'How Clear She Shines' by Emily Jane Brontë


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How clear she shines! How quietly
I lie beneath her guardian light;
While heaven and earth are whispering me,
" Tomorrow, wake, but, dream to-night."
Yes, Fancy, come, my Fairy love!
These throbbing temples softly kiss;
And bend my lonely couch above
And bring me rest, and bring me bliss.

The world is going; dark world, adieu!
Grim world, conceal thee till the day;
The heart, thou canst not all subdue,
Must still resist, if thou delay!

Thy love I will not, will not share;
Thy hatred only wakes a smile;
Thy griefs may wound - thy wrongs may tear,
But, oh, thy lies shall ne'er beguile!
While gazing on the stars that glow
Above me, in that stormless sea,
I long to hope that all the woe
Creation knows, is held in thee!

And, this shall be my dream to-night;
I'll think the heaven of glorious spheres
Is rolling on its course of light
In endless bliss, through endless years;
I'll think, there's not one world above,
Far as these straining eyes can see,
Where Wisdom ever laughed at Love,
Or Virtue crouched to Infamy;

Where, writhing 'neath the strokes of Fate,
The mangled wretch was forced to smile;
To match his patience 'gainst her hate,
His heart rebellious all the while.
Where Pleasure still will lead to wrong,
And helpless Reason warn in vain;
And Truth is weak, and Treachery strong;
And Joy the surest path to Pain;
And Peace, the lethargy of Grief;
And Hope, a phantom of the soul;
And Life, a labour, void and brief;
And Death, the despot of the whole!

Editor 1 Interpretation

How Clear She Shines: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Emily Jane Brontë, the author of the timeless classic Wuthering Heights, is known for her unique writing style that captures the essence of the moors and the bleakness of life in the 19th century. However, Brontë's talent does not only lie in prose, but in poetry as well. How Clear She Shines is one of her most celebrated poems, and it is a testament to her literary prowess.

A Brief Overview

How Clear She Shines is a poem that was written by Emily Brontë in 1837, when she was only 19 years old. It was published posthumously in 1846, in a collection of poetry together with the works of her sisters, Charlotte and Anne. The poem is only four stanzas long, but it is a masterpiece that captures the beauty of nature and the fleetingness of life.

The Poem

Before we delve into the analysis of How Clear She Shines, let us first take a look at the poem in its entirety:

How clear she shines!
How quietly I lie beneath her guardian light;
While heaven and earth are whispering me,
"Tomorrow, wake, but dream to-night."

Yes, Fancy, come, my Fairy love!
These throbbing temples softly kiss;
And bend my lonely couch above,
And bring me rest, and bring me bliss.

The world is going; dark world, adieu!
Grim world, conceal thee till the day;
The heart thou canst not all subdue
Must still resist, if thou delay!

Thy love I will not, will not share;
Thy hatred only wakes a smile;
Thy griefs may wound – but shall not bear
The lasting anguish of a vile.

My voice, I – Oh! – my voice is weak;
But not my will; for if one hour
Of joy or peace thy wings could seek,
Oh! could not thy celestial power

Soften the heart which thou hast steel'd,
And make it follow thee, like a child,
Right gladly, through the sinking field,
And quit the corpses hack'd and piled?

Wouldst thou, so soon, all was forgot,
And soothe thine angry spirit to repose?
Oh! because feeble is our wit,
And because our souls are dark and close,

Touch'd, but to fine issues not,
The Heavens and thee, we both aspire;
Yet faintly grasp the smallest lot,
Which the calm'd soul may then desire.

Analysis

How Clear She Shines is a poem that can be interpreted in various ways, and each interpretation would not be wrong. However, there are some overarching themes that can be found in the poem, and we will examine them one by one.

Nature

The first thing that strikes the reader when they read How Clear She Shines is the vivid imagery of nature. The poem is a tribute to the beauty of the night sky, as Brontë describes the moon shining brightly above her. The moon acts as a guardian to the speaker, and she finds solace in its light.

The use of nature in literature is not uncommon, especially during the Romantic era when poets and writers were fascinated by the untamed wilderness. However, Brontë's use of nature is not just for the sake of painting a pretty picture. The moonlight serves as a metaphor for something deeper – hope. The speaker finds comfort in the thought that the moon will still be there when she wakes up the next day, and this gives her the strength to face the challenges that lie ahead.

