'Views of Life' by Anne Brontë
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When sinks my heart in hopeless gloom,
And life can shew no joy for me;
And I behold a yawning tomb,
Where bowers and palaces should be;
In vain you talk of morbid dreams;
In vain you gaily smiling say,
That what to me so dreary seems,
The healthy mind deems bright and gay.
I too have smiled, and thought like you,
But madly smiled, and falsely deemed:
Truth led me to the present view,
I'm waking now -- 'twas then I dreamed.
I lately saw a sunset sky,
And stood enraptured to behold
Its varied hues of glorious dye:
First, fleecy clouds of shining gold;
These blushing took a rosy hue;
Beneath them shone a flood of green;
Nor less divine, the glorious blue
That smiled above them and between.
I cannot name each lovely shade;
I cannot say how bright they shone;
But one by one, I saw them fade;
And what remained whey they were gone?
Dull clouds remained, of sombre hue,
And when their borrowed charm was o'er,
The azure sky had faded too,
That smiled so softly bright before.
So, gilded by the glow of youth,
Our varied life looks fair and gay;
And so remains the naked truth,
When that false light is past away.
Why blame ye, then, my keener sight,
That clearly sees a world of woes,
Through all the haze of golden light,
That flattering Falsehood round it throws?
When the young mother smiles above
The first-born darling of her heart,
Her bosom glows with earnest love,
While tears of silent transport start.
Fond dreamer! little does she know
The anxious toil, the suffering,
The blasted hopes, the burning woe,
The object of her joy will bring.
Her blinded eyes behold not now
What, soon or late, must be his doom;
The anguish that will cloud his brow,
The bed of death, the dreary tomb.
As little know the youthful pair,
In mutual love supremely blest,
What weariness, and cold despair,
Ere long, will seize the aching breast.
And, even, should Love and Faith remain,
(The greatest blessings life can show,)
Amid adversity and pain,
To shine, throughout with cheering glow;
They do not see how cruel Death
Comes on, their loving hearts to part:
One feels not now the gasping breath,
The rending of the earth-bound heart, --
The soul's and body's agony,
Ere she may sink to her repose,
The sad survivor cannot see
The grave above his darling close;
Nor how, despairing and alone,
He then must wear his life away;
And linger, feebly toiling on,
And fainting, sink into decay.
***
Oh, Youth may listen patiently,
While sad Experience tells her tale;
But Doubt sits smiling in his eye,
For ardent Hope will still prevail!
He hears how feeble Pleasure dies,
By guilt destroyed, and pain and woe;
He turns to Hope - and she replies,
'Believe it not - it is not so!'
'Oh, heed her not!' Experience says,
'For thus she whispered once to me;
She told me, in my youthful days,
How glorious manhood's prime would be.
When, in the time of early Spring,
Too chill the winds that o'er me pass'd,
She said, each coming day would bring
A fairer heaven, a gentler blast.
And when the sun too seldom beamed,
The sky, o'ercast, too darkly frowned,
The soaking rain too constant streamed,
And mists too dreary gathered round;
'She told me Summer's glorious ray
Would chase those vapours all away,
And scatter glories round,
With sweetest music fill the trees,
Load with rich scent the gentle breeze,
And strew with flowers the ground.
But when, beneath that scorching ray,
I languished, weary, through the day,
While birds refused to sing,
Verdure decayed from field and tree,
And panting Nature mourned with me
The freshness of the Spring.
"Wait but a little while," she said,
"Till Summer's burning days are fled;
And Autumn shall restore,
With golden riches of her own,
And Summer's glories mellowed down,
The freshness you deplore."
And long I waited, but in vain:
That freshness never came again,
Though Summer passed away,
Though Autumn's mists hung cold and chill,
And drooping nature languished still,
And sank into decay.
Till wintry blasts foreboding blew
Through leafless trees - and then I knew
That Hope was all a dream.
But thus, fond youth, she cheated me;
And she will prove as false to thee,
Though sweet her words may seem.'
Stern prophet! Cease thy bodings dire -
Thou canst not quench the ardent fire
That warms the breast of youth.
Oh, let it cheer him while it may,
And gently, gently die away --
Chilled by the damps of truth!
