Analysis of Your Laughter by Pablo Neruda Essay Sample

As Abraham Lincoln tactfully stated, “With the fearful strain that is on me night and day, if I did not laugh I should die.” Your Laughter, a poem written by Pablo Neruda, explores the same topic. It tells the story of a young man pleading with his lover not to take away her laughter. Her laughter brings him great joy and provides him the strength to go on. In the poem, personification is used in order to convey to the reader how the main character's lover's laughing helps him overcome his difficulties. Symbols and similes are also used to compare his beloved's laughter to a variety of things and show the audience a clear image of his situation, demonstrating his utter reliance on her and how much he requires her. "Your Laughter," a poem by Pablo Neruda, effectively and firmly portrays the idea that individuals always want the best for their loved ones and wish to see them happy. One person's delight and contentment is another person's joy and happiness, demonstrating that they truly love each other. However, when an individual becomes too dependent on others for happiness, they start needing them constantly and cannot be emotionally independent.

Neruda is able to give his character’s lover's laughter a warm and welcoming voice by utilizing personification. This also shows the reader exactly how the character’s lover's laughter inspires him to go on during trying times. First, whenever the speaker feels drained and exhausted, his love’s laughter “rises to the sky seeking [him] ” (line 14-15). Here, the main character elucidates the impression that his lover’s laughter is always there for him, no matter where he is. Through personification, the author is able to spread the message that her laughter is supportive of him, always reaching to find him. Every time he faces an obstacle, he will be reminded by the sound of her joy. If she is happy, that's all he needs to stay happy. Also, the speaker believes that his lover’s laughter will “open for [him] all doors in life” (line 16-17). It is giving her a welcoming and helpful effect. Her laughter inspires him, gives him choice and opportunities. By seeing his loved one being successful in life, it will inspire him and provide a future for him too.  He will continue to try hard and this opens doors for him. Then, in line 28-29, the main character wants his partner’s laughter to “raise its foamy cascade”. Her laughter is like a waterfall, trickling down on him. He wants it to rise above everything else, and focus only on him. her laughter makes him feel special and wanted. With nothing else to do but sit around and mope, the joy that his lover trickles down on him gives him a reason to go on. It's a reminder that his love is out there somewhere and cares about him. The personification used in the poem helps the reader understand how his love's laughter spreads happiness to him, ultimately helping him in the future. 

The poet uses symbolism many times in the poem to give the reader vivid imagery of what the man thinks of his beloved’s laughter and how much he needs it. First of all, the man refers to her laughter as “the water that suddenly burst forth in joy” (line 6 and 7). The water that her laughter is being compared to symbolizes refreshment, clarity, and revival. Her laughter comes at him with such speed and it gives him a new hope. The reader takes note that the speaker frequently needs laughter to cleanse him of all the exhaustion he has had from the “unchanging earth”, just as one needs water many times daily. It's almost as if he is waiting in front of a cloud, waiting for the water to come rushing down. Also, the speaker compares his lover's laughter with a rose and asks her to “Not take away the rose” (line 4). The speaker compares his beloved to a rose, the universal symbol of love and romance. By using this symbol, the author is effectively expressing the impassioned love the main character has for his lover. They are so interconnected that happiness spreads between them no matter who is experiencing it.. One can observe how highly the young man thinks of his love. However, Neruda does not forget to mention the thorns that go with the flower by using the word "lance," in line 5, a symbol of the complexities that can come with relying on others for happiness such as becoming too attached and dependent. Finally, the speaker thinks of his love’s laughter as “a wave of silver”.  Silver symbolizes strength, fierceness, and determination. His beloved attains all these traits and the reader can imagine all these traits being transferred to the speaker from his partner. The use of this symbol shows that the main character’s lover provides him with courage and strength by laughing. Without it, he would be powerless. One can notice the extreme level of reliance the speaker has on his love's laughter. The symbols used in the poem make it easier for the reader to comprehend how the main character’s laughter affects his life and the degree to which he is attached to it. He is able to give off an impact and give the audience a visual.

Neruda’s clever use of similes further express the feelings the young man’s beloved’s laughter gives him and the intensity of his reliance. He explains in line 23-25 “laugh because your laughter will be for my hands like a fresh sword”. He is describing how her laughter is like a sword to defend himself with. It gives him immunity which he needs to rise above all his struggles. The joy of others will give him optimism for his own life. Unfortunately, a sword can get bent and worn by using it too many times. This is a warning that he will have to learn to find his own happiness sooner or later. In the future, relying on others won't be enough.  Also, the speaker expresses his extreme need for her laughter by saying “I want your laughter like the flower I was waiting for''. Waiting for a flower to bloom is very tiring, but because of the extreme satisfaction one will feel when it finally does, one chooses to go the distance and stay. The speaker is expressing he will wait for the laughter no matter how long it takes. But, there is a possibility that a flower can’t bloom, so a backup plan is needed for the speaker to support himself. Being independent is a necessity. Happiness can sometimes be hard to find, but it is always there, waiting. The author’s utilization of similes show the speaker's unhealthy relationship with his lover’s laughter and further express the satisfaction one can feel when their beloved laughs.

Pablo Neruda's poem “Your Laughter,” clearly and conveys the concept that people always want the best for their loved ones and want to see them happy. The joy and happiness of one person is the joy and happiness of the other, proving that they genuinely love each other. However, when a person becomes overly reliant on others for enjoyment, they become emotionally dependent on them and are unable to be emotionally self-sufficient. If the speaker can take the time to work on himself and appreciate the small things in his own life, he will be able to find true happiness. Dependent people often are not competent enough to live their life without others. Genuinely happy people do not seek happiness in people or possessions. They find it for themselves by being appreciative about the things in their own life.