Analysis and Interpretation of the Poem "Like the Molave"

Analysis and Interpretation of the Poem "Like the Molave"

"Like the Molave" by Rafael Zulueta da Costa is a poem that praises the Molave tree as a symbol of strength and resilience. The poem uses imagery and metaphor to encourage the reader to be inspired by the strength of the Molave tree, and to be determined to fight for their rights and to achieve their goals. It encourages people to be strong and steadfast in their pursuit of freedom, much like the Molave tree is. The poem also refers to José Rizal and the significance of his legacy in Philippines' freedom.

The poem calls on the people of the Philippines to rise up and fight for their freedom, using the imagery of the Molave tree as a symbol of strength and resilience. It also challenges readers to not be complacent and to strive to achieve their goal. The poem also asks the readers to not rely on just one person, Rizal, and to be ready to make sacrifices for their country.

Overall, The poem "Like the Molave" by Rafael Zulueta da Costa, is a call to action for the Philippines people to be strong and steadfast in their pursuit of freedom and to be inspired by the strength and resilience of the Molave tree and Rizal's legacy.

Here are the analysis and interpretation of the poem:

Not yet, Rizal, not yet. Sleep not in peace:

There are a thousand waters to be spanned;

there are a thousand mountains to be crossed;

there are a thousand crosses to be borne.

This stanza is referencing José Rizal, a Filipino nationalist and revolutionary who is considered the national hero of the Philippines. The quote is suggesting that Rizal's work is not yet finished and that there is still more to be done in terms of achieving freedom and independence for the Philippines. The reference to "a thousand waters to be spanned; a thousand mountains to be crossed; a thousand crosses to be borne" serves as a metaphor for the difficulties and obstacles that must still be overcome in order to achieve this goal.

Our shoulders are not strong; our sinews are  grown flaccid

with dependence, smug with ease

under another's wing. Rest not in peace;

Not yet, Rizal, not yet.

This stanza is again referencing José Rizal. It suggest that people are not strong enough and too dependent to fight for the freedom and independence of Philippines. The quote is critical of the complacency and ease that has come from being under the control of another country, and it urges the reader to take action and not to rest until the goal of independence has been achieved.

The phrase "Our shoulders are not strong; our sinews are grown flaccid with dependence, smug with ease under another's wing" is used to describe how people have lost their strength and are too comfortable in their current situation. The quote is challenging Rizal's followers to be pro-active and not to rely on Rizal alone for freedom, that the people must be strong, capable and ready to do what is needed to achieve their goal.

The land has need  of young blood-

and, what younger than your own,

Forever spilled in the great name of freedom,

Forever oblate on the altar of  the free?

Not you alone, Rizal.

This stanza continues to reference José Rizal. It suggest that the Philippines needs young people to fight for its freedom, and that they should be willing to sacrifice their lives in the pursuit of this goal. The phrase "The land has need of young blood" suggests that the country needs young people to take up the cause of freedom and that they should be willing to make sacrifices for the cause.

It also hints that not just Rizal, but young people should also be ready to make sacrifices for freedom, as Rizal did. The phrase "Forever spilled in the great name of freedom, Forever oblate on the altar of the free" means that these sacrifices should be made in the name of freedom, and that these sacrifices will be forever remembered and honored.

It's an encouragement for the young generation to be ready to give up their lives for their country, this is a powerful message that freedom is worth the cost of one's own life and that it should be cherished and protected.

O souls  And spirits of the martyred brave, arise!

Arise and scour the land!

Shed once again  your willing blood!

Infuse the vibrant red  into our thin anemic veins;

This stanza is calling on the souls and spirits of those who have died for the cause of freedom to rise up and inspire the living to continue fighting for their cause. The phrase "O souls And spirits of the martyred brave, arise!" is an appeal to those who have died to come back to life and be a guide to their descendants.

The quote also calling on people to be willing to give their own blood, metaphorically speaking, to continue the fight for freedom. The phrase "Shed once again your willing blood!" is asking the people to be ready to make the same sacrifices as those who have died before them.

