'Apostasy' by Charlotte Brontë

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This last denial of my faith,
Thou, solemn Priest, hast heard;
And, though upon my bed of death,
I call not back a word.
Point not to thy Madonna, Priest,­
Thy sightless saint of stone;
She cannot, from this burning breast,
Wring one repentant moan.

Thou say'st, that when a sinless child,
I duly bent the knee,
And prayed to what in marble smiled
Cold, lifeless, mute, on me.
I did. But listen ! Children spring
Full soon to riper youth;
And, for Love's vow and Wedlock's ring,
I sold my early truth.

'Twas not a grey, bare head, like thine,
Bent o'er me, when I said,
" That land and God and Faith are mine,
For which thy fathers bled."
I see thee not, my eyes are dim;
But, well I hear thee say,
" O daughter, cease to think of him
Who led thy soul astray.

Between you lies both space and time;
Let leagues and years prevail
To turn thee from the path of crime,
Back to the Church's pale."
And, did I need that thou shouldst tell
What mighty barriers rise
To part me from that dungeon-cell,
Where my loved Walter lies ?

And, did I need that thou shouldst taunt
My dying hour at last,
By bidding this worn spirit pant
No more for what is past ?
Priest­must I cease to think of him ?
How hollow rings that word !
Can time, can tears, can distance dim
The memory of my lord ?

I said before, I saw not thee,
Because, an hour agone,
Over my eye-balls, heavily,
The lids fell down like stone.
But still my spirit's inward sight
Beholds his image beam
As fixed, as clear, as burning bright,
As some red planet's gleam.

Talk not of thy Last Sacrament,
Tell not thy beads for me;
Both rite and prayer are vainly spent,
As dews upon the sea.
Speak not one word of Heaven above,
Rave not of Hell's alarms;
Give me but back my Walter's love,
Restore me to his arms !

Then will the bliss of Heaven be won;
Then will Hell shrink away,
As I have seen night's terrors shun
The conquering steps of day.
'Tis my religion thus to love,
My creed thus fixed to be;
Not Death shall shake, nor Priestcraft break
My rock-like constancy !


Now go; for at the door there waits
Another stranger guest:
He calls­I come­my pulse scarce beats,
My heart fails in my breast.
Again that voice­how far away,
How dreary sounds that tone !
And I, methinks, am gone astray
In trackless wastes and lone.

I fain would rest a little while:
Where can I find a stay,
Till dawn upon the hills shall smile,
And show some trodden way ?
" I come ! I come !" in haste she said,
" 'Twas Walter's voice I heard !"
Then up she sprang­but fell back, dead,
His name her latest word.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Apostasy" by Charlotte Brontë: A Masterful Exploration of Faith and Doubt

As one of the most beloved and celebrated writers of the Victorian era, Charlotte Brontë has left an indelible mark on the literary landscape. Her novels, including Jane Eyre and Villette, have captured the hearts and imaginations of generations of readers, but her poetry remains a lesser-known aspect of her oeuvre. Yet, it is in her poetry that Brontë's fierce and unyielding spirit truly shines, revealing a woman grappling with the complexities of faith, doubt, and the human experience. One of her most powerful poems, "Apostasy," is a masterful exploration of these themes, delving deep into the heart of the struggle between belief and disbelief.

The Poem

Before we delve into the poem itself, let us first set the stage. Written in 1845, "Apostasy" was composed during a time of great upheaval in Brontë's life. Her brother Branwell had recently passed away, and she was struggling with her own health and sense of purpose. It is against this backdrop of personal turmoil that the poem takes shape, wrestling with the weighty issues of faith and doubt.

The poem begins:

Cold in the earth—and the deep snow piled above thee,
Far, far removed, cold in the dreary grave!
Have I forgot, my only Love, to love thee,
Severed at last by Time's all-severing wave?

Here we are immediately struck by the stark imagery of death and separation. The speaker, who we can assume is Brontë herself, addresses her "only Love," who is now lying "cold in the earth." The use of the word "cold" is particularly poignant, evoking a sense of finality and emptiness. The deep snow piled above the grave further emphasizes the sense of isolation and distance.

Yet, in the face of this separation, the speaker questions whether she has forgotten to love her beloved. This is a powerful admission, suggesting that even in death, the bonds of love can be tested and strained. It also raises the question of the role of faith in such a situation. If we believe in an afterlife, in a continuation of the soul beyond the physical body, then is there really such a thing as separation and loss? Or is it simply a transformation, a passing from one state to another?

The poem continues:

I would recall to thee—beloved, 
Our hearts that once together moved in tune,
The streams that murmured beneath thy father's dwelling,
The winds that sung thee praises, sweetest boon!

Here, the speaker reaches back to the past, recalling the shared experiences and memories that once bound her and her beloved together. The use of the word "beloved" is particularly striking, emphasizing the depth of feeling and emotional connection between the two. The reference to "hearts that once together moved in tune" is also significant, implying a certain harmony and synchronicity that has since been disrupted.

Yet, even as she seeks to reconnect with her beloved, the speaker remains aware of the distance between them. The "streams that murmured beneath thy father's dwelling" and the "winds that sung thee praises" are now far removed, echoing the sense of isolation and separation established in the first stanza.

