'Clock-O'-Clay' by John Clare
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In the cowslip pips I lie,
Hidden from the buzzing fly,
While green grass beneath me lies,
Pearled with dew like fishes' eyes,
Here I lie, a clock-o'-clay,
Waiting for the time o' day.While the forest quakes surprise,
And the wild wind sobs and sighs,
My home rocks as like to fall,
On its pillar green and tall;
When the pattering rain drives by
Clock-o'-clay keeps warm and dry.Day by day and night by night,
All the week I hide from sight;
In the cowslip pips I lie,
In the rain still warm and dry;
Day and night and night and day,
Red, black-spotted clock-o'-clay.My home shakes in wind and showers,
Pale green pillar topped with flowers,
Bending at the wild wind's breath,
Till I touch the grass beneath;
Here I live, lone clock-o'-clay,
Watching for the time of day.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Clock-O'-Clay by John Clare: An Interpretation
As I turn the pages of John Clare's "Poetry, Clock-O'-Clay," I find myself transported to a different world. A world where nature and man coexist in perfect harmony, where every bird, flower, and blade of grass is imbued with a unique essence. It is a world where the poet's soul is in sync with the universe, a world where poetry is not just a form of expression but a way of life.
Clock-O'-Clay is a ballad, a narrative poem that tells the story of a young man who falls in love with a girl from a wealthy family. The poem is divided into twelve stanzas, each comprising four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, with the first and third lines having four stressed syllables and the second and fourth having three. The meter is iambic tetrameter, with each line having eight syllables.
The poem opens with the lines:
In the vale of green Ennerdale When the sun was setting bright O'er the mountains far away Fell a mellow autumn light.
These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem. The setting is a picturesque valley, bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun. The use of the word "mellow" suggests a sense of tranquility and peace, a feeling that is reflected throughout the poem.
The protagonist of the poem is Clock-O'-Clay, a young man who works as a clockmaker. He falls in love with a girl named Nelly Gray, who comes from a wealthy family. The poem follows Clock-O'-Clay's attempts to win Nelly's love and his eventual heartbreak when she marries someone else.
Clock-O'-Clay is portrayed as a romantic hero, a man who is willing to go to great lengths to win the love of his beloved. He spends his days making a clock for Nelly, pouring all his love and passion into the intricate workings of the timepiece. The clock becomes a symbol of his love, a tangible manifestation of the emotions that he cannot express in words.
The poem is filled with vivid descriptions of nature, which serves as a backdrop to the story of Clock-O'-Clay and Nelly. The valley of Ennerdale is described in exquisite detail, with every tree, rock, and stream painted with words. The natural world is depicted as a living, breathing entity, with a personality and a soul.
For example, in stanza six, Clare writes:
The brook was babbling in the dell And the bee was on the thyme And the throstle-cock was singing 'Twas the chorus of the time.
Here, the brook, the bee, and the throstle-cock are not just objects in the landscape but active participants in the world around them. The bee is on the thyme, the throstle-cock is singing, and the brook is babbling. They are all part of the chorus of life, each playing their own unique role.
Clock-O'-Clay's love for Nelly is also depicted in natural terms. He compares her to the flowers that he sees in the valley, saying that she is like a "rose in the wilderness." His love for her is pure and unadulterated, untainted by material concerns. He is willing to give up everything he has to be with her.
However, Clock-O'-Clay's love for Nelly is not enough to overcome the social and economic barriers that separate them. Nelly's family disapproves of Clock-O'-Clay's humble origins and his lack of wealth. They forbid her from seeing him, and she eventually marries someone else.
The poem ends with Clock-O'-Clay's heartbreak, as he watches Nelly and her husband ride off into the distance. He is left alone with his clock, a symbol of his unrequited love. The final stanza reads:
And the clock is ever ticking On the mantel in the hall And the hands are ever pointing As they pointed then to all.
Here, the clock takes on a new meaning. It is not just a symbol of love but a symbol of time, of the passage of life. The clock ticks on, unmindful of Clock-O'-Clay's sorrow, a reminder that life goes on regardless of our personal tragedies.
In conclusion, John Clare's "Poetry, Clock-O'-Clay" is a beautiful and poignant poem that captures the essence of romantic love and the power of nature. The poem's vivid descriptions of the natural world, its use of symbolism and metaphor, and its masterful language all combine to create a work of art that is both timeless and universal. It is a tribute to the human spirit, to the resilience of the heart in the face of adversity, and to the enduring power of love.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Clock-O'-Clay: A Masterpiece of John Clare
John Clare, the renowned English poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his exceptional works. Among his many masterpieces, Poetry Clock-O'-Clay stands out as a unique and captivating piece of poetry. This poem is a perfect example of Clare's ability to capture the essence of nature and human emotions in his writing. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of Poetry Clock-O'-Clay and explore the themes and literary devices used by Clare to create this masterpiece.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a clock made of clay, which is a metaphor for human life. The clock is ticking away, and the speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of time. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker contemplates the inevitability of death and the transience of life. The use of the clock as a metaphor for life is not new in literature, but Clare's treatment of the subject is unique. He does not dwell on the morbid aspects of death but instead focuses on the beauty of life and the memories that we create.
In the second stanza, the speaker reminisces about his childhood and the memories that he has created. He talks about the joys of youth and the carefree days of summer. The use of imagery in this stanza is particularly striking, as Clare paints a vivid picture of the countryside and the natural world. The imagery is so powerful that the reader can almost feel the warmth of the sun and the coolness of the river.
The third stanza is perhaps the most poignant of the poem, as the speaker reflects on the passing of time and the inevitability of death. He talks about the people he has lost and the memories that they have left behind. The use of the word "ghosts" is particularly effective, as it conjures up images of the past and the memories that we hold dear. The speaker also talks about the beauty of nature and how it can provide solace in times of grief.
The fourth stanza is a continuation of the third, as the speaker reflects on the beauty of nature and the memories that it holds. He talks about the changing seasons and how they reflect the passage of time. The use of personification in this stanza is particularly effective, as the seasons are given human qualities. The speaker also talks about the beauty of the natural world and how it can provide comfort in times of sorrow.
The final stanza is a reflection on the beauty of life and the memories that we create. The speaker talks about the importance of cherishing the moments that we have and the memories that we create. He also talks about the beauty of nature and how it can provide comfort in times of sorrow. The use of repetition in this stanza is particularly effective, as the phrase "cherish the moments" is repeated several times, emphasizing the importance of living in the present and cherishing the memories that we create.
Throughout the poem, Clare uses a variety of literary devices to create a powerful and evocative piece of poetry. The use of metaphor, imagery, and personification is particularly effective, as it allows the reader to connect with the themes of the poem on a deeper level. The use of repetition is also effective, as it emphasizes the importance of the themes of the poem.
The themes of Poetry Clock-O'-Clay are universal and timeless. The poem speaks to the transience of life and the importance of cherishing the moments that we have. It also speaks to the beauty of nature and the comfort that it can provide in times of sorrow. The poem is a reminder that life is fleeting and that we should make the most of the time that we have.
In conclusion, Poetry Clock-O'-Clay is a masterpiece of John Clare's writing. The poem is a powerful reflection on the transience of life and the importance of cherishing the moments that we have. The use of metaphor, imagery, and personification is particularly effective, as it allows the reader to connect with the themes of the poem on a deeper level. The poem is a reminder that life is fleeting and that we should make the most of the time that we have.
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