'Thorn , The' by William Wordsworth
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I
"There is a Thorn--it looks so old,
In truth, you'd find it hard to say
How it could ever have been young,
It looks so old and grey.
Not higher than a two years' child
It stands erect, this aged Thorn;
No leaves it has, no prickly points;
It is a mass of knotted joints,
A wretched thing forlorn.
It stands erect, and like a stone
With lichens is it overgrown.
II
"Like rock or stone, it is o'ergrown,
With lichens to the very top,
And hung with heavy tufts of moss,
A melancholy crop:
Up from the earth these mosses creep,
And this poor Thorn they clasp it round
So close, you'd say that they are bent
With plain and manifest intent
To drag it to the ground;
And all have joined in one endeavour
To bury this poor Thorn for ever.
III
"High on a mountain's highest ridge,
Where oft the stormy winter gale
Cuts like a scythe, while through the clouds
It sweeps from vale to vale;
Not five yards from the mountain path,
This Thorn you on your left espy;
And to the left, three yards beyond,
You see a little muddy pond
Of water--never dry
Though but of compass small, and bare
To thirsty suns and parching air.
IV
"And, close beside this aged Thorn,
There is a fresh and lovely sight,
A beauteous heap, a hill of moss,
Just half a foot in height.
All lovely colours there you see,
All colours that were ever seen;
And mossy network too is there,
As if by hand of lady fair
The work had woven been;
And cups, the darlings of the eye,
So deep is their vermilion dye.
V
"Ah me! what lovely tints are there
Of olive green and scarlet bright,
In spikes, in branches, and in stars,
Green, red, and pearly white!
This heap of earth o'ergrown with moss,
Which close beside the Thorn you see,
So fresh in all its beauteous dyes,
Is like an infant's grave in size,
As like as like can be:
But never, never any where,
An infant's grave was half so fair.
VI
"Now would you see this aged Thorn,
This pond, and beauteous hill of moss,
You must take care and choose your time
The mountain when to cross.
For oft there sits between the heap
So like an infant's grave in size,
And that same pond of which I spoke,
A Woman in a scarlet cloak,
And to herself she cries,
'Oh misery! oh misery!
Oh woe is me! oh misery!'
VII
"At all times of the day and night
This wretched Woman thither goes;
And she is known to every star,
And every wind that blows;
And there, beside the Thorn, she sits
When the blue daylight's in the skies,
And when the whirlwind's on the hill,
Or frosty air is keen and still,
And to herself she cries,
'Oh misery! oh misery!
Oh woe is me! oh misery!'"
VIII
"Now wherefore, thus, by day and night,
In rain, in tempest, and in snow,
Thus to the dreary mountain-top
Does this poor Woman go?
And why sits she beside the Thorn
When the blue daylight's in the sky
Or when the whirlwind's on the hill,
Or frosty air is keen and still,
And wherefore does she cry?--
O wherefore? wherefore? tell me why
Does she repeat that doleful cry?"
IX
"I cannot tell; I wish I could;
For the true reason no one knows:
But would you gladly view the spot,
The spot to which she goes;
The hillock like an infant's grave,
The pond--and Thorn, so old and grey;
Pass by her door--'tis seldom shut--
And, if you see her in her hut--
Then to the spot away!
I never heard of such as dare
Approach the spot when she is there."
X
"But wherefore to the mountain-top
Can this unhappy Woman go?
Whatever star is in the skies,
Whatever wind may blow?"
"Full twenty years are past and gone
Since she (her name is Martha Ray)
Gave with a maiden's true good-will
Her company to Stephen Hill;
And she was blithe and gay,
While friends and kindred all approved
Of him whom tenderly she loved.
XI
"And they had fixed the wedding day,
The morning that must wed them both;
But Stephen to another Maid
Had sworn another oath;
And, with this other Maid, to church
Unthinking Stephen went--
Poor Martha! on that woeful day
A pang of pitiless dismay
Into her soul was sent;
A fire was kindled in her breast,
Which might not burn itself to rest.
XII
"They say, full six months after this,
While yet the summer leaves were green,
She to the mountain-top would go,
And there was often seen.
What could she seek?--or wish to hide?
Her state to any eye was plain;
She was with child, and she was mad;
Yet often was she sober sad
From her exceeding pain.
