'A Hymn' by Anne Brontë


AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay



Eternal power of earth and air,
Unseen, yet seen in all around,
Remote, but dwelling everywhere,
Though silent, heard in every sound.
If e'er thine ear in mercy bent
When wretched mortals cried to thee,
And if indeed thy Son was sent
To save lost sinners such as me.

Then hear me now, while kneeling here;
I lift to thee my heart and eye
And all my soul ascends in prayer;
O give me -­ give me Faith I cry.

Without some glimmering in my heart,
I could not raise this fervent prayer;
But O a stronger light impart,
And in thy mercy fix it there!

While Faith is with me I am blest;
It turns my darkest night to day;
But while I clasp it to my breast
I often feel it slide away.

Then cold and dark my spirit sinks,
To see my light of life depart,
And every fiend of Hell methinks
Enjoys the anguish of my heart.

What shall I do if all my love,
My hopes, my toil, are cast away,
And if there be no God above
To hear and bless me when I pray?

If this be vain delusion all,
If death be an eternal sleep,
And none can hear my secret call,
Or see the silent tears I weep.

O help me God! for thou alone
Canst my distracted soul relieve;
Forsake it not -- it is thine own,
Though weak yet longing to believe.

O drive these cruel doubts away
And make me know that thou art God;
A Faith that shines by night and day
Will lighten every earthly load.

If I believe that Jesus died
And waking rose to reign above,
Then surely Sorrow, Sin and Pride
Must yield to peace and hope and love.

And all the blessed words he said
Will strength and holy joy impart,
A shield of safety o'er my head,
A spring of comfort in my heart.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, A Hymn by Anne Brontë: An Exploration of Faith and Nature

Anne Brontë's "Poetry, A Hymn" is a beautiful ode to the beauty of nature and the power of faith. Written in the Victorian era, the poem speaks to the timeless value of connecting with the natural world and finding solace in a higher power. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes and symbolism present in this classic work of poetry.

Form and Structure

Before we delve into the themes and symbolism of "Poetry, A Hymn," let's take a moment to appreciate the form and structure of the poem. The poem is written in four stanzas, each consisting of eight lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCCDD, with the first two lines of each stanza rhyming with each other, the third and fourth lines rhyming with each other, and the final two lines rhyming with each other. This creates a sense of symmetry and balance in the poem, which reflects the themes of harmony and unity that are present throughout.

Each stanza also begins with an invocation to a different aspect of nature - the sky, the earth, the sea, and the wind. This repetition of nature imagery creates a sense of continuity and interconnectedness between the different elements of the natural world. It also reinforces the idea that nature is a powerful force that can inspire and uplift us.

Themes

One of the central themes of "Poetry, A Hymn" is the power of nature to evoke a sense of wonder and awe in us. In the first stanza, the speaker describes the sky as "a boundless curtain hung / with gold and purple dyes." This imagery conjures up a sense of grandeur and majesty, as if the sky is a vast tapestry woven by some divine hand. The speaker goes on to describe the stars as "heavenly gems" and the moon as a "silver lamp," creating a sense of celestial beauty that is beyond our grasp.

The second stanza continues this theme of natural beauty, as the speaker invokes the earth and its "sunny hills" and "verdant valleys." The speaker also describes the flowers as "sweetest poetry" and the birds as "heavenly music," suggesting that nature itself is a form of art that can inspire us with its beauty.

Another theme present in the poem is the idea of faith and spirituality. In the third stanza, the speaker describes the sea as a "mighty hymn of praise" and praises the "Eternal Spirit" who created it. This suggests that the natural world is not just a beautiful thing to be admired, but also a manifestation of something divine. The speaker goes on to say that "faith can hear the music too," suggesting that those who have faith in a higher power can hear the hymn of praise that is present in the natural world.

Finally, the fourth stanza explores the theme of unity and interconnectedness. The speaker invokes the wind as a "mighty messenger" that connects different parts of the world together. The speaker also says that "man may learn from every sight" and that nature can teach us important lessons about the world and our place in it.

Symbolism

"Poetry, A Hymn" is also rich in symbolism, which adds depth and complexity to the themes explored in the poem. One of the most prominent symbols in the poem is the sky, which represents the vastness and mystery of the universe. The use of gold and purple imagery creates a sense of majesty and grandeur, suggesting that the sky is a symbol of something beyond our understanding.

Another important symbol in the poem is the sea, which represents the power and majesty of nature. The sea is described as a "mighty hymn of praise" and a "deep, majestic, solemn harmony," reinforcing the idea that nature is not just beautiful, but also awe-inspiring and powerful.

