The Last Wish - Classic Text | Alexandria
"The Last Wish," authored by Edward Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton (1831-1891), writing under his poetic pseudonym Owen Meredith, stands as a poignant exploration of mortality and desire in Victorian literature. This narrative poem, published in 1859, exemplifies the intersection of Romantic sensibilities with Victorian moral consciousness, presenting a meditation on life's final moments through its protagonist's contemplation of unfulfilled desires.
The work first appeared in Lytton's collection "Lucile," garnering attention among London's literary circles during a period when questions of faith, science, and human purpose dominated intellectual discourse. The poem emerged against the backdrop of significant scientific advances and religious doubt that characterized mid-Victorian England, reflecting the era's preoccupation with death, legacy, and spiritual uncertainty.
Written while Lytton served as a diplomat in various European courts, "The Last Wish" draws upon both his personal experiences and the broader cultural anxieties of his time. The poem's intricate narrative structure, employing both direct address and interior monologue, demonstrates Lytton's mastery of the dramatic monologue form popularized by Robert Browning. Scholars have noted its thematic parallels with contemporary works exploring deathbed scenes, such as Christina Rossetti's "Remember" and Alfred, Lord Tennyson's "Crossing the Bar."
The poem's enduring significance lies in its nuanced treatment of human regret and its exploration of the tension between public duty and private desire – themes that resonated deeply with Victorian readers and continue to engage modern audiences. Its influence can be traced through subsequent literary works dealing with final moments and unfulfilled wishes, while its psychological complexity has attracted renewed scholarly attention in recent years, particularly in studies of Victorian attitudes toward death and remembrance.
The work stands as a testament to Lytton's literary legacy, distinct from his better-known diplomatic career and his tenure as Viceroy of India. Modern critics have begun to reassess "The Last Wish" as a vital text in understanding the psychological complexities of Victorian poetry and its engagement with questions of mortality, desire, and memory that remain relevant to contemporary readers.