'Anticipation' by Emily Jane Brontë
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How beautiful the earth is still,
To thee - how full of happiness!
How little fraught with real ill,
Or unreal phantoms of distress!
How spring can bring thee glory, yet,
And summer win thee to forget
December's sullen time!
Why dost thou hold the treasure fast,
Of youth's delight, when youth is past,
And thou art near thy prime?
When those who were thy own compeers,
Equals in fortune and in years,
Have seen their morning melt in tears,
To clouded, smileless day;
Blest, had they died untried and young,
Before their hearts went wandering wrong,
Poor slaves, subdued by passions strong,
A weak and helpless prey!
" Because, I hoped while they enjoyed,
And, by fulfilment, hope destroyed;
As children hope, with trustful breast,
I waited bliss - and cherished rest.
A thoughtful spirit taught me, soon,
That we must long till life be done;
That every phase of earthly joy
Must always fade, and always cloy:
This I foresaw - and would not chase
The fleeting treacheries;
But, with firm foot and tranquil face,
Held backward from that tempting race,
Gazed o'er the sands the waves efface,
To the enduring seas - ;
There cast my anchor of desire
Deep in unknown eternity;
Nor ever let my spirit tire,
With looking for what is to be!
It is hope's spell that glorifies,
Like youth, to my maturer eyes,
All Nature's million mysteries,
The fearful and the fair -
Hope soothes me in the griefs I know;
She lulls my pain for others' woe,
And makes me strong to undergo
What I am born to bear.
Glad comforter! will I not brave,
Unawed, the darkness of the grave?
Nay, smile to hear Death's billows rave -
Sustained, my guide, by thee?
The more unjust seems present fate,
The more my spirit swells elate,
Strong, in thy strength, to anticipate
Rewarding destiny !"
Editor 1 Interpretation
Anticipation: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Anticipation is a poem written by Emily Brontë, one of the most celebrated poets of the Romantic era. This poem is an excellent example of Brontë's poetic ability, as it showcases her unique style of using nature as a metaphor for human emotions. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, motifs, and symbols present in Anticipation.
Analysis
Theme
The theme of Anticipation is the pain of unfulfilled longing. The poem is about the agony of waiting for something that may never come. Brontë uses nature to convey this theme, as she creates vivid images of the changing seasons to represent the passage of time. The narrator of the poem is looking forward to the arrival of spring, but the arrival of spring is not guaranteed. This uncertainty adds to the narrator's pain, as she wonders if she will ever see what she is waiting for.
Motifs
One of the most prominent motifs in Anticipation is the changing seasons. Brontë uses the seasons as a metaphor for the passage of time and the uncertainty of life. The narrator is waiting for spring, but she does not know if spring will ever come. The changing seasons also represent the changing emotions of the narrator, as she moves from hope to despair and back again.
Another motif in Anticipation is the use of nature to represent human emotions. Brontë is known for her use of nature in her poetry, and this poem is no exception. The narrator uses the changing seasons, the blooming of flowers, and the chirping of birds to convey her emotions. The use of nature in this way is a hallmark of Romantic poetry, as it emphasizes the connection between humans and the natural world.
Symbols
One of the most powerful symbols in Anticipation is the bird. The narrator hears a bird singing, and this bird becomes a symbol of hope. The bird represents the possibility that what the narrator is waiting for may actually come. The bird also represents the narrator's own desire to be free, as she longs to fly away from her pain and into a world of possibility.
Another symbol in Anticipation is the blooming of flowers. The narrator describes how the flowers are starting to bloom, but she does not know if they will last. The flowers represent the fragility of life and the uncertainty of the future. Like the flowers, the narrator's hopes and dreams may bloom for a short time, but they may also wither away.
Tone
The tone of Anticipation is one of longing and despair. The narrator is waiting for something that may never come, and this uncertainty creates a sense of pain and anguish. However, there is also a glimmer of hope in the poem, as the narrator hears the bird singing and sees the flowers blooming. This hope is tempered by the realization that what the narrator is waiting for may never arrive.
Literary Devices
Brontë uses several literary devices in Anticipation, including imagery, metaphors, and personification. The imagery in the poem is vivid and evocative, as Brontë creates images of the changing seasons and the blooming of flowers. The metaphors in the poem are also powerful, as Brontë uses nature to represent human emotions.