O guilty Father--would that death
Had saved him from that breach of faith!
XIII
Sad case for such a brain to hold
Communion with a stirring child!
Sad case, as you may think, for one
Who had a brain so wild!
Last Christmas-eve we talked of this,
And grey-haired Wilfred of the glen
Held that the unborn infant wrought
About its mother's heart, and brought
Her senses back again:
And, when at last her time drew near,
Her looks were calm, her senses clear.
XIV
"More know I not, I wish I did,
And it should all be told to you;
For what became of this poor child
No mortal ever knew;
Nay--if a child to her was born
No earthly tongue could ever tell;
And if 'twas born alive or dead,
Far less could this with proof be said;
But some remember well,
That Martha Ray about this time
Would up the mountain often climb.
XV
"And all that winter, when at night
The wind blew from the mountain-peak,
'Twas worth your while, though in the dark,
The churchyard path to seek:
For many a time and oft were heard
Cries coming from the mountain head:
Some plainly living voices were;
And others, I've heard many swear,
Were voices of the dead:
I cannot think, whate'er they say,
They had to do with Martha Ray.
XVI
"But that she goes to this old Thorn,
The Thorn which I described to you,
And there sits in a scarlet cloak
I will be sworn is true.
For one day with my telescope,
To view the ocean wide and bright,
When to this country first I came,
Ere I had heard of Martha's name,
I climbed the mountain's height:--
A storm came on, and I could see
No object higher than my knee.
XVII
"'Twas mist and rain, and storm and rain:
No screen, no fence could I discover;
And then the wind! in sooth, it was
A wind full ten times over.
I looked around, I thought I saw
A jutting crag,--and off I ran,
Head-foremost, through the driving rain,
The shelter of the crag to gain;
And, as I am a man,
Instead of jutting crag, I found
A Woman seated on the ground.
XVIII
"I did not speak--I saw her face;
Her face!--it was enough for me;
I turned about and heard her cry,
'Oh misery! oh misery!'
And there she sits, until the moon
Through half the clear blue sky will go;
And, when the little breezes make
The waters of the pond to shake,
As all the country know,
She shudders, and you hear her cry,
'Oh misery! oh misery!'"
XIX
"But what's the Thorn? and what the pond?
And what the hill of moss to her?
And what the creeping breeze that comes
The little pond to stir?"
"I cannot tell; but some will say
She hanged her baby on the tree;
Some say she drowned it in the pond,
Which is a little step beyond:
But all and each agree,
The little Babe was buried there,
Beneath that hill of moss so fair.
XX
"I've heard, the moss is spotted red
With drops of that poor infant's blood;
But kill a new-born infant thus,
I do not think she could!
Some say, if to the pond you go,
And fix on it a steady view,
The shadow of a babe you trace,
A baby and a baby's face,
And that it looks at you;
Whene'er you look on it, 'tis plain
The baby looks at you again.
XXI
"And some had sworn an oath that she
Should be to public justice brought;
And for the little infant's bones
With spades they would have sought.
But instantly the hill of moss
Before their eyes began to stir!
And, for full fifty yards around,
The grass--it shook upon the ground!
Yet all do still aver
The little Babe lies buried there,
Beneath that hill of moss so fair.
XXII
"I cannot tell how this may be,
But plain it is the Thorn is bound
With heavy tufts of moss that strive
To drag it to the ground;
And this I know, full many a time,
When she was on the mountain high,
By day, and in the silent night,
When all the stars shone clear and bright,
That I have heard her cry,
'Oh misery! oh misery!
Oh woe is me! oh misery!'"
Editor 1 Interpretation
Thorn: An Exploration of Nature and Society
William Wordsworth's Thorn is a poem that provides a complex exploration of the relationship between nature and society. The poem is set in the rural landscape of England, and it tells the story of a woman who has been betrayed by her lover and is now living in isolation in the midst of nature. The poem is notable for its vivid descriptions of the natural environment and its nuanced exploration of the human psyche. In this essay, we will delve into the poem's themes, structure, and literary techniques to gain a deeper understanding of this remarkable work.
