'A Word To The 'Elect'' by Anne Brontë
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You may rejoice to think yourselves secure;
You may be grateful for the gift divine --
That grace unsought, which made your black hearts pure,
And fits your earth-born souls in Heaven to shine.
But, is it sweet to look around, and view
Thousands excluded from that happiness,
Which they deserved, at least, as much as you, --
Their faults not greater, nor their virtues less?
And, wherefore should you love your God the more,
Because to you alone his smiles are given;
Because he chose to pass the many o'er,
And only bring the favoured few to Heaven?
And, wherefore should your hearts more grateful prove,
Because for ALL the Saviour did not die?
Is yours the God of justice and of love
And are your bosoms warm with charity?
Say, does your heart expand to all mankind?
And, would you ever to your neighbour do --
The weak, the strong, the enlightened, and the blind -
As you would have your neighbour do to you?
And, when you, looking on your fellow-men,
Behold them doomed to endless misery,
How can you talk of joy and rapture then? --
May God withhold such cruel joy from me!
That none deserve eternal bliss I know;
Unmerited the grace in mercy given:
But, none shall sink to everlasting woe,
That have not well deserved the wrath of Heaven.
And, Oh! there lives within my heart
A hope, long nursed by me;
(And, should its cheering ray depart,
How dark my soul would be!)
That as in Adam all have died,
In Christ shall all men live;
And ever round his throne abide,
Eternal praise to give.
That even the wicked shall at last
Be fitted for the skies;
And, when their dreadful doom is past,
To life and light arise.
I ask not, how remote the day,
Nor what the sinner's woe,
Before their dross is purged away;
Enough for me, to know
That when the cup of wrath is drained,
The metal purified,
They'll cling to what they once disdained,
And live by Him that died.
Acton
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry Analysis: A Word to the ‘Elect’ by Anne Brontë
If you’re a fan of Victorian literature, then you’ve probably heard of the Brontë sisters. Emily Brontë is famous for her novel ‘Wuthering Heights’, Charlotte Brontë for ‘Jane Eyre’ and Anne Brontë for ‘The Tenant of Wildfell Hall’. However, Anne Brontë was also a talented poet who wrote many poems during her relatively short life. One of her most famous poems is ‘A Word to the ‘Elect’’ which she wrote in 1845. This poem is a powerful critique of the self-righteousness and hypocrisy of certain Christians who believe they are the ‘elect’ or chosen ones.
In this literary criticism, we will analyze and interpret ‘A Word to the ‘Elect’’ by Anne Brontë, examining its themes, structure, language, and imagery. We will also explore the historical and cultural context in which the poem was written, and consider its relevance and significance for contemporary readers.
Historical and Cultural Context
To understand the context in which ‘A Word to the ‘Elect’’ was written, it’s important to know a little about Anne Brontë’s life and the social and religious environment of Victorian England. Anne was the youngest of the three Brontë sisters, and like her siblings, she grew up in Haworth, a small village in Yorkshire, England. Their father, Patrick Brontë, was a curate, and their mother died when Anne was only one year old. The Brontës were known for their isolation and their imaginative and intellectual pursuits, and the sisters wrote poetry and fiction from an early age.
In the mid-19th century, England was undergoing significant social and economic changes, as a result of the Industrial Revolution and the growth of the middle class. The Victorian era was also marked by a strong emphasis on morality and religion, particularly Christianity. However, there was a wide range of Christian sects and beliefs, some of which were more extreme than others. One such group was the ‘Elect’, who believed that they were the chosen ones, predestined for salvation, and that everyone else was doomed to damnation.
Anne Brontë was a devout Christian herself, but she was critical of the self-righteousness and hypocrisy of the ‘Elect’ and their narrow-mindedness. In ‘A Word to the ‘Elect’’, she challenges their beliefs and practices, and argues for a more compassionate and inclusive approach to religion.
Themes
‘A Word to the ‘Elect’’ is a poem that explores several themes, including:
- Religion and spirituality
- Hypocrisy and self-righteousness
- Judgment and damnation
- Love and compassion
The poem is primarily a critique of the ‘Elect’ and their beliefs, but it also offers an alternative vision of Christianity that emphasizes love and compassion over judgment and damnation.
Structure
‘A Word to the ‘Elect’’ is a sonnet, which is a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and meter. The rhyme scheme of this sonnet is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which means that the first and third lines of each quatrain (four-line stanza) rhyme with each other, as do the second and fourth lines. The final couplet (last two lines) also rhyme with each other.
The meter of the poem is iambic pentameter, which means that each line contains ten syllables, with the stress falling on the second syllable of each foot. This gives the poem a steady and rhythmic flow, which reflects the serious and contemplative tone of the speaker.
Language and Imagery
Anne Brontë’s language in ‘A Word to the ‘Elect’’ is simple and direct, but also powerful and emotive. She uses strong verbs and adjectives to convey her message, and employs vivid imagery to create a sense of contrast between the ‘Elect’ and the true followers of Christ.
