Literary Analysis of “For an Autograph” by James Russell Lowell
By Nicholas F., Grade 6
This poem brings to light the obvious yet often put off fact that life is short. In the first
stanza, the poem describes life as a paper, and we all have a chance to put our mark on it. But we
only have one chance to have an impact on the world around us. Our priorities should be made
straight as if today was our last day because for all we know, it could be.
In the second stanza, it discusses that though we may not have much room to write on,
what we write can still make a meaningful statement to the rest of the world, or can simply touch
one person’s life. In the last line it says, “…..Not failure, but low aim, is crime.” Many take the
mindset of focusing on failures and not getting back up after them. But what one has to realize is
that failures are inevitable. However, that’s not what makes you who you are; it doesn’t
determine how you are judged. What matter are the goals you set for yourself. It takes a lot of
courage to get back up, write your sentence, and leave your legacy, but that’s just what this poem
is about.
FOR AN AUTOGRAPH
by James Russell Lowell
Though old the thought and oft expressed,
'Tis his at last who says it best,-I'll try my fortune with the rest.
Life is a leaf of paper white
Whereon each one of us may write
His word or two, and then comes night.
'Lo, time and space enough,' we cry,
'To write an epic!' so we try
Our nibs upon the edge, and die.
Muse not which way the pen to hold,
Luck hates the slow and loves the bold,
Soon come the darkness and the cold.
Greatly begin! Though thou have time
But for a line, be that sublime,-Not failure, but low aim, is crime.
Ah, with what lofty hope we came!
But we forget it, dream of fame,
And scrawl, as I do here, a name.