often wish the night / Had borne my breath away!”
• This represents a shift from the warmth of happy memories to the coldness of reality.
• At its core, Hood’s poem reflects on the unending passage of time and the journey from the innocence of childhood to the complexities of growing up.
• It serves as a reminder that even though time keeps moving forward, our memories, filled with bright colors and deep feelings, remain forever in our hearts.