'Pleasure' by Charlotte Brontë


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A Short Poem or Else Not Say I

True pleasure breathes not city air,
Nor in Art's temples dwells,
In palaces and towers where
The voice of Grandeur dwells.

No! Seek it where high Nature holds
Her court 'mid stately groves,
Where she her majesty unfolds,
And in fresh beauty moves;

Where thousand birds of sweetest song,
The wildly rushing storm
And hundred streams which glide along,
Her mighty concert form!

Go where the woods in beauty sleep
Bathed in pale Luna's light,
Or where among their branches sweep
The hollow sounds of night.

Go where the warbling nightingale
In gushes rich doth sing,
Till all the lonely, quiet vale
With melody doth ring.

Go, sit upon a mountain steep,
And view the prospect round;
The hills and vales, the valley's sweep,
The far horizon bound.

Then view the wide sky overhead,
The still, deep vault of blue,
The sun which golden light doth shed,
The clouds of pearly hue.

And as you gaze on this vast scene
Your thoughts will journey far,
Though hundred years should roll between
On Time's swift-passing car.

To ages when the earth was yound,
When patriarchs, grey and old,
The praises of their god oft sung,
And oft his mercies told.

You see them with their beards of snow,
Their robes of ample form,
Their lives whose peaceful, gentle flow,
Felt seldom passion's storm.

Then a calm, solemn pleasure steals
Into your inmost mind;
A quiet aura your spirit feels,
A softened stillness kind.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Exploring the Beauty of Charlotte Brontë’s Poetry: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation of “Poetry, Pleasure”

When it comes to the works of Charlotte Brontë, many readers often think of her classic novel "Jane Eyre." However, Charlotte Brontë was not just a novelist, but also a poet. In fact, she published a collection of poems with her sisters Emily and Anne called "Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell" in 1846. One of the poems in the collection is "Poetry, Pleasure," which showcases Brontë's poetic talent and her love for the written word.

As a literary critic, I found myself drawn to this particular poem and wanted to delve deeper into its meaning and significance. In this analysis, I will explore the themes and literary elements present in "Poetry, Pleasure" and provide my interpretation of its overall message.

The Poem: An Overview

Before we dive into the analysis, let's take a moment to read through the poem in its entirety:

Oh, they have robbed me of the hope
My spirit held so dear;
They will not let me hear that note
My soul delights to hear.

They will not let me see that face
I so delight to see;
And they have taken all thy grace,
And all thy purity.

Yes, thou art gone away from me!
Yet, oh, not yet forgot,
The sweetness of thy memory,
And all that thou hast taught.

My heart is sad, my hopes are gone,
My blood runs cold and slow;
And all that was so bright, is done;
My heart is lying low.

Yet, in my dreams, I see thee still,
Thy form, thyself, thy face;
And I remember, with a thrill,
The soul-enchanting grace

Of poetry, which, like a star,
Beckons me to thy sphere,
And as I mount, in fancy, far,
I feel thy spirit near.

Oh, gentle spirit, do not leave
One heart where thou hast been;
But, ere thou go, teach me to grieve,
And soothe this bitter pain.

Teach me the mystery of the soul,
And its immortal flame;
Be with me, as I upward roll,
And whisper my soul’s name.

At first glance, "Poetry, Pleasure" appears to be a love poem, with the speaker longing for a lost love. However, as we dive deeper, we see that the poem is not just about love, but also about the power of poetry and the connection between the speaker's lost love and the written word.

The Themes

One of the primary themes present in "Poetry, Pleasure" is the power of poetry. Brontë uses poetic language to convey the idea that poetry has the ability to comfort and soothe the soul. The speaker refers to poetry as a "soul-enchanting grace" and compares it to a star that "beckons" the speaker to the realm of the lost love.

Another theme present in the poem is the idea of loss and longing. The speaker's love is gone, and the speaker is left with a deep sense of sadness and emptiness. However, the speaker finds solace in the memories of the lost love and in the power of poetry.

Finally, the poem touches on the theme of immortality. The speaker refers to the "mystery of the soul" and its "immortal flame." By connecting poetry to the lost love, the speaker suggests that the written word has the ability to transcend time and death.

