'Sun Has Set, The' by Emily Jane Brontë


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The sun has set, and the long grass now
Waves dreamily in the evening wind;
And the wild bird has flown from that old gray stone
In some warm nook a couch to find.

In all the lonely landscape round
I see no light and hear no sound,
Except the wind that far away
Come sighing o'er the healthy sea.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Emily Brontë's "Sun Has Set": A Poem of Death and Transcendence

Emily Jane Brontë is best known for her novel, Wuthering Heights, but she was also a gifted poet. In her poem, "Sun Has Set," she explores the theme of death and the possibility of transcending it. The poem is only eight lines long, but it packs a powerful punch.

The Poem

Before we delve into the interpretation of the poem, let's read it in full:

Sun has set, and the long grass now
Waves dreamily in the evening wind;
And the wild bird has flown from that old gray stone
In some warm nook a couch to find.
In all the lonely landscape round
I see no light and hear no sound,
Except the wind that far away
Come sighing o'er the healthy sea.

Analysis

At first glance, the poem seems to be a simple description of an evening landscape. But as we read further, we realize that there is a deeper meaning to the poem.

The first line, "Sun has set," sets the tone for the entire poem. It suggests that something has ended, that a cycle has completed. The image of the sun setting also conveys a sense of finality, of something coming to an end.

The second line, "Waves dreamily in the evening wind," adds to this sense of finality. The word "dreamily" suggests a sense of sleepiness or peacefulness, as if the world is winding down for the night.

The third line, "And the wild bird has flown from that old gray stone," introduces the idea of death. The bird has flown away, leaving behind the stone, which suggests a grave or a marker for someone who has passed away.

But then the poem takes a surprising turn. The next line, "In some warm nook a couch to find," suggests that the bird has not died, but has simply found a new place to rest. This raises the possibility that death is not the end, but a transition to a new state of being.

The fifth line, "In all the lonely landscape round," reinforces the sense of finality and loneliness in the poem. There is no one else around, no one to share in the narrator's experience of loss and sadness.

The sixth line, "I see no light and hear no sound," suggests a sense of emptiness or darkness. The narrator is alone with their thoughts and feelings, with no external distractions.

But then the poem takes another unexpected turn. The final two lines, "Except the wind that far away/Come sighing o'er the healthy sea," introduce the idea of transcendence. The wind, which is often associated with the spirit or the soul, is blowing over the sea, which suggests a boundless and infinite expanse. The wind is not constrained by the limitations of the physical world, but is free to roam and explore.

Interpretation

So what does all of this mean? What is Brontë trying to say with this poem?

At its core, "Sun Has Set" is a meditation on death and the possibility of transcendence. Brontë is suggesting that death is not the end, but a transition to a new state of being. The bird that flies away from the stone is not dead, but has simply found a new place to rest. And the wind that blows over the sea suggests a boundless and infinite expanse, beyond the limitations of the physical world.

But what does this mean for us as readers? How are we supposed to interpret this message?

One possible interpretation is that Brontë is suggesting that we should not fear death. Instead, we should embrace it as a natural part of the cycle of life. Just as the sun sets at the end of the day, only to rise again the next morning, so too does death lead to new beginnings.

Another possible interpretation is that Brontë is suggesting that there is more to life than just the physical world. The wind that blows over the sea suggests a spiritual realm, beyond the limitations of our physical bodies. By acknowledging this spiritual dimension of life, we can find comfort and meaning in the face of death.

Conclusion

"Sun Has Set" may be a short poem, but it is rich with meaning and interpretation. Through her careful use of language and imagery, Brontë explores the themes of death and transcendence, suggesting that death is not the end, but a transition to a new state of being. Whether we interpret this message as a call to embrace death as a natural part of life or as an acknowledgement of the spiritual realm beyond the physical world, "Sun Has Set" is a powerful reminder that there is more to life than just what we can see and touch.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The world of literature is filled with countless masterpieces that have stood the test of time. One such masterpiece is the poem "Sun Has Set, The" written by Emily Jane Brontë. This poem is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the passage of time and the inevitability of change. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its themes, structure, and language.

Emily Jane Brontë was an English novelist and poet who lived in the 19th century. She is best known for her novel "Wuthering Heights," which is considered a classic of English literature. However, Brontë was also a talented poet, and "Sun Has Set, The" is one of her most famous poems.

The poem begins with the line "The sun has set, and the long grass now waves dreamily in the evening wind." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with imagery and symbolism. The image of the sun setting represents the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The long grass waving dreamily in the evening wind represents the beauty and tranquility of nature.

The poem then goes on to describe the different sights and sounds of the evening. The "distant hills" are described as "purple," which is a color often associated with royalty and nobility. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the beauty and majesty of nature. The "drowsy tinklings" of the sheep and the "lowings" of the cattle create a peaceful and serene atmosphere.

The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the speaker's own thoughts and feelings. The speaker reflects on the passing of time and the inevitability of change. The line "The world is sleeping in the dark night-time" suggests that the speaker feels alone and isolated in their thoughts. The use of the word "world" suggests that the speaker is contemplating the larger issues of life and death.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker reflects on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The line "The dew falls cold on my brow and hair" suggests that the speaker is aware of their own mortality. The use of the word "cold" suggests that the speaker is afraid of death and the unknown.

The final stanza of the poem brings the focus back to nature. The line "The moon, like a flower, in heaven's high bower" is a beautiful and poetic description of the moon. The use of the word "flower" suggests that the moon is a delicate and fragile thing, much like life itself. The final line of the poem, "With silent delight, sits and smiles on the night," suggests that the speaker has found peace and acceptance in the beauty of nature.

The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward. It consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which gives the poem a musical quality. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of the word "dreamily" in the first stanza, adds to the poem's musicality and creates a sense of rhythm.

The language of the poem is simple and elegant. Brontë uses a variety of literary devices, such as metaphor, symbolism, and personification, to create a rich and evocative poem. The use of imagery, such as the description of the moon as a flower, creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind.

In conclusion, "Sun Has Set, The" is a beautiful and poignant poem that reflects on the passage of time and the inevitability of change. Brontë's use of imagery, symbolism, and metaphor creates a rich and evocative poem that is both musical and thought-provoking. The poem's simple structure and elegant language make it accessible to readers of all ages and backgrounds. It is no wonder that this classic poem has stood the test of time and continues to be celebrated today.

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