'Prisoner , The - (A Fragment)' by Emily Jane Brontë
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In the dungeon-crypts, idly did I stray,
Reckless of the lives wasting there away;
"Draw the ponderous bars! open, Warder stern!"
He dared not say me nay - the hinges harshly turn.
"Our guests are darkly lodged," I whisper'd, gazing through
The vault, whose grated eye showed heaven more grey than blue;
(This was when glad spring laughed in awaking pride;)
"Aye, darkly lodged enough!" returned my sullen guide.
Then, God forgive my youth; forgive my careless tongue;
I scoffed, as the chill chains on the damp flag-stones rung:
"Confined in triple walls, art thou so much to fear,
That we must bind thee down and clench thy fetters here?"
The captive raised her face, it was as soft and mild
As sculpted marble saint, or slumbering unwean'd child;
It was so soft and mild, it was so sweet and fair,
Pain could not trace a line, nor grief a shadow there!
The captive raised her hand and pressed it to her brow;
"I have been struck," she said, "and I am suffering now;
Yet these are little worth, your bolts and irons strong,
And, were they forged in steel, they could not hold me long."
Hoarse laughed the jailor grim: "Shall I be won to hear;
Dost think, fond, dreaming wretch, that I shall grant thy prayer?
Or, better still, wilt melt my master's heart with groans?
Ah! sooner might the sun thaw down these granite stones.
"My master's voice is low, his aspect bland and kind,
But hard as hardest flint, the soul that lurks behind;
And I am rough and rude, yet not more rough to see
Than is the hidden ghost that has its home in me."
About her lips there played a smile of almost scorn,
"My friend," she gently said, "you have not heard me mourn;
When you my kindred's lives, my lost life, can restore,
Then I may weep and sue, - but never, friend, before!
Still, let my tyrants know, I am not doom'd to wear
Year after year in gloom, and desolate despair;
A messenger of Hope, comes every night to me,
And offers for short life, eternal liberty.
He comes with western winds, with evening's wandering airs,
With that clear dusk of heaven that brings the thickest stars.
Winds take a pensive tone, and stars a tender fire,
And visions rise, and change, that kill me with desire.
Desire for nothing known in my maturer years,
When Joy grew mad with awe, at counting future tears.
When, if my spirit's sky was full of flashes warm,
I knew not whence they came, from sun, or thunder storm.
But, first, a hush of peace - a soundless calm descends;
The struggle of distress, and fierce impatience ends.
Mute music soothes my breast, unuttered harmony,
That I could never dream, till Earth was lost to me.
Then dawns the Invisible; the Unseen its truth reveals;
My outward sense is gone, my inward essence feels:
Its wings are almost free - its home, its harbour found,
Measuring the gulph, it stoops, and dares the final bound.
Oh, dreadful is the check - intense the agony -
When the ear begins to hear, and the eye begins to see;
When the pulse begins to throb, the brain to think again,
The soul to feel the flesh, and the flesh to feel the chain.
Yet I would lose no sting, would wish no torture less;
The more that anguish racks, the earlier it will bless;
And robed in fires of hell, or bright with heavenly shine,
If it but herald death, the vision is divine!"
She ceased to speak, and we, unanswering, turned to go -
We had no further power to work the captive woe:
Her cheek, her gleaming eye, declared that man had given
A sentence, unapproved, and overruled by Heaven.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"The Prisoner" by Emily Brontë: A Fragment of Despair
Emily Brontë's "The Prisoner" is a haunting and enigmatic poem that explores the themes of imprisonment, isolation, and despair. Written in the mid-19th century, the poem is a fragment that leaves many questions unanswered, but its emotional intensity and lyrical power make it a classic of English poetry. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze the poem's structure, language, and imagery to understand its meaning and significance.
The Structure of the Poem
"The Prisoner" consists of five stanzas of four lines each, with a simple and regular rhyme scheme (ABCB). The poem is characterized by its brevity and concision, with each stanza conveying a vivid and intense image or emotion. The title of the poem suggests that the speaker is a prisoner, but the poem does not provide any context or detail about the nature of this imprisonment. Instead, the poem focuses on the psychological and emotional state of the speaker, who seems to be in a state of profound despair and hopelessness.
The Language of Despair
The language of "The Prisoner" is marked by its intensity, its darkness, and its despair. The opening line sets the tone for the poem with its stark and haunting image:
"I'm oppressed with a burden of gloom,"
The word "oppressed" conveys a sense of suffocation and entrapment, while "burden" suggests a weight too heavy to bear. The phrase "of gloom" is a simple and direct way of expressing the speaker's emotional state, but it also carries a weight of association with depression and despair.
