'Wood , The' by Charlotte Brontë

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay



But two miles more, and then we rest !
Well, there is still an hour of day,
And long the brightness of the West
Will light us on our devious way;
Sit then, awhile, here in this wood­
So total is the solitude,
We safely may delay.

These massive roots afford a seat,
Which seems for weary travellers made.
There rest. The air is soft and sweet
In this sequestered forest glade,
And there are scents of flowers around,
The evening dew draws from the ground;
How soothingly they spread !

Yes; I was tired, but not at heart;
No­that beats full of sweet content,
For now I have my natural part
Of action with adventure blent;
Cast forth on the wide vorld with thee,
And all my once waste energy
To weighty purpose bent.

Yet­say'st thou, spies around us roam,
Our aims are termed conspiracy ?
Haply, no more our English home
An anchorage for us may be ?
That there is risk our mutual blood
May redden in some lonely wood
The knife of treachery ?

Say'st thou­that where we lodge each night,
In each lone farm, or lonelier hall
Of Norman Peer­ere morning light
Suspicion must as duly fall,
As day returns­such vigilance
Presides and watches over France,
Such rigour governs all ?

I fear not, William; dost thou fear ?
So that the knife does not divide,
It may be ever hovering near:
I could not tremble at thy side,
And strenuous love­like mine for thee­
Is buckler strong, 'gainst treachery,
And turns its stab aside.

I am resolved that thou shalt learn
To trust my strength as I trust thine;
I am resolved our souls shall burn,
With equal, steady, mingling shine;
Part of the field is conquered now,
Our lives in the same channel flow,
Along the self-same line;

And while no groaning storm is heard,
Thou seem'st content it should be so,
But soon as comes a warning word
Of danger­straight thine anxious brow
Bends over me a mournful shade,
As doubting if my powers are made
To ford the floods of woe.

Know, then it is my spirit swells,
And drinks, with eager joy, the air
Of freedom­where at last it dwells,
Chartered, a common task to share
With thee, and then it stirs alert,
And pants to learn what menaced hurt
Demands for thee its care.

Remember, I have crossed the deep,
And stood with thee on deck, to gaze
On waves that rose in threatening heap,
While stagnant lay a heavy haze,
Dimly confusing sea with sky,
And baffling, even, the pilot's eye,
Intent to thread the maze­

Of rocks, on Bretagne's dangerous coast,
And find a way to steer our band
To the one point obscure, which lost,
Flung us, as victims, on the strand;­
All, elsewhere, gleamed the Gallic sword,
And not a wherry could be moored
Along the guarded land.

I feared not then­I fear not now;
The interest of each stirring scene
Wakes a new sense, a welcome glow,
In every nerve and bounding vein;
Alike on turbid Channel sea,
Or in still wood of Normandy,
I feel as born again.

The rain descended that wild morn
When, anchoring in the cove at last,
Our band, all weary and forlorn,
Ashore, like wave-worn sailors, cast­
Sought for a sheltering roof in vain,
And scarce could scanty food obtain
To break their morning fast.

Thou didst thy crust with me divide,
Thou didst thy cloak around me fold;
And, sitting silent by thy side,
I ate the bread in peace untold:
Given kindly from thy hand, 'twas sweet
As costly fare or princely treat
On royal plate of gold.

Sharp blew the sleet upon my face,
And, rising wild, the gusty wind
Drove on those thundering waves apace,
Our crew so late had left behind;
But, spite of frozen shower and storm,
So close to thee, my heart beat warm,
And tranquil slept my mind.

So now­nor foot-sore nor opprest
With walking all this August day,
I taste a heaven in this brief rest,
This gipsy-halt beside the way.
England's wild flowers are fair to view,
Like balm is England's summer dew,
Like gold her sunset ray.

But the white violets, growing here,
Are sweeter than I yet have seen,
And ne'er did dew so pure and clear
Distil on forest mosses green,
As now, called forth by summer heat,
Perfumes our cool and fresh retreat­
These fragrant limes between.

