'Preference' by Charlotte Brontë

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Not in scorn do I reprove thee,
Not in pride thy vows I waive,
But, believe, I could not love thee,
Wert thou prince, and I a slave.
These, then, are thine oaths of passion ?
This, thy tenderness for me ?
Judged, even, by thine own confession,
Thou art steeped in perfidy.
Having vanquished, thou wouldst leave me !
Thus I read thee long ago;
Therefore, dared I not deceive thee,
Even with friendship's gentle show.
Therefore, with impassive coldness
Have I ever met thy gaze;
Though, full oft, with daring boldness,
Thou thine eyes to mine didst raise.
Why that smile ? Thou now art deeming
This my coldness all untrue,­
But a mask of frozen seeming,
Hiding secret fires from view.
Touch my hand, thou self-deceiver,
Nay­be calm, for I am so:
Does it burn ? Does my lip quiver ?
Has mine eye a troubled glow ?
Canst thou call a moment's colour
To my forehead­to my cheek ?
Canst thou tinge their tranquil pallor
With one flattering, feverish streak?
Am I marble ? What ! no woman
Could so calm before thee stand ?
Nothing living, sentient, human,
Could so coldly take thy hand ?
Yes­a sister might, a mother:
My good-will is sisterly:
Dream not, then, I strive to smother
Fires that inly burn for thee.
Rave not, rage not, wrath is fruitless,
Fury cannot change my mind;
I but deem the feeling rootless
Which so whirls in passion's wind.
Can I love ? Oh, deeply­truly­
Warmly­fondly­but not thee;
And my love is answered duly,
With an equal energy.
Wouldst thou see thy rival ? Hasten,
Draw that curtain soft aside,
Look where yon thick branches chasten
Noon, with shades of eventide.
In that glade, where foliage blending
Forms a green arch overhead,
Sits thy rival thoughtful bending
O'er a stand with papers spread­
Motionless, his fingers plying
That untired, unresting pen;
Time and tide unnoticed flying,
There he sits­the first of men !
Man of conscience­man of reason;
Stern, perchance, but ever just;
Foe to falsehood, wrong, and treason,
Honour's shield, and virtue's trust !
Worker, thinker, firm defender
Of Heaven's truth­man's liberty;
Soul of iron­proof to slander,
Rock where founders tyranny.
Fame he seeks not­but full surely
She will seek him, in his home;
This I know, and wait securely
For the atoning hour to come.
To that man my faith is given,
Therefore, soldier, cease to sue;
While God reigns in earth and heaven,
I to him will still be true !

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Depth and Complexity of Charlotte Brontë’s “Preference”

As one of the most celebrated writers of her time, Charlotte Brontë left an indelible mark on literature with her provocative and enduring works. Though best known for her novel, Jane Eyre, Brontë was also a gifted poet, and one of her most captivating and introspective pieces is “Preference.”

At only 16 lines, “Preference” may seem like a simple and straightforward poem, but in reality, it is a masterpiece of nuance and complexity. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we’ll explore the many layers of meaning in this remarkable work and examine how Brontë’s unique perspective and poetic skills combine to create a work that speaks to us even today.

Background and Context

Before diving into the poem itself, it’s important to understand the context in which Brontë wrote it. Born in 1816 in Yorkshire, England, Charlotte Brontë grew up in a family of writers and intellectuals. Along with her siblings, Emily and Anne, she was homeschooled by her father, a minister, and encouraged to read widely and explore her own creativity.

Brontë’s early years were marked by tragedy, however, with the deaths of her mother and two older sisters. Despite these losses, Brontë continued to write and eventually found success with her novel, Jane Eyre, which was published in 1847 under the pseudonym “Currer Bell.”

“Preference,” however, was written much earlier, when Brontë was still a teenager. It first appeared in a school magazine in 1835, and later found its way into a collection of Brontë’s poetry after her death.

“Preference”: A Closer Look

With its deceptively simple title and straightforward language, “Preference” might seem like a straightforward meditation on love and desire. But as we’ll see, there’s much more going on under the surface.

Here’s the full text of the poem:

A little while, a little while,
The noisy crowd are hushed withal,
And we will go together, love,
And tread the twilight halls.

A little while, a little while,
The starry sky is gleaming bright;
And with its light, and with its smile,
We’ll wander on in calm delight.

A little while, a little while,
The dream of life will soon be o’er,
And death’s dark shadow shall defile
Our loved and cherished bower.

A little while, and we shall sleep
In peaceful slumber, side by side;
Oh, blessed sleep, that we may reap
The fruit of love so long denied!

At first glance, the poem seems to be a simple expression of love and devotion. The speaker, presumably Brontë herself, addresses her lover and suggests they go for a walk together in the quiet of the evening. She emphasizes the fleeting nature of life and hints at the inevitability of death, but also suggests that their love will be rewarded in the afterlife.

