'Oak and The Broom, The: A Pastoral Poem' by William Wordsworth

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I

His simple truths did Andrew glean
Beside the babbling rills;
A careful student he had been
Among the woods and hills.
One winter's night, when through the trees
The wind was roaring, on his knees
His youngest born did Andrew hold:
And while the rest, a ruddy quire,
Were seated round their blazing fire,
This Tale the Shepherd told.

II

"I saw a crag, a lofty stone
As ever tempest beat!
Out of its head an Oak had grown,
A Broom out of its feet.
The time was March, a cheerful noon--
The thaw-wind, with the breath of June,
Breathed gently from the warm south-west:
When, in a voice sedate with age,
This Oak, a giant and a sage,
His neighbour thus addressed:--

III

"'Eight weary weeks, through rock and clay,
Along this mountain's edge,
The Frost hath wrought both night and day,
Wedge driving after wedge.
Look up! and think, above your head
What trouble, surely, will be bred;
Last night I heard a crash--'tis true,
The splinters took another road--
I see them yonder--what a load
For such a Thing as you!

IV

"'You are preparing as before,
To deck your slender shape;
And yet, just three years back--no more--
You had a strange escape:
Down from yon cliff a fragment broke;
It thundered down, with fire and smoke,
And hitherward pursued its way;
This ponderous block was caught by me,
And o'er your head, as you may see,
'Tis hanging to this day!

V

"'If breeze or bird to this rough steep
Your kind's first seed did bear;
The breeze had better been asleep,
The bird caught in a snare:
For you and your green twigs decoy
The little witless shepherd-boy
To come and slumber in your bower;
And, trust me, on some sultry noon,
Both you and he, Heaven knows how soon!
Will perish in one hour.

VI

"'From me this friendly warning take'--
The Broom began to doze,
And thus, to keep herself awake,
Did gently interpose:
'My thanks for your discourse are due;
That more than what you say is true,
I know, and I have known it long;
Frail is the bond by which we hold
Our being, whether young or old,
Wise, foolish, weak, or strong.

VII

"'Disasters, do the best we can,
Will reach both great and small;
And he is oft the wisest man,
Who is not wise at all.
For me, why should I wish to roam?
This spot is my paternal home,
It is my pleasant heritage;
My father many a happy year,
Spread here his careless blossoms, here
Attained a good old age.

VIII

"'Even such as his may be my lot.
What cause have I to haunt
My heart with terrors? Am I not
In truth a favoured plant!
On me such bounty Summer pours,
That I am covered o'er with flowers;
And, when the Frost is in the sky,
My branches are so fresh and gay
That you might look at me and say,
This Plant can never die.

IX

"'The butterfly, all green and gold,
To me hath often flown,
Here in my blossoms to behold
Wings lovely as his own.
When grass is chill with rain or dew,
Beneath my shade, the mother-ewe
Lies with her infant lamb; I see
The love they to each other make,
And the sweet joy which they partake,
It is a joy to me.'

X

"Her voice was blithe, her heart was light;
The Broom might have pursued
Her speech, until the stars of night
Their journey had renewed;
But in the branches of the oak
Two ravens now began to croak
Their nuptial song, a gladsome air;
And to her own green bower the breeze
That instant brought two stripling bees
To rest, or murmur there.

XI

"One night, my Children! from the north
There came a furious blast;
At break of day I ventured forth,
And near the cliff I passed.
The storm had fallen upon the Oak,
And struck him with a mighty stroke,
And whirled, and whirled him far away;
And, in one hospitable cleft,
The little careless Broom was left
To live for many a day."

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Oak and The Broom, The: A Pastoral Poem by William Wordsworth

Oh, what a beautiful piece of literature! William Wordsworth's "The Poetry, Oak and The Broom" is a pastoral poem that captures the essence of nature and the beauty that lies within it. As I read through this masterpiece, I couldn't help but feel awed by the poet's use of language, imagery, and themes. In this literary criticism, I will delve deep into the poem's structure, language, and themes to provide an in-depth interpretation that will leave you spellbound.

Structure

"The Poetry, Oak and The Broom" is a pastoral poem that follows a simple yet effective structure. The poem consists of six stanzas, each containing eight lines. The poem follows a meter of iambic tetrameter, which means that each line contains four iambs or stressed syllables followed by unstressed ones. The poem also follows an ABAB rhyme scheme, which means that the first and third lines rhyme, as do the second and fourth.

The simplicity of the structure adds to the poem's pastoral nature, as it mirrors the beauty and simplicity of nature. Additionally, the iambic tetrameter gives the poem a musical quality, making it easy to read and remember. The rhyme scheme also adds to the musicality of the poem and helps to create a sense of unity throughout the stanzas.