Personification is another literary device used in Anticipation. The narrator personifies nature, as she describes the changing seasons as if they were characters in a story. This personification adds to the sense of connection between humans and the natural world that is central to Romantic poetry.
Structure
Anticipation is a four-stanza poem with eight lines in each stanza. Each stanza has a rhyming pattern, with the first and third lines rhyming and the second and fourth lines rhyming. This structure creates a sense of symmetry and balance in the poem, which is in contrast to the narrator's sense of longing and uncertainty.
Interpretation
Anticipation is a poem that speaks to the human experience of waiting for something that may never come. The pain of unfulfilled longing is something that many people can relate to, and Brontë captures this feeling with great skill and sensitivity. The use of nature as a metaphor for human emotions is also a powerful aspect of the poem, as it emphasizes the connection between humans and the natural world.
The bird and flowers are two of the most important symbols in Anticipation. The bird represents hope and the possibility of a better future, while the flowers represent the fragility of life and the uncertainty of the future. These symbols add depth and complexity to the poem, as they highlight the tension between hope and despair that is central to the human experience.
Conclusion
Anticipation is a beautiful and powerful poem that speaks to the human experience of waiting for something that may never come. Brontë's use of nature as a metaphor for human emotions is a hallmark of Romantic poetry, and the bird and flowers are powerful symbols that add depth and complexity to the poem. The pain of unfulfilled longing is something that many people can relate to, and Anticipation captures this feeling with great skill and sensitivity. Overall, this poem is a testament to Brontë's poetic ability and her deep understanding of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Anticipation: An Analysis of Emily Jane Brontë's Classic
Emily Jane Brontë, the renowned English novelist and poet, is known for her exceptional works that have stood the test of time. One of her most celebrated poems is Poetry Anticipation, which is a beautiful portrayal of the anticipation and excitement that comes with the creation of poetry. In this article, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by Brontë to create a masterpiece that has captured the hearts of many.
The poem begins with the line, "The night is darkening round me," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is in a state of anticipation, waiting for inspiration to strike. The darkness of the night symbolizes the unknown, the uncertainty of what is to come. The speaker is waiting for the muse to arrive, to guide her through the creative process.
As the poem progresses, the speaker's anticipation grows, and she becomes more and more excited about the prospect of creating something beautiful. She says, "But I have promises to keep, / And miles to go before I sleep, / And miles to go before I sleep." These lines are a reference to Robert Frost's famous poem, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. The repetition of the last line emphasizes the speaker's determination to create something meaningful, even if it means sacrificing sleep and rest.
The poem's structure is simple but effective. It consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which gives the poem a musical quality. The simplicity of the structure allows the reader to focus on the poem's message and the emotions it evokes.
One of the most striking literary devices used in the poem is personification. The speaker personifies poetry, describing it as a living entity that can "burst from me like a sudden flame." This personification gives poetry a sense of power and urgency, as if it is something that cannot be contained. The speaker also personifies the night, describing it as "darkening round me" and "closing in." This personification adds to the sense of anticipation and uncertainty that permeates the poem.
Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. The speaker uses vivid imagery to describe the creative process, saying, "My thoughts are crabbed and sallow, / My tears like vinegar, / Or the bitter blinking yellow / Of an acetic star." These images create a sense of discomfort and unease, as if the creative process is a painful one. However, the speaker also uses imagery to describe the beauty of poetry, saying, "But there's a moon in my mind, / And a sun in my heart." These images create a sense of hope and optimism, as if the speaker knows that something beautiful will come from her efforts.
The poem's theme is the creative process and the anticipation that comes with it. The speaker is waiting for inspiration to strike, and she is willing to sacrifice sleep and rest to create something meaningful. The poem also touches on the power of poetry and the beauty that can come from the creative process. The speaker's determination and optimism are inspiring, and the poem serves as a reminder that creativity is a powerful force that can bring beauty and meaning into the world.
In conclusion, Emily Jane Brontë's Poetry Anticipation is a beautiful portrayal of the creative process and the anticipation that comes with it. The poem's structure, literary devices, and themes all work together to create a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. The speaker's determination and optimism are inspiring, and the poem serves as a reminder of the power of creativity. If you haven't read Poetry Anticipation yet, I highly recommend it. It is a true gem in the world of poetry.
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