'The Mores' by John Clare


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Far spread the moorey ground a level scene
Bespread with rush and one eternal green
That never felt the rage of blundering plough
Though centurys wreathed spring's blossoms on its brow
Still meeting plains that stretched them far away
In uncheckt shadows of green brown, and grey
Unbounded freedom ruled the wandering scene
Nor fence of ownership crept in between
To hide the prospect of the following eye
Its only bondage was the circling sky
One mighty flat undwarfed by bush and tree
Spread its faint shadow of immensity
And lost itself, which seemed to eke its bounds
In the blue mist the horizon's edge surrounds
Now this sweet vision of my boyish hours
Free as spring clouds and wild as summer flowers
Is faded all—a hope that blossomed free,
And hath been once, no more shall ever be
Inclosure came and trampled on the grave
Of labour's rights and left the poor a slave
And memory's pride ere want to wealth did bow
Is both the shadow and the substance now
The sheep and cows were free to range as then
Where change might prompt nor felt the bonds of men
Cows went and came, with evening morn and night,
To the wild pasture as their common right
And sheep, unfolded with the rising sun
Heard the swains shout and felt their freedom won
Tracked the red fallow field and heath and plain
Then met the brook and drank and roamed again
The brook that dribbled on as clear as glass
Beneath the roots they hid among the grass
While the glad shepherd traced their tracks along
Free as the lark and happy as her song
But now all's fled and flats of many a dye
That seemed to lengthen with the following eye
Moors, loosing from the sight, far, smooth, and blea
Where swopt the plover in its pleasure free
Are vanished now with commons wild and gay
As poet's visions of life's early day
Mulberry-bushes where the boy would run
To fill his hands with fruit are grubbed and done
And hedgrow-briars—flower-lovers overjoyed
Came and got flower-pots—these are all destroyed
And sky-bound mores in mangled garbs are left
Like mighty giants of their limbs bereft
Fence now meets fence in owners' little bounds
Of field and meadow large as garden grounds
In little parcels little minds to please
With men and flocks imprisoned ill at ease
Each little path that led its pleasant way
As sweet as morning leading night astray
Where little flowers bloomed round a varied host
That travel felt delighted to be lost
Nor grudged the steps that he had ta-en as vain
When right roads traced his journeys and again -
Nay, on a broken tree he'd sit awhile
To see the mores and fields and meadows smile
Sometimes with cowslaps smothered—then all white
With daiseys—then the summer's splendid sight
Of cornfields crimson o'er the headache bloomd
Like splendid armys for the battle plumed
He gazed upon them with wild fancy's eye
As fallen landscapes from an evening sky
These paths are stopt—the rude philistine's thrall
Is laid upon them and destroyed them all
Each little tyrant with his little sign
Shows where man claims earth glows no more divine
But paths to freedom and to childhood dear
A board sticks up to notice 'no road here'
And on the tree with ivy overhung
The hated sign by vulgar taste is hung
As tho' the very birds should learn to know
When they go there they must no further go
Thus, with the poor, scared freedom bade goodbye
And much they feel it in the smothered sigh
And birds and trees and flowers without a name
All sighed when lawless law's enclosure came
And dreams of plunder in such rebel schemes
Have found too truly that they were but dreams.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Mores by John Clare: An Analysis of Nature's Beauty and Human Impact

Have you ever spent time in nature, mesmerized by the beauty that surrounds you? John Clare, a renowned English poet and nature lover, captures the essence of the moors in his poem "The Mores." This classic poem, published in 1827, explores the majesty of nature and the impact humans have on the environment. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the themes and literary devices used in "The Mores," and discuss the significance of the poem in the context of 19th-century English literature.

Introduction

"The Mores" is a nature poem that reflects the Romantic era's obsession with the natural world. The poem is structured as a series of observations made by the narrator as he wanders through the moors. The poem's language is simple and unadorned, which enhances the theme of nature's simplicity and beauty. John Clare uses various literary devices to convey the poem's central message that nature is beautiful and humans should tread lightly in the natural world.

Themes

The themes of "The Mores" are rooted in nature and environmentalism. The poem's primary theme is the beauty of nature, which is conveyed through the narrator's vivid descriptions of the moors. Clare's language is simple and straightforward, but it is also evocative and poetic. We can see this in lines such as:

"The moors are green with the living heath"

"The curlew's a wild and a wailing cry"

"And the hare bounds over the dead dog's eye."

These vivid descriptions of nature create a sense of awe and wonder in the reader. We are reminded of the majesty of the natural world and its power to inspire and uplift us.

