Ascension in Connection to Divinity
Meredith frequently portrays his characters ascending into heaven or the heavens. He seems particularly drawn to the imagery of a single person flying beneath the stars, as reflected in the beloved of "Love in the Valley," the juggler in "Juggling Jerry," and "Lucifer in Starlight." The first two approach heaven because of religious enlightenment and excellence, but Lucifer flies as a function of his supernatural powers. The lover and young woman of "Love in the Valley" is imagined by her lover to rise to heaven. Recognizing her beauty, the plants and animals convince God to welcome the girl home early. Her ascension is linked to physical beauty. While the juggler imagines his ascension as a hopeful dream. He wonders what heaven would feel like after his death, if he would be worthy for such an experience. To him, however, his career also carries an upward trajectory. He associates excellence in work with divine reward and his eligibility for heaven. Finally, Lucifer flies about because he has authority to perform his work across the earth, but he may not surpass the border of the stars. He's confined to the Earth.
Travel
Travel is another of Meredith's primary themes. He demonstrates a preoccupation with global exploration, perhaps a reflection of his own propensity for adventure. The characters of several poems travel the world, although that activity is not central to the plots of their poems. For example, Lucifer is first introduced in Africa, but he flies to the Arctic to pay attention to his responsibilities there. He prefers the cold anyway. Another example is Jerry and his wife from "Juggling Jerry." These two travel for their work. They have chosen a life characterized by transience. Preferring the volition and challenge of constant moving, they travel with their circus troupe because the lifestyle suits them both well. Rather than needing to invest and conform with any specific community, they rely upon their skills to impress and fascinate their audiences.
Fidelity
Fidelity is another relevant theme of Meredith's. His work demonstrates a preoccupation with fidelity, although perhaps not in the traditional sense of the word. True Jerry the juggler dwells upon his own infidelity to his wife as a function of shame in his life, he is sort of the exception to the rule. Other characters show little regard for sexual purity, as the narrator of "Love in the Valley" demonstrates through his surreptitious observations of his beloved changing. He allows himself full freedom in his sexual fantasies about his lover. Thus Meredith's concept of fidelity means something more broad than just sexual fidelity. In "Lucifer in Starlight" he alludes to the capacity of the term by making Lucifer remember his own infidelity to God. Lucifer doubted God and remains on Earth as punishment. Fidelity manifests in various characters throughout Meredith's poetry as a them of remaining near and departing from people to whom one has made commitments.
