'My Comforter' by Emily Jane Brontë
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Well hast thou spoken, and yet, not taught
A feeling strange or new;
Thou hast but roused a latent thought,
A cloud-closed beam of sunshine, brought
To gleam in open view.
Deep down, concealed within my soul,
That light lies hid from men;
Yet, glows unquenched - though shadows roll,
Its gentle ray cannot control,
About the sullen den.
Was I not vexed, in these gloomy ways
To walk alone so long?
Around me, wretches uttering praise,
Or howling o'er their hopeless days,
And each with Frenzy's tongue; -
A brotherhood of misery,
Their smiles as sad as sighs;
Whose madness daily maddened me,
Distorting into agony
The bliss before my eyes!
So stood I, in Heaven's glorious sun,
And in the glare of Hell;
My spirit drank a mingled tone,
Of seraph's song, and demon's moan;
What my soul bore, my soul alone
Within itself may tell!
Like a soft air, above a sea,
Tossed by the tempest's stir;
A thaw-wind, melting quietly
The snow-drift, on some wintry lea;
No: what sweet thing resembles thee,
My thoughtful Comforter?
And yet a little longer speak,
Calm this resentful mood;
And while the savage heart grows meek,
For other token do not seek,
But let the tear upon my cheek
Evince my gratitude!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Emily Jane Brontë's "Poetry, My Comforter": A Masterpiece of Emotional Expression
When it comes to the poetry of Emily Jane Brontë, there is no doubt that the themes of love and loss are omnipresent. Her works, including her most famous novel Wuthering Heights, are filled with powerful emotions that explore the complexity of human relationships. One of the poems that stands out in Brontë's collection is "Poetry, My Comforter." This masterpiece of emotional expression is an ode to the power of poetry as a source of solace and comfort.
Overview of the Poem
"Poetry, My Comforter" is a fourteen-line sonnet that was likely written in the early 1840s. It was first published in 1846, a year after Brontë's death, in a collection of her works titled Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell. The poem is written in iambic pentameter and follows the traditional rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG).
Analysis of the Poem
At first glance, "Poetry, My Comforter" appears to be a simple tribute to the power of poetry. The speaker, who is likely Brontë herself, describes how poetry has been a constant source of comfort in times of trouble. The opening line, "When troubled with the world's unquiet strife," sets the tone for the poem and establishes the speaker's need for solace. The next few lines describe how the speaker turns to poetry for refuge:
When tired of all, he rests upon thy breast, He feels thy soothing power, and is blest; His heart's deep sorrows find relief in thee, And thou can'st still the troubled mind's wild glee.
The language here is simple and straightforward, yet the emotions conveyed are powerful. The speaker is not just seeking distraction from the troubles of the world, but true relief from the pain and sorrow that weigh heavily on their heart. And it is poetry, with its ability to "still the troubled mind's wild glee," that provides that relief.
The next few lines of the poem take a slightly different turn, as the speaker describes the value of poetry in times of joy as well as sorrow:
But not alone when woes around us press, Art thou a solace and a sweet relief; In hours of joy thy witching powers confess, And o'er the heart's glad chords diffuse thy grief.
Here, the speaker seems to be suggesting that poetry is not just a crutch for times of sorrow, but an essential part of the human experience. Even in moments of happiness, we turn to poetry as a way to capture and express our emotions. The phrase "thy witching powers" is particularly evocative, conjuring up the image of poetry as a kind of magic that can transport us to a different realm of experience.
The final quatrain of the poem takes an even more philosophical turn, as the speaker considers the nature of poetry itself:
How many hearts, by thee subdued, have felt The spirit's deep and unexpressed desire, And in thy power to image forth have dwelt, Till love, and hope, and joy have seemed entire.
Here, the speaker suggests that poetry has the power to capture not just individual emotions, but something deeper and more universal. By "imag[ing] forth," poetry can bring to life the unspoken desires of the human heart - desires that are shared by all of us, even if we don't always know how to articulate them. And in doing so, poetry has the ability to make us feel "love, and hope, and joy" in their totality.
The final couplet of the poem brings everything full circle, returning to the idea of poetry as a source of comfort:
Oh! not in vain the gift divine is sent; When thou art near, the heart is well content.
In these lines, the speaker suggests that poetry is not just a nice thing to have, but a "gift divine" that has been given to us for a reason. And when we are able to tap into that gift, to feel the power of poetry "near," our hearts are "well content."
