'Faithless Sally Brown' by Thomas Hood
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Young Ben he was a nice young man,
A carpenter by trade;
And he fell in love with Sally Brown,
That was a lady's maid.
But as they fetch'd a walk one day,
They met a press-gang crew;
And Sally she did faint away,
Whilst Ben he was brought to.
The Boatswain swore with wicked words,
Enough to shock a saint,
That though she did seem in a fit,
'Twas nothing but a feint.
"Come, girl," said he, "hold up your head,
He'll be as good as me;
For when your swain is in our boat,
A boatswain he will be."
So when they'd made their game of her,
And taken off her elf,
She roused, and found she only was
A coming to herself.
"And is he gone, and is he gone?"
She cried, and wept outright:
"Then I will to the water side,
And see him out of sight."
A waterman came up to her,--
"Now, young woman," said he,
"If you weep on so, you will make
Eye-water in the sea."
"Alas! they've taken my beau Ben
To sail with old Benbow;"
And her woe began to run afresh,
As if she'd said Gee woe!
Says he, "They've only taken him
To the Tender ship, you see";
"The Tender-ship," cried Sally Brown
"What a hard-ship that must be!"
"O! would I were a mermaid now,
For then I'd follow him;
But Oh!--I'm not a fish-woman,
And so I cannot swim.
"Alas! I was not born beneath
The virgin and the scales,
So I must curse my cruel stars,
And walk about in Wales."
Now Ben had sail'd to many a place
That's underneath the world;
But in two years the ship came home,
And all her sails were furl'd.
But when he call'd on Sally Brown,
To see how she went on,
He found she'd got another Ben,
Whose Christian-name was John.
"O Sally Brown, O Sally Brown,
How could you serve me so?
I've met with many a breeze before,
But never such a blow":
Then reading on his 'bacco box
He heaved a bitter sigh,
And then began to eye his pipe,
And then to pipe his eye.
And then he tried to sing "All's Well,"
But could not though he tried;
His head was turn'd, and so he chew'd
His pigtail till he died.
His death, which happen'd in his berth,
At forty-odd befell:
They went and told the sexton, and
The sexton toll'd the bell.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Faithless Sally Brown by Thomas Hood: A Critical Interpretation
Poetry has a way of touching the deepest corners of our hearts and souls, and Thomas Hood's "Faithless Sally Brown" is no exception. This classic poem, with its poignant portrayal of unrequited love and heartbreak, has captivated readers for generations. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the themes, structure, and language of the poem, and explore the reasons why it continues to resonate with readers today.
The Theme of Unrequited Love
At the heart of "Faithless Sally Brown" is the theme of unrequited love. The poem tells the story of a sailor who falls in love with Sally Brown, a beautiful and charming young woman. However, despite his best efforts to win her affection, Sally remains cold and distant towards him. The sailor is left heartbroken, and the poem ends with him lamenting his lost love:
Oh! Sally Brown, I loved you well, And, fondly, would have led, As any priest or lawyer could, The knot we both must shed; For you my passion crav'd a treat, And me you promis'd sweet— But Sally Brown, you are untrue, And why should I repeat?
The theme of unrequited love is a timeless one, and Hood's poem captures its emotional intensity with great skill. The sailor's agony is palpable, and his pain is all the more poignant because it is caused by the person he loves most in the world. The poem's portrayal of unrequited love is both heartbreaking and relatable, and it is this emotional resonance that has made it a classic.
The Structure of the Poem
"Faithless Sally Brown" is a ballad, which means that it consists of four-line stanzas with a rhyme scheme of ABAB. The ballad form is well-suited to the poem's narrative structure, which tells a story in a simple and straightforward manner. The poem's rhythm is also important, with its regular beat and cadence contributing to its overall emotional impact.
