'Consolation , The' by Anne Brontë


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Though bleak these woods and damp the ground
With fallen leaves so thickly strewn,
And cold the wind that wanders round
With wild and melancholy moan,
There is a friendly roof I know
Might shield me from the wintry blast;
There is a fire whose ruddy glow
Will cheer me for my wanderings past.

And so, though still where'er I roam
Cold stranger glances meet my eye,
Though when my spirit sinks in woe
Unheeded swells the unbidden sigh,

Though solitude endured too long
Bids youthful joys too soon decay,
Makes mirth a stranger to my tongue
And overclouds my noon of day,

When kindly thoughts that would have way
Flow back discouraged to my breast
I know there is, though far away
A home where heart and soul may rest.

Warm hands are there that clasped in mine
The warmer heart will not belie,
While mirth and truth and friendship shine
In smiling lip and earnest eye.

The ice that gathers round my heart
May there be thawed; and sweetly then
The joys of youth that now depart
Will come to cheer my soul again.

Though far I roam, this thought shall be
My hope, my comfort everywhere;
While such a home remains to me
My heart shall never know despair.

Hespera Caverndel

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Power of Consolation in Anne Brontë's Poetry

Anne Brontë's poetry is often overlooked in favor of her more famous sisters, Charlotte and Emily. However, her works, particularly the poem "Consolation," offer a unique perspective on themes of loss, grief, and hope. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the power of consolation in Anne Brontë's poetry and how it reflects her own experiences and beliefs.

Context and Background

Before delving into the poem itself, it is important to understand the context and background in which Anne Brontë wrote. Born in 1820, she was the youngest of six siblings, and her family experienced significant loss throughout her life. Her mother and two older sisters died when she was young, and her brother Branwell suffered from addiction before his death at the age of 31. Her own health was also poor, and she died at the young age of 29.

These experiences undoubtedly influenced Anne Brontë's poetry, which often deals with themes of mortality, faith, and the afterlife. "Consolation" was published posthumously in 1849, alongside her other works, and is considered one of her most famous poems.

Analysis of "Consolation"

"Consolation" is a sonnet, a 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. It is structured in two quatrains (four-line stanzas) followed by two tercets (three-line stanzas). The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.

The poem begins with a reflection on nature and the fleeting nature of life:

Though bleak these woods, and damp the ground
With fallen leaves so thickly strown;
And cold the wind that wanders round
With wild and melancholy moan;

The imagery of the woods and fallen leaves sets a melancholy tone, but the use of personification in the wind creates a sense of movement and life. The wind is "wandering" and "wild," conveying a sense of unpredictability and chaos. The use of the word "melancholy" emphasizes the sadness of the scene.

The second quatrain introduces the idea of death and the afterlife:

Yet, when I mournfully complain
And think of those that loved me dear;
When I with guilt, and grief, and pain,
And all the woes of life, appear;

Here, the speaker is reflecting on their own grief and the pain of losing loved ones. The use of the word "guilt" suggests a sense of responsibility or regret, perhaps for things left unsaid or undone. The line "And all the woes of life, appear" is particularly powerful, suggesting that grief can make all the other problems in life seem insignificant.

The first tercet introduces the idea of finding comfort in faith:

When Nature wears that aspect drear,
And skies pour down the bitter rain,
My woes are swallow'd up in prayer.

The use of the word "dreary" in the first line echoes the imagery of the first quatrain, but the introduction of prayer suggests a way to find comfort and peace. The speaker is able to escape from their woes through faith.

The second tercet expands on this idea and introduces the concept of hope:

I lost my child-hood's lingering mirth
And left these crooked paths of youth;
But blessings on thy head, sweet earth,
I know that thou art full of truth, -
Though not unmix'd with sorrow - even as life;
Yet, thus believing, by thy helpful strife,
This weary heart awhile I'll cheer,
And raise my drooping soul above this world of fear.

The opening line of this tercet is particularly powerful: "I lost my childhood's lingering mirth / And left these crooked paths of youth." Here, the speaker is acknowledging the loss of innocence and the pain of growing up. However, the use of the word "lingering" suggests that some part of that childhood joy remains, even as the speaker has grown older.

The final three lines of the poem introduce the idea of hope. The speaker acknowledges that life is not without sorrow, but believes in the truth of the earth and the power of nature to bring comfort. The phrase "by thy helpful strife" suggests that the speaker sees the struggles of life as ultimately beneficial, leading to growth and strength. The final line, "And raise my drooping soul above this world of fear," suggests that the speaker has found a way to transcend the pain of life and find hope in something greater.

Interpretation

"Consolation" is a deeply personal poem that reflects Anne Brontë's own experiences of loss and grief. The emphasis on nature and the afterlife suggests a belief in something beyond the physical world, and the use of prayer and faith as a source of comfort is a reflection of her strong religious beliefs.

However, the poem also offers a broader message about the power of consolation. The use of personification and imagery creates a sense of movement and life in the poem, even as it deals with themes of death and loss. The idea that grief can be swallowed up in prayer offers hope to those who may be struggling with their own pain.

Overall, "Consolation" is a testament to the power of poetry to offer comfort and hope in times of hardship. Anne Brontë's unique perspective and personal experiences contribute to the emotional depth of the poem, making it a powerful work of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The classic poem "Consolation" by Anne Brontë is a beautiful and poignant piece that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever experienced loss or heartbreak. With its simple yet powerful language and its deeply emotional themes, this poem has become a beloved classic of English literature.

At its core, "Consolation" is a poem about the power of nature to heal and soothe the human soul. The speaker of the poem is someone who has experienced great pain and sorrow, and who has turned to the natural world for comfort and solace. Throughout the poem, we see the speaker finding peace and healing in the beauty of the natural world, and in the knowledge that even though everything in life is fleeting and temporary, the beauty of nature will endure.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the pain and sorrow that she has experienced. She speaks of a "deep and dark and cold" despair that has settled over her, and of the "aching heart" that she carries with her everywhere she goes. This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, and establishes the speaker as someone who is deeply wounded and in need of healing.

As the poem progresses, we see the speaker turning to nature for comfort and solace. She speaks of the "gentle breeze" that blows through the trees, and of the "soft and soothing" sound of the leaves rustling in the wind. She describes the beauty of the flowers and the birds, and of the way that they seem to exist in a state of perfect harmony with the natural world around them.

Throughout the poem, the speaker emphasizes the transience of human life, and the way that everything in the world is constantly changing and evolving. She speaks of the "fleeting joys" of life, and of the fact that even the most beautiful things in the world are ultimately temporary. However, despite this transience, the speaker finds comfort in the knowledge that the beauty of nature will endure. She speaks of the "everlasting hills" and the "eternal sky," and of the way that they will continue to exist long after human beings have passed away.

One of the most powerful aspects of "Consolation" is the way that it speaks to the universal human experience of loss and heartbreak. Whether we have lost a loved one, experienced a painful breakup, or simply gone through a difficult time in our lives, we can all relate to the feelings of despair and hopelessness that the speaker describes. However, the poem also offers a message of hope and healing, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, we can find comfort and solace in the beauty of the natural world.

Overall, "Consolation" is a beautiful and deeply moving poem that speaks to the heart of the human experience. With its powerful themes of loss, healing, and the enduring beauty of nature, it has become a beloved classic of English literature, and a source of comfort and inspiration for generations of readers. Whether we are going through a difficult time in our lives or simply looking for a reminder of the beauty and resilience of the natural world, this poem is sure to touch our hearts and lift our spirits.

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