'His Wife and Baby' by Isabella Valancy Crawford


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In the lone place of the leaves,
Where they touch the hanging eaves,
There sprang a spray of joyous song that sounded sweet and sturdy;
And the baby in the bed
Raised the shining of his head,
And pulled the mother's lids apart to wake and watch the birdie.
She kissed lip-dimples sweet,
The red soles of his feet,
The waving palms that patted hers as wind-blown blossoms wander;
He twined her tresses silk
Round his neck as white as milk­
'Now, baby, say what birdie sings upon his green spray yonder.'

'He sings a plenty things­
Just watch him wash his wings!
He says Papa will march to-day with drums home through the city.
Here, birdie, here's my cup.
You drink the milk all up;
I'll kiss you, birdie, now you're washed like baby clean and pretty.'

She rose, she sought the skies
With the twin joys of her eyes;
She sent the strong dove of her soul up through the dawning's glory;
She kissed upon her hand
The glowing golden band
That bound the fine scroll of her life and clasped her simple story.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Poetry, His Wife and Baby" by Isabella Valancy Crawford: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Isabella Valancy Crawford's "Poetry, His Wife and Baby" is a remarkable poem that captures the essence of poetry, love, and parenthood. The poem, written in 1884, is a celebration of the power of poetry and the beauty of a family's life. The poem also explores the relationship between the poet, his wife, and their newborn child. This literary criticism and interpretation will delve into the themes, symbols, and motifs that are present in the poem.

The Themes of "Poetry, His Wife and Baby"

The poem is a complex work of literature that explores multiple themes. One of the central themes of the poem is the power of poetry. In the poem, the poet describes poetry as "a charm" that can "break the spell of care." The poet also describes poetry as a "music" that can "cheer the heart" and "charm the soul." Through these descriptions, the poet suggests that poetry has the power to heal, soothe, and inspire. The poet also suggests that poetry is an essential part of life.

Another theme of the poem is love. The poem is a celebration of the love between the poet and his wife. The poet describes his wife as "the sweetest thing on earth" and "the very sunshine of my life." The poet also describes his love for his wife as "deeper than the sea" and "higher than the sky." Through these descriptions, the poet suggests that love is an essential part of life and that it can bring happiness and joy.

The theme of parenthood is also present in the poem. The poet describes his newborn child as "sweet" and "fair" and suggests that the child is a blessing. The poet also suggests that parenthood is a responsibility that brings joy and happiness.

The Symbols and Motifs of "Poetry, His Wife and Baby"

The poem contains several symbols and motifs that add depth and meaning to the poem. One of the symbols in the poem is the moon. The poet describes the moon as "silver sheen" and suggests that it is a symbol of beauty and purity. The moon can also be interpreted as a symbol of femininity and motherhood.

Another symbol in the poem is the rose. The poet describes the rose as "the queen of flowers" and suggests that it is a symbol of love and beauty. The rose can be interpreted as a symbol of the poet's love for his wife and his child.

The motif of nature is also present in the poem. The poet describes the "golden fields" and the "purple hills" and suggests that nature is a source of beauty and inspiration. The motif of nature can be interpreted as a symbol of the beauty and wonder of life.

The Structure and Style of "Poetry, His Wife and Baby"

The poem is structured as a series of stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem has an AABB rhyme scheme, which creates a sense of musicality and rhythm. The use of rhyme also adds to the poem's sense of unity and coherence.

The style of the poem is lyrical and romantic. The poet uses imagery and metaphors to create a sense of beauty and wonder. The poet also uses repetition to emphasize the importance of the themes and motifs in the poem.

The Significance of "Poetry, His Wife and Baby"

"Poetry, His Wife and Baby" is a significant poem because it captures the essence of poetry and the beauty of life. The poem suggests that poetry is a source of inspiration and that it has the power to heal and bring joy. The poem also celebrates the love between the poet and his wife and the beauty of parenthood.

The poem is also significant because it was written by a female poet during a time when women were not widely recognized for their literary contributions. Isabella Valancy Crawford's work helped pave the way for future female poets and writers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Poetry, His Wife and Baby" is a remarkable poem that captures the essence of poetry, love, and parenthood. The poem's themes, symbols, and motifs add depth and meaning to the poem. The poem's structure and style create a sense of beauty and wonder. The poem is significant because it celebrates the power of poetry and the beauty of life and was written by a female poet during a time when women were not widely recognized for their literary contributions.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has always been a medium for expressing emotions, and Isabella Valancy Crawford's "His Wife and Baby" is a perfect example of how poetry can convey complex feelings in a simple yet powerful way. This classic poem, written in the 19th century, tells the story of a man who returns home after a long day of work to find his wife and baby waiting for him. The poem is a beautiful tribute to the joys of family life and the love that binds us all together.

The poem begins with the man's arrival home, and the first thing he sees is his wife and baby. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for what is to come, as the man is filled with a sense of wonder and awe at the sight of his family:

"His wife and baby met him at the door, And he beheld them with a sense of awe, As one who sees a vision."

The use of the word "vision" here is significant, as it suggests that the man is seeing something that is almost too beautiful to be real. This sense of wonder is further emphasized in the next few lines, as the man takes in the sight of his wife and baby:

"The baby's face was like a rose in bloom, And in his wife's eyes shone a tender light, That made his heart beat faster."

The imagery here is vivid and evocative, with the baby's face being compared to a rose in bloom, and the wife's eyes shining with a tender light. These descriptions not only paint a picture of the scene, but also convey the deep emotions that the man is feeling.

As the poem continues, we see the man's love for his family expressed in a variety of ways. He takes his baby in his arms and marvels at his tiny fingers and toes, and he kisses his wife with a passion that speaks of the depth of his feelings:

"He took the baby in his strong right arm, And gazed upon its face with tender awe, And kissed its tiny fingers and its toes. Then turned to her, and kissed her passionately."

The use of the word "passionately" here is significant, as it suggests that the man's love for his wife is not just a simple affection, but a deep and intense emotion that fills him completely. This is further emphasized in the next few lines, as the man reflects on the joy that his family brings him:

"His heart was full of joy, and he rejoiced That he had such a wife and such a child, To love and cherish and to hold so dear."

The use of the word "rejoiced" here is significant, as it suggests that the man's happiness is not just a passing emotion, but a deep and abiding sense of contentment that comes from being surrounded by the people he loves.

As the poem draws to a close, we see the man's love for his family expressed in a final, poignant way. He reflects on the fact that his wife and baby are his "treasure," and that he would do anything to protect them:

"He knew that they were his, his only treasure, And that he would protect them with his life, And keep them safe from harm."

The use of the word "treasure" here is significant, as it suggests that the man's love for his family is not just a passing emotion, but a deep and abiding sense of value that he places on them. This is further emphasized in the final lines of the poem, as the man reflects on the fact that his family is the most important thing in his life:

"For they were all the world to him, his wife And baby, and he loved them more than life."

The use of the word "world" here is significant, as it suggests that the man's family is not just a part of his life, but the very essence of it. The final line, "he loved them more than life," is a powerful statement of the depth of the man's feelings, and a testament to the power of love to transform our lives.

In conclusion, Isabella Valancy Crawford's "His Wife and Baby" is a beautiful tribute to the joys of family life and the love that binds us all together. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Crawford conveys the deep emotions that the man in the poem feels for his wife and baby, and the sense of wonder and awe that their presence inspires in him. This classic poem is a timeless reminder of the importance of family, and the power of love to transform our lives.

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