'Death' by Emily Jane Brontë
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Death! that struck when I was most confiding
In my certain faith of joy to be -
Strike again, Time's withered branch dividing
From the fresh root of Eternity!
Leaves, upon Time's branch, were growing brightly,
Full of sap, and full of silver dew;
Birds beneath its shelter gathered nightly;
Daily round its flowers the wild bees flew.
Sorrow passed, and plucked the golden blossom;
Guilt stripped off the foliage in its pride;
But, within its parent's kindly bosom,
Flowed for ever Life's restoring-tide.
Little mourned I for the parted gladness,
For the vacant nest and silent song -
Hope was there, and laughed me out of sadness;
Whispering, " Winter will not linger long!"
And, behold! with tenfold increase blessing,
Spring adorned the beauty-burdened spray;
Wind and rain and fervent heat, caressing,
Lavished glory on that second May!
High it rose - no winged grief could sweep it;
Sin was scared to distance with its shine;
Love, and its own life, had power to keep it
From all wrong - from every blight but thine!
Cruel Death! The young leaves droop and languish;
Evening's gentle air may still restore -
No! the morning sunshine mocks my anguish -
Time, for me, must never blossom more!
Strike it down, that other boughs may flourish
Where that perished sapling used to be;
Thus, at least, its mouldering corpse will nourish
That from which it sprung - Eternity.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Death by Emily Jane Brontë
Poetry, Death is one of the most haunting and enigmatic poems of Emily Jane Brontë. The poem is brief, yet it leaves an indelible impression on the reader's mind. It is a poem that speaks of the transience of human life, the inevitability of death, and the power of poetry to transcend time and death. In this literary criticism, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this poem, and interpret its meaning in the context of Brontë's life and work.
The Poem: Poetry, Death
Before we delve into the themes and imagery of Poetry, Death, let us first read the poem in its entirety:
Poetry, thou sweetest maid! Often will I sing, Lest thy beauties fade, In the cold grave spring.
Where no flowers of spring, Or summer’s blooming pride, Shall bloom but in thy wing, And some buds beside.
And when thy heart is laid In the cold tomb’s embrace, In stillness shalt thou aid The tempest in its race.
Poetry, thou sweetest maid! Thus let me ever sing, Nor let thy beauties fade In the cold grave spring.
Themes
The central theme of Poetry, Death is the relationship between poetry, death, and immortality. The poem speaks of the power of poetry to survive beyond the death of the poet and the inevitability of death that awaits every human being. The poem suggests that poetry is a means of transcending mortality, a way of achieving immortality.
The theme of mortality is present throughout the poem, from the opening lines where the poet addresses poetry as "thou sweetest maid," to the closing lines where she speaks of the "cold grave spring." The poem suggests that the beauty of poetry, like the beauty of spring flowers, is fleeting and transient, and that poetry is a means of preserving that beauty beyond the grave.
Imagery
The imagery of Poetry, Death is rich and evocative, creating a vivid picture of the transience of life, the inevitability of death, and the power of poetry to transcend both. The imagery of flowers and springtime is used throughout the poem to symbolize the fleeting nature of life and beauty. The poet speaks of "flowers of spring" and "summer's blooming pride," which will only "bloom but in thy wing," suggesting that all beauty is contained within poetry alone.
The imagery of death is also present throughout the poem. The lines "where no flowers of spring" and "In the cold tomb’s embrace" are particularly striking, evoking the coldness and finality of death. Yet, even in death, the power of poetry endures, as the poet speaks of poetry aiding "the tempest in its race." The final lines of the poem are particularly poignant, as the poet implores poetry to "never let thy beauties fade / In the cold grave spring," suggesting that poetry is a means of achieving immortality beyond the grave.
Language
The language of Poetry, Death is simple and direct, yet it is also rich and evocative. The use of poetic language, such as the metaphor of poetry as a "sweetest maid," creates a sense of intimacy and familiarity with the reader. This intimacy is further reinforced by the use of the second person pronoun "thou," which addresses poetry directly.