Tell him, that earth is not our rest;
Its joys are empty -- frail at best;
And point beyond the sky.
But gleams of light may reach us here;
And hope the roughest path can cheer:
Then do not bid it fly!
Though hope may promise joys, that still
Unkindly time will ne'er fulfil;
Or, if they come at all,
We never find them unalloyed, -
Hurtful perchance, or soon destroyed,
They vanish or they pall;
Yet hope itself a brightness throws
O'er all our labours and our woes;
While dark foreboding Care
A thousand ills will oft portend,
That Providence may ne'er intend
The trembling heart to bear.
Or if they come, it oft appears,
Our woes are lighter than our fears,
And far more bravely borne.
Then let us not enhance our doom;
But e'en in midnight's blackest gloom
Expect the rising morn.
Because the road is rough and long,
Shall we despise the skylark's song,
That cheers the wanderer's way?
Or trample down, with reckless feet,
The smiling flowerets, bright and sweet
Because they soon decay?
Pass pleasant scenes unnoticed by,
Because the next is bleak and drear;
Or not enjoy a smiling sky,
Because a tempest may be near?
No! while we journey on our way,
We'll notice every lovely thing;
And ever, as they pass away,
To memory and hope we'll cling.
And though that awful river flows
Before us, when the journey's past,
Perchance of all the pilgrim's woes
Most dreadful -- shrink not - 'tis the last!
Though icy cold, and dark, and deep;
Beyond it smiles that blessed shore,
Where none shall suffer, none shall weep,
And bliss shall reign for evermore!
Acton
Editor 1 Interpretation
Views of Life by Anne Brontë: A Literary Criticism
Anne Brontë, one of the illustrious Brontë sisters, left a legacy of literary works that have stood the test of time. Her novel, Agnes Grey, is a classic in its own right, and her poetry, while not as widely read, deserves equal attention. In this literary criticism, I will delve deep into one of her lesser-known works, Views of Life, and explore its themes, style, and significance.
Background
Views of Life is a collection of poems by Anne Brontë, published posthumously in 1846. The collection comprises 41 poems, ranging from short verses to longer narrative poems. While some of the poems had been previously published in magazines, most were unpublished until their inclusion in Views of Life. The collection was edited by Anne's sister, Charlotte Brontë, who believed that Anne's poetry deserved to be published and appreciated.
Themes
One of the prominent themes in Views of Life is the exploration of the human experience. Anne Brontë delves deep into the emotions and struggles of ordinary people, portraying their joys and sorrows, hopes and fears, and aspirations and failures. In the poem "The Bluebell," for example, Brontë captures the beauty and fragility of nature, and its fleetingness in the face of human intrusion. She writes:
Yet I love thee, gentle flower, For thou art no vulgar meteor, Sprung from dull and common earth— Emblem of a purer sphere, Symbol of a holier birth.
In this poem, Brontë celebrates the beauty of nature, while also lamenting its vulnerability to human greed and destruction. The bluebell, as a symbol of purity and holiness, represents the ideal that humans should strive for, but often fail to attain.
Another theme that runs through Views of Life is the exploration of religion and faith. Brontë, who was a devout Christian, often grapples with questions of sin, redemption, and salvation in her poetry. In the poem "Lines Written from Home," for example, she writes:
O, sweet it is and sad to say That, like poor Esau, day by day, Our birthright sells for a deceit— Beggarly pleasures, slavish meat.
Here, Brontë uses the biblical story of Esau, who sold his birthright for a bowl of soup, to illustrate the danger of giving in to earthly pleasures at the expense of spiritual fulfillment. The poem is a reminder to readers to prioritize their spiritual well-being over fleeting pleasures and material possessions.
Style
Anne Brontë's style in Views of Life is characterized by simplicity, clarity, and emotional depth. Her poetry is accessible and easy to understand, but also rich in meaning and feeling. She often employs simple vocabulary and short, direct sentences, but also uses vivid imagery and metaphor to convey complex emotions and ideas.