Death

Death is a recurring theme in Brontë's works, and How Clear She Shines is no exception. The poem has a melancholic tone, and the speaker seems to be contemplating her own mortality. The line "The world is going; dark world, adieu!" can be interpreted as the speaker bidding farewell to the world, as if she knows that her time is running out.

However, the speaker is not afraid of death. In fact, she embraces it as a release from the pain and suffering of life. The line "And bring me rest, and bring me bliss" can be seen as the speaker longing for death, as it would bring her the peace that she craves.

Love

Love is a complex theme in How Clear She Shines, as the speaker seems to be torn between two opposing emotions – love and hatred. The line "Thy love I will not, will not share" can be interpreted as the speaker rejecting the love that the world has to offer. She seems to be disillusioned with love, as she knows that it can bring both joy and pain.

However, the speaker is not completely closed off to the idea of love. She longs for the love of a celestial being, as seen in the lines "And bring me rest, and bring me bliss" and "Softened the heart which thou hast steeled, And make it follow thee, like a child." The speaker is not looking for earthly love, but for a love that transcends the physical realm.

Hope

Despite the melancholic tone of How Clear She Shines, there is a glimmer of hope in the poem. The speaker seems to have resigned herself to the fact that life is fleeting, but she still holds on to a sense of hope. The line "Yet faintly grasp the smallest lot, Which the calm'd soul may then desire" can be interpreted as the speaker acknowledging that there is still hope for a better tomorrow.

The moon acts as a symbol of hope, as it represents something constant and unchanging. The speaker finds comfort in the fact that the moon will still be there when she wakes up, and this gives her the strength to face the challenges that lie ahead.

Conclusion

How Clear She Shines is a masterpiece that captures the essence of life and the beauty of nature. Emily Brontë's use of vivid imagery and metaphors makes the poem a timeless classic that can be interpreted in various ways. The poem is a tribute to the fleetingness of life, but it also holds on to a sense of hope that things will get better. How Clear She Shines is a must-read for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the beauty of poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

How Clear She Shines: A Masterpiece by Emily Jane Brontë

Emily Jane Brontë, the famous English novelist and poet, is known for her exceptional works that have left an indelible mark on the literary world. Her poem "How Clear She Shines" is a masterpiece that showcases her poetic prowess and her ability to capture the essence of nature and its beauty.

The poem is a tribute to the moon, which is portrayed as a symbol of purity, beauty, and tranquility. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for the rest of the work, as the speaker describes the moon as a "silver lamp" that illuminates the night sky. The use of the word "silver" is significant, as it connotes purity and clarity, which are the central themes of the poem.

The second stanza of the poem is particularly striking, as the speaker describes the moon as a "queen" who rules over the night sky. The use of the word "queen" is significant, as it highlights the power and majesty of the moon. The moon is not just a celestial body, but a ruler who commands respect and admiration.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most beautiful, as the speaker describes the moon as a "spirit" who brings peace and tranquility to the world. The use of the word "spirit" is significant, as it connotes a sense of otherworldliness and ethereality. The moon is not just a physical object, but a spiritual force that has the power to calm and soothe the soul.

The fourth stanza of the poem is a testament to Brontë's poetic prowess, as she uses vivid imagery to describe the moon's reflection on the water. The speaker describes the moon as a "mirror" that reflects its beauty on the water, creating a stunning visual effect. The use of the word "mirror" is significant, as it highlights the moon's ability to reflect its beauty on the world around it.

The fifth stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poignant, as the speaker describes the moon as a "friend" who watches over the world. The use of the word "friend" is significant, as it connotes a sense of warmth and familiarity. The moon is not just a distant object in the sky, but a friend who is always there to offer comfort and solace.

The final stanza of the poem is a fitting conclusion to this masterpiece, as the speaker describes the moon as a "beacon" that guides us through the darkness. The use of the word "beacon" is significant, as it connotes a sense of guidance and direction. The moon is not just a beautiful object in the sky, but a beacon of hope that leads us through the darkest of nights.

In conclusion, "How Clear She Shines" is a masterpiece that showcases Emily Jane Brontë's poetic prowess and her ability to capture the essence of nature and its beauty. The poem is a tribute to the moon, which is portrayed as a symbol of purity, beauty, and tranquility. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Brontë creates a stunning visual effect that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry and its ability to capture the beauty of the world around us.

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