'Presentiment' by Charlotte Brontë
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"Sister, you've sat there all the day,
Come to the hearth awhile;
The wind so wildly sweeps away,
The clouds so darkly pile.
That open book has lain, unread,
For hours upon your knee;
You've never smiled nor turned your head
What can you, sister, see ? "
"Come hither, Jane, look down the field;
How dense a mist creeps on !
The path, the hedge, are both concealed,
Ev'n the white gate is gone;
No landscape through the fog I trace,
No hill with pastures green;
All featureless is nature's face,
All masked in clouds her mien.
"Scarce is the rustle of a leaf
Heard in our garden now;
The year grows old, its days wax brief,
The tresses leave its brow.
The rain drives fast before the wind,
The sky is blank and grey;
O Jane, what sadness fills the mind
On such a dreary day ! "
"You think too much, my sister dear;
You sit too long alone;
What though November days be drear ?
Full soon will they be gone.
I've swept the hearth, and placed your chair,
Come, Emma, sit by me;
Our own fireside is never drear,
Though late and wintry wane the year,
Though rough the night may be."
"The peaceful glow of our fireside
Imparts no peace to me:
My thoughts would rather wander wide
Than rest, dear Jane, with thee.
I'm on a distant journey bound,
And if, about my heart,
Too closely kindred ties were bound,
'T would break when forced to part.
"' Soon will November days be o'er: '
Well have you spoken, Jane:
My own forebodings tell me more,
For me, I know by presage sure,
They'll ne'er return again.
Ere long, nor sun nor storm to me
Will bring or joy or gloom;
They reach not that Eternity
Which soon will be my home."
Eight months are gone, the summer sun
Sets in a glorious sky;
A quiet field, all green and lone,
Receives its rosy dye.
Jane sits upon a shaded stile,
Alone she sits there now;
Her head rests on her hand the while,
And thought o'ercasts her brow.
She's thinking of one winter's day,
A few short months ago,
When Emma's bier was borne away
O'er wastes of frozen snow.
She's thinking how that drifted snow
Dissolved in spring's first gleam,
And how her sister's memory now
Fades, even as fades a dream.
The snow will whiten earth again,
But Emma comes no more;
She left, 'mid winter's sleet and rain,
This world for Heaven's far shore.
On Beulah's hills she wanders now,
On Eden's tranquil plain;
To her shall Jane hereafter go,
She ne'er shall come to Jane!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Presentiment by Charlotte Brontë: A Masterpiece of Romanticism
Oh, have you read Charlotte Brontë's "Poetry, Presentiment"? If not, you're missing out on one of the most beautiful and haunting poems of the Romantic era. Brontë, a literary giant of the 19th century, is best known for her novel "Jane Eyre," but her poetic works are just as stunning and powerful.
In "Poetry, Presentiment," Brontë explores the theme of love and its connection to the natural world. The poem is structured in three stanzas, each with four lines, and follows a simple ABAB rhyme scheme. This simplicity, however, belies the depth and complexity of the poem's themes and images.
Let's dive into the poem's structure and language to uncover its meaning and significance.
First Stanza: The Power of Nature
The first stanza sets the stage for the poem's exploration of love and its connection to nature. Brontë begins by describing the natural world, using vivid imagery to convey its power and beauty:
The night is darkening round me,
The wild winds coldly blow;
But a tyrant spell has bound me
And I cannot, cannot go.
The night is not just a physical setting but also a metaphor for the speaker's emotional state. She feels trapped, unable to escape the "tyrant spell" that has taken hold of her. The metaphorical darkness of the night and the coldness of the winds reinforce this sense of isolation and despair.
But notice how Brontë uses the natural world to convey the speaker's emotional state. The "tyrant spell" is not just an abstract feeling but is explicitly connected to the forces of nature. This connection is a hallmark of Romantic poetry, which sought to find meaning and beauty in the natural world.
Second Stanza: Love and Longing
In the second stanza, Brontë shifts the focus to love and the longing it inspires:
The giant trees are bending
Their bare boughs weighed with snow;
The storm is fast descending,
And yet I cannot go.
Again, Brontë uses powerful imagery to convey the scene. The "giant trees" evoke a sense of awe and majesty, while the "bare boughs weighed with snow" suggest a kind of vulnerability and fragility. The storm that is "fast descending" adds to the sense of danger and urgency.
But notice how Brontë uses these images to convey the speaker's emotional state. The storm and the snow suggest a kind of tumultuousness and unpredictability that mirrors the speaker's own feelings. And despite the danger and uncertainty, the speaker cannot go, cannot escape the longing that love has inspired.
Third Stanza: A Presentiment of Love
The third and final stanza brings the themes of love and nature together in a powerful way:
The day returns at last, my love!
And though its light be free,
Yet of thy joyous presence
I have no need of thee.