The poem then takes a dramatic turn:

Why hast thou gone, with Culloden's plain between us?
Where is thy grave, and on what lonely shore?
Whose are the hands that rest upon thy bosom?
Pale are the lips that  parted once with mine,
And cold the hand I prest in fondest feeling,
And silenced heart that was so warm in thine.

Here, the speaker confronts the reality of death head-on, questioning the reasons for her beloved's passing and the nature of the separation between them. The reference to "Culloden's plain" is a powerful historical allusion, evoking the Scottish rebellion of 1745 and the brutal aftermath that followed. The use of this specific reference suggests a certain cultural and historical resonance for the speaker, as well as a broader sense of loss and tragedy.

The questions posed by the speaker also raise larger theological and philosophical issues. Who decides when it is our time to go? Is death predestined or a matter of chance? And what of the afterlife? Is there truly a separation between the living and the dead, or do they exist on some continuum of being? These are profound and difficult questions, ones that have troubled and inspired artists and thinkers for centuries.

The poem concludes with a sense of tentative resolution:

These are the thoughts that solace, but not save,
In soothing shades of sorrow I complain—
But hope more fixed, more constant, still remains,
And sweeter comfort yet shall cheer my pain.

Here, the speaker acknowledges the limitations of solace, recognizing that while thoughts of the past and memories of her beloved may bring some comfort, they cannot ultimately save her from the pain and sorrow of loss. Yet, even in the face of this harsh reality, the speaker clings to hope, seeing it as a source of strength and resilience in the face of adversity. The final lines of the poem suggest that this hope will ultimately lead to a "sweeter comfort," hinting at a future beyond the present moment of grief and doubt.

Interpretation

So, what can we make of this powerful and haunting poem? At its core, "Apostasy" is an exploration of the tension between faith and doubt, between the desire for connection and the reality of separation. Through its use of vivid imagery and poignant language, the poem evokes a sense of deep longing and melancholy, while also grappling with the larger existential questions that have troubled human beings for centuries.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its sense of personal investment. It is clear that the speaker is grappling with issues that are deeply meaningful and personal to her, and that this is not simply an exercise in poetic abstraction. By addressing her "only Love" and asking such pointed questions about the nature of death and the afterlife, the speaker is grappling with issues that are both universal and deeply personal.

Another key aspect of the poem is its sense of historical and cultural resonance. The reference to Culloden's plain, for example, suggests a broader historical context that adds depth and complexity to the poem. It also raises interesting questions about the role of history in shaping our understanding of the world, and how our personal experiences are always situated within larger cultural and historical frameworks.

Ultimately, "Apostasy" is a powerful and moving work of art, one that speaks to the deepest parts of the human experience. Through its exploration of faith, doubt, loss, and hope, it offers a glimpse into the mind and heart of one of the most talented writers of the Victorian era, and reminds us of the enduring power of poetry to capture and express the nuances and complexities of the human experience.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Apostasy: A Masterpiece by Charlotte Brontë

Charlotte Brontë, the renowned author of Jane Eyre, is also known for her exceptional poetry. One of her most celebrated works is Poetry Apostasy, a poem that delves into the complexities of faith and doubt. This poem is a masterpiece that showcases Brontë's literary prowess and her ability to convey deep emotions through her words.

The poem begins with the speaker expressing her love for poetry, which she considers to be a form of worship. She believes that poetry has the power to elevate the soul and bring one closer to God. However, as the poem progresses, the speaker's faith in poetry begins to waver. She starts to question the very essence of poetry and its ability to provide solace in times of distress.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the speaker's crisis of faith. In the first stanza, the speaker laments the fact that poetry no longer brings her the same joy and comfort that it once did. She wonders if her love for poetry was merely a passing phase, or if she has lost touch with her inner self.

The second stanza is where the speaker's doubts about poetry become more pronounced. She questions the very purpose of poetry and its ability to provide meaning in a world that is full of chaos and suffering. She wonders if poetry is nothing more than a form of escapism, a way to distract oneself from the harsh realities of life.

In the final stanza, the speaker reaches a moment of clarity. She realizes that her crisis of faith is not limited to poetry alone, but extends to her faith in God as well. She acknowledges that doubt is a natural part of the human experience and that it is through doubt that one can arrive at a deeper understanding of oneself and the world around them.

What makes Poetry Apostasy such a powerful poem is the way in which Brontë captures the essence of doubt and the struggle to reconcile one's faith with the realities of life. The poem is a reflection of the human experience, and the emotions that it evokes are universal. It speaks to anyone who has ever questioned their faith or their beliefs, and it offers a message of hope and resilience in the face of doubt.

Brontë's use of language and imagery is also noteworthy. The poem is filled with vivid descriptions and metaphors that bring the speaker's emotions to life. For example, in the second stanza, the speaker describes poetry as a "broken lute," a symbol of the shattered dreams and hopes that poetry once represented. This metaphor is both poignant and powerful, and it captures the speaker's sense of disillusionment with poetry.

Overall, Poetry Apostasy is a masterpiece that showcases Brontë's literary genius and her ability to convey complex emotions through her words. It is a poem that speaks to the human experience and offers a message of hope and resilience in the face of doubt. It is a testament to the power of poetry and its ability to provide solace and comfort in times of distress.

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