Language

Wordsworth's use of language in "The Poetry, Oak and The Broom" is nothing short of brilliant. The poet uses a range of literary devices such as imagery, personification, and symbolism to convey his message. One of the most striking examples of imagery in the poem is the line "The hill-tops like a crown, for cressets hung with dew." Here, Wordsworth uses imagery to paint a vivid picture of the hilltops, which he describes as being like a crown adorned with dew-filled cressets. The use of personification is also evident in the line "The broom flowers that o'er the waste reside." Here, the broom flowers are personified, and they are described as residing over the waste, giving them a sense of purpose and importance.

Symbolism is also present in the poem, with the oak and the broom being used as symbols of strength and beauty, respectively. The oak is described as "majestic," and its branches are said to "embrace the light." The broom, on the other hand, is described as being "touched with hues of pleasure and of hope." These descriptions of the oak and the broom help to reinforce their symbolic meanings and add depth to the poem.

Themes

The themes in "The Poetry, Oak and The Broom" are centered around nature and the beauty that lies within it. The poem celebrates nature's beauty and power, and it encourages the reader to appreciate and connect with nature. One of the most prominent themes in the poem is the idea of unity. The oak and the broom are used as symbols of strength and beauty, respectively, and together they create a sense of unity that is essential for nature's balance and harmony.

Another theme in the poem is the idea of growth and change. Throughout the poem, Wordsworth describes the different stages of growth and the changes that occur in nature. The broom flowers are described as "young," and they are said to "burst" forth "as if to meet the sun." The oak, on the other hand, is described as being "hoary," and its branches are said to "embrace the light." These descriptions of growth and change help to reinforce the idea that nature is constantly evolving and adapting to its surroundings.

Interpretation

"The Poetry, Oak and The Broom" is a beautiful poem that celebrates nature's beauty and power. The poem's structure and language are simple yet effective, making it easy to read and understand. The themes of unity, growth, and change are woven throughout the poem, adding depth and meaning to the poet's message.

Overall, I believe that "The Poetry, Oak and The Broom" is a masterpiece of pastoral poetry. Wordsworth's use of language and imagery is nothing short of brilliant, and his themes are both timeless and relevant. This poem reminds us of the beauty and power that lies within nature, and it encourages us to appreciate and connect with the world around us. If you haven't read this poem, I highly recommend that you do so. It will leave you in awe of the power and beauty of nature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

William Wordsworth is a name that is synonymous with the Romantic era of poetry. His works are known for their deep connection with nature and the human experience. One of his most famous poems, "The Poetry Oak and The Broom, The: A Pastoral Poem," is a beautiful ode to the natural world and the power of love.

The poem is set in the English countryside, where the oak tree and the broom plant grow side by side. The oak tree is a symbol of strength and stability, while the broom plant represents love and passion. The poem begins with a description of the oak tree, which stands tall and proud, its branches reaching towards the sky. The tree is a symbol of the enduring power of nature, and Wordsworth uses it to convey a sense of awe and wonder.

The broom plant, on the other hand, is a symbol of love and passion. It is described as a "fair flower," and its bright yellow blooms are said to be "like the sun." The broom plant is a symbol of the beauty and joy that can be found in life, and Wordsworth uses it to convey a sense of hope and optimism.

As the poem progresses, Wordsworth explores the relationship between the oak tree and the broom plant. He describes how they grow side by side, their roots intertwined, and how they complement each other perfectly. The oak tree provides the broom plant with shade and protection, while the broom plant brings beauty and joy to the oak tree's surroundings.

The relationship between the oak tree and the broom plant is a metaphor for the relationship between nature and humanity. Wordsworth believed that nature was essential to the human experience, and that we should strive to live in harmony with the natural world. The oak tree and the broom plant represent the balance that can be achieved when we work together with nature, rather than against it.

The poem also explores the theme of love and passion. Wordsworth believed that love was the most powerful force in the universe, and that it had the power to transform lives. The broom plant, with its bright yellow blooms, represents the beauty and joy that can be found in love. Wordsworth uses the plant to convey a sense of hope and optimism, suggesting that love can bring happiness and fulfillment to our lives.

The oak tree, on the other hand, represents the stability and strength that is necessary for love to thrive. Wordsworth believed that love could only flourish in a stable and supportive environment, and the oak tree represents this stability. Together, the oak tree and the broom plant represent the perfect balance of strength and beauty, stability and passion.

In conclusion, "The Poetry Oak and The Broom, The: A Pastoral Poem" is a beautiful ode to the natural world and the power of love. Wordsworth uses the oak tree and the broom plant to explore the themes of nature, love, and the human experience. The poem is a reminder that we should strive to live in harmony with the natural world, and that love is the most powerful force in the universe.

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