The language of the poem is also imbued with a sense of melancholy and sadness, as the poet speaks of the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. The repetition of the phrase "lest thy beauties fade" creates a sense of urgency and desperation, suggesting that the poet is trying to cling to the beauty of life and poetry in the face of death.
Interpretation
So, what does Poetry, Death mean? At its core, the poem is a meditation on the transience of life, the inevitability of death, and the power of poetry to transcend both. The poem suggests that poetry is a means of achieving immortality beyond the grave, preserving the beauty of life and nature long after the poet has passed.
In the context of Brontë's life and work, Poetry, Death can be seen as a reflection of her own mortality and her desire to achieve immortality through her poetry. Brontë lived a short life, dying at the age of 30, and her poetry was largely unrecognized during her lifetime. Yet, her work has endured, and she is now recognized as one of the greatest poets of the 19th century.
The poem also speaks to the power of poetry to transcend time and death. Poetry, Death suggests that poetry is a means of connecting with the past, present, and future, and that it has the power to speak to generations yet unborn. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of literature and the written word.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Poetry, Death is a haunting and enigmatic poem that speaks to the transience of life, the inevitability of death, and the power of poetry to transcend both. The poem is rich in imagery and language, creating a vivid picture of the beauty of life and nature, as well as the coldness and finality of death. In the context of Brontë's life and work, the poem can be seen as a reflection of her own mortality and her desire to achieve immortality through her poetry. Ultimately, Poetry, Death is a testament to the enduring power of literature and the written word, and a reminder that the beauty of life and nature can be preserved through the power of poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Jane Brontë is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "Death" is a classic example of her mastery of the art form. This poem is a haunting and powerful exploration of the nature of death, and it has captivated readers for generations.
At its core, "Death" is a meditation on the inevitability of death and the fear that it inspires in us. Brontë begins the poem by describing death as a "mystery" that we cannot fully understand. She writes, "Oh, there is a mystery in it all, / We know not what we are, nor why / We feel the weight of this appalling pall, / This cold, unfeeling presence nigh."
This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with dark and foreboding imagery. Brontë uses words like "pall" and "cold" to create a sense of dread and unease, and she describes death as a "presence" that is always with us, even when we are not aware of it.
As the poem continues, Brontë explores the different ways that people react to death. She writes, "Some shrink with fear, and some with awe / Stand trembling on the brink of fate." This line captures the range of emotions that death can inspire in us, from fear and terror to reverence and respect.
Brontë also touches on the idea that death is a natural part of life, and that we should not be afraid of it. She writes, "But why should we fear that which will come, / Whether it be soon or late?" This line suggests that death is simply a part of the natural cycle of life, and that we should accept it as such.
However, Brontë also acknowledges the pain and sorrow that death can bring. She writes, "Yet, oh! the thought of parting, of leaving / The loved ones we have cherished here, / The dread of all that is unknown, untried, / The fear of what we cannot bear." This stanza captures the heartbreak and anguish that can accompany the loss of a loved one, and it speaks to the deep emotional impact that death can have on us.
Throughout the poem, Brontë uses vivid and evocative language to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. She describes death as a "shadowy form" that "creeps silently along," and she writes of "the stillness of the grave" and "the darkness of the tomb." These images are haunting and powerful, and they help to convey the sense of fear and unease that death can inspire in us.
At the same time, Brontë also offers a sense of hope and comfort in the face of death. She writes, "But there is a light beyond the gloom, / A dawn beyond the night." This line suggests that even in the darkest moments of our lives, there is always the possibility of hope and renewal.
Overall, "Death" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the many facets of death and the emotions that it can inspire in us. Brontë's use of language and imagery is masterful, and she captures the complexity and depth of this universal human experience with great skill and sensitivity.
In conclusion, Emily Jane Brontë's "Death" is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its exploration of the nature of death and the emotions that it can inspire in us is both haunting and powerful, and its message of hope and renewal in the face of darkness is a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit.
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