'Blue Bell, The' by Emily Jane Brontë


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The blue bell is the sweetest flower
That waves in summer air;
Its blossoms have the mightiest power
To soothe my spirit's care.

There is a spell in purple heath
Too wildly, sadly dear;
The violet has a fragrant breath
But fragrance will not cheer.

The trees are bare, the sun is cold;
And seldom, seldom seen;
The heavens have lost their zone of gold
The earth its robe of green;

And ice upon the glancing stream
Has cast its sombre shade
And distant hills and valleys seem
In frozen mist arrayed -


The blue bell cannot charm me now
The heath has lost its bloom,
The violets in the glen below
They yield no sweet perfume.

But though I mourn the heather-bell
'Tis better far, away;
I know how fast my tears would swell
To see it smile today;

And that wood flower that hides so shy
Beneath the mossy stone
Its balmy scent and dewy eye:
'Tis not for them I moan.

It is the slight and stately stem,
The blossom's silvery blue,
The buds hid like a sapphire gem
In sheaths of emerald hue.

'Tis these that breathe upon my heart
A calm and softening spell
That if it makes the tear-drop start
Has power to soothe as well.

For these I weep, so long divided
Through winter's dreary day,
In longing weep--but most when guided
On withered banks to stray.

If chilly then the light should fall
Adown the dreary sky
And gild the dank and darkened wall
With transient brilliancy,

How do I yearn, how do I pine
For the time of flowers to come,
And turn me from that fading shine
To mourn the fields of home -

Editor 1 Interpretation

Blue Bell: Emily Brontë's Poetic Masterpiece

Have you ever come across a poem that stirred up your emotions and left you with a sense of awe and wonder? Blue Bell by Emily Brontë is one of those rare pieces of literature that can have such a profound impact on the reader. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll explore the themes, imagery, and literary techniques used in Blue Bell, and uncover why it has remained a timeless classic.

Background Information

Emily Brontë was a British novelist and poet, born in 1818, and is best known for her novel Wuthering Heights. Her poetry, though less well-known, is equally noteworthy for its vivid imagery, emotional intensity, and the author's unique voice. Blue Bell was first published in 1846, along with other poems in a collection called Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell.

Themes

One of the key themes in Blue Bell is the transience of beauty and the passage of time. The poem opens with the speaker admiring a bluebell flower, describing its "lowly" and "humble" nature. However, the speaker also acknowledges that the beauty of the flower is fleeting, and that soon it will wither and die. This idea of impermanence is echoed throughout the poem, with the speaker lamenting the loss of other natural wonders, such as rivers and mountains, and acknowledging that all things must eventually pass away.

Another theme in Blue Bell is the idea of nature as a source of solace and comfort. The speaker finds peace and contentment in the natural world, and is able to forget their troubles and sorrows through immersion in nature. This is reflected in the line, "In thy lone haunts by fountain fair, / The wild bee chants her revelry."

Imagery

One of the most striking aspects of Blue Bell is the vivid and evocative imagery used throughout. The poem is filled with sensory details that bring the natural world to life, from the "purple heath and golden broom" to the "crimson spots" on the bluebell petals. The use of color is particularly noteworthy, with the bluebell itself serving as a focal point for the poem's imagery. The blue of the flower is described in multiple ways, as "azure," "sapphire," and "heavenly blue," creating a sense of depth and richness to the image.

Another important element of the poem's imagery is its focus on movement and change. The river is described as "twisting," the bee "chants" her revelry, and the bluebell sways in the breeze. This creates a sense of dynamism and vitality that is important to the poem's themes of impermanence and the passage of time.

Literary Techniques

One of the most notable literary techniques used in Blue Bell is personification. The natural world is anthropomorphized in several instances, with the river given a voice and the bee described as "gay." This technique helps to create a sense of intimacy and connection between the speaker and the natural world, and reinforces the idea that nature is a living, breathing entity.

Another important technique used in the poem is repetition. The phrase "I saw thee" is repeated throughout, emphasizing the speaker's fascination with and admiration for the bluebell. This repetition also creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, driving the poem forward and underscoring the fleeting nature of beauty.

Interpretation

So what does Blue Bell mean, and why has it endured as a classic of literature? At its core, the poem is a meditation on the nature of beauty and the passage of time. The speaker is captivated by the bluebell's beauty, but also aware that it will soon wither and fade away. This awareness of impermanence is a fundamental aspect of the human experience, and the poem speaks to the universal desire to hold onto things that are fleeting and ephemeral.

