'A Death - Scene' by Emily Jane Brontë


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"O day! he cannot die
When thou so fair art shining!
O Sun, in such a glorious sky,
So tranquilly declining;

He cannot leave thee now,
While fresh west winds are blowing,
And all around his youthful brow
Thy cheerful light is glowing!

Edward, awake, awake -
The golden evening gleams
Warm and bright on Arden's lake -
Arouse thee from thy dreams!

Beside thee, on my knee,
My dearest friend! I pray
That thou, to cross the eternal sea,
Wouldst yet one hour delay:

I hear its billows roar -
I see them foaming high;
But no glimpse of a further shore
Has blest my straining eye.

Believe not what they urge
Of Eden isles beyond;
Turn back, from that tempestuous surge,
To thy own native land.

It is not death, but pain
That struggles in thy breast -
Nay, rally, Edward, rouse again;
I cannot let thee rest!"

One long look, that sore reproved me
For the woe I could not bear -
One mute look of suffering moved me
To repent my useless prayer:

And, with sudden check, the heaving
Of distraction passed away;
Not a sign of further grieving
Stirred my soul that awful day.

Paled, at length, the sweet sun setting;
Sunk to peace the twilight breeze:
Summer dews fell softly, wetting
Glen, and glade, and silent trees.

Then his eyes began to weary,
Weighed beneath a mortal sleep;
And their orbs grew strangely dreary,
Clouded, even as they would weep.

But they wept not, but they changed not,
Never moved, and never closed;
Troubled still, and still they ranged not -
Wandered not, nor yet reposed!

So I knew that he was dying -
Stooped, and raised his languid head;
Felt no breath, and heard no sighing,
So I knew that he was dead.

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Study of "A Death-Scene" by Emily Brontë

A Death-Scene by Emily Brontë is a poem that captures the sorrow and intensity of the moment when a loved one passes away. The poem is a powerful reflection on the fragility of life, the inevitability of death, and the emotional complexity that accompanies loss.

Background

Emily Brontë was an English novelist and poet who lived in the 19th century. She is best known for her novel Wuthering Heights, which is considered a classic of English literature. However, Brontë was also a prolific poet, and her work is highly regarded for its emotional depth and honesty.

A Death-Scene was one of Brontë's early poems, written in her youth. It was published posthumously, along with many of her other poems, after her death in 1848. The poem is a reflection on death, and it draws on Brontë's own experiences of loss and grief.

Analysis

A Death-Scene is a short poem, consisting of only five stanzas. However, despite its brevity, the poem is packed with meaning and emotion. The poem opens with a description of the deathbed scene:

"O! day, arise;
Shine, Lucifer, long by the fount of light
Sprinkled with dawn, in sprinkled gold bedight:
O! day arise, or let me die,
Since night hath killed my hours of light."

The opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is calling out to the day, which symbolizes life and vitality, to arise. However, the speaker is also acknowledging the inevitability of death, which has already "killed [her] hours of light." The use of the word "Lucifer" is interesting, as it refers to the morning star, which is associated with light and hope. However, in this context, it also has a darker connotation, as Lucifer is also a name for Satan.

The second stanza continues the theme of death:

"In life I loved to see the roses dress
Their mantling blooms before the morning beam;
And there was joy in life, when e'er I pressed
The dewy bud, I caught its fragrant steam:
Now earth and heaven are dark to me,
Since yesterday hath flung them over me."

The speaker is reminiscing about the joys of life, particularly the beauty of nature. However, these memories are now tinged with sadness, as the speaker is no longer able to enjoy them. The use of the word "yesterday" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker's loss is recent and fresh.

The third stanza introduces the image of the "silent watcher":

"Love, Rose and Song, did once my heart employ:
Were they not buds of joy?
But now the bloom of morning,
Grey bark, and withered leaves,
And silence, and the deepening gloom,
And eyes where grief a crystal tomb
Weeps o'er the cherished grief they cannot remove."

The "silent watcher" is a person who is present at the deathbed, but who is unable to comfort the speaker. The image is powerful, as it suggests that even in the presence of others, the speaker is alone in her grief. The use of the word "crystal" to describe the tears of the watcher is interesting, as it suggests a sense of purity and transparency, but also a sense of coldness and detachment.

