'Love And Friendship' by Emily Brontë


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Love is like the wild rose-briar,
Friendship like the holly-tree—
The holly is dark when the rose-briar blooms
But which will bloom most constantly?

The wild-rose briar is sweet in the spring,
Its summer blossoms scent the air;
Yet wait till winter comes again
And who will call the wild-briar fair?

Then scorn the silly rose-wreath now
And deck thee with the holly's sheen,
That when December blights thy brow
He may still leave thy garland green.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Love And Friendship by Emily Brontë: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Emily Brontë, the renowned author of Wuthering Heights, also left behind a collection of poetry that showcases her skillful use of language and powerful emotions. One of her most beloved poems is Love And Friendship, which explores the contrast between two forces that are often intertwined in our lives. This 4000 word literary criticism and interpretation will delve into the themes, imagery, and form of Love And Friendship, and offer a deeper understanding of this classic poem.

Themes

At its core, Love And Friendship is a poem about the difference between love and friendship. Brontë starts the poem by acknowledging that both love and friendship can bring joy and comfort to our lives, but she quickly reveals the key difference between them: while love is passionate and all-consuming, friendship is steady and reliable. Brontë emphasizes this contrast throughout the poem, using vivid imagery and metaphors to convey the intensity of love and the stability of friendship.

Another key theme in the poem is the transience of human relationships. Brontë reminds us that even the strongest bonds can be broken, and that we must cherish our loved ones while we have them. This theme is particularly poignant given Brontë's personal history - she lost her mother at a young age and was later separated from her beloved sisters due to illness. Love And Friendship can be seen as a reflection of Brontë's own experiences with loss and separation, and serves as a reminder to appreciate the people in our lives while we can.

Imagery

Brontë's use of imagery in Love And Friendship is masterful, and contributes to the emotional power of the poem. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for the rest of the work:

Love is like the wild rose-briar, Friendship like the holly-tree— The holly is dark when the rose-briar blooms But which will bloom most constantly?

The contrast between the wild rose-briar and the holly-tree is striking - the former is beautiful but unpredictable, while the latter is steady but unremarkable. Brontë continues to use botanical imagery throughout the poem, painting a picture of love as a "fragile dewdrop" and friendship as a "rock that stands for ever." These metaphors reinforce the idea that love is fleeting and fragile, while friendship is enduring and solid.

Brontë also uses natural imagery to evoke the passage of time and the inevitability of change. She describes love as a "passing breath" and a "fleeting ray," while friendship is compared to a "star that beams on through the night." These images remind us that nothing in life is permanent, and that we must appreciate what we have while we can.

Form

Love And Friendship is a poem of seven stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. This strict form gives the poem a sense of order and stability, which echoes the themes of friendship and constancy that are central to the work.

However, Brontë also uses enjambment throughout the poem, which gives certain lines a sense of urgency and momentum. For example, in the third stanza, the line "But oh! the rose-briar is out of control," spills over into the next line, giving the impression that the speaker is struggling to contain the force of love. This technique adds depth and complexity to the poem, and highlights Brontë's skill as a writer.

Interpretation

Love And Friendship is a poem that can be interpreted in a variety of ways, depending on the reader's personal experiences and beliefs. For some, the poem may be a warning against the dangers of romantic love, which can be fleeting and destructive. For others, it may be a celebration of the enduring power of true friendship, which can withstand the test of time.

One interpretation of the poem is that Brontë is advocating for a balance between love and friendship. She acknowledges that both are important in our lives, but suggests that we should prioritize the stability and reliability of friendship over the passionate but unstable nature of love. This interpretation is supported by the final stanza of the poem:

Thus, even thus, beneath the chilliest sky, Thus, even thus, methinks, one hour of love Is worth an age of drowsy friendship.

The speaker acknowledges that love can bring joy and excitement to our lives, but ultimately suggests that friendship is more valuable in the long run.

Another interpretation of the poem is that Brontë is reflecting on the transience of human relationships, and the importance of cherishing our loved ones while we can. The contrast between the fleeting nature of love and the enduring nature of friendship serves as a reminder that life is short, and that we should make the most of the time we have with the people we care about.

Overall, Love And Friendship is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the complexity of human relationships. Whether read as a warning against the dangers of love, a celebration of the enduring power of friendship, or a meditation on the transience of life, the poem speaks to the universal human experience of love, loss, and connection. Brontë's masterful use of imagery and form make Love And Friendship a timeless work of literature, one that continues to resonate with readers to this day.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Love and Friendship: A Poetic Masterpiece by Emily Brontë

Emily Brontë, the celebrated author of Wuthering Heights, was not only a novelist but also a poet. Her poem Love and Friendship is a classic example of her poetic genius. Written in 1839, this poem is a beautiful exploration of the themes of love and friendship. In this article, we will analyze and explain this masterpiece of poetry.

The poem Love and Friendship is a sonnet, which is a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. The rhyme scheme of this sonnet is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The poem is divided into three quatrains and a final couplet. Each quatrain explores a different aspect of love and friendship, while the couplet provides a conclusion to the poem.

The first quatrain of the poem explores the theme of love. Brontë begins by stating that love is like a wild rose, which is beautiful but also has thorns. This metaphor suggests that love is both wonderful and painful. The second line of the quatrain states that love is like a summer's day, which is warm and bright. This metaphor suggests that love brings happiness and joy. However, the third line of the quatrain states that love can also be fleeting, like a passing cloud. This metaphor suggests that love can be temporary and may not last forever. The final line of the quatrain states that love is a feeling that can never be tamed. This line suggests that love is uncontrollable and unpredictable.

The second quatrain of the poem explores the theme of friendship. Brontë begins by stating that friendship is like a holly tree, which is evergreen and enduring. This metaphor suggests that friendship is long-lasting and reliable. The second line of the quatrain states that friendship is like a rock, which is solid and unchanging. This metaphor suggests that friendship is stable and consistent. The third line of the quatrain states that friendship is like a beacon, which guides us through the darkness. This metaphor suggests that friendship provides us with guidance and support. The final line of the quatrain states that friendship is a feeling that can never be broken. This line suggests that friendship is unbreakable and enduring.

The third quatrain of the poem explores the relationship between love and friendship. Brontë begins by stating that love and friendship are like two wings of a bird, which enable it to soar. This metaphor suggests that love and friendship are complementary and necessary for a fulfilling life. The second line of the quatrain states that love and friendship are like two stars, which shine together in the sky. This metaphor suggests that love and friendship are beautiful and harmonious. The third line of the quatrain states that love and friendship are like two rivers, which flow together towards the sea. This metaphor suggests that love and friendship are interconnected and lead to a common destination. The final line of the quatrain states that love and friendship are two feelings that can never be separated. This line suggests that love and friendship are inseparable and essential for a happy life.

The final couplet of the poem provides a conclusion to the exploration of love and friendship. Brontë states that those who have experienced true love and friendship are blessed, and their hearts will never be alone. This line suggests that love and friendship provide us with companionship and comfort, and those who have experienced them are fortunate.

In conclusion, Love and Friendship is a beautiful exploration of the themes of love and friendship. Through the use of metaphors, Brontë has conveyed the complex and multifaceted nature of these emotions. The poem suggests that love and friendship are both wonderful and painful, long-lasting and temporary, stable and unpredictable, and complementary and interconnected. The final couplet of the poem provides a sense of hope and comfort, suggesting that those who have experienced true love and friendship are blessed. Love and Friendship is a timeless masterpiece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.

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