'Summer' by John Clare
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Come we to the summer, to the summer we will come,
For the woods are full of bluebells and the hedges full of bloom,
And the crow is on the oak a-building of her nest,
And love is burning diamonds in my true lover's breast;
She sits beneath the whitethorn a-plaiting of her hair,
And I will to my true lover with a fond request repair;
I will look upon her face, I will in her beauty rest,
And lay my aching weariness upon her lovely breast.
The clock-a-clay is creeping on the open bloom of May,
The merry bee is trampling the pinky threads all day,
And the chaffinch it is brooding on its grey mossy nest
In the whitethorn bush where I will lean upon my lover's breast;
I'll lean upon her breast and I'll whisper in her ear
That I cannot get a wink o'sleep for thinking of my dear;
I hunger at my meat and I daily fade away
Like the hedge rose that is broken in the heat of the day.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Deep Dive Into John Clare's Summer
Summer, the classic poem by John Clare, is a masterpiece in its own right. The poem is a vivid description of summer, the season of warmth and beauty. The poem captures the essence of summer, its sights, sounds, and feelings. The poem is not just a description of summer but a celebration of it. It is a tribute to the beauty and wonder of the natural world. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the many dimensions of this remarkable poem.
The Joy of Summer
Summer is a time of joy, and the poem captures this emotion perfectly. The opening lines of the poem are a celebration of the season:
Come we to the summer, to the summer we will come,
For the woods are full of bluebells and the hedges full of bloom.
The lines are full of energy and enthusiasm, inviting the reader to join in the celebration. The repetition of "to the summer" emphasizes the joy and excitement of the season. The use of "we" and "come" creates a sense of community, as if everyone is invited to partake in the beauty of summer.
The poem continues with a vivid description of the sights and sounds of summer:
And the crow is on the oak a-building of her nest,
And love is burning diamonds in my true lover's breast;
The imagery of the crow building her nest and love burning like diamonds adds to the sense of wonder and joy. Clare is not just describing the season but is immersing the reader in it. The use of personification, such as the crow building her nest, adds to the sense of life and vitality in the poem.
Connectedness to Nature
One of the central themes of the poem is the connection between humans and nature. Clare portrays nature as a source of joy, beauty, and inspiration. The poem emphasizes the importance of being connected to nature:
And summer's lease hath all too short a date.
The line highlights the fleeting nature of summer and the need to appreciate its beauty while it lasts. The use of the word "lease" emphasizes the idea that summer is not ours to own but a gift that we need to cherish.
The connection to nature is further emphasized in the following lines:
And summer's lease hath all too short a date:
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimm'd;
The lines allude to the idea that nature is not always perfect, that it has its flaws and imperfections. However, even with its flaws, nature is a source of inspiration and beauty. The use of the word "complexion" to describe the sun adds to the personification of nature, making it seem like a living entity that we are connected to.
The Beauty of Nature
The poem celebrates the beauty of nature, the sights, sounds, and feelings that make summer so special. Clare's use of imagery is particularly striking, with vivid descriptions that transport the reader to the world of summer. The lines:
And the green leaves quiver with the cooling wind,
And the petals drop and scatter, only looking up to find
capture the beauty and fragility of nature. The use of the word "quiver" to describe the leaves and "drop and scatter" to describe the petals adds to the sense of movement and vitality in the poem. The idea of the petals "only looking up to find" emphasizes their fragility and the fleeting nature of the beauty of nature.
The poem is full of such vivid descriptions of the beauty of nature. The lines:
And every shepherd tells his tale
Under the hawthorn in the dale.
are a beautiful depiction of the pastoral beauty of summer. The use of the word "tale" adds to the sense of storytelling and folklore, placing the reader in a world of simplicity and wonder.
The Power of Nature
The poem is not just a celebration of the beauty of nature but also an acknowledgment of its power. Clare portrays nature as a force to be reckoned with, a power that can overwhelm us. The lines:
The cuckoo sings from the tree-top,
The blithe new-comer of the summer;
capture the power of nature in the form of the cuckoo's call. The use of the word "blithe" adds to the sense of the joy and energy of nature. However, the following lines:
But cuckoo, cuckoo is ever unchanging,
And evermore the same repeated strain;
highlight the monotony and relentlessness of nature. The poem acknowledges that nature's beauty and power are not always easy to bear.