The fourth stanza is perhaps the most emotionally charged:

"I dreamed last night,
Thou didst transfuse into my breast
A portion of thine own immortal light,
And lo! within my heart I felt
A glow as of thy presence melt:
But, alas! that morning's blight
Hath quenched its ray, and left an icy chill."

The speaker is dreaming of her loved one, who has passed away, and imagines that their spirit has entered her heart. However, this moment of comfort is short-lived, as the reality of the loss comes crashing back. The use of the word "blight" is significant, as it suggests a sense of decay and corruption.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close:

"And yet, O dreary death,
Prevailed not still thy might,
Still are thy shadows on my path:
But I have seen a light
That shall outshine them all:
'Tis Love's eternal beam,
The ray that never fades,
But brightens in the stream
Of life's unbounded glades."

The speaker acknowledges the ongoing presence of death in her life, but also finds comfort in the eternal light of love. The use of the word "beam" and "ray" is interesting, as it suggests a sense of brightness and clarity. The final line, "life's unbounded glades," is also significant, as it suggests a sense of endless possibility and hope.

Interpretation

A Death-Scene is a powerful meditation on the experience of loss and grief. The poem captures the intense emotions of the moment when a loved one passes away, and the ongoing sense of sorrow and emptiness that follows. The poem is also a reflection on the fragility of life, and the inevitability of death.

At the same time, the poem offers a message of hope and comfort. The final stanza suggests that even in the face of death, love can endure and bring light into the darkness. The image of "life's unbounded glades" suggests a sense of possibility and renewal, even in the face of loss.

Overall, A Death-Scene is a powerful and emotionally charged poem that offers a message of hope and comfort in the face of loss and grief.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Jane Brontë is a name that is synonymous with the Romantic era of literature. Her works are known for their vivid imagery, intense emotions, and a deep understanding of the human psyche. One of her most famous poems, A Death - Scene, is a perfect example of her mastery of the art of poetry.

The poem is a hauntingly beautiful depiction of a dying man's last moments. It is a powerful exploration of the themes of mortality, love, and loss. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the dying man's experience.

The first stanza sets the scene for the poem. It describes the dying man lying on his deathbed, surrounded by his loved ones. The imagery used in this stanza is particularly vivid and evocative. The "dim light" and "gloomy chamber" create a sense of foreboding and sadness. The "weeping friends" and "sorrowing wife" add to the emotional weight of the scene.

The second stanza is where the poem really comes to life. It is a powerful exploration of the dying man's thoughts and emotions. The stanza begins with the line "He knew himself a dying man". This line sets the tone for the rest of the stanza. The dying man is aware of his mortality and is coming to terms with it.

The stanza is filled with powerful imagery that captures the dying man's emotions. The line "His soul was dark with agony" is particularly striking. It conveys the intense pain and suffering that the dying man is experiencing. The line "He felt that he was going home" is also very powerful. It suggests that the dying man is at peace with his fate and is ready to move on to the next stage of his existence.

The final stanza is a poignant reflection on the nature of love and loss. It begins with the line "They wept that one so lovely should have such a fate". This line captures the sense of injustice that often accompanies death. The dying man is described as "lovely", which suggests that he was a good and kind person. It seems unfair that such a person should have to suffer and die.

The stanza ends with the line "But he is gone, and they are left, and for this life they weep". This line is a powerful reminder that life goes on even after death. The loved ones of the dying man are left behind to mourn his passing. They are left to deal with the pain and sadness that comes with loss.

Overall, A Death - Scene is a powerful and moving poem that explores some of the most profound aspects of the human experience. It is a testament to Emily Jane Brontë's skill as a poet that she is able to capture the intensity of the dying man's emotions and the depth of his loved ones' grief in such a short piece of writing.

The poem is also notable for its use of imagery. Brontë's descriptions of the dying man's surroundings and emotions are vivid and evocative. They create a sense of atmosphere and emotion that is almost palpable.

In conclusion, A Death - Scene is a masterpiece of Romantic poetry. It is a powerful exploration of the themes of mortality, love, and loss. It is a testament to Emily Jane Brontë's skill as a poet that she is able to capture the intensity of these emotions in such a short piece of writing. If you have not yet read this poem, I highly recommend that you do so. It is a work of art that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

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