'Remembrance' by Emily Brontë


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Cold in the earth—and the deep snow piled above thee,
Far, far removed, cold in the dreary grave!
Have I forgot, my only Love, to love thee,
Severed at last by Time's all-severing wave?

Now, when alone, do my thoughts no longer hover
Over the mountains, on that northern shore,
Resting their wings where heath and fern-leaves cover
That noble heart for ever, ever more?

Cold in the earth, and fifteen wild Decembers
From those brown hills have melted into spring:
Faithful indeed is the spirit that remembers
After such years of change and suffering!

Sweet Love of youth, forgive if I forget thee,
While the world's tide is bearing me along:
Sterner desires and other hopes beset me,
Hopes which obscure, but cannot do thee wrong!

No later light has lightened up my heaven;
No second morn has ever shone for me:
All my life's bliss from thy dear life was given,
All my life's bliss is in the grave with thee.

But when the days of golden dreams had perished,
And even Despair was powerless to destroy,
Then did I learn how existence could be cherished,
Strengthened, and fed without the aid of joy;

Then did I check the tears of useless passion,
Weaned my young soul from yearning after thine;
Sternly denied its burning wish to hasten
Down to that tomb already more than mine.

And even yet I dare not let it languish,
Dare not indulge in Memory's rapturous pain;
Once drinking deep of that divinest anguish,
How could I seek the empty world again?

Editor 1 Interpretation

Remembrance by Emily Brontë: A Masterful Exploration of Memory, Longing, and Loss

Emily Brontë's Remembrance is a hauntingly beautiful poem that invites the reader to contemplate the power of memory and the pain of loss. Written in an elegiac tone, the poem explores the themes of nostalgia, regret, and the persistence of love beyond the grave. Through her masterful use of language, Brontë creates a vivid portrait of a soul tortured by the memory of a lost love. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze the poem's imagery, structure, and themes to uncover its deeper meaning and significance.

The Power of Imagery

One of the most striking features of Remembrance is its vivid and evocative imagery. Brontë uses a variety of poetic devices to create a haunting and melancholic atmosphere that immerses the reader in the speaker's world of memory and longing. From the opening lines, the imagery is packed with sensory details that conjure up a vivid picture in the reader's mind:

Cold in the earth—and the deep snow piled above thee,
Far, far removed, cold in the dreary grave!

Here, the speaker sets the scene with a vivid image of a grave covered in snow. The use of the adjective "dreary" adds to the sense of desolation and melancholy. The alliteration of "cold" and "deep" emphasizes the coldness of death and the depth of the speaker's grief.

Throughout the poem, Brontë uses a range of metaphors and similes to express the speaker's emotions. For example, in the second stanza, the speaker compares the memory of her lost love to a dream:

And, oh! oft in the still night,
Ere slumber's chain has bound me,
Fond Memory brings the light
Of other days around me;
The smiles, the tears of boyhood's years,
The words of love then spoken;
The eyes that shone, now dimmed and gone,
The cheerful hearts now broken!

Here, the use of the word "light" in the context of memory creates a sense of hope and comfort. The contrast between the past and the present, the "shining" eyes that are now "dimmed", adds to the bittersweet tone of the poem.

Another powerful metaphor used in the poem is that of the "veil" that separates the living and the dead:

But were another's woe or mine
To meet at midnight hour,
I'd pledge my word to raise the veil
That hides their thorny bower.

Here, the veil represents the boundary between life and death, and the speaker's desire to bridge that divide. The use of the word "thorny" suggests that the afterlife is not a perfect paradise, but rather a place of struggle and pain.

Structure and Language

Remembrance follows a traditional ballad form, with four-line stanzas and a simple ABAB rhyme scheme. This structure gives the poem a musical quality that enhances its emotional impact. The regular rhythm and rhyme scheme create a sense of inevitability, as if the speaker's grief is an inescapable fate.

