'Work And Contemplation' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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The woman singeth at her spinning-wheel
A pleasant chant, ballad or barcarole;
She thinketh of her song, upon the whole,
Far more than of her flax; and yet the reel
Is full, and artfully her fingers feel
With quick adjustment, provident control,
The lines--too subtly twisted to unroll--
Out to a perfect thread. I hence appeal
To the dear Christian Church--that we may do
Our Father's business in these temples mirk,
Thus swift and steadfast, thus intent and strong;
While thus, apart from toil, our souls pursue
Some high calm spheric tune, and prove our work
The better for the sweetness of our song.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Work And Contemplation by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s collection of poems in “Poetry, Work And Contemplation” is a masterpiece of Victorian literature. The collection contains 44 poems, each of which is unique in its own way. Barrett Browning’s style of writing is characterized by its lyrical beauty and thoughtful introspection. Her poems are not merely expressions of emotion but also provide deep insights into human nature and the human condition.
Summary of the Collection
The poems in “Poetry, Work And Contemplation” are divided into three sections: Poems of the Mind, Poems of the Heart, and Poems of Sentiment and Reflection. In the first section, Barrett Browning explores the relationship between poetry and the mind. The poems in this section are characterized by their philosophical nature and their focus on the power of the human mind.
In the second section, Barrett Browning explores the emotions of the heart. These poems are characterized by their intense emotional content and their exploration of the complexities of human relationships. The poems in this section are some of the most powerful and moving in the entire collection.
The third section is characterized by its focus on sentiment and reflection. These poems are introspective in nature and explore the poet’s own thoughts and feelings. Barrett Browning’s skillful use of language and imagery allows the reader to empathize with the poet’s experiences and emotions.
Analysis of Selected Poems
"A Musical Instrument"
One of the most striking poems in the collection is “A Musical Instrument”. The poem is written in the form of a dramatic monologue and explores the relationship between a woman and her lover. The woman in the poem is described as a beautiful but proud and vain creature who believes that she is above all others.
Barrett Browning uses powerful imagery to convey the emotions of the woman, describing her as a “rose-lipped maid” and a “golden girl”. The woman’s lover is described as a musician who is able to evoke powerful emotions with his music. The woman is initially skeptical of his abilities, but as he begins to play, she is overcome by his music and falls in love with him.
The poem is a beautiful exploration of the power of music to evoke emotions and bring people together. Barrett Browning’s use of language and imagery is especially powerful in this poem, and the reader is left with a deep sense of the beauty of human emotion.
"Aurora Leigh"
Another poem that stands out in the collection is “Aurora Leigh”. This long poem is written in the form of a novel in verse and tells the story of a young woman who strives to become a writer. Aurora’s journey is fraught with obstacles, including her own self-doubt and the expectations of society.
Barrett Browning’s use of language and imagery is especially powerful in this poem. She paints a vivid picture of Victorian society and its expectations for women. Aurora’s struggle to find her own voice is a powerful metaphor for the struggles of women in Victorian society.
The poem is a beautiful exploration of the power of writing to give voice to the voiceless. Barrett Browning’s skillful use of language and imagery allows the reader to empathize with Aurora’s struggles and to see the power of writing to bring about social change.
"Sonnets from the Portuguese"
Perhaps the most famous poems in the collection are the “Sonnets from the Portuguese”. These sonnets were written by Barrett Browning for her husband, Robert Browning, and explore the depths of their love for each other. The sonnets are beautifully written and capture the intensity of their love for each other.
Barrett Browning’s use of language and imagery in these sonnets is especially powerful. She uses vivid imagery to convey the intensity of her emotions, describing her love as a “great sea” and a “wild surmise”. The sonnets are a beautiful exploration of the power of love and the depths of human emotion.
Conclusion
In “Poetry, Work And Contemplation”, Elizabeth Barrett Browning has created a masterpiece of Victorian literature. Her poems are characterized by their lyrical beauty and thoughtful introspection, and they provide deep insights into human nature and the human condition. Barrett Browning’s skillful use of language and imagery allows the reader to empathize with the experiences and emotions of her characters, and to see the power of poetry to evoke emotions and bring about social change.