The wind is another important symbol in the poem, representing the interconnectedness of the natural world. The wind is described as a "mighty messenger" that connects different parts of the world together, suggesting that everything in nature is connected in some way.

Finally, the use of faith and spirituality as a theme in the poem is symbolized by the idea of music. The speaker describes the natural world as a form of music, with the flowers as "sweetest poetry" and the birds as "heavenly music." This suggests that faith and spirituality are not just abstract concepts, but something that can be experienced and felt through the beauty of the natural world.

Interpretation

"Poetry, A Hymn" is a beautiful and timeless poem that speaks to the power and beauty of nature, as well as the importance of faith and spirituality. The repetition of nature imagery in each stanza creates a sense of continuity and interconnectedness, reinforcing the idea that everything in the natural world is connected in some way.

The use of symbolism in the poem adds depth and complexity to the themes explored, creating a sense of mystery and wonder that is both awe-inspiring and humbling. The sky, the sea, and the wind all represent different aspects of the natural world, and are used to explore different ideas and themes throughout the poem.

Ultimately, "Poetry, A Hymn" is a celebration of the beauty and power of the natural world, and a reminder of the importance of faith and spirituality in our lives. It is a timeless work of poetry that continues to inspire and uplift readers even today, more than a century after it was written.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Anne Brontë’s “A Hymn” is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and powerful piece of literature that speaks to the heart and soul of the reader. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of the poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.

The poem is a hymn, which is a type of religious song or poem that is typically sung in praise of God. However, “A Hymn” is not a traditional hymn in the sense that it does not follow a strict meter or rhyme scheme. Instead, it is a free verse poem that uses imagery and metaphor to convey its message.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with four lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem by establishing the speaker’s relationship with God. The speaker acknowledges that God is the source of all goodness and that they are unworthy of His love and mercy. This humility is a common theme in religious poetry, as it emphasizes the greatness of God and the smallness of humanity.

The second stanza shifts the focus to the natural world and the beauty of creation. The speaker marvels at the wonders of the earth and the sky, recognizing that they are all part of God’s creation. This stanza is particularly effective because it uses vivid imagery to bring the natural world to life. The reader can almost feel the warmth of the sun and the coolness of the breeze as they read the words.

The final stanza brings the poem full circle by returning to the theme of God’s love and mercy. The speaker acknowledges that they are a sinner and in need of forgiveness. They ask God to cleanse their soul and make them pure. This stanza is particularly powerful because it emphasizes the idea of redemption and the transformative power of God’s love.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of language. Brontë’s writing is simple and direct, yet it is also poetic and evocative. She uses words like “glory,” “majesty,” and “wonder” to describe God and His creation, which creates a sense of awe and reverence. At the same time, she uses words like “sin,” “guilt,” and “shame” to describe the speaker’s relationship with God, which creates a sense of humility and contrition.

Another notable aspect of the poem is its use of metaphor. Brontë compares God to a “fountain of love” and a “sun of righteousness,” which emphasizes His role as the source of all goodness and light. She also compares the speaker’s soul to a “foul and tainted spring,” which emphasizes the need for redemption and purification.

Overall, “A Hymn” is a beautiful and powerful poem that speaks to the heart and soul of the reader. It is a testament to the enduring power of religious poetry and the human desire to connect with something greater than ourselves. Whether you are a believer or not, this poem is sure to inspire and uplift you with its message of love, mercy, and redemption.

Editor Recommended Sites

Farmsim Games: The best highest rated farm sim games and similar game recommendations to the one you like
Model Shop: Buy and sell machine learning models
Datalog: Learn Datalog programming for graph reasoning and incremental logic processing.
Rust Crates - Best rust crates by topic & Highest rated rust crates: Find the best rust crates, with example code to get started
Developer Asset Bundles - Dev Assets & Tech learning Bundles: Asset bundles for developers. Buy discounted software licenses & Buy discounted programming courses

Recommended Similar Analysis

Gunga Din by Rudyard Kipling analysis
The Apparition by John Donne analysis
A Changed Man by Thomas Hardy analysis
The Last Laugh by Wilfred Owen analysis
It 's like the light, -- by Emily Dickinson analysis
Michael : A Pastoral Poem by William Wordsworth analysis
A Birthday by Christina Georgina Rossetti analysis
On Sitting Down to Read King Lear Once Again by John Keats analysis
Elegy Written In A Country Church-Yard by Thomas Gray analysis
Of Him I Love Day And Night by Walt Whitman analysis