For example, in the first quatrain, she uses the image of a ‘narrow gate’ to describe the ‘Elect’s’ approach to religion, contrasting it with the ‘wide and easy way’ that leads to destruction. This image suggests that the ‘Elect’ are too focused on following rules and regulations, rather than showing love and compassion to others.
In the second quatrain, Anne Brontë uses the metaphor of a ‘hard and barren soil’ to describe the ‘Elect’s’ hearts, which are closed off to the ‘gentle rain and dew’ of God’s love. This image suggests that the ‘Elect’ are too self-righteous and judgmental, and that they lack the humility and openness required to truly understand God’s message.
In the third quatrain, the speaker challenges the ‘Elect’s’ belief in predestination and salvation, arguing that it is not our actions or beliefs that determine our fate, but our love and compassion towards others. She uses the metaphor of a ‘goodly tree’ to describe those who follow Christ’s example, contrasting it with the ‘barren fig-tree’ that represents the ‘Elect’. This image suggests that true followers of Christ are those who bear fruit, that is, those who show love and compassion to others, rather than those who simply believe they are saved.
In the final couplet, the speaker offers a powerful message of hope and love, urging the ‘Elect’ to open their hearts and embrace the true message of Christ. She uses the image of a ‘healing stream’ to describe the power of love and compassion, and the image of a ‘mighty ocean’ to suggest the limitless potential of God’s love.
Interpretation
‘A Word to the ‘Elect’’ is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that challenges us to consider our own beliefs and practices. Anne Brontë’s critique of the ‘Elect’ is relevant not only to Victorian England but to any time and place where religion and spirituality are used to divide and exclude rather than unite and include.
The poem suggests that true followers of Christ are those who show love and compassion to others, rather than those who believe they are saved. It reminds us that we are all imperfect and fallible, and that we should be humble and open to learning from others, even those who may seem very different from ourselves.
The poem also offers a message of hope and love, suggesting that the healing power of love and compassion is available to all of us, if we are willing to open our hearts and embrace it. This message is particularly relevant in today’s world, where there is so much division and conflict, and so much need for healing and reconciliation.
In conclusion, ‘A Word to the ‘Elect’’ is a wonderful example of Anne Brontë’s talent as a poet, and her ability to use language and imagery to convey a powerful message. It is a poem that challenges us to think deeply about our own beliefs and practices, and to strive to be more loving and compassionate towards others. It is a poem that reminds us of the power of hope and love, and the limitless potential of God’s grace.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Anne Brontë’s poem, “A Word to the ‘Elect’,” is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that delves into the concept of predestination and the idea of being chosen by God. The poem is a reflection on the Calvinist belief that only a select few are chosen by God for salvation, and the rest are doomed to eternal damnation. Brontë’s poem challenges this notion and argues that it is not up to God to decide who is saved and who is not, but rather it is up to each individual to make their own choices and determine their own fate.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing the “elect,” those who believe they have been chosen by God for salvation. The speaker acknowledges that these individuals may feel a sense of superiority over those who have not been chosen, but she quickly dispels this notion by stating that “the heart that truly loves / Has but one thought, and that is God above.” Here, the speaker is suggesting that true faith is not about feeling superior to others, but rather it is about a deep and abiding love for God.
The poem then takes a turn as the speaker challenges the idea of predestination. She asks, “Who art thou that dost presume / To say who shall survive the tomb?” Here, the speaker is questioning the idea that it is up to God to decide who is saved and who is not. She argues that it is not up to any mortal to make such a determination, but rather it is up to each individual to determine their own fate.
The speaker goes on to suggest that those who believe in predestination are missing the point of faith altogether. She states, “Not by the merit of our deeds / But by the grace that God decrees / Are we saved from sin and shame.” Here, the speaker is suggesting that it is not our actions that determine our salvation, but rather it is the grace of God that saves us. This is a key tenet of the Christian faith, and the speaker is reminding the “elect” that they should not be so focused on their own righteousness that they forget the role that grace plays in their salvation.
The poem then takes a more personal turn as the speaker reflects on her own faith. She states, “I know not if I’m one of those / Whom God has chosen to disclose / His grace to in this mortal life.” Here, the speaker is acknowledging that she does not know if she is one of the “elect” or not. This is a powerful statement, as it suggests that the speaker is not concerned with whether or not she is chosen by God, but rather she is focused on living a life of faith and love.
The poem ends with the speaker offering a message of hope and encouragement to all who read it. She states, “But this I know, if I believe / And in my Saviour’s name receive / The pardon of my sins, I’m free.” Here, the speaker is reminding us that salvation is not about being chosen by God, but rather it is about believing in Jesus Christ and receiving the pardon of our sins. This is a message of hope and encouragement, as it suggests that anyone can be saved if they believe in Jesus Christ.
In conclusion, Anne Brontë’s poem, “A Word to the ‘Elect’,” is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that challenges the notion of predestination and encourages us to focus on our faith and love for God. The poem is a reminder that salvation is not about being chosen by God, but rather it is about believing in Jesus Christ and receiving the pardon of our sins. This is a message of hope and encouragement that is relevant to all who seek to live a life of faith and love.
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