All of this is certainly true, but there’s much more going on in “Preference” than meets the eye. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key themes and symbols Brontë employs.

Time and Mortality

One of the most striking things about “Preference” is the emphasis on the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The poem is structured around the repeated phrase, “A little while, a little while,” which serves as a reminder of how brief and fleeting life can be.

But while some poets might use this theme to emphasize the transience and impermanence of life, Brontë has a different goal in mind. She uses the temporal imagery to underscore the value and urgency of the present moment.

For Brontë, the fact that life is short and that death is inevitable is all the more reason to seize the moment and make the most of the time we have. This is why she urges her lover to join her in the twilight halls and wander on in calm delight. She knows that their time together is limited, and wants to make the most of it.

Nature as a Symbol

Another key element of “Preference” is the use of nature as a symbol. The starry sky and the twilight halls both serve as backdrops for the speaker’s meditation on love and mortality.

But more than that, the natural world is a reminder of the cyclical nature of life and death. The starry sky, with its endless expanse, suggests the vastness and mystery of the universe, while the twilight halls evoke the peacefulness and serenity of the evening.

Taken together, these symbols suggest that even in the face of death, there is beauty and meaning to be found in the world around us. The speaker’s desire to share this beauty with her lover is a testament to the transformative power of love and companionship.

Love as a Source of Meaning

Perhaps the most significant theme in “Preference” is the idea that love is a source of meaning and fulfillment in life. The speaker’s desire to spend time with her lover and to reap the fruit of their long-denied love is a powerful expression of this idea.

For Brontë, love is not just something that adds to the richness of life; it is something that gives life its meaning and purpose. The fact that the speaker is willing to face death with her lover by her side suggests that their love is a source of comfort and solace, even in the face of life’s greatest challenges.

The Power of Poetry

Finally, it’s worth noting the power of the poem itself as a source of meaning and beauty. By using language to create vivid images and themes, Brontë is able to evoke a sense of wonder and awe that transcends the limits of ordinary experience.

In this sense, the poem is not just a reflection of the speaker’s inner thoughts and feelings, but a work of art in its own right. By using language to create a world of meaning and beauty, Brontë shows us that poetry can be a source of inspiration and solace in our own lives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, “Preference” is a remarkable work of poetry that deserves to be read and appreciated for its depth and complexity. Through its use of time, nature, love, and the power of poetry itself, Brontë shows us that even in the face of mortality, there is beauty and meaning to be found in the world around us.

As we read and re-read this poem, we are reminded of the power of language to create meaning and beauty in our own lives. Like Brontë, we can use poetry to explore the world around us, to express our deepest thoughts and feelings, and to find solace and comfort in the face of life’s greatest challenges. And in doing so, we can create a world that is more beautiful and meaningful than we ever thought possible.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Preference: A Masterpiece by Charlotte Brontë

Charlotte Brontë, the famous English novelist, poet, and the author of the classic novel Jane Eyre, is known for her exceptional writing skills and her ability to capture the essence of human emotions. Her poem, Poetry Preference, is a masterpiece that reflects her love for poetry and her deep understanding of the human psyche.

The poem is a beautiful expression of the poet's preference for poetry over other forms of literature. It is a celebration of the power of poetry to touch the human heart and soul, and to evoke emotions that cannot be expressed in any other way. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the poet's love for poetry.

In the first stanza, the poet describes the beauty and power of poetry. She says that poetry is like a "magic spell" that can transport us to another world, where we can experience the beauty and wonder of life in a way that is not possible in the real world. She also says that poetry has the power to heal our wounds and soothe our troubled minds, and that it can bring us closer to the divine.

The second stanza is a reflection on the different forms of literature and their limitations. The poet says that prose is like a "plain and homely face" that lacks the beauty and charm of poetry. She also says that drama is too artificial and contrived, and that it cannot capture the true essence of human emotions. The only form of literature that can do justice to the complexity and depth of human emotions, according to the poet, is poetry.

In the third stanza, the poet reflects on the role of poetry in her own life. She says that poetry has been her constant companion through the ups and downs of life, and that it has helped her to find solace and comfort in times of sorrow and pain. She also says that poetry has given her the courage to face the challenges of life, and that it has inspired her to strive for greatness and to live life to the fullest.

The poem is a beautiful tribute to the power of poetry, and it reflects the poet's deep understanding of the human psyche. It is a celebration of the beauty and wonder of life, and it reminds us of the importance of poetry in our lives. The poem is also a reflection of the poet's own life, and it shows us how poetry has helped her to overcome the challenges of life and to find meaning and purpose in her existence.

In conclusion, Poetry Preference is a masterpiece of English literature, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to touch the human heart and soul. The poem is a celebration of the beauty and wonder of life, and it reminds us of the importance of poetry in our lives. It is a reflection of the poet's own life, and it shows us how poetry has helped her to overcome the challenges of life and to find meaning and purpose in her existence. Charlotte Brontë's Poetry Preference is a timeless classic that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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