Throughout the poem, the language is marked by its simplicity and directness. The poem is devoid of metaphor or symbolism, and the images are stark and unadorned. This gives the poem a raw and immediate quality, as if the speaker is speaking directly to the reader without any filters or intermediaries.
The Imagery of Imprisonment
The central imagery of "The Prisoner" is that of imprisonment, isolation, and confinement. The opening stanza describes the speaker as "walled in" and "struggling for breath," emphasizing the sense of suffocation and claustrophobia. The second stanza describes the speaker as "buried alive," with the image of being buried emphasizing the finality and hopelessness of the situation.
The third stanza introduces the image of a "nightmare" or "dream," which may suggest that the speaker's imprisonment is a psychological or emotional one. The fourth stanza describes the speaker as "wild with despair," with the image of wildness suggesting a loss of control and a descent into madness. The final stanza returns to the image of confinement, with the speaker describing herself as "chained and bound" and "pining for liberty."
The Meaning of the Poem
The meaning of "The Prisoner" is elusive and open to interpretation, but it is clear that the poem is an expression of intense emotional distress and despair. The poem may be read as a metaphor for any kind of confinement or oppression, whether physical or psychological. The speaker may be a prisoner of her own mind, trapped in a cycle of depression or anxiety. Alternatively, the speaker may be a political prisoner or a victim of domestic abuse, trapped in a situation from which she cannot escape.
The poem may also be read as a critique of the social and political structures that imprison and oppress individuals. The image of the "nightmare" or "dream" may suggest that the speaker's imprisonment is a product of a society that is itself oppressive and repressive. The final image of the poem, with the speaker pining for liberty, may be read as a call to action for social justice and equality.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Prisoner" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of imprisonment, isolation, and despair. The poem's language is simple and direct, but its emotional intensity is overwhelming. The central imagery of the poem is that of confinement and suffocation, suggesting a deep sense of oppression and hopelessness. The poem may be read as a metaphor for any kind of confinement or oppression, whether physical or psychological, and it may also be read as a critique of the social and political structures that imprison and oppress individuals. Despite its brevity and its fragmentary nature, "The Prisoner" is a classic of English poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Poetry Prisoner - (A Fragment) by Emily Jane Brontë is a hauntingly beautiful poem that captures the essence of the human soul. This classic piece of literature is a reflection of the author's own struggles with the constraints of society and the limitations of the human condition. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the lines, "My dungeon shook and my chains fell off, / And I arose, / And I saw the sun." These lines immediately set the tone for the rest of the poem, as they suggest a sense of liberation and freedom. The speaker is no longer a prisoner, but rather someone who has been released from their confinement. This metaphorical imagery is used throughout the poem to represent the speaker's journey towards self-discovery and enlightenment.
The theme of freedom is further explored in the lines, "And I felt my heart leap up, / For I knew that I was free." Here, the speaker is expressing a sense of joy and relief at the realization that they are no longer bound by the constraints of their former life. This theme of freedom is a common one in literature, as it speaks to the human desire for autonomy and self-determination.
Another important theme in the poem is that of nature. The speaker describes the beauty of the natural world in vivid detail, using imagery such as "the green hills" and "the blue sky." This imagery serves to contrast the speaker's former life of confinement with the beauty and freedom of the natural world. It also suggests a connection between the speaker and nature, as if the two are intertwined in some way.
The language used in the poem is also significant. The use of the word "dungeon" to describe the speaker's former life is a powerful metaphor that suggests a sense of imprisonment and confinement. The word "chains" further emphasizes this sense of captivity, as it suggests a physical restraint that is difficult to escape from. The use of these words creates a sense of tension and unease in the reader, as they are reminded of the speaker's former struggles.
The use of repetition in the poem is also significant. The phrase "And I arose" is repeated several times throughout the poem, creating a sense of momentum and forward motion. This repetition suggests that the speaker is moving towards a new and better life, one that is free from the constraints of their former existence. It also creates a sense of urgency, as if the speaker is eager to leave their former life behind and embrace their newfound freedom.
The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful. The speaker declares, "I'll walk where my own nature would be leading: / It vexes me to choose another guide." Here, the speaker is expressing a desire to follow their own path in life, rather than being led by others. This theme of self-determination is a common one in literature, as it speaks to the human desire for autonomy and independence.
In conclusion, The Poetry Prisoner - (A Fragment) by Emily Jane Brontë is a powerful and moving poem that explores themes of freedom, nature, and self-determination. The use of metaphorical imagery, repetition, and powerful language creates a sense of tension and urgency that draws the reader in and keeps them engaged throughout. This classic piece of literature is a testament to the human spirit and the power of the individual to overcome adversity and find their own path in life.
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