Silver Lake

Author function: Romantic writer

Notion: Nature

 

Silver Lake

Once again, I behold this deep and peaceful lake, frozen to silver. Reflected I see the outline of a wretched and desolate existence, fading away, almost deceasing. All day, I hear the woeful hubbub of shackled mortals. Shriller and shriller for every day. I turn to thee to find a moment in peace. Every day I turn to thee. Only thou can dim the agony that occupies my mind. Thine presence soothes my heart and my soul. Thou bless my mood and still my heart, and thine divine presence lays my body to sleep and sets my essence free. A year has passed and thine picture fades from mind.

Once again, I turn to thee in person to rejuvenate my soul and refresh my mind. I prepare again for a year away from thee. My mind draws the picture anew. Oh, great Silver Lake! Thou art the center of life and beings! Surrounded by grand, castle-high cliffs, which connect the peaceful, frozen waters with the calm of the dark starlight-glowing sky. In thine reflection, all is connected. Almost intertwined. Thou give life to florae, emerald bulrush leaves shaking in the tranquil breeze of the night, letting go of bronze and ivory white dust fluffs, scattering everywhere and blending with the blessed stars from above. Feelings of sacred consecration. Once again, my mind is refreshed and my spirit is invigorated.

Reflection:

If the Author function would have been prophet, the text would not have focused so much on the subjective feelings and emotions that were brought forth from the setting. In romantic philosophy, subjectivity is very important because the object, nature, depends on the subject, the human mind, in order to exist. In the same manner, the subject fades away without the object, which is why the speaker sees what he sees himself and humanity fading away. Whereas the romantic writer delivers his or her subjective thoughts and feeling upon a matter, a prophet delivers the message of God. A prophet would try to convince the receiver of e.g. a certain way of life, persuading them to follow these terms. The text would be more direct and tell great things about religion and God, perhaps while also telling a story of what negative things would happen if you were to not follow the word of God. The romantic writer often wrote/spoke to someone/something or himself, the receiver gets a sense of eavesdropping. The prophet on the other hand, would speak directly to the receiver, trying to persuade one with a direct message.