'Remembrances' by John Clare
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Summer pleasures they are gone like to visions every one
And the cloudy days of autumn and of winter cometh on
I tried to call them back but unbidden they are gone
Far away from heart and eye and for ever far away
Dear heart and can it be that such raptures meet decay
I thought them all eternal when by Langley Bush I lay
I thought them joys eternal when I used to shout and play
On its bank at 'clink and bandy' 'chock' and 'taw' and
ducking stone
Where silence sitteth now on the wild heath as her own
Like a ruin of the past all alone
When I used to lie and sing by old eastwells boiling spring
When I used to tie the willow boughs together for a 'swing'
And fish with crooked pins and thread and never catch a
thing
With heart just like a feather- now as heavy as a stone
When beneath old lea close oak I the bottom branches broke
To make our harvest cart like so many working folk
And then to cut a straw at the brook to have a soak
O I never dreamed of parting or that trouble had a sting
Or that pleasures like a flock of birds would ever take to
wing
Leaving nothing but a little naked spring
When jumping time away on old cross berry way
And eating awes like sugar plumbs ere they had lost the may
And skipping like a leveret before the peep of day
On the rolly polly up and downs of pleasant swordy well
When in round oaks narrow lane as the south got black again
We sought the hollow ash that was shelter from the rain
With our pockets full of peas we had stolen from the grain
How delicious was the dinner time on such a showry day
O words are poor receipts for what time hath stole away
The ancient pulpit trees and the play
When for school oer 'little field' with its brook and wooden
brig
Where I swaggered like a man though I was not half so big
While I held my little plough though twas but a willow twig
And drove my team along made of nothing but a name
'Gee hep' and 'hoit' and 'woi'- O I never call to mind
These pleasant names of places but I leave a sigh behind
While I see the little mouldywharps hang sweeing to the wind
On the only aged willow that in all the field remains
And nature hides her face where theyre sweeing in their
chains
And in a silent murmuring complains
Here was commons for the hills where they seek for
freedom still
Though every commons gone and though traps are set to kill
The little homeless miners- O it turns my bosom chill
When I think of old 'sneap green' puddocks nook and hilly
snow
Where bramble bushes grew and the daisy gemmed in dew
And the hills of silken grass like to cushions to the view
When we threw the pissmire crumbs when we's nothing
else to do
All leveled like a desert by the never weary plough
All vanished like the sun where that cloud is passing now
All settled here for ever on its brow
I never thought that joys would run away from boys
Or that boys would change their minds and forsake such
summer joys
But alack I never dreamed that the world had other toys
To petrify first feelings like the fable into stone
Till I found the pleasure past and a winter come at last
Then the fields were sudden bare and the sky got overcast
And boyhoods pleasing haunts like a blossom in the blast
Was shrivelled to a withered weed and trampled down and
done
Till vanished was the morning spring and set that summer
sun
And winter fought her battle strife and won
By Langley bush I roam but the bush hath left its hill
On cowper green I stray tis a desert strange and chill
And spreading lea close oak ere decay had penned its will
To the axe of the spoiler and self interest fell a prey
And cross berry way and old round oaks narrow lane
With its hollow trees like pulpits I shall never see again
Inclosure like a Buonaparte let not a thing remain
It levelled every bush and tree and levelled every hill
And hung the moles for traitors - though the brook is
running still
It runs a naked brook cold and chill
O had I known as then joy had left the paths of men
I had watched her night and day besure and never slept agen
And when she turned to go O I'd caught her mantle then
And wooed her like a lover by my lonely side to stay
Aye knelt and worshipped on as love in beautys bower
And clung upon her smiles as a bee upon her flower
And gave her heart my poesys all cropt in a sunny hour
As keepsakes and pledges to fade away
But love never heeded to treasure up the may
So it went the comon road with decay
Editor 1 Interpretation
Remembrances by John Clare: An Analysis
Remembrances is a poem written by John Clare, an English poet who was born in 1793 in Helpston, Northamptonshire. Clare was known for his profound love for nature, and this is evident in his poetry. Remembrances is one of his most famous works and has been studied and analyzed by scholars for generations. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and symbolism used in the poem to understand its meaning.
Overview of the Poem
Remembrances is a poem that explores the idea of nostalgia and the bittersweet memories that come with it. The speaker of the poem is reminiscing about the past, particularly his childhood and the happy times he spent with his friends and family in the countryside. The poem is divided into four stanzas, with each stanza focusing on a different aspect of the speaker's memories.
Theme 1: Nostalgia
The main theme of Remembrances is nostalgia, which is the feeling of longing for the past. The speaker of the poem is clearly nostalgic as he reminisces about his childhood and the happy times he spent with his loved ones. Through his words, we can feel the pain of the speaker as he yearns for a time that has long since passed. The use of the word "remembrances" in the title of the poem reinforces this sense of nostalgia, as it suggests that the speaker is looking back on something that is gone forever.
Theme 2: Nature
Another important theme in Remembrances is nature. Nature is a recurring motif in Clare's poetry, and this poem is no exception. The speaker's memories are centered around the countryside, and he uses vivid descriptions of nature to paint a picture of the idyllic rural landscape of his childhood. He talks about the "hedge-row elms" and the "long grass", creating a sense of a place that is wild and unkempt, but also beautiful in its own way. By using nature in this way, Clare is able to convey a sense of peace and tranquility, which contrasts sharply with the speaker's sense of longing.