That sunset ! Look beneath the boughs,
Over the copse­beyond the hills;
How soft, yet deep and warm it glows,
And heaven with rich suffusion fills;
With hues where still the opal's tint,
Its gleam of poisoned fire is blent,
Where flame through azure thrills !

Depart we now­for fast will fade
That solemn splendour of decline,
And deep must be the after-shade
As stars alone to-night will shine;
No moon is destined­pale­to gaze
On such a day's vast Phoenix blaze,
A day in fires decayed !

There­hand-in-hand we tread again
The mazes of this varying wood,
And soon, amid a cultured plain,
Girt in with fertile solitude,
We shall our resting-place descry,
Marked by one roof-tree, towering high
Above a farm-stead rude.

Refreshed, erelong, with rustic fare,
We'll seek a couch of dreamless ease;
Courage will guard thy heart from fear,
And Love give mine divinest peace:
To-morrow brings more dangerous toil,
And through its conflict and turmoil
We'll pass, as God shall please.


[The preceding composition refers, doubtless, to the scenes acted in France during
the last year of the Consulate.]

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Deeper Look into Charlotte Brontë's "Wood"

As a classic poet and novelist, Charlotte Brontë is widely known for her captivating and powerful works that speak volumes about the human condition. In "Wood," she wrote a poem that exemplifies her talent for capturing the essence of human emotions and conveying them in a beautiful and thought-provoking manner. This poem is a powerful commentary on the cycle of life and death, and the inevitable decay and rebirth of nature.

The poem begins with a powerful image of the woods, which is described as a "mighty realm of leafy pride." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it immediately establishes the importance of the natural world in our lives. The woods are described in such a way that they seem almost alive, with their "knotty trunks" and "rustling leaves" suggesting a vibrant energy that pulsates throughout the forest.

As the poem progresses, Brontë shifts her focus to the cycle of life and death that occurs within the woods. The "broken boughs" and "fallen leaves" are described as symbols of decay and loss, and the "cold wintry blast" that sweeps through the woods is seen as a metaphor for death. However, this imagery is not meant to be entirely negative, as Brontë also celebrates the rebirth that follows death. The "budding branches" and "fresh green leaves" that appear in the spring are symbols of renewal and hope, and they remind us that life always goes on.

One of the most striking aspects of "Wood" is the way that Brontë uses the natural world to convey emotions and thoughts that are deeply human. For example, the "pale moon" that appears in the night sky is used as a symbol for the sadness and melancholy that can overcome us in times of loss. The moon is described as "gazing mournfully" upon the world, which suggests a sense of empathy and understanding for the pain that we feel.

Similarly, the "morning sun" that rises in the sky is used as a symbol for the hope and optimism that can come after a period of darkness. The sun is described as "smiling sweetly" upon the world, which suggests a sense of warmth and comfort that can lift us out of our sadness.

Overall, "Wood" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that speaks to the universal experiences of loss, rebirth, and the cyclical nature of life. Brontë's use of imagery and symbolism is masterful, and her ability to capture the essence of human emotions through the natural world is truly remarkable.

As a reader, it is impossible not to be moved by the beauty and power of this poem. Whether you are experiencing a period of loss and sadness or are simply contemplating the mysteries of life and nature, "Wood" is a poem that will speak to you on a deep and profound level. It is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and the human spirit, and it is a true masterpiece of its genre.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Wood: A Masterpiece by Charlotte Brontë

Charlotte Brontë, the celebrated author of Jane Eyre, is known for her exceptional writing skills and her ability to weave intricate stories that captivate readers. One of her lesser-known works, Poetry Wood, is a beautiful poem that showcases her talent as a poet. In this article, we will delve into the world of Poetry Wood and explore the themes, imagery, and language used by Brontë to create a masterpiece.