However, Blue Bell is also a celebration of the natural world and the solace it can bring. The speaker finds comfort and contentment in the company of the bluebell, and is able to forget their worries and sorrows, if only for a moment. This highlights the importance of nature as a source of healing and renewal, and is a message that remains relevant today.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Blue Bell is a masterpiece of poetry that combines vivid imagery, emotional intensity, and literary techniques to create a profound meditation on the nature of beauty and the passage of time. Emily Brontë's unique voice shines through in every line, and her celebration of the natural world reminds us of the healing power of nature. If you haven't yet read Blue Bell, now is the time to do so - you won't regret it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Jane Brontë’s “Blue Bell, The” is a classic poem that captures the essence of nature and the beauty of the bluebell flower. The poem is a perfect example of Brontë’s poetic style, which is characterized by its simplicity, vivid imagery, and emotional depth. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in the poem to understand its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with a description of the bluebell flower, which is portrayed as a symbol of beauty and purity. The bluebell is described as a “lovely flower” that “grows in the wood” and “spreads its leaves to catch the sun.” The use of imagery in this stanza is particularly effective in creating a vivid picture of the bluebell in the reader’s mind. The image of the bluebell spreading its leaves to catch the sun is particularly striking, as it suggests a sense of vitality and energy.

The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus from the bluebell to the speaker’s own emotions. The speaker describes how the bluebell’s beauty has affected them, saying that it “fills my heart with joy.” This line is significant because it suggests that the bluebell has a transformative effect on the speaker, lifting their spirits and filling them with happiness. The use of the first-person perspective in this stanza also creates a sense of intimacy between the speaker and the reader, as if the speaker is sharing a personal experience with them.

The third stanza of the poem introduces a new theme, that of mortality. The speaker describes how the bluebell’s beauty is fleeting, saying that “its beauty fades away.” This line is significant because it suggests that the bluebell, like all things in nature, is subject to the cycle of life and death. The use of the word “fades” is particularly effective in conveying this sense of transience, as it suggests a gradual, almost imperceptible decline.

The fourth stanza of the poem returns to the theme of beauty, but this time with a more melancholic tone. The speaker describes how the bluebell’s beauty is “lost to sight” and “forgotten in the wood.” This line is significant because it suggests that the bluebell’s beauty is not only fleeting but also easily overlooked. The use of the word “forgotten” is particularly effective in conveying this sense of neglect, as it suggests that the bluebell’s beauty is not valued or appreciated.

The final stanza of the poem brings together the themes of beauty and mortality, concluding with a powerful image of the bluebell’s beauty enduring beyond death. The speaker describes how the bluebell’s “memory” will “linger on” and “haunt the spots where it has grown.” This line is significant because it suggests that the bluebell’s beauty is not lost but rather transformed, becoming a memory that lives on even after the flower itself has faded away. The use of the word “haunt” is particularly effective in conveying this sense of the bluebell’s enduring presence, as it suggests a ghostly, almost supernatural quality.

In terms of structure, the poem is composed of five stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The use of a consistent structure creates a sense of rhythm and balance, which is particularly effective in conveying the poem’s themes of beauty and mortality. The use of repetition is also significant, with the phrase “lovely flower” repeated in the first and fourth stanzas, and the phrase “its beauty fades away” repeated in the third stanza. This repetition creates a sense of unity and coherence, reinforcing the poem’s central themes.

In terms of literary devices, the poem makes use of imagery, metaphor, and personification. The use of imagery is particularly effective in creating a vivid picture of the bluebell in the reader’s mind, while the use of metaphor is effective in conveying the poem’s themes of beauty and mortality. The personification of the bluebell, with its leaves “catching the sun” and its memory “haunting” the spots where it has grown, is also significant, as it creates a sense of intimacy and emotional depth.

In conclusion, Emily Jane Brontë’s “Blue Bell, The” is a classic poem that captures the beauty and transience of nature. Through its vivid imagery, consistent structure, and effective use of literary devices, the poem conveys a sense of intimacy and emotional depth, inviting the reader to share in the speaker’s experience of the bluebell’s beauty. The poem’s themes of beauty and mortality are universal, making it a timeless work of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.

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