Theme 3: Change
Change is another important theme in Remembrances. The speaker is acutely aware of the passage of time and the fact that everything changes. He talks about how the "village clock has just struck ten", suggesting that time is passing quickly and that he is losing the past forever. He also mentions how his friends and family have all grown up and moved away, leaving him alone to remember the past. This sense of change is a central aspect of the speaker's nostalgia, as he longs for a time when everything was simpler and more predictable.
Literary Devices
To convey the themes of nostalgia, nature, and change, Clare uses a variety of literary devices in Remembrances. Some of the most notable include:
Imagery
One of the most striking features of Remembrances is its use of vivid imagery. Clare uses words like "hedge-row elms" and "long grass" to paint a picture of the natural world that the speaker is remembering. This creates a sense of nostalgia and longing, as the reader is transported back to a time when nature was more present in the speaker's life.
Repetition
Another literary device that Clare uses in Remembrances is repetition. He repeats phrases like "gone forever" and "never to return" to emphasize the sense of loss and finality that the speaker is feeling. This creates a sense of pathos and melancholy, as the reader is forced to confront the reality that the past is truly gone.
Personification
Clare also uses personification in Remembrances to give nature a sense of agency and importance. He talks about how the "hedge-row elms" stand "like sentinels" and how the "long grass" "whispers" to the speaker. This creates a sense of intimacy between the speaker and nature, as if they are old friends who have been separated for too long.
Symbolism
In addition to literary devices, Clare also uses symbolism in Remembrances to convey deeper meanings. Some of the most notable symbols include:
The Village Clock
The village clock is a powerful symbol in Remembrances, as it represents the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The fact that the speaker mentions the clock striking ten suggests that time is slipping away quickly and that he is running out of time to remember the past.
The Oak Tree
The oak tree is another important symbol in Remembrances. The speaker talks about how the oak tree "spreads its leaves" and "shades" the speaker, creating a sense of protection and comfort. This symbolizes the sense of security and safety that the speaker felt in his childhood, before everything changed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Remembrances is a powerful poem that explores the themes of nostalgia, nature, and change. Through the use of vivid imagery, repetition, personification, and symbolism, Clare is able to convey the depth of feeling that the speaker is experiencing. The poem is a reminder that the past is never truly gone and that the memories we hold onto can sustain us even in the darkest of times.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Remembrances: A Poem of Nostalgia and Longing
John Clare, the celebrated English poet, is known for his poignant and evocative verses that capture the beauty of nature and the human experience. One of his most famous works, Remembrances, is a powerful ode to nostalgia and longing, exploring the themes of memory, loss, and the passing of time. In this analysis, we will delve into the rich imagery and symbolism of the poem, and explore its deeper meanings and messages.
The poem begins with a simple and straightforward statement: "I love to see the old heath's withered brake". This opening line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, conveying a sense of wistfulness and longing for a bygone era. The "old heath's withered brake" is a symbol of the past, a place that has been left behind and forgotten. The use of the word "withered" suggests that this place is no longer alive or vibrant, but rather has faded away with time.
The second stanza continues this theme of nostalgia, as the speaker reminisces about the sights and sounds of his childhood: "I love to wander o'er the green, / Where youthful steps have danced the dew". Here, the speaker is expressing his fondness for the memories of his youth, and the joy and freedom that he experienced in those days. The use of the word "youthful" emphasizes the idea that these memories are from a time long gone, and that the speaker is now looking back on them with a sense of longing and regret.
The third stanza introduces a new element to the poem, as the speaker begins to reflect on the passing of time and the inevitability of change: "But memory wakes with all her busy train, / And flies to scenes long past and leaves the now". Here, the speaker is acknowledging that while he may long for the past, he cannot escape the present, and that time marches on regardless of his wishes. The use of the word "train" suggests that memory is a powerful force that cannot be ignored, and that it has the ability to transport us to different times and places.
The fourth stanza continues this theme of change and loss, as the speaker reflects on the passing of loved ones: "She sees my fathers' cottage, with its trees, / Wide spreading by the brink of the pale-green / And dreams the vanished scenes of bygone days". Here, the speaker is expressing his sadness at the loss of his father and the memories associated with his childhood home. The use of the word "vanished" emphasizes the idea that these memories are now gone forever, and that the speaker can only dream of them in his mind.
The fifth and final stanza brings the poem to a close, as the speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death: "But time strips our illusions of their hue, / And one by one in turn, some grand mistake / Casts off its bright skin yearly like the snake". Here, the speaker is acknowledging that as we grow older, we begin to see the world in a different light, and that the illusions of youth are gradually stripped away. The use of the metaphor of the snake shedding its skin emphasizes the idea that change is a natural and necessary part of life, and that we must learn to accept it and move on.
In conclusion, Remembrances is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of nostalgia, loss, and the passing of time. Through its rich imagery and symbolism, the poem conveys a sense of wistfulness and longing for a bygone era, while also acknowledging the inevitability of change and the fleeting nature of life. John Clare's masterful use of language and metaphor makes this poem a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today.
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