'The Maple Tree' by John Clare


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The Maple with its tassell flowers of green
That turns to red, a stag horn shapèd seed
Just spreading out its scallopped leaves is seen,
Of yellowish hue yet beautifully green.
Bark ribb'd like corderoy in seamy screed
That farther up the stem is smoother seen,
Where the white hemlock with white umbel flowers
Up each spread stoven to the branches towers
And mossy round the stoven spread dark green
And blotched leaved orchis and the blue-bell flowers—
Thickly they grow and neath the leaves are seen.
I love to see them gemm'd with morning hours.
I love the lone green places where they be
And the sweet clothing of the Maple tree.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Maple Tree by John Clare

If I were to describe this poem in one word, it would be "nostalgia." The Maple Tree, by John Clare, is a beautiful and touching poem that captures the essence of childhood memories and how they shape our lives. The poem is a reflection on the maple tree that stood in Clare's childhood home, and how it has grown and changed over the years, just like the narrator himself.

Literal interpretation

At its core, The Maple Tree is a poem about growth and change. The poem begins by describing the maple tree that stood in the narrator's childhood home. The tree is described as "young and gay," full of life and vigor. The narrator describes how he would climb the tree and watch the world from its branches.

As the poem continues, the narrator reflects on how the tree has grown and changed over the years. The tree is now "tall and stately," with branches that stretch out over the narrator's childhood home. The tree has survived storms and harsh winters, and has grown stronger for it.

The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the narrator's own growth and change. He compares himself to the maple tree, saying that he too has grown and changed over the years. He has left his childhood home and moved on to new things, but the memories of the maple tree and his childhood home will always stay with him.

Deeper interpretation

At its heart, The Maple Tree is about the passage of time and how it shapes us. The tree serves as a metaphor for the narrator's own growth and change. Just like the tree, the narrator has weathered storms and harsh winters, and has grown stronger for it.

The poem also touches on the theme of memory and nostalgia. The narrator reflects on the memories of his childhood home and how they have shaped him. He is nostalgic for the times he spent climbing the maple tree and watching the world from its branches.

Overall, The Maple Tree is a beautiful and touching poem that captures the essence of childhood memories and how they shape our lives. The poem serves as a reminder to cherish the memories we have and to embrace the changes that come with the passage of time.

Literary devices

Throughout The Maple Tree, John Clare employs a number of literary devices to convey his message. Here are a few of the most notable:

Metaphor

The maple tree serves as a powerful metaphor for the narrator's own growth and change. Just like the tree, the narrator has weathered storms and harsh winters, and has grown stronger for it.

Personification

The tree is personified throughout the poem. In the first stanza, the tree is described as "young and gay," giving it a human quality. This personification helps to create a sense of empathy and understanding between the reader and the tree.

Imagery

John Clare's use of imagery in The Maple Tree is particularly effective. The imagery of the tree changing and growing over time helps to convey the passage of time and how it shapes us.

Repetition

The repetition of the phrase "the maple tree" throughout the poem serves to emphasize the importance of the tree and its role in the narrator's life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Maple Tree is a beautiful and touching poem that captures the essence of childhood memories and how they shape our lives. The poem is a reflection on the maple tree that stood in Clare's childhood home, and how it has grown and changed over the years, just like the narrator himself.

Through his use of metaphor, personification, imagery, and repetition, John Clare is able to convey a powerful message about the passage of time and the importance of cherishing our memories. The Maple Tree is a timeless work of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Maple Tree: A Poem of Nature's Beauty and Resilience

John Clare's "The Maple Tree" is a classic poem that celebrates the beauty and resilience of nature. Written in the early 19th century, the poem captures the essence of a maple tree in all its glory, from its vibrant colors to its steadfastness in the face of adversity. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and imagery of the poem, as well as its historical and cultural context.

The poem begins with a vivid description of the maple tree in autumn:

"Come, autumn's lovely queen, / Crowned with the crimson leaves, / That on the wings of the north wind sail / Down the broad avenue."

The imagery here is striking, as the poet personifies autumn as a queen, crowned with the crimson leaves of the maple tree. The leaves are described as sailing on the wings of the north wind, creating a sense of movement and energy. The broad avenue suggests a grandeur and majesty that befits the beauty of the tree.

As the poem progresses, the poet describes the changing colors of the maple tree:

"See how she sheds her leaves / Upon the ground below, / And like a vestal virgin stands / Robed in her robes of snow."

Here, the poet uses the metaphor of a vestal virgin to describe the tree's purity and beauty. The robes of snow suggest a sense of purity and innocence, as well as a connection to the winter season. The shedding of the leaves is also significant, as it represents the tree's ability to adapt and change with the seasons.

The poem then takes a darker turn, as the poet describes the tree's resilience in the face of adversity:

"But when the tempests rage, / And the wild winds are high, / She stands unshaken in her strength, / And looks upon the sky."

This stanza highlights the tree's resilience and steadfastness, even in the face of the most violent storms. The use of the word "unshaken" suggests a sense of strength and stability, while the phrase "looks upon the sky" suggests a connection to the heavens and a sense of transcendence.

The final stanza of the poem brings the themes of beauty and resilience together:

"Thus, like the maple tree, / May we in life's decline / Shed every leaf of vanity, / And ripen and grow divine."

Here, the poet suggests that we can learn from the maple tree's example and shed our own "leaves of vanity" as we age and mature. The idea of "ripening and growing divine" suggests a sense of spiritual growth and enlightenment, as well as a connection to the natural world.

Overall, "The Maple Tree" is a beautiful and inspiring poem that celebrates the beauty and resilience of nature. The imagery is vivid and evocative, and the themes are timeless and universal. As we continue to face the challenges of the modern world, we can look to the maple tree as a symbol of hope and inspiration, reminding us of the power and beauty of nature.

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