One notable feature of the poem's structure is the narrator's use of repetition. The phrase "Oh! Sally Brown" is repeated several times throughout the poem, each time with a different emotional inflection. This repetition serves to reinforce the sailor's love for Sally and his pain at her rejection. It also creates a sense of musicality in the poem, with the refrain acting like a chorus in a song.
The Language of the Poem
Hood's use of language in "Faithless Sally Brown" is both evocative and economical. He uses simple and direct language to tell the story, but also employs vivid imagery and metaphor to convey the emotional landscape of the poem. For example, the sailor's feelings of betrayal are described using the metaphor of a "sailor's hope" dashed on the rocks of Sally's faithlessness:
You said that words were all untrue, And, but for deeds, would mock you; But deeds are sadder than the word, And Sally, I must curse you!
The use of metaphor here is particularly effective, as it allows the sailor to express the depth of his pain in a way that is both personal and universal. The metaphor also serves to connect the sailor's experience to the larger theme of unrequited love that runs throughout the poem.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Faithless Sally Brown" is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its poignant portrayal of unrequited love, its simple yet powerful structure, and its evocative language all contribute to its enduring appeal. By exploring the themes, structure, and language of the poem, we have gained a deeper understanding of why it has stood the test of time. As we read and re-read this timeless poem, we are reminded of the universality of human experience and the power of poetry to capture our deepest emotions.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has always been a medium for expressing emotions and thoughts in a creative and artistic way. It has the power to evoke feelings and emotions in the reader, and one such poem that has stood the test of time is "Faithless Sally Brown" by Thomas Hood. This classic poem is a perfect example of how poetry can be used to tell a story and convey a message.
"Faithless Sally Brown" is a narrative poem that tells the story of a sailor who falls in love with a woman named Sally Brown. The sailor is deeply in love with Sally and promises to marry her when he returns from his voyage. However, Sally is not faithful to him and marries another man in his absence. When the sailor returns and finds out about Sally's infidelity, he is heartbroken and decides to leave the town.
The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, with a regular rhyme scheme and meter. The use of rhyme and rhythm adds to the musicality of the poem and makes it easy to read and remember. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with four lines, and follows an ABAB rhyme scheme.
The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the main characters. The sailor is described as a "jolly sailor bold" who falls in love with Sally Brown, a "maid of Margate town." The stanza also establishes the sailor's love for Sally and his promise to marry her when he returns from his voyage.
The second stanza is where the conflict arises. Sally is described as a "fickle jade" who is not faithful to the sailor. She marries another man in his absence, breaking her promise to wait for him. The stanza ends with the sailor's heartbreak and his decision to leave the town.
The third stanza is a reflection on the sailor's feelings and his decision to leave. He is described as a "broken-hearted lover" who is "sick of life" and wants to leave the town and forget about Sally. The stanza ends with the sailor's departure and his vow to never return.
The final stanza is a warning to other sailors about Sally's faithlessness. The sailor warns his fellow sailors to "beware of a false-hearted lover" like Sally and to not fall for her charms. The stanza ends with the sailor's final words, "Farewell to Sally Brown, you're a false-hearted lover, Sally Brown."
The poem's message is clear - it warns against the dangers of infidelity and the pain it can cause. The sailor's love for Sally is pure and true, but Sally's betrayal causes him immense pain and heartbreak. The poem also highlights the importance of keeping one's promises and being faithful to one's loved ones.
The poem's language is simple and easy to understand, making it accessible to a wide audience. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of Sally's name in the final stanza, adds to the poem's impact and makes it memorable. The poem's structure, with its regular rhyme scheme and meter, adds to its musicality and makes it a pleasure to read aloud.
In conclusion, "Faithless Sally Brown" is a classic poem that tells a timeless story of love, betrayal, and heartbreak. It is a perfect example of how poetry can be used to convey a message and evoke emotions in the reader. The poem's simple language, regular rhyme scheme, and musicality make it a joy to read and remember. It is a testament to the power of poetry and its ability to touch the hearts and minds of people across generations.
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