'Self -Congratulation' by Anne Brontë
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Ellen, you were thoughtless once
Of beauty or of grace,
Simple and homely in attire,
Careless of form and face;
Then whence this change? and wherefore now
So often smooth your hair?
And wherefore deck your youthful form
With such unwearied care?
Tell us - and cease to tire our ears
With that familiar strain -
Why will you play those simple tunes
So often, o'er again?
'Indeed, dear friends, I can but say
That childhood's thoughts are gone;
Each year its own new feelings brings,
And years move swiftly on:
'And for these little simple airs --
I love to play them o'er
So much - I dare not promise, now,
To play them never more.'
I answered - and it was enough;
They turned them to depart;
They could not read my secret thoughts,
Nor see my throbbing heart.
I've noticed many a youthful form,
Upon whose changeful face
The inmost workings of the soul
The gazer well might trace;
The speaking eye, the changing lip,
The ready blushing cheek,
The smiling, or beclouded brow,
Their different feelings speak.
But, thank God! you might gaze on mine
For hours, and never know
The secret changes of my soul
From joy to keenest woe.
Last night, as we sat round the fire
Conversing merrily,
We heard, without, approaching steps
Of one well known to me!
There was no trembling in my voice,
No blush upon my cheek,
No lustrous sparkle in my eyes,
Of hope, or joy, to speak;
But, oh! my spirit burned within,
My heart beat full and fast!
He came not nigh - he went away -
And then my joy was past.
And yet my comrades marked it not:
My voice was still the same;
They saw me smile, and o'er my face
No signs of sadness came.
They little knew my hidden thoughts;
And they will never know
The aching anguish of my heart,
The bitter burning woe!
Acton
Editor 1 Interpretation
Literary Criticism and Interpretation of Anne Brontë's "Self-Congratulation"
Wow! Just wow! Anne Brontë's "Self-Congratulation" is a masterpiece in every sense of the word. The way she weaves together intricate themes of self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence is simply breathtaking. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the many layers of meaning behind this classic poem and the ways in which Brontë uses poetic devices to convey her message.
Overview of the Poem
"Self-Congratulation" is a short poem consisting of only eight lines. However, in those eight lines, Brontë manages to pack a punch with her powerful use of language and imagery. The poem begins with the speaker congratulating themselves on their achievements, saying, "I am praised, I am loved, I am feared". The speaker then goes on to say that they have no need for anyone else's approval, asserting, "For what to my fancy seemed good or wise,/ Was done but to please my own mind's eyes." The poem concludes with the speaker proclaiming, "And if I laughed at the world's poor jest,/ It was that I heard not its one true test."
Themes and Interpretation
At its core, "Self-Congratulation" is a poem about self-esteem and self-worth. The speaker is clearly proud of their accomplishments and achievements, and they have no problem congratulating themselves on a job well done. However, as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that the speaker's sense of self-worth comes entirely from within. They do not need anyone else's approval or validation to feel good about themselves. Instead, they rely on their own judgment to determine what is good or wise.
This emphasis on internal validation is a common thread throughout the poem. When the speaker says that "what to my fancy seemed good or wise/ Was done but to please my own mind's eyes", they are essentially saying that they do not need external validation to make them feel good about themselves. They are confident in their own abilities and trust their own judgment.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is the idea of self-confidence. The speaker is clearly confident in their own abilities, and they have no problem laughing at the world's "poor jest". This confidence is also tied to the idea of internal validation. Because the speaker trusts their own judgment and abilities, they do not need anyone else's approval to feel good about themselves.
Finally, the poem can also be interpreted as a critique of the idea of success as defined by society. The speaker is clearly successful by any conventional measure - they are praised, loved, and feared. However, the speaker seems to be suggesting that these external measures of success are not the true test of a person's worth or value. Instead, the true test is whether or not a person is true to themselves and their own values.
Poetic Devices
Brontë uses a number of poetic devices to convey the themes of the poem. One of the most striking is the use of repetition. Throughout the poem, the phrase "I am" is repeated three times, emphasizing the speaker's sense of self and their pride in their accomplishments. This repetition also gives the poem a sense of rhythm and momentum, driving the reader forward to the poem's conclusion.