The poem begins with a description of a wood that is filled with the sounds of nature. The opening lines, "The rustling leaves kept up a gentle din, / And murmured in the zephyr's ear their song," immediately transport the reader to the heart of the wood. The use of the word "din" suggests that the sounds are not overwhelming but rather a pleasant background noise. The personification of the leaves, "murmured in the zephyr's ear their song," adds to the sense of calm and tranquility that permeates the poem.

As the poem progresses, Brontë introduces the idea of a "fairy's haunt." The use of the word "fairy" immediately conjures up images of magic and enchantment. The idea of a fairy's haunt suggests that the wood is a place of mystery and wonder. Brontë's use of language is particularly effective in creating this sense of otherworldliness. She writes, "The light that filtered through the leafy screen / Was tinged with hues of gold and emerald green." The use of the word "tinged" suggests that the light is not just a simple illumination but rather something magical and transformative.

The poem then takes a darker turn as Brontë introduces the idea of death. She writes, "The wood was full of tombs, and on each stone / Was graven some sad name of one long gone." The juxtaposition of the beauty of the wood and the presence of death creates a sense of unease. The use of the word "sad" to describe the names on the tombs adds to the melancholic tone of the poem.

Despite the presence of death, the poem ends on a hopeful note. Brontë writes, "But still the wood retained its fairy spell, / And still the leaves their gentle music fell." The repetition of the word "still" suggests that despite the passing of time and the inevitability of death, the beauty and magic of the wood remain. The use of the word "spell" suggests that the wood has a transformative power that can transport the reader to another world.

One of the most striking aspects of Poetry Wood is the use of imagery. Brontë's descriptions of the wood are vivid and evocative. For example, she writes, "The wood was full of shadows, and the light / That filtered through the leafy screen was bright." The use of the word "shadows" suggests that the wood is a place of mystery and intrigue. The contrast between the shadows and the bright light creates a sense of depth and complexity.

Another example of Brontë's use of imagery is in the line, "The wood was full of tombs, and on each stone / Was graven some sad name of one long gone." The use of the word "graven" suggests that the names on the tombs are permanent and unchanging. The image of the names being carved into the stone creates a sense of permanence and finality.

The language used in Poetry Wood is also particularly effective. Brontë's use of alliteration and rhyme adds to the musicality of the poem. For example, she writes, "The rustling leaves kept up a gentle din." The repetition of the "s" sound in "rustling" and "gentle" creates a sense of softness and tranquility. The use of rhyme is also effective in creating a sense of unity and coherence in the poem. For example, she writes, "The wood was full of shadows, and the light / That filtered through the leafy screen was bright." The use of the rhyme between "light" and "bright" creates a sense of harmony and balance.

In conclusion, Poetry Wood is a masterpiece of poetry that showcases Charlotte Brontë's exceptional writing skills. The poem is a beautiful exploration of the themes of beauty, death, and transformation. Brontë's use of imagery and language is particularly effective in creating a sense of otherworldliness and magic. The poem is a testament to Brontë's talent as a poet and is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the beauty of language and the power of poetry.

Editor Recommended Sites

Model Shop: Buy and sell machine learning models
Explainability: AI and ML explanability. Large language model LLMs explanability and handling
Graph Database Shacl: Graphdb rules and constraints for data quality assurance
GCP Tools: Tooling for GCP / Google Cloud platform, third party githubs that save the most time
Learn Terraform: Learn Terraform for AWS and GCP

Recommended Similar Analysis

Sonnet 33: Full many a glorious morning have I seen by William Shakespeare analysis
Disillusionment Of Ten O'clock by Wallace Stevens analysis
Unknown by Rudyard Kipling analysis
The Jacket by Rudyard Kipling analysis
Mushrooms by Sylvia Plath analysis
Mannahatta by Walt Whitman analysis
Hurt Hawks by Robinson Jeffers analysis
A Tragedy of Two Ambitions by Thomas Hardy analysis
The Lifeguard by James Dickey analysis
Epic by Patrick Kavanagh analysis