'To A Fallen Elm' by John Clare
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Old Elm that murmured in our chimney top
The sweetest anthem autumn ever made
And into mellow whispering calms would drop
When showers fell on thy many coloured shade
And when dark tempests mimic thunder made
While darkness came as it would strangle light
With the black tempest of a winter night
That rocked thee like a cradle to thy root
How did I love to hear the winds upbraid
Thy strength without while all within was mute
It seasoned comfort to our hearts desire
We felt thy kind protection like a friend
And pitched our chairs up closer to the fire
Enjoying comforts that was was never penned
Old favourite tree thoust seen times changes lower
But change till now did never come to thee
For time beheld thee as his sacred dower
And nature claimed thee her domestic tree
Storms came and shook thee with aliving power
Yet stedfast to thy home thy roots hath been
Summers of thirst parched round thy homely bower
Till earth grew iron—still thy leaves was green
The children sought thee in thy summer shade
And made their play house rings of sticks and stone
The mavis sang and felt himself alone
While in they leaves his early nest was made
And I did feel his happiness mine own
Nought heeding that our friendship was betrayed
Friend not inanimate—tho stocks and stones
There are and many cloathed in flesh and bones
Thou ownd a lnaguage by which hearts are stirred
Deeper than by the attribute of words
Thine spoke a feeling known in every tongue
Language of pity and the force of wrong
What cant assumes what hypocrites may dare
Speaks home to truth and shows it what they are
I see a picture that thy fate displays
And learn a lesson from thy destiny
Self interest saw thee stand in freedoms ways
So thy old shadow must a tyrant be
Thoust heard the knave abusing those in power
Bawl freedom loud and then oppress the free
Thoust sheltered hypocrites in many an hour
That when in power would never shelter thee
Thoust heard the knave supply his canting powers
With wrongs illusions when he wanted friends
That bawled for shelter when he lived in showers
And when clouds vanished made thy shade ammends
With axe at root he felled thee to the ground
And barked of freedom—O I hate that sound
It grows the cant terms of enslaving tools
To wrong another by the name of right
It grows a liscence with oer bearing fools
To cheat plain honesty by force of might
Thus came enclosure—ruin was her guide
But freedoms clapping hands enjoyed the sight
Tho comforts cottage soon was thrust aside
And workhouse prisons raised upon the scite
Een natures dwelling far away from men
The common heath became the spoilers prey
The rabbit had not where to make his den
And labours only cow was drove away
No matter—wrong was right and right was wrong
And freedoms brawl was sanction to the song
Such was thy ruin music making Elm
The rights of freedom was to injure thine
As thou wert served so would they overwhelm
In freedoms name the little so would they over whelm
And these are knaves that brawl for better laws
And cant of tyranny in stronger powers
Who glut their vile unsatiated maws
And freedoms birthright from the weak devours
Editor 1 Interpretation
To A Fallen Elm by John Clare: A Detailed Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Have you ever looked at a tree that has fallen, lying on the ground motionless, and wondered about its life, its journey, and its story? In his poem To A Fallen Elm, John Clare does just that. He mourns the loss of a majestic elm tree that once stood tall and proud but now lies on the ground, destroyed by a storm. Through his vivid descriptions and poignant imagery, Clare paints a picture of a life that was, and a life that is no more.
Background Information on John Clare
Before we delve into the poem, let us take a brief look at the life of John Clare. He was born in 1793 in Helpston, a small village in Northamptonshire, England. He was the son of a farm laborer and had little formal education. However, he had a keen interest in nature and poetry from a young age. He began writing poetry in his teens and published his first collection, Poems Descriptive of Rural Life and Scenery, in 1820. He is considered one of the most important poets of the Romantic period, and his works celebrate the beauty of nature, the joys and sorrows of rural life, and the struggles of the working-class people.
A Close Reading of To A Fallen Elm
To A Fallen Elm is a poem that captures the essence of Clare's love for nature and his melancholic view of life. The poem has three stanzas, each with eight lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCCDD, and the meter is iambic tetrameter.
First Stanza
The poem begins with the speaker addressing the fallen elm tree, lamenting its fate. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker expresses sorrow and sympathy for the tree.
Old tree! the storm hath broke thee from thy stem,
And thou art laid to rest, where no one comes,
But I who love to linger near and muse
On what hath been, and what must be the fate
Of all that breathe and live upon this earth.
The use of the word "old" to describe the tree suggests that it had been standing for a very long time, and its age is a testament to its strength and resilience. The phrase "the storm hath broke thee from thy stem" conveys the force and brutality of nature, and the vulnerability of all living things in the face of it. The speaker acknowledges that the tree now lies in a place where no one comes, except for himself. This creates a sense of isolation and desolation, as if the tree's fate is forgotten and ignored by the rest of the world.
The speaker then reveals his intention of "lingering near and muse" on the tree's past and future. This sets the stage for the rest of the poem, as the speaker reflects on the tree's life and the inevitability of death.
Second Stanza
In the second stanza, the speaker describes the tree in its prime, when it was alive and flourishing. He paints a vivid picture of the tree's surroundings, and his language is rich with sensory detail.
Thou wert a stately tree when in thy prime,
And on thy head the sun's warm rays did shine,
And round thy trunk the creeping ivy twined,
And birds made nests within thy leafy boughs,
And children played beneath thy spreading shade,
And lovers sat and whispered in thy ear.