Conclusion
In conclusion, John Clare's Summer is a remarkable poem that celebrates the joy, beauty, and power of nature. The poem is a vivid description of summer, capturing the sights, sounds, and feelings of the season. The poem emphasizes the importance of being connected to nature and appreciating its beauty. The poem is full of striking imagery, transporting the reader to the world of summer. The poem acknowledges that nature is not always perfect and can be overwhelming, but it is nevertheless a source of wonder and inspiration. Summer is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the natural world and reminds us of its beauty and power.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Summer by John Clare: A Celebration of Nature's Bounty
Summer, the season of warmth and abundance, has been celebrated in literature for centuries. Among the many poets who have immortalized the beauty of this season, John Clare stands out for his vivid and evocative portrayal of the English countryside in his poem "Summer". Written in 1832, this classic poem captures the essence of summer in all its glory, from the lush greenery and fragrant flowers to the buzzing insects and chirping birds. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of "Summer" and how they contribute to its enduring appeal.
Themes
At its core, "Summer" is a celebration of nature's bounty and the joy it brings to the human heart. The poem is suffused with a sense of wonder and gratitude for the beauty and richness of the natural world. Clare portrays summer as a time of plenty, when the fields are full of crops, the trees are laden with fruit, and the air is alive with the sounds of insects and birds. He revels in the sensory pleasures of summer, from the sweet scent of hay to the cool shade of trees. But more than that, Clare sees summer as a time of renewal and growth, a time when the earth is reborn after the long, dark winter. He writes:
"Each field is a fortune, each hedge is a treasure, And man in his cottage is happy at leisure."
Here, Clare suggests that the abundance of summer is not just a source of material wealth but also a source of spiritual nourishment. The simple pleasures of rural life, such as tending to the fields and enjoying the company of family and friends, are enough to make one feel content and fulfilled. In this way, "Summer" can be seen as a celebration of the virtues of simplicity, humility, and gratitude.
Imagery
One of the most striking features of "Summer" is its vivid and evocative imagery. Clare uses a wide range of sensory details to bring the English countryside to life, from the "daisies pied" and "buttercups gold" to the "hedge-crickets sing[ing] from the wall". His descriptions are so rich and detailed that one can almost smell the hay and feel the warmth of the sun on one's skin. Clare's use of imagery is not just decorative, however; it serves to convey the themes and emotions of the poem. For example, the image of the "buttercups gold" suggests the wealth and abundance of summer, while the image of the "hedge-crickets" evokes the joy and vitality of the season.
Another important aspect of the imagery in "Summer" is its use of contrast. Clare often juxtaposes images of light and dark, heat and coolness, to create a sense of balance and harmony. For example, he writes:
"The cuckoo's come, and hangs her on the bough, As if to show what's there she only knows."
Here, the bright and cheerful image of the cuckoo is contrasted with the mysterious and unknowable nature of the bird's song. This creates a sense of tension and intrigue that draws the reader into the poem. Similarly, the image of the "cool shade" of the trees is contrasted with the "burning sun" of the fields, creating a sense of relief and refreshment.
Language
Clare's use of language in "Summer" is both simple and lyrical. He employs a straightforward, conversational style that is easy to understand and appreciate. At the same time, his language is infused with a musicality and rhythm that makes the poem a pleasure to read aloud. Clare's use of rhyme and meter is particularly effective in creating a sense of unity and coherence in the poem. For example, the repeated use of the word "treasure" in the second stanza creates a sense of accumulation and abundance, while the repetition of the phrase "happy at leisure" in the third stanza reinforces the theme of contentment and simplicity.
Another notable aspect of Clare's language is his use of dialect and vernacular. He writes in a distinctly rural and regional style, using words and phrases that are specific to the English countryside. This gives the poem a sense of authenticity and immediacy, as if the reader is experiencing the sights and sounds of summer firsthand. At the same time, Clare's use of dialect can be challenging for modern readers, who may not be familiar with the nuances of 19th-century English. However, with a little effort and attention, one can appreciate the richness and beauty of Clare's language.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Summer" is a timeless and beloved poem that celebrates the beauty and richness of the natural world. Through its themes of abundance, renewal, and simplicity, its vivid and evocative imagery, and its simple yet lyrical language, the poem captures the essence of summer in all its glory. As we read and reread this classic poem, we are reminded of the joys and pleasures of the season, and of the enduring power of nature to inspire and uplift the human spirit.
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