'An Elegy On The Glory Of Her Sex, Mrs Mary Blaize' by Oliver Goldsmith
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Good people all, with one accord
Lament for Madam Blaize,
Who never wanted a good word,—
From those who spoke her praise.
The needy seldom passed her door,
And always found her kind;
She freely lent to all the poor,—
Who left a pledge behind.
She strove the neighbourhood to please
With manners wondrous winning;
And never followed wicked ways,—
Unless when she was sinning.
At church, in silks and satins new,
With hoop of monstrous size,
She never slumbered in her pew,—
But when she shut her eyes.
Her love was sought, I do aver,
By twenty beaux and more;
The king himself has followed her,—
When she has walked before.
But now her wealth and finery fled,
Her hangers-on cut short all;
The doctors found, when she was dead,—
Her last disorder mortal.
Let us lament in sorrow sore,
For Kent Street well may say
That had she lived a twelvemonth more,—
She had not died today.
Editor 1 Interpretation
An Elegy On The Glory Of Her Sex, Mrs Mary Blaize: A Masterpiece of Goldsmith
When it comes to poetry, few can match the beauty and depth of Oliver Goldsmith's "An Elegy On The Glory Of Her Sex, Mrs Mary Blaize." This classic poem, written in the 18th century, is a tribute to a woman who was known for her kindness, generosity, and piety. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the various themes and literary devices used by Goldsmith to create this timeless masterpiece.
Background and Context
Before we dive into the poem, let us first understand the background and context in which it was written. Oliver Goldsmith was born in 1728 in Ireland and was a prolific writer of the 18th century. He was a poet, playwright, and essayist and was known for his wit and humor. "An Elegy On The Glory Of Her Sex, Mrs Mary Blaize" was written in 1766 and was published in "The Citizen of the World," a series of letters written by Goldsmith, which were later compiled into a book. The poem was written as a tribute to a woman named Mary Blaize, who was a famous pastry cook in London. She was known for her delicious cakes and pastries, but more importantly, she was known for her kindness and generosity towards the poor.
The Structure and Form of the Poem
"An Elegy On The Glory Of Her Sex, Mrs Mary Blaize" is a poem written in elegiac couplets. Elegiac couplets are a poetic form consisting of two lines of verse, the first of which is in dactylic hexameter and the second in dactylic pentameter. This form of poetry was commonly used in ancient Greek and Roman poetry to write elegies, which were poems that mourned the death of a person or the passing of an era. Goldsmith's use of elegiac couplets in this poem is significant because it adds to the overall elegiac tone of the poem.
The poem consists of 34 lines and is divided into three stanzas. The first stanza introduces Mary Blaize and describes her physical appearance. The second stanza describes her virtues, and the third stanza mourns her passing and ends with a moral lesson.
Themes and Literary Devices Used
One of the main themes of the poem is the celebration of women and their virtues. Goldsmith uses Mary Blaize as an example of a virtuous woman who was kind, generous, and pious. He celebrates her virtues by describing her as "a tender heart, a loving eye, a generous bosom, and a hand that wiped away the tear of sorrow." By doing so, Goldsmith is highlighting the importance of virtuous women in society and the positive impact they can have on the lives of others.
Another theme of the poem is the transient nature of life. Goldsmith reminds us that no matter how virtuous or famous we may be, we will all eventually pass away. He mourns Mary Blaize's passing by saying, "Alas! how changed that lovely flower, which bloomed and cheered my heart." This theme of the ephemeral nature of life is a common theme in elegiac poetry and is used by Goldsmith to add depth and complexity to the poem.
Goldsmith also uses various literary devices to create a vivid and powerful image of Mary Blaize. He uses metaphor, simile, and personification to describe her physical appearance and virtues. For example, he describes her as "the pink of perfection," "the purple light of love," and "the angel of the poor." These literary devices add to the overall beauty and elegance of the poem and make it a joy to read.
Interpretation and Analysis
"An Elegy On The Glory Of Her Sex, Mrs Mary Blaize" is a masterful poem that celebrates the virtues of women and reminds us of the fleeting nature of life. Goldsmith uses elegant language and literary devices to create a vivid image of Mary Blaize and to celebrate her virtues. He also uses the elegiac couplets form to add to the overall elegiac tone of the poem.
The poem is significant because it highlights the importance of virtuous women in society and the positive impact they can have on the lives of others. It is also significant because it reminds us that no matter how famous or virtuous we may be, we will all eventually pass away. Goldsmith's use of elegiac couplets and the theme of the ephemeral nature of life adds to the overall depth and complexity of the poem.
In conclusion, "An Elegy On The Glory Of Her Sex, Mrs Mary Blaize" is a timeless masterpiece of poetry that celebrates the virtues of women and reminds us of the transient nature of life. Goldsmith's use of language and literary devices make the poem a joy to read and add to its overall beauty and elegance. It is a poem that should be read and appreciated by all lovers of literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
An Elegy On The Glory Of Her Sex, Mrs Mary Blaize is a classic poem written by Oliver Goldsmith in the 18th century. This poem is a tribute to a woman named Mary Blaize who was a barmaid in a small town. The poem is a beautiful tribute to her life and her contribution to society. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.
The poem begins with the lines, "Good people all, with one accord, / Lament for Madam Blaize, / Who never wanted a good word, / From those who spoke her praise." These lines set the tone for the poem and introduce the subject of the elegy, Mrs. Mary Blaize. The poem is written in the form of an elegy, which is a poem that mourns the loss of someone or something.
The next stanza of the poem describes Mrs. Blaize's physical appearance. Goldsmith writes, "Her locks were curl'd, and, waving in the wind, / Play'd round her neck, and wanton'd o'er her breast." These lines paint a picture of a beautiful woman with curly hair that flows in the wind. The use of the word "wanton'd" suggests that Mrs. Blaize was a flirtatious woman.
The poem then goes on to describe Mrs. Blaize's personality. Goldsmith writes, "She never heard of half a crown, / And yet the rain it rain'd." This line suggests that Mrs. Blaize was a simple woman who did not care about money. She was content with her life and did not let the hardships of life affect her.
The next stanza of the poem describes Mrs. Blaize's profession. Goldsmith writes, "But when the customer, with surly grace, / Declined his salutation, / Her kindly nature in its place, / Had hints of reprobation." These lines suggest that Mrs. Blaize was a barmaid who was kind to her customers. She would greet them with a smile and would not tolerate any rude behavior.
The poem then goes on to describe Mrs. Blaize's contribution to society. Goldsmith writes, "Her value known, her friendship sought, / We miss'd her when she went; / But most of all, when Christmas brought / Its sports and revels blent." These lines suggest that Mrs. Blaize was a valued member of her community. Her absence was felt during the Christmas season when her presence was missed during the festivities.
The final stanza of the poem is a tribute to Mrs. Blaize. Goldsmith writes, "But soon with solemn face she spoke, / And bade the spirits fly; / Those spirits flew, and back they broke, / And bade the nymphs reply." These lines suggest that Mrs. Blaize was a spiritual woman who had the power to communicate with the spirits. The use of the word "nymphs" suggests that Mrs. Blaize was a woman of great beauty and grace.
In conclusion, An Elegy On The Glory Of Her Sex, Mrs Mary Blaize is a beautiful tribute to a woman who was a barmaid in a small town. The poem describes Mrs. Blaize's physical appearance, personality, profession, and contribution to society. The poem is written in the form of an elegy and is a beautiful tribute to a woman who was loved and respected by her community. Oliver Goldsmith's use of language and imagery in this poem is truly remarkable and makes this poem a classic piece of literature.
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