House by the Railroad

While observing Edward Hopper's House by the Railroad, I immediately notice the desolate nature of the house. Windows have been left open, revealing a dark interior. No one appears to be living here. Upon further inspection, it is a beautiful home. It has an articulated gothic structure and a tower-like portion that resembles a chunk of westwork. Despite the apparent attention to detail in it's construction, Hopper has chosen to place the house in the middle of nowhere. We are given no perspective to see the landscape surrounding the house, as the railroad and sky meet without anything in between. As far as we can tell, the boundless sky and railroad are the only things next to this home. The railroad itself seems to support the idea of desolation. The house will be on display in the few fleeting moments that it takes for a train and it's passengers to ride past it.
My perception of the Hopper's painting was pretty similar to Edward Hirsch's depiction in his poem. He definitely pinpoints the idea of desolation and emptiness. Hirsch goes the extra mile by choosing to personify the house. By infusing the house with feelings of expectations, shame, and loneliness, he is really able to explore the emotions present in the painting. He gives the house a scattered past. Through his repetition and structure he instills a tone that is stoic and grave. It gives me the impression that someone is observing and describing a tragedy unfolding in front of them.