The Literary Elements

In addition to the themes, "Poetry, Pleasure" also showcases Brontë's mastery of literary elements. One of the most notable literary devices used in the poem is personification. The speaker refers to poetry as a living being, using phrases such as "thy spirit" and "thy grace." This personification adds depth to the poem and emphasizes the importance of poetry to the speaker.

Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. Brontë uses powerful imagery to convey the speaker's emotions and the power of poetry. For example, the speaker describes the lost love's memory as a "sweetness" and compares poetry to a star that "beacons" the speaker to the realm of the lost love. This imagery adds a layer of beauty and depth to the poem, making it more than just a simple love poem.

Finally, "Poetry, Pleasure" showcases Brontë's skill in using rhyme and meter. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, with a consistent ABAB rhyme scheme. This consistent structure adds to the poem's musicality and emphasizes the importance of the themes present in the poem.

My Interpretation

As a literary critic, I find "Poetry, Pleasure" to be a beautiful and powerful poem. Through her use of personification and imagery, Brontë is able to convey the power of poetry and its ability to provide comfort and solace to the soul. The theme of loss and longing is also present, with the speaker finding solace in the memories of the lost love and in the power of poetry.

However, what I find most intriguing about the poem is the theme of immortality. By connecting poetry to the lost love, the speaker suggests that the written word has the ability to transcend time and death. This theme is particularly poignant, as Brontë herself died at a young age and left behind a legacy that continues to be celebrated today.

Overall, "Poetry, Pleasure" is a testament to Brontë's literary talent and her love for the written word. It is a beautiful and powerful poem that showcases the power of poetry to comfort and soothe the soul, and its ability to transcend time and death.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has always been a source of pleasure for many people. It is a form of art that allows us to express our deepest emotions and thoughts in a way that is both beautiful and meaningful. Charlotte Brontë, one of the most celebrated writers of the 19th century, was no stranger to the pleasures of poetry. In her poem "Poetry Pleasure," she explores the joy and comfort that poetry can bring to our lives.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the beauty of nature. She talks about the "purple heath" and the "golden furze" that adorn the landscape. The imagery is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a serene and idyllic countryside. The speaker then goes on to say that while nature is beautiful, it is not enough to satisfy her soul. She longs for something more, something that can fill the emptiness inside her.

This is where poetry comes in. The speaker says that poetry is like a "magic spell" that can transport her to another world. It is a source of comfort and solace, a way to escape the mundane realities of life. She describes the pleasure she feels when she reads a beautiful poem, how it lifts her spirits and fills her with joy. She says that poetry is like a "fairy's wand" that can transform the world around her.

The poem then takes a darker turn. The speaker acknowledges that life is not always easy, that there are times when we face hardship and pain. She says that poetry can help us through these difficult times, that it can provide us with the strength and courage we need to keep going. She talks about the power of poetry to heal our wounds and soothe our troubled minds.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker says that poetry is not just a source of pleasure, but a necessity. She says that without poetry, life would be unbearable, that we would be lost in a world of darkness and despair. She describes poetry as a "beacon" that guides us through the storms of life, a light that shines in the darkness.

Overall, "Poetry Pleasure" is a beautiful and moving poem that celebrates the joys of poetry. It is a testament to the power of words to lift our spirits and bring us comfort in times of need. Charlotte Brontë's use of vivid imagery and evocative language creates a sense of wonder and magic that is both enchanting and inspiring.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which it captures the transformative power of poetry. The speaker describes how poetry can transport us to another world, how it can change the way we see the world around us. This is a theme that runs throughout much of Brontë's work, and it is one that speaks to the transformative power of literature as a whole.

Another notable feature of the poem is the way in which it acknowledges the darker aspects of life. The speaker acknowledges that life is not always easy, that we face hardship and pain. However, she also suggests that poetry can help us through these difficult times, that it can provide us with the strength and courage we need to keep going. This is a message that is both comforting and empowering, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope.

In conclusion, "Poetry Pleasure" is a beautiful and inspiring poem that celebrates the joys of poetry. It is a testament to the power of words to lift our spirits and bring us comfort in times of need. Charlotte Brontë's use of vivid imagery and evocative language creates a sense of wonder and magic that is both enchanting and inspiring. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of language, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression.

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