One of the notable stylistic features of Brontë's poetry is her use of rhyme and meter. Many of her poems follow a strict rhyme scheme and meter, such as the poem "Parting," which has an ABAB rhyme scheme and iambic tetrameter:
Go, then, and if my heart's dear love Be still worth aught to thee, Ah! let thy life a comfort prove, Thy peace, a rest to me.
The use of rhyme and meter in this poem creates a musical quality and enhances its emotional impact. The poem's structure and rhythm reflect the sense of longing and sadness conveyed in the words.
Significance
Views of Life may not be as well-known as some of Anne Brontë's other works, but it is a significant contribution to the literary canon. The collection showcases Brontë's talent for capturing the human experience in all its complexity and nuance. Her poetry is not only aesthetically pleasing but also emotionally resonant, speaking to readers across generations and cultures.
Views of Life also sheds light on the role of women in Victorian society and the challenges they faced. As a woman writer in a male-dominated literary world, Anne Brontë had to contend with societal expectations and gender norms that often limited women's opportunities for self-expression and creative fulfillment. Views of Life is a testament to her courage and perseverance in the face of these obstacles, and a reminder of the importance of women's voices in literature and society.
Conclusion
Anne Brontë's Views of Life is a collection of poetry that deserves to be read and appreciated. Through her exploration of human experience, faith, and the natural world, Brontë creates a rich tapestry of emotions, ideas, and images that speak to readers on a deep level. Her simple yet powerful style, coupled with her commitment to portraying women's experiences and struggles, makes Views of Life a significant work in the literary canon. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend you do. You won't regret it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Anne Brontë’s Poetry Views of Life is a classic collection of poems that explores the complexities of life, love, and death. The collection is a reflection of the author’s own experiences and observations, and it offers a unique perspective on the human condition. In this analysis, we will delve into the themes, motifs, and literary devices used by Brontë to convey her message.
The collection is divided into three sections: Life, Love, and Death. Each section explores a different aspect of the human experience, and the poems within each section are thematically linked. The Life section deals with the struggles and challenges of everyday life, while the Love section explores the joys and pains of romantic love. The Death section, as the name suggests, deals with the inevitability of death and the emotions that come with it.
One of the most prominent themes in the collection is the idea of perseverance in the face of adversity. Brontë’s poems often depict characters who are struggling with difficult situations, but who refuse to give up. In the poem “The Doubter’s Prayer,” for example, the speaker is struggling with doubt and uncertainty, but she refuses to give up her faith. She prays for strength and guidance, and ultimately finds the courage to continue on her journey.
Another important theme in the collection is the idea of love as a transformative force. Brontë’s poems often depict characters who are transformed by love, whether it is romantic love or love for a higher power. In the poem “If This Be All,” for example, the speaker is initially disillusioned with life, but she is transformed by her love for God. She finds comfort and solace in her faith, and her perspective on life is changed.
Brontë also uses a variety of literary devices to convey her message. One of the most prominent devices is imagery. Brontë’s poems are filled with vivid descriptions of nature, which serve to underscore the themes of the collection. In the poem “The Bluebell,” for example, the speaker describes the beauty of the bluebell and its fleeting nature. The bluebell serves as a metaphor for life itself, which is beautiful but fleeting.
Another important literary device used by Brontë is symbolism. Brontë often uses symbols to represent abstract concepts or ideas. In the poem “The Captive Dove,” for example, the dove is a symbol for the speaker’s own soul, which is trapped and unable to fly free. The dove serves as a metaphor for the human condition, which is often characterized by a sense of confinement or limitation.
Finally, Brontë’s use of language is also noteworthy. Her poems are written in a simple, straightforward style, which makes them accessible to a wide audience. However, the simplicity of the language belies the complexity of the ideas being conveyed. Brontë’s poems are filled with subtle nuances and layers of meaning, which require careful reading and analysis to fully appreciate.
In conclusion, Anne Brontë’s Poetry Views of Life is a classic collection of poems that explores the complexities of the human experience. The collection is thematically linked, with each section exploring a different aspect of life. Brontë’s use of literary devices such as imagery, symbolism, and language serve to underscore the themes of the collection, and make it a rich and rewarding read. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply interested in exploring the human condition, Poetry Views of Life is a must-read.
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