I Remember

• I remember I remember


  The poem's title, focusing on nostalgia and reminiscing on the past
• Poem


  • Written in an ABCB DEFE rhyme scheme
  • Uses the title as a refrain at the start of each stanza
• The poem was written in 1914
• Thomas Hood


  The poet, son of a bookseller, had a difficult life with poor health and finances
• Thomas Hood was born in London, went to Dundee when unwell, then returned to London
• Thomas Hood was part of the influential London literary scene, becoming a sub-editor of the London Magazine in 1821
• Thomas Hood's poor health was affected by working in a counting house and as an engraver
• Thomas Hood died at the age of 45
• Nostalgia


  The poem reflects on an idyllic, perfect childhood in contrast to the speaker's melancholic present state
• Poetic techniques


  • Anaphora (repetition of 'I remember')
  • Personification (sun 'peeping in')
  • Alliteration
  • Semantic fields of colour, nature, height
  • Oxymoron ('spirit flew in feathers then/that is so heavy now')
  • Contrasts between childhood and adulthood
• Childhood memories


  Described as idyllic, perfect, free, full of natural beauty and wonder
• Present state of the speaker


  Melancholic, ill, restricted, far from heaven/happiness of childhood
• The poem expresses a sense of loss, sadness and hopelessness as the speaker reflects on the gap between their past and present