'To My Sister' by William Wordsworth


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It is the first mild day of March:
Each minute sweeter than before
The redbreast sings from the tall larch
That stands beside our door.

There is a blessing in the air,
Which seems a sense of joy to yield
To the bare trees, and mountains bare,
And grass in the green field.

My sister! ('tis a wish of mine)
Now that our morning meal is done,
Make haste, your morning task resign;
Come forth and feel the sun.

Edward will come with you;--and, pray,
Put on with speed your woodland dress;
And bring no book: for this one day
We'll give to idleness.

No joyless forms shall regulate
Our living calendar:
We from to-day, my Friend, will date
The opening of the year.

Love, now a universal birth,
From heart to heart is stealing,
From earth to man, from man to earth:
--It is the hour of feeling.

One moment now may give us more
Than years of toiling reason:
Our minds shall drink at every pore
The spirit of the season.

Some silent laws our hearts will make,
Which they shall long obey:
We for the year to come may take
Our temper from to-day.

And from the blessed power that rolls
About, below, above,
We'll frame the measure of our souls:
They shall be tuned to love.

Then come, my Sister! come, I pray,
With speed put on your woodland dress;
And bring no book: for this one day
We'll give to idleness.

Editor 1 Interpretation

To My Sister: A Masterpiece by William Wordsworth

Are you in the mood for some heartwarming poetry that captures the essence of sisterhood? Look no further than William Wordsworth's "To My Sister." This classic piece of literature is a testament to the power of familial love and the deep bond that siblings share.

In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the various themes, symbols, and literary devices that Wordsworth employs to create a truly remarkable work of art.

The Poet

Before we begin our analysis of the poem, let's take a moment to appreciate the genius of the poet himself. William Wordsworth was a Romantic poet who lived from 1770 to 1850. He is considered one of the most important literary figures of the 19th century, and his works continue to be celebrated and studied to this day.

Wordsworth was known for his love of nature, his spiritual beliefs, and his exploration of human emotions. He believed that poetry should be accessible to everyone, and he often wrote in a simple, straightforward style that emphasized the beauty of the everyday world.

"To My Sister" is a perfect example of Wordsworth's style and philosophy. It is a poem that celebrates the ordinary joys of life and the deep connections that we share with our loved ones.

The Poem

Now, let's turn our attention to "To My Sister." This poem was written in 1798, when Wordsworth was living in Germany with his sister Dorothy. The poem is addressed to his sister and celebrates their relationship and the bond that they share.

The poem is written in four stanzas, each consisting of six lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem by invoking the image of a bird singing in the morning:

It is the first mild day of March: Each minute sweeter than before, The redbreast sings from the tall larch That stands beside our door. There is a blessing in the air, Which seems a sense of joy to yield

This stanza sets the scene for the rest of the poem and establishes a sense of optimism and happiness. The redbreast's song is a symbol of the joy and love that the poet feels for his sister.

The second stanza continues this theme by describing the beauty of the natural world:

To the bare trees and mountains bare The grass is green, the boughs are fair: The leaves, though thin, are green; The goldfinch on the apple boughs Is music to my ear; And stern and wild the dreary hours

Here, Wordsworth draws attention to the beauty of nature, even in the midst of winter. The image of the green grass and the fair boughs emphasizes the beauty that can be found even in the midst of hardship.

The third stanza shifts the focus to the poet's sister:

Yet pleasant thoughts of thee my love Shall round my heart entwine: And I will visit thee with love, And I will be with thee in dine; And oft we'll think of days gone by, The days that never more return.

In this stanza, the poet expresses his love for his sister and his desire to be near her. He acknowledges the passage of time but celebrates the memories that they have shared together.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close:

Full many a dreary hour have I passed, My brain bewildered and my mind o'ercast, But when the sunshine of thy smile Illumed my soul, I saw life's goal.

Here, Wordsworth emphasizes the importance of his sister in his life. Her smile brings light to his darkest days and helps him to see the beauty of life. The final line, "I saw life's goal," suggests that the poet has found meaning and purpose in his relationship with his sister.

Themes

Now that we have examined the poem itself, let's turn our attention to some of the themes that are present in "To My Sister." One of the main themes of the poem is the power of familial love. Wordsworth celebrates the bond that he shares with his sister and acknowledges the importance of their relationship.

Another theme that is present in the poem is the beauty of nature. Wordsworth was known for his love of the natural world, and "To My Sister" is filled with imagery that celebrates the beauty of the outdoor world, even in the midst of winter.