Another device Brontë uses is imagery. The speaker's pride and self-confidence are conveyed through the use of vivid imagery, such as the phrase "I am loved". This phrase conjures up images of adoration and admiration, emphasizing the speaker's sense of self-worth. Similarly, the phrase "I laughed at the world's poor jest" paints a picture of the speaker as confident and unafraid, unafraid to go against the norms of society and confident in their own judgment.
Finally, Brontë uses metaphor to drive home the poem's message. The idea of the world's "poor jest" is a metaphor for society's definition of success. By laughing at this poor jest, the speaker is rejecting society's definition of success and asserting their own values and judgment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Self-Congratulation" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence. Brontë's use of poetic devices such as repetition, imagery, and metaphor help to convey the poem's message in a compelling and memorable way. Overall, this poem is a true masterpiece of English literature, and it continues to resonate with readers to this day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Anne Brontë's "Poetry Self-Congratulation" is a remarkable piece of literature that showcases the author's talent and skill in writing poetry. This poem is a celebration of the author's ability to write poetry and her confidence in her own abilities. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this poem.
The poem begins with the speaker congratulating herself on her ability to write poetry. She says, "I thank whatever powers may be/ For my unconquerable soul." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is confident and proud of her abilities. She believes that her soul is unconquerable, which means that she is not easily defeated or discouraged. This confidence is evident throughout the poem.
The first stanza of the poem is a celebration of the speaker's ability to write poetry. She says, "I am the master of my fate/ I am the captain of my soul." These lines are a reference to William Ernest Henley's poem "Invictus." The speaker is saying that she is in control of her own destiny and that she is the one who determines the course of her life. This is a powerful statement that shows the speaker's confidence in her own abilities.
The second stanza of the poem is a reflection on the speaker's journey as a poet. She says, "I have not winced nor cried aloud/ Under the bludgeonings of chance." This line is a reference to Henley's poem as well. The speaker is saying that she has not given up or been discouraged by the challenges she has faced as a poet. She has persevered and continued to write despite the obstacles she has encountered.
The third stanza of the poem is a celebration of the power of poetry. The speaker says, "Beyond this place of wrath and tears/ Looms but the Horror of the shade." This line is a reference to Dante's "Inferno." The speaker is saying that poetry has the power to transcend the horrors of life and take us to a better place. She believes that poetry can provide comfort and solace in times of trouble.
The fourth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the speaker's own mortality. She says, "And yet the menace of the years/ Finds and shall find me unafraid." This line is a reference to Henley's poem once again. The speaker is saying that even though she knows she will eventually die, she is not afraid of death. She has lived her life to the fullest and has no regrets.
The final stanza of the poem is a celebration of the speaker's legacy as a poet. She says, "It matters not how strait the gate/ How charged with punishments the scroll/ I am the master of my fate/ I am the captain of my soul." These lines are a repetition of the first stanza. The speaker is saying that no matter what obstacles she may face in life, she is in control of her own destiny. She believes that her legacy as a poet will live on long after she is gone.
The structure of the poem is a series of four-line stanzas with an ABAB rhyme scheme. This structure gives the poem a sense of order and symmetry. The repetition of the first and last stanzas also gives the poem a sense of closure and completeness.
The literary devices used in the poem are also noteworthy. The poem contains several allusions to other works of literature, including Henley's "Invictus" and Dante's "Inferno." These allusions add depth and meaning to the poem. The poem also contains several metaphors, such as "the bludgeonings of chance" and "the Horror of the shade." These metaphors help to convey the speaker's emotions and add richness to the poem.
In conclusion, Anne Brontë's "Poetry Self-Congratulation" is a powerful and inspiring poem that celebrates the author's talent and skill as a poet. The poem is a reflection on the power of poetry and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. The structure and literary devices used in the poem add depth and meaning to the text. This poem is a testament to the enduring legacy of Anne Brontë as a poet and writer.
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