Another theme that emerges in the poem is the relationship between humans and nature. Clare highlights the impact humans have on the environment through his description of the moors. He notes that the land has been drained, and the heather has been replaced by fields of corn. The poem's narrator laments this destruction of nature and longs for a time when the moors were untouched by human hands.

Literary Devices

Clare employs a range of literary devices to convey the poem's themes and messages. One of the most striking devices is his use of imagery. Through his vivid descriptions of the moors, Clare creates a rich, sensual world that the reader can almost taste, touch, and smell. For example, in the line "the moors are green with the living heath," we can imagine the vibrant greenery of the moors and the scent of the heather in the air.

The use of personification is another literary device that Clare employs to bring the moors to life. He gives voice to the natural world, making the moors seem alive and sentient. For example, in the line "the curlew's a wild and a wailing cry," the curlew becomes a character in its own right, wailing its lament through the moors.

Clare's use of repetition is also notable in the poem. He repeats certain phrases and images throughout the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and unity. For example, the line "And the hare bounds over the dead dog's eye" is repeated twice in the poem, emphasizing the hare's freedom and agility in contrast to the dead dog's stillness.

Significance

"The Mores" is significant in the context of 19th-century English literature for several reasons. Firstly, it is a classic example of a nature poem, which was a popular genre during the Romantic era. The poem reflects the Romantic movement's emphasis on nature as a source of inspiration and beauty.

Secondly, the poem is significant for its environmental message. Clare's depiction of the moors as a beautiful, vibrant ecosystem that has been damaged by human intervention is a powerful statement about the importance of preserving the natural world. Clare's message is as relevant today as it was in the 19th century, as we continue to grapple with the impact of human activity on the environment.

Finally, the poem is significant for its portrayal of the working-class experience. John Clare was a peasant poet who wrote about his own experiences of rural life. "The Mores" is a reflection of his own connection to the natural world and his sense of loss as he witnessed the destruction of the moors. In this way, the poem is a poignant reminder of the importance of preserving our natural heritage for future generations.

Conclusion

"The Mores" is a classic nature poem that captures the beauty of the moors and laments the impact of human activity on the environment. Through his vivid language and poetic devices, John Clare creates a rich, sensual world that inspires a sense of awe and wonder in the reader. The poem's themes of nature's beauty and the importance of preserving the natural world are as relevant today as they were in the 19th century. By exploring the natural world through poetry, Clare reminds us of the power of nature to inspire and uplift us, and the importance of preserving it for future generations.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Mores: A Poetic Journey Through Nature

John Clare's "The Mores" is a classic poem that takes the reader on a journey through the beauty of nature. The poem is a celebration of the moors, a vast expanse of land that is often overlooked but is full of life and wonder. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and imagery used in the poem and how they contribute to the overall message of the poem.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the moors as a place of "wilderness and freedom." This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker is clearly in awe of the moors and the sense of freedom they provide. The moors are described as a place where one can escape the confines of society and experience the beauty of nature in its purest form.

As the poem progresses, the speaker describes the various sights and sounds of the moors. The imagery used in the poem is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a landscape that is both beautiful and harsh. The moors are described as a place of "heather, fern, and furze," with "bog and moorland" stretching out as far as the eye can see. The speaker also describes the various animals that inhabit the moors, such as the "curlew's cry" and the "lapwing's whistle."

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which the speaker describes the moors as a place of constant change. The moors are described as a place where "the seasons change their hue," with the landscape shifting from green to brown to purple depending on the time of year. This sense of change is also reflected in the way the animals behave on the moors. The speaker describes how the "hare runs wild" and the "grouse takes wing," suggesting that the moors are a place where life is constantly in motion.

Another important theme in the poem is the idea of the moors as a place of solitude. The speaker describes how the moors are a place where one can "wander far and wide" without encountering another soul. This sense of solitude is contrasted with the hustle and bustle of city life, which is described as a place of "crowded streets" and "busy throngs." The moors are presented as a place where one can escape the noise and chaos of modern life and find peace in the natural world.

Despite the beauty and wonder of the moors, the poem also acknowledges the harshness of the landscape. The speaker describes how the moors can be a place of "storm and tempest," with the wind and rain battering the landscape. The moors are also described as a place of "sullen mire," suggesting that the landscape can be treacherous and difficult to navigate. This acknowledgement of the moors' harshness adds depth to the poem, as it suggests that the beauty of nature is not always easy to appreciate.

Overall, "The Mores" is a beautiful and evocative poem that celebrates the beauty of nature. The poem is full of vivid imagery and striking descriptions, painting a picture of a landscape that is both beautiful and harsh. The poem also explores important themes such as solitude, change, and freedom, suggesting that the moors are a place where one can escape the confines of modern life and find peace in the natural world.

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