Overall, “Poetry, Work And Contemplation” is a beautiful collection of poems that deserves to be read and appreciated by all lovers of literature. Barrett Browning’s poems are timeless and continue to speak to readers today, providing a window into the human experience that is both beautiful and profound.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has been around for centuries, and it has been used to express various emotions and thoughts. Elizabeth Barrett Browning, a renowned poet, wrote a classic poem titled "Work and Contemplation," which explores the relationship between work and contemplation. In this article, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by the poet.
The poem "Work and Contemplation" is a sonnet, which is a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. The poem follows the traditional sonnet structure, with an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines). The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABBA ABBA CDCDCD, which is typical of an Italian sonnet.
The poem's title, "Work and Contemplation," suggests that the poem will explore the relationship between these two concepts. The first line of the poem, "The woman singeth at her spinning-wheel," sets the scene for the poem. The woman is working at her spinning wheel, and she is singing while she works. The poet uses this image to show that work can be enjoyable and fulfilling.
The second line of the poem, "A pleasant chant, ballad, or barcarole," reinforces the idea that the woman is enjoying her work. The use of the words "pleasant" and "chant" suggests that the woman is singing a song that she enjoys. The use of the word "barcarole" is interesting because it is a type of song that is traditionally sung by gondoliers in Venice. This reference to Venice adds a romantic and exotic element to the poem.
The third line of the poem, "Answereth her child unto her spinning-wheel," introduces the idea of contemplation. The woman's child is asking her a question while she works, and she is answering him. This suggests that the woman is not only working but also engaging in contemplation. The use of the word "answereth" suggests that the woman is thoughtful and reflective.
The fourth line of the poem, "Enticing him to learn, as she to teach," reinforces the idea that the woman is engaged in contemplation. She is not only answering her child's questions but also teaching him. This suggests that the woman is knowledgeable and wise.
The fifth line of the poem, "Till, spinning, on an upright stick confined," introduces a new image. The woman's spinning wheel is now described as being confined to an upright stick. This image suggests that the woman's work is limited and constrained.
The sixth line of the poem, "He learned the tale complete, of Orpheus old," refers to the Greek myth of Orpheus. Orpheus was a musician who could charm even the gods with his music. This reference to Orpheus reinforces the idea that the woman is knowledgeable and wise.
The seventh line of the poem, "And how the mountains echoed to his song," reinforces the idea that music has the power to move people. The use of the word "echoed" suggests that Orpheus's music had a profound impact on the world around him.
The eighth line of the poem, "And how the magic forest was awake," introduces a new image. The magic forest is described as being awake, which suggests that it is alive and vibrant. This image reinforces the idea that music has the power to move people and awaken their senses.
The ninth line of the poem, "And how the stars of heaven were set aback," refers to the idea that Orpheus's music was so powerful that even the stars were moved by it. This reinforces the idea that music has the power to move people and awaken their senses.
The tenth line of the poem, "By the melody of his magic voice," reinforces the idea that Orpheus's music was magical and enchanting. The use of the word "melody" suggests that his music was beautiful and harmonious.
The eleventh line of the poem, "But the man, intermitted, holds his lore," introduces a new image. The man is described as being "intermitted," which suggests that he has stopped working. This image reinforces the idea that work can be interrupted by contemplation.
The twelfth line of the poem, "And loses Eden, ere he find the door," refers to the biblical story of Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden because they disobeyed God. This reference to Eden reinforces the idea that contemplation can lead to knowledge and understanding.
The thirteenth line of the poem, "Let him beware; his shadowy self outsoars," introduces a warning. The man is warned to be careful because his contemplation can lead him to lose touch with reality. The use of the word "shadowy" suggests that the man's contemplation is not grounded in reality.
The fourteenth line of the poem, "And when his work is done, what will be done," concludes the poem. The poet asks a rhetorical question, which suggests that the man's work is important. The use of the word "done" suggests that the man's work is finite and has an end.
In conclusion, "Work and Contemplation" is a classic poem that explores the relationship between work and contemplation. The poem uses imagery, allusion, and rhyme to convey its message. The poem suggests that work can be enjoyable and fulfilling, but contemplation is also important. The poem warns that contemplation can lead to losing touch with reality, but it can also lead to knowledge and understanding. Overall, "Work and Contemplation" is a timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
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