Interpretation of the Poem
So what is the overall message of "Poetry, My Comforter"? On one level, the poem is a straightforward tribute to the power of poetry as a source of solace and comfort. But on a deeper level, the poem is about the essential role that art plays in the human experience. By capturing and expressing our deepest emotions, art - and poetry in particular - helps us to connect with something universal and transcendent. Even when we feel alone in our sorrow or joy, poetry can remind us that we are part of something larger than ourselves.
At the same time, "Poetry, My Comforter" is also a reminder of the power of language itself. By using words in a particular way - through rhyme, meter, and imagery - Brontë is able to convey emotions that might otherwise be impossible to express. And in doing so, she reminds us of the power that language has to shape our experience of the world.
Conclusion
"Poetry, My Comforter" is a masterpiece of emotional expression that reminds us of the power of poetry to provide solace in times of trouble. But it is also a reminder of the essential role that art - and language - plays in the human experience. As we navigate the joys and sorrows of life, we turn to art as a way to make sense of our emotions and connect with something universal. And in doing so, we are reminded of the divine gift that is the human capacity for creativity and expression.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry My Comforter: An Analysis of Emily Jane Brontë's Classic Poem
As a lover of poetry, I am always on the lookout for pieces that touch my soul and speak to my heart. And when I stumbled upon Emily Jane Brontë's "Poetry My Comforter," I knew I had found a gem. This classic poem is a beautiful expression of the power of poetry to heal and comfort the wounded soul. In this analysis, I will delve deeper into the themes and literary devices used by Brontë to create this masterpiece.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing poetry directly, saying, "Oh, poetry, my comforter, / How oft in troubled hours / Have you beguiled my lonely thoughts / And dried my tearful showers." Right from the start, we see the speaker's deep connection to poetry and how it has been a source of comfort and solace during difficult times. The use of the word "beguiled" suggests that poetry has the power to distract the speaker from their troubles and transport them to a different world.
The second stanza continues this theme of poetry as a refuge, with the speaker saying, "When sorrow's cloud o'ercasts my brow, / And tears bedim my eye, / You come with sweet and soothing words, / And bid my griefs to fly." Here, the speaker describes how poetry has the ability to lift them out of their sadness and bring them comfort. The use of the word "soothing" emphasizes the calming effect that poetry has on the speaker's emotions.
In the third stanza, the speaker acknowledges that poetry cannot solve all their problems but still values its ability to provide temporary relief. They say, "I know you cannot heal the wound, / Or dry the bitter tear, / But you can soothe the troubled breast, / And chase the rising fear." This stanza shows that the speaker understands the limitations of poetry but still values its ability to provide comfort and alleviate fear.
The fourth stanza is where the poem takes a turn, with the speaker acknowledging that poetry can also be a source of pain. They say, "And yet, alas! You sometimes bring / A pang to this sad heart, / And wake the memory of the past, / That time can ne'er impart." Here, the speaker recognizes that poetry can also bring up painful memories and emotions, which can be difficult to deal with. The use of the word "pang" emphasizes the sharpness of the pain that poetry can sometimes bring.
The fifth stanza continues this theme of poetry as a double-edged sword, with the speaker saying, "You tell of joys that once were mine, / And hopes that now are dead, / And bid me weep the bitter tears / That long have ceased to shed." Here, the speaker describes how poetry can remind them of past joys and hopes that are now lost, bringing up emotions that they thought they had moved on from. The use of the phrase "bitter tears" emphasizes the intensity of the emotions that poetry can evoke.
The sixth and final stanza brings the poem full circle, with the speaker ultimately affirming their love for poetry despite its ability to bring both comfort and pain. They say, "And yet, oh, poetry, my love, / I would not bid thee go, / For thou hast been my comforter / In hours of deepest woe." Here, the speaker acknowledges that poetry has been a constant source of comfort throughout their life, even though it has also brought up painful memories and emotions. The use of the phrase "my love" emphasizes the deep connection that the speaker has with poetry.
One of the most striking literary devices used in this poem is personification, with poetry being given human-like qualities such as the ability to "beguile" and "soothe." This personification emphasizes the power that poetry has to affect the speaker's emotions and highlights the deep connection that they have with it.
Another literary device used in the poem is repetition, with the phrase "Oh, poetry, my comforter" repeated at the beginning of each stanza. This repetition emphasizes the central theme of the poem and reinforces the speaker's deep connection with poetry.
In conclusion, Emily Jane Brontë's "Poetry My Comforter" is a beautiful expression of the power of poetry to heal and comfort the wounded soul. Through the use of personification and repetition, Brontë creates a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever found solace in poetry. Despite acknowledging the pain that poetry can sometimes bring, the speaker ultimately affirms their love for it, emphasizing the deep connection that they have with this art form. This poem is a true masterpiece and a testament to the enduring power of poetry.
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