'Love and Friendship' by Emily Jane Brontë
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Love is like the wild rose-briar,
Friendship like the holly-tree --
The holly is dark when the rose-briar blooms
But which will bloom most contantly?
The wild-rose briar is sweet in the spring,
Its summer blossoms scent the air;
Yet wait till winter comes again
And who wil call the wild-briar fair?
Then scorn the silly rose-wreath now
And deck thee with the holly's sheen,
That when December blights thy brow
He may still leave thy garland green.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Introduction
Poetry, Love and Friendship is a collection of poems written by Emily Jane Brontë, one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century. This anthology showcases her mastery of the poetic form and her exploration of themes like love, friendship, and nature. In this essay, I will provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of this collection, examining Brontë's use of language, imagery, and themes.
Brontë's Use of Language and Imagery
One of the most striking features of Brontë's poetry is her use of language and imagery. She employs vivid and sensory language to evoke emotions and paint vivid pictures in the reader's mind. For instance, in the poem "Love and Friendship," Brontë uses the image of a bird to convey the fleeting nature of love:
Love is like the wild rose-briar,
Friendship like the holly-tree—
The holly is dark when the rose-briar blooms
But which will bloom most constantly?
Here, Brontë compares love to a wild rose-briar, which is beautiful but quick to wither and die. Friendship, on the other hand, is like the holly tree, which is sturdy and reliable. The contrast between the two images highlights the transience of love and the lasting nature of friendship.
In another poem, "The Night-Wind," Brontë uses the image of the wind to convey a sense of restlessness and unease:
In summer's mellow midnight,
A cloudless moon shone through
Our open parlour window,
And rose-trees wet with dew.
I sat in silent musing;
The soft wind waved my hair;
It told me heaven was glorious,
And sleeping earth was fair.
Here, the wind is personified as a restless force that disturbs the speaker's peace of mind. The image of the wind waving the speaker's hair is particularly evocative, suggesting a sense of disarray and turmoil.
Themes of Love and Friendship
One of the central themes of Brontë's poetry is the relationship between love and friendship. In many of her poems, she explores the contrast between the fleeting nature of love and the lasting nature of friendship. In "Love and Friendship," for example, she writes:
Though love is still a rose,
And friendship but a sheltering tree,
Still blooms the rose with every summer's close,
Still grows the sheltering tree.
Here, Brontë suggests that while love may fade and wither, friendship endures and provides comfort and support. Similarly, in "Love and Friendship," she contrasts the wild beauty of the rose-briar with the dependable strength of the holly tree, implying that while love may be passionate and exciting, friendship is more reliable and steadfast.
Nature and the Sublime
Another recurring theme in Brontë's poetry is the relationship between nature and the sublime. She often uses natural imagery to evoke a sense of awe and wonder in the reader, as in the poem "The Night-Wind" discussed earlier. This theme is also evident in "The Philosopher," in which Brontë describes the speaker's quest for knowledge and understanding:
And thus I roam, from day to day,
Through life's perplexing road;
Now darkly gloomy, then alway
In sunshine or in shade.
Here, the speaker's journey through life is compared to a journey through the natural world, with its alternating darkness and light. The imagery of the natural world reinforces the sense of wonder and mystery surrounding the speaker's search for knowledge.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Emily Jane Brontë's Poetry, Love and Friendship is a collection of poems that showcases her mastery of the poetic form and her exploration of themes like love, friendship, and nature. Her use of vivid language and imagery evokes a wide range of emotions and creates powerful mental images in the reader's mind. Through her poetry, Brontë explores the contrast between the fleeting nature of love and the lasting nature of friendship, as well as the relationship between nature and the sublime. Overall, her work remains a testament to her talent as a poet and her enduring legacy in the world of literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Jane Brontë’s “Love and Friendship” is a classic poem that explores the complexities of human relationships. The poem is a reflection on the nature of love and friendship, and how the two are intertwined. Brontë’s use of language and imagery creates a vivid picture of the emotional landscape of the human heart.
The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on the nature of love. She describes it as a “wild rose-briar,” which suggests that love is both beautiful and dangerous. The rose is a symbol of beauty, but the briar is a symbol of danger. This suggests that love is both wonderful and painful. The speaker goes on to describe love as a “fruit” that is “sweet” but “poisonous.” This suggests that love can be both pleasurable and harmful.
The speaker then turns her attention to friendship. She describes it as a “holly-tree,” which suggests that friendship is strong and enduring. The holly is a symbol of strength and protection. This suggests that friendship is a source of comfort and support. The speaker goes on to describe friendship as a “mistletoe,” which suggests that it is a source of joy and happiness. The mistletoe is a symbol of love and happiness. This suggests that friendship is a source of joy and happiness.
The speaker then reflects on the relationship between love and friendship. She suggests that love and friendship are intertwined. She describes them as “two trees” that grow “together.” This suggests that love and friendship are connected and that they support each other. The speaker goes on to describe love and friendship as “two wings” that allow the heart to soar. This suggests that love and friendship are essential for the human heart to experience joy and happiness.
The poem then takes a darker turn. The speaker reflects on the pain of lost love and friendship. She describes it as a “broken bough” and a “fallen nest.” This suggests that the loss of love and friendship is painful and can leave one feeling alone and vulnerable. The speaker goes on to describe the pain of lost love and friendship as a “wounded deer” that is “stricken by the hunter’s dart.” This suggests that the pain of lost love and friendship is like a physical wound that can be difficult to heal.
The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on the importance of love and friendship. She suggests that they are essential for the human heart to experience joy and happiness. She describes them as “the stars” that “shine” in the “darkness.” This suggests that love and friendship are sources of light and hope in difficult times. The speaker goes on to describe love and friendship as “the music” that “fills” the “silent night.” This suggests that love and friendship are sources of comfort and joy in times of sadness and loneliness.
In conclusion, Emily Jane Brontë’s “Love and Friendship” is a classic poem that explores the complexities of human relationships. The poem is a reflection on the nature of love and friendship, and how the two are intertwined. Brontë’s use of language and imagery creates a vivid picture of the emotional landscape of the human heart. The poem suggests that love and friendship are essential for the human heart to experience joy and happiness, but that the pain of lost love and friendship can be difficult to bear. Overall, “Love and Friendship” is a beautiful and moving poem that speaks to the human experience of love and friendship.
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