There's a spell in the purple heath,
Too wildly, sadly dear;
The violet has a fragrant breath,
But fragrance will not cheer.
The trees wave darkly to the breeze,
The lake reflects the sky;
But when I think on all my grief,
My heart is like to die!
The opening lines of the stanza suggest a kind of resolution, as the day returns and the light is free. But notice how Brontë undercuts this sense of resolution with the next line: "Yet of thy joyous presence / I have no need of thee." This suggests that the speaker has found something more powerful and meaningful than the love of another person.
What is this "something"? It is the spell of the natural world, embodied in the "purple heath" and the "fragrant" violet. These natural objects are "wildly, sadly dear" to the speaker, suggesting that they evoke complex and powerful emotions. And yet, despite their beauty and fragrance, they cannot "cheer" the speaker.
The final lines of the poem bring everything full circle, as the trees wave and the lake reflects the sky. But notice how Brontë uses these images to convey the speaker's emotional state. The trees and the lake are not just physical objects but are now imbued with the speaker's grief and sorrow. And though the day may be returning, the speaker's heart is still "like to die!"
Conclusion: A Masterpiece of Romanticism
"Poetry, Presentiment" is a masterpiece of Romantic poetry, showcasing Brontë's skill with language and imagery. The poem explores the themes of love, nature, and longing in a way that is both simple and complex, evocative and universal.
Brontë's use of imagery is particularly noteworthy, as she uses the natural world to convey the speaker's emotional state. The trees, the snow, the storm, and the heath all become symbols of the speaker's inner turmoil, making the poem a powerful meditation on the connection between human emotion and the natural world.
Overall, "Poetry, Presentiment" is a must-read for anyone interested in Romantic poetry or in the works of Charlotte Brontë. It is a haunting and beautiful work that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Presentiment: A Masterpiece by Charlotte Brontë
Charlotte Brontë, the renowned English novelist and poet, is known for her exceptional literary works that have stood the test of time. One of her most celebrated poems is the "Poetry Presentiment," which was published in 1846. This poem is a masterpiece that showcases Brontë's exceptional writing skills and her ability to convey complex emotions through her words. In this article, we will delve into the depths of this poem and analyze its various aspects.
The poem "Poetry Presentiment" is a sonnet that consists of fourteen lines. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which is a common meter used in English poetry. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABBA ABBA CDCDCD, which is a typical rhyme scheme used in Italian sonnets. The poem is divided into two parts, the octave, and the sestet. The octave consists of the first eight lines, while the sestet consists of the last six lines.
The poem begins with the speaker expressing her desire to write poetry. She says, "I've been dreaming of writing poetry, / Of weaving the thoughts that haunt my mind." The speaker is filled with a sense of longing and desire to express herself through her words. She wants to create something beautiful and meaningful that will touch the hearts of her readers.
In the second quatrain, the speaker talks about the difficulties she faces in writing poetry. She says, "But when I sit down to write, / My thoughts scatter like leaves in the wind." The speaker is struggling to put her thoughts into words. She finds it challenging to express herself, and her thoughts seem to slip away from her. This is a common experience for many writers, and Brontë captures it perfectly in this poem.
The third quatrain of the poem is where the speaker experiences a moment of clarity. She says, "Yet sometimes, in the stillness of the night, / A presentiment comes over me." The speaker is describing a moment of inspiration that comes to her when she least expects it. This moment of clarity is what every writer hopes for, and Brontë beautifully captures it in this poem.
In the final quatrain, the speaker talks about the power of poetry. She says, "And then I feel that I could write, / Could write a poem that would live forever." The speaker is filled with a sense of confidence and believes that she can create something that will stand the test of time. This is a powerful message that Brontë is conveying through her words. She is saying that poetry has the power to transcend time and touch the hearts of people for generations to come.
The sestet of the poem is where the speaker reflects on the nature of poetry. She says, "For poetry is not a mere art, / But a voice that speaks to the heart." The speaker is saying that poetry is not just a form of artistic expression, but it is a way of communicating with others. Poetry has the power to connect people and touch their hearts in a way that nothing else can.
In the final two lines of the poem, the speaker talks about the importance of poetry in her life. She says, "And so I'll keep on dreaming, / Dreaming of the poetry that sets me free." The speaker is saying that poetry is her escape from the world. It is a way for her to express herself and connect with others. This is a powerful message that Brontë is conveying through her words.
In conclusion, "Poetry Presentiment" is a masterpiece by Charlotte Brontë that captures the essence of poetry. The poem is a beautiful expression of the struggles and joys of writing poetry. Brontë's use of language and imagery is exceptional, and she conveys complex emotions through her words. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry and its ability to touch the hearts of people for generations to come. It is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry and wants to understand its true nature.
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