The use of the word "stately" to describe the tree reinforces the idea that it was once a magnificent creature, towering over everything else. The phrase "the sun's warm rays did shine" creates an image of warmth and light, and the use of personification gives the sun a sense of agency. The imagery of "creeping ivy" and "leafy boughs" evokes a sense of natural beauty, and the idea that the tree was a home to birds and a playground for children creates a feeling of joy and happiness. The final line of the stanza, "And lovers sat and whispered in thy ear", is a powerful image of intimacy and romance. It gives the tree a sense of personality and shows how it was a witness to human emotions and experiences.
Third Stanza
The third and final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the inevitability of death and the transient nature of life. The speaker acknowledges that everything that lives must eventually die, and that the tree's fate is a reminder of this fact.
But now, alas! how changed and desolate
Art thou, by that rude storm that laid thee low!
No more the birds shall nestle in thy boughs,
No more the children play beneath thy shade,
No more the lovers whisper in thy ear,
For thou art fallen, fallen to the ground,
And all thy beauty and thy strength are gone.
The repetition of "no more" emphasizes the loss and finality of the tree's demise. The use of the word "desolate" creates a sense of emptiness and abandonment, and the tree's fate is seen as a tragedy. The final lines of the poem, "And all thy beauty and thy strength are gone", leave the reader with a sense of sadness and mourning.
Themes and Interpretations
To A Fallen Elm is a poem that explores several themes, including the beauty and fragility of nature, the inevitability of death, and the fleeting nature of human experiences.
The poem can be read as a meditation on the transience of life and the importance of cherishing the moments we have. The tree, once alive and full of vitality, now lies motionless and forgotten. It is a reminder that even the strongest and most beautiful things in life are temporary, and that we must appreciate them while we can.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a lament for the loss of a simpler, more innocent way of life. The tree was a symbol of the natural world, and its destruction represents the destruction of a way of life. The image of children playing and lovers whispering in the tree's presence is a nostalgic reminder of a time when life was less complicated and more connected to nature.
Lastly, the poem can be seen as a commentary on the destructive power of nature and the human inability to control it. The storm that destroyed the tree is a force that is beyond human control, and the poem suggests that we must accept our vulnerability in the face of it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, To A Fallen Elm is a beautiful and poignant poem that captures the essence of John Clare's love for nature and his melancholic view of life. Through his vivid descriptions and poignant imagery, Clare paints a picture of a life that was, and a life that is no more. The poem is a meditation on the transience of life, the fragility of nature, and the inevitability of death. It is a reminder that even the strongest and most beautiful things in life are temporary, and that we must appreciate them while we can.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
To A Fallen Elm: A Masterpiece of Nature Poetry
John Clare, the celebrated English poet, is known for his love for nature and his ability to capture the essence of the natural world in his poetry. One of his most famous works, "To A Fallen Elm," is a beautiful ode to a tree that has fallen in a field. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used by Clare in this classic poem.
The poem begins with a description of the fallen elm tree, which is lying on the ground in a field. Clare describes the tree as "lonely," "silent," and "desolate," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The tree is no longer standing tall and proud, but instead, it is now a symbol of loss and decay. The imagery used by Clare in this opening stanza is powerful and evocative, and it immediately draws the reader into the poem.
In the second stanza, Clare reflects on the history of the tree. He imagines the tree as a young sapling, growing in the field, and then as a mature tree, providing shade and shelter for animals and humans alike. He describes the tree as a "monarch of the woods," which emphasizes its importance and grandeur. However, despite its former glory, the tree has now fallen, and its once-mighty branches are now "mouldering in the clay."
The third stanza is perhaps the most poignant of the poem. Clare imagines the tree as a living being, with thoughts and feelings of its own. He asks the tree if it remembers the "happy days" when it was alive and thriving. He wonders if the tree is aware of its current state, lying on the ground, and if it feels any sadness or regret. This anthropomorphism of the tree is a powerful literary device, as it allows the reader to empathize with the fallen elm and to feel a sense of loss and sadness for its demise.
In the fourth stanza, Clare reflects on the passing of time and the inevitability of death. He compares the fallen elm to a human being, who must also face the end of their life. He describes the tree as a "martyr of the year," which suggests that its death is a natural and necessary part of the cycle of life. The use of the word "martyr" also implies that the tree's death has a greater purpose, perhaps as a symbol of renewal and rebirth.
The final stanza of the poem is a beautiful tribute to the fallen elm. Clare imagines the tree as a symbol of hope and renewal, as its death will provide nourishment for new life to grow. He describes the fallen elm as a "noble ruin," which suggests that even in death, the tree retains its dignity and importance. The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful, as Clare imagines the tree as a source of inspiration for future generations:
"Teach me thy lessons, Elm, with such a tongue As shall not speak in vain."
These lines suggest that the fallen elm has a message to impart, and that it is up to us to listen and learn from its wisdom.
In terms of language, Clare's use of imagery and metaphor is particularly effective in this poem. He uses vivid descriptions to bring the fallen elm to life, and his use of anthropomorphism allows the reader to empathize with the tree and to feel a sense of loss and sadness for its demise. The use of the word "martyr" is also particularly effective, as it suggests that the tree's death has a greater purpose and meaning.
In terms of themes, "To A Fallen Elm" explores the cycle of life and death, the passing of time, and the importance of nature. The poem suggests that even in death, the fallen elm retains its dignity and importance, and that its death will provide nourishment for new life to grow. The poem also suggests that we have much to learn from nature, and that it is up to us to listen and learn from the wisdom of the natural world.
In conclusion, "To A Fallen Elm" is a masterpiece of nature poetry, and a testament to John Clare's skill as a poet. The poem is a beautiful tribute to a fallen tree, and a powerful reflection on the cycle of life and death. Clare's use of imagery, metaphor, and anthropomorphism is particularly effective, and the poem is a powerful reminder of the importance of nature and the wisdom that can be gained from the natural world.
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