Finally, the poem also explores the passage of time and the importance of memories. Wordsworth acknowledges that the days that he and his sister have shared together will never return, but he celebrates the memories that they have created and the love that they share.

Literary Devices

In addition to its themes, "To My Sister" also features a number of literary devices that help to create a sense of beauty and emotion. One of the most notable devices is imagery. Wordsworth uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the natural world and to evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing.

Another device that is present in the poem is personification. Wordsworth personifies the redbreast, the grass, and the boughs, imbuing the natural world with a sense of life and personality.

Finally, the poem also features a number of metaphors and symbols. The redbreast's song is a metaphor for the love and joy that the poet feels for his sister. The grass and the boughs are symbols of the beauty that can be found even in the midst of hardship.

Conclusion

"To My Sister" is a masterpiece of Romantic poetry that celebrates the power of familial love and the beauty of the natural world. Through its use of vivid imagery, personification, and metaphor, the poem evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing, while also celebrating the joy and love that can be found in even the simplest of relationships.

As we reflect on this beautiful work of art, we are reminded of the importance of cherishing the relationships that we have with our loved ones and finding beauty in the world around us. Wordsworth's legacy lives on, and "To My Sister" remains a timeless reminder of the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry To My Sister: A Masterpiece by William Wordsworth

William Wordsworth, one of the greatest poets of the Romantic era, wrote a beautiful poem titled "Poetry To My Sister." This poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and its power to evoke emotions and inspire the human soul. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing his sister and expressing his desire to share with her the beauty of poetry. He says, "With how sad steps, O Moon, thou climb'st the skies! / How silently, and with how wan a face!" These lines set the tone for the poem, creating a melancholic atmosphere that reflects the speaker's longing to connect with his sister through poetry.

The first stanza of the poem is a tribute to the moon, which is a common symbol in Romantic poetry. The speaker describes the moon's ascent with "sad steps," suggesting that it is a lonely and melancholic journey. He also notes the moon's "wan a face," which emphasizes its pale and ghostly appearance. These descriptions create a sense of isolation and sadness, which is a recurring theme in the poem.

In the second stanza, the speaker turns his attention to the power of poetry. He says, "But when, returning from the lengthened chase, / Morn glimmers on the mountains' tops, / We feel the presence of the Almighty's grace, / Which, like a glory, circles round our heads." Here, the speaker contrasts the melancholic tone of the first stanza with the uplifting and inspiring power of poetry. He suggests that poetry has the ability to connect us with something greater than ourselves, something divine and transcendent.

The third stanza of the poem is a reflection on the speaker's own experiences with poetry. He says, "And though the radiance which was once so bright / Be now forever taken from my sight, / Though nothing can bring back the hour / Of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower." These lines are a reference to Wordsworth's own poem, "Ode: Intimations of Immortality," which explores the loss of childhood innocence and the fading of the beauty of nature. The speaker acknowledges that the beauty of poetry is fleeting, but he also suggests that it has the power to transcend time and connect us with something eternal.

The fourth stanza of the poem is a call to action. The speaker urges his sister to embrace the power of poetry and to let it inspire her. He says, "Therefore, let the moon / Shine on thee in thy solitary walk; / And let the misty mountain winds be free / To blow against thee." These lines suggest that the speaker wants his sister to embrace the beauty of nature and to let it inspire her own creativity. He also suggests that she should embrace solitude and allow herself to be moved by the power of poetry.

The fifth and final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the power of memory. The speaker says, "For, if the moon / Beheld her brother's looks, serene and glad, / The little creatures of the night would sing, / Full many a thought unshared." These lines suggest that memories have the power to connect us with the past and to inspire us in the present. The speaker suggests that his sister should remember the beauty of poetry and let it inspire her own creativity.

In terms of structure, "Poetry To My Sister" is a sonnet, which is a common form in Romantic poetry. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which creates a rhythmic and musical quality to the language. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which is a common structure for sonnets.

In terms of literary devices, "Poetry To My Sister" is rich with imagery and symbolism. The moon, for example, is a symbol of loneliness and melancholy, while the mountains and the wind are symbols of freedom and inspiration. The poem also uses alliteration, assonance, and repetition to create a musical quality to the language. For example, the repetition of the word "moon" in the first stanza creates a sense of continuity and connection between the different parts of the poem.

In conclusion, "Poetry To My Sister" is a masterpiece of Romantic poetry that captures the essence of the power of poetry to evoke emotions and inspire the human soul. The poem is a tribute to the beauty of nature, the power of memory, and the transcendent power of poetry. Through its rich imagery, musical language, and powerful themes, "Poetry To My Sister" remains a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire and move readers today.

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