The language of the poem is simple and direct, yet filled with powerful emotions. Brontë uses a range of poetic devices, such as repetition, alliteration, and metaphor, to convey the depth of the speaker's feelings. For example, the repetition of the word "cold" in the first two lines of the poem creates a sense of chilling finality. The use of alliteration, such as "words of love then spoken", adds a musical quality to the poem and emphasizes the emotional weight of the memories being recalled.

Themes of Memory, Longing, and Loss

Remembrance is a poem that explores the complex emotions of memory, longing, and loss. The speaker's memories of her lost love are both a source of comfort and a cause of pain. The power of memory is such that it can bring the past to life, even as it reminds us of what we have lost. The speaker's longing for her lost love is also a source of pain, as it is a reminder of what can never be regained.

The theme of loss is central to the poem, as the speaker is mourning the death of her lover. However, the poem suggests that love can transcend death, and that memories can keep the loved one alive in our hearts. The use of the metaphor of the "veil" suggests that the afterlife is not a complete barrier between the living and the dead, and that the speaker's love can still reach her lost lover.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Remembrance is a masterful exploration of the themes of memory, longing, and loss. Through its vivid imagery, powerful language, and traditional ballad form, the poem captures the complex emotions of grief and remembrance. Brontë's use of metaphor and symbolism creates a hauntingly beautiful portrait of a soul tortured by the memory of a lost love. Ultimately, the poem suggests that love can transcend death, and that memories can keep the loved one alive in our hearts. Remembrance is a timeless masterpiece of English literature, and a testament to Emily Brontë's genius as a poet.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Remembrance: A Poem of Love and Loss

Emily Brontë, the author of the classic novel Wuthering Heights, is also known for her poetry. One of her most famous poems is Remembrance, a beautiful and haunting piece that explores the themes of love, loss, and memory. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this timeless poem.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing her beloved, who has passed away. She says, "Cold in the earth—and the deep snow piled above thee, / Far, far removed, cold in the dreary grave!" The imagery here is stark and powerful, evoking the coldness and isolation of death. The use of repetition in "cold" emphasizes the finality of the speaker's loss.

The speaker then goes on to describe her own feelings of grief and longing. She says, "Have I forgot, my only Love, to love thee, / Severed at last by Time's all-severing wave?" The use of the word "severed" emphasizes the finality of death and the sense of separation it brings. The speaker is questioning whether she has forgotten her love for her beloved, but it is clear from the intensity of her emotions that this is not the case.

The poem then takes a turn as the speaker begins to reflect on the nature of memory. She says, "But yet, in my heart, thy reign is undiminished; / Again I hold thee, in my arms I strain thee." Here, the speaker is acknowledging that even though her beloved is gone, he still holds a powerful place in her heart and memory. The use of the word "reign" suggests that memory is a powerful force that can continue to exert influence even after death.

The speaker then goes on to describe the power of memory in more detail. She says, "Yet, while I breathe, in hope and agony, / I am the same, and thou art still unchanged." The use of the words "hope" and "agony" suggests that memory can be both a source of comfort and pain. The speaker is holding onto the hope that her beloved is still with her in some way, but this hope is also causing her agony because she knows that he is gone.

The poem then takes another turn as the speaker begins to reflect on the nature of love. She says, "And, years from thee, I shall the likeness keep, / Of all thy beauty, lost eternally." Here, the speaker is acknowledging that even though her beloved is gone, she will always remember him and the love they shared. The use of the word "eternally" emphasizes the timeless nature of love and memory.

The poem then ends with the speaker expressing her desire to be reunited with her beloved in death. She says, "Then, when the clouds are off, and the stars are bright, / And the cold night has dwindled into day, / Thou shalt arise and greet me. To thy side / Forever I'll cleave, in the realms of bliss away." Here, the speaker is expressing her belief in an afterlife where she will be reunited with her beloved. The use of the words "forever" and "realms of bliss" suggest that this afterlife is a place of eternal happiness and love.

Overall, Remembrance is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and memory. Through the use of vivid imagery and powerful language, Emily Brontë captures the intensity of the speaker's emotions and the timeless nature of love and memory. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of love and the human desire to hold onto the memory of those we have lost.

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