The use of the words "Infuse the vibrant red into our thin anemic veins" serves as a metaphor for giving life and vitality to the cause of freedom, which is seen as being in a state of weakness or ill health. The quote is urging people to be inspired by the sacrifices of the past and to be willing to make sacrifices themselves in order to achieve the goal of freedom.

Until we pick up your Promethean tools and, strong,

Out of the depthless matrix of your faith

In us, and on the silent cliffs of freedom,

we carve for all time your marmoreal dream!

This stanza is continuing to call on the spirits of the martyred brave, and the ideals and beliefs they stood for, to inspire the living to continue fighting for freedom. The phrase "until we pick up your Promethean tools" is referring to the mythological figure Prometheus, who brought fire to humanity, thus symbolizing innovation and creativity. The quote suggests that the living should follow in the footsteps of the martyred brave by picking up their "Promethean tools" and using their ideals and beliefs to continue the fight for freedom.

The phrase "Out of the depthless matrix of your faith in us" is emphasizing the deep and unshakable faith the martyred brave had in the people, and it's now the people's turn to keep that faith in them.

The quote is also calling on people to use the sacrifices of the martyred brave as inspiration to create a lasting monument to freedom. The phrase "we carve for all time your marmoreal dream" is using the metaphor of carving a statue out of marble, which is a durable and long-lasting material, to suggest that the ideals and beliefs of the martyred brave should be honored and remembered for all time by creating a lasting symbol of freedom.

Overall, this quote is urging people to not only remember the sacrifices of the past but also to honor them by continuing the fight for freedom and creating a lasting symbol of that freedom.

Until our people, seeing, are become

Like the Molave, firm, resilient, staunch,

Rising on the hillside, unafraid,

Strong in its own fiber, yes, like the Molave!

This stanza is talking about a specific type of tree called Molave and comparing it to people, it is calling on people to be strong, resilient and steadfast like Molave tree, which are strong and sturdy tree.

The quote is describing the people as lacking these qualities, the phrase "Until our people, seeing, are become like the Molave" is calling for people to be transformed into being strong and resilient like the Molave.

The phrase "firm, resilient, staunch" is describing the physical qualities of the tree, this imagery is being used to encourage people to be strong and steadfast in their beliefs and actions.

The phrase "rising on the hillside, unafraid" suggest that the people should not be afraid to stand up and fight for their beliefs and ideals, just like the Molave tree stands tall on the hillside.

Lastly, the phrase "Strong in its own fiber, yes, like the Molave!" is emphasizing the point that people should have a strength and determination that comes from within themselves, like the Molave tree, instead of depending on something or someone else.

This quote is using the imagery of the Molave tree to call on people to be strong, resilient, and steadfast in their beliefs and actions, just like the tree, in order to achieve the goal of freedom.

Not yet, Rizal, not yet.

The glory hour will come 

Out of the silent dreaming

from the seven thousand fold silence.

We shall emerge, saying WE ARE FILIPINOS!

and no longer be ashamed

Sleep not in peace

the dream is not yet fully carved

hard the wood but harder the woods

yet the molave will stand

yet the molave monument will rise

and god's walk on brown legs.

This stanza is again referencing José Rizal and continuing the theme of the Philippines achieving freedom and independence. The quote suggests that this moment of glory has not yet come, but it will come when the people are ready to say "WE ARE FILIPINOS" with pride and without shame.

The phrase "The glory hour will come / Out of the silent dreaming / from the seven thousand fold silence" implies that the moment of glory will arrive unexpectedly and will come out of a long period of waiting and planning.

It also includes the metaphor of the dream being carved, the phrase "the dream is not yet fully carved / hard the wood but harder the woods" means that the goal of freedom is difficult to achieve and will take effort, but it will be worth it.

The imagery of the Molave tree is used again, the phrase "yet the molave will stand / yet the molave monument will rise" means that just like the Molave tree stands tall and strong, the Philippines will rise and be strong as a nation.

The last phrase "and god's walk on brown legs" is a reference to the people of the Philippines and their role in the fight for freedom. The quote is indicating that the people themselves are the ones who will bring about freedom and that it is up to them to make it happen.

Overall, the stanza is expressing the idea that the Philippines has not yet achieved freedom and that there is still work to be done, but it will happen when the people rise up and say "WE ARE FILIPINOS" with pride and without shame.

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