Previous
Letter 1
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Letters to a Young Poet, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Solitude and Difficulty
Art, Life, and Uncertainty
Patience and Self-Assurance
Mentorship and Guidance
Summary
Analysis
Apologizing for his slow response, Rilke explains that he has been “unwell.” Still, he will always enjoy receiving letters from Kappus and will try his best to help him, though to give helpful advice is quite difficult. In the end, everyone is on their own, and everything must align perfectly for one person to successfully guide another. All the same, Rilke wants to impart a couple of pieces of wisdom to the young poet.
When Rilke says that it’s difficult to give helpful advice, he once again underlines the solitary nature of artistic creation. Although Rilke’s suggestions might help Kappus gain a new perspective on his life as a poet, the struggle to make something beautiful and worthwhile is still something he'll have to do on his own.
Themes
First, Rilke warns Kappus about irony. Irony can be a useful tool, but it shouldn’t be overused. If Kappus finds himself leaning on irony too much, he should turn his attention to very “serious” things, since irony suddenly seems insufficient and superficial in the face of art or ideas that have “depth.” If Kappus truly devotes his attention to “serious” things, he’ll either stop using irony altogether or, if he still sees it fit to use irony, he will know that he’s employing it with intention in a thoughtful, meaningful way.
It's unclear why Rilke latches onto irony, though it’s possible that Kappus’s last letter included some irony. Regardless of Rilke’s reasoning, though, his point is clear: irony can be useful, but only if it’s wielded as a tool. If it's overused, it becomes little more than something people depend on to avoid serious thought. To that end, Rilke’s advice about irony is applicable to any literary device, as he shows Kappus how important it is to use such devices with artful intention instead of employing them mindlessly and without good reason.
Themes
Before finishing his letter, Rilke urges Kappus to read the work of Danish writer Jens Peter Jacobsen—specifically Six Stories and his novel Niels Lyhne. Rilke wants the young poet to spend a great deal of time with these books. In particular, Jacobsen’s story “Mogen” is full of wonder and reveals the “incomprehensible immensity” of life. Rilke himself has learned more about art and creativity from Jacobsen and the sculptor Auguste Rodin than anything else in his life.
The phrase “incomprehensible immensity” perfectly aligns with Rilke’s interest in life’s sense of deep mystery. He doesn’t think language can perfectly sum up the human experience, but he does admire art that can somehow create or tap into the “incomprehensible” feeling of existence.
Themes