Background and Context
Before we delve into the poem itself, it is important to provide some background on William Wordsworth and the Romantic movement of which he was a part. Wordsworth was a poet who lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries and is widely considered to be one of the founding figures of Romanticism. The Romantic movement was a cultural and artistic movement that emerged in Europe in the late 18th century and lasted until the mid-19th century. It was characterized by a focus on emotion, individualism, and the natural world.
Wordsworth's poetry is known for its focus on nature and its ability to evoke emotional responses in readers. His work often explores the relationship between the natural world and human society, and he was a vocal advocate for the preservation of the natural environment. Thorn is a prime example of this focus on nature, and it provides a powerful commentary on the relationship between humans and the natural world.
Themes
One of the main themes of Thorn is the relationship between nature and society. The poem describes a woman who has been betrayed by her lover and is now living in isolation in the midst of nature. This isolation can be seen as a rejection of society and its norms. The woman has retreated to the natural world, where she can find solace and a sense of peace.
The poem also explores the theme of betrayal. The woman in the poem has been betrayed by her lover, who has left her pregnant and alone. This betrayal has caused her great pain and has led her to reject society and seek refuge in nature. The poem suggests that betrayal can have a profound impact on a person's life and can lead them to make drastic changes.
Another theme of the poem is the power of nature. The natural environment is described in vivid detail, and it is clear that it has a powerful impact on the woman in the poem. The natural world is presented as a place of refuge and healing, where the woman can find peace and solace. The poem suggests that nature has a transformative power that can help people heal from emotional pain.
Structure
Thorn is structured as a narrative poem, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. The poem is written in the first person, from the perspective of an unnamed narrator who tells the story of the woman who lives in isolation in the natural world. The poem is composed of 12 quatrains, or four-line stanzas.
The poem is notable for its use of repetition. The phrase "Oh misery!" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the woman's pain and despair. The repetition of this phrase also serves to create a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem.
The poem also makes use of imagery and symbolism. The natural environment is described in vivid detail, with references to the "mossy stone" and the "silver light." These images serve to create a sense of the beauty and power of nature. The thorn bush itself is a powerful symbol, representing the pain and suffering that the woman has experienced.
Literary Techniques
Wordsworth's use of language in Thorn is masterful, and he employs a number of literary techniques to create a powerful and evocative poem. One such technique is the use of alliteration, or the repetition of consonant sounds. For example, in the line "Where thickest darkness o'er me spread," the repetition of the "s" sound creates a sense of darkness and foreboding.
The poem also makes use of personification, or the attribution of human qualities to non-human entities. The thorn bush is described as having a "fiendish look" and as being "accursed." This personification serves to create a sense of menace and danger.
Another literary technique used in the poem is the use of metaphor. The natural environment is compared to a "solemn temple," creating a sense of reverence and awe. The use of metaphor serves to create a sense of depth and complexity in the poem, and it helps to convey the emotional impact of the woman's isolation.
Conclusion
Thorn is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the relationship between nature and society. The poem is notable for its vivid descriptions of the natural environment and its nuanced exploration of the human psyche. Through the story of a woman who has been betrayed by her lover and is now living in isolation in the midst of nature, Wordsworth provides a commentary on the power of nature and the impact of betrayal. The poem is a testament to Wordsworth's skill as a poet and his ability to evoke complex emotions in his readers.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Poetry Thorn by William Wordsworth is a classic piece of literature that has stood the test of time. This poem is a perfect example of Wordsworth's ability to capture the beauty of nature and the emotions that it evokes in us. In this analysis, we will take a closer look at the themes, structure, and language used in The Poetry Thorn.
The poem begins with Wordsworth describing a thorn bush that he has come across while walking in the countryside. He notes that the bush is old and gnarled, with a "hoary" appearance. The thorn bush is described as being "bare" and "leafless," which gives the impression that it is dead or dying. However, Wordsworth notes that the bush is still alive, and that it is "green" at the core.
This description of the thorn bush sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Wordsworth is using the thorn bush as a metaphor for life. The bush may appear dead on the outside, but it is still alive on the inside. This is a powerful message that Wordsworth is trying to convey to his readers.
The next stanza of the poem describes the thorn bush in more detail. Wordsworth notes that the bush is "hardy" and "tough," and that it has survived many harsh winters. He also notes that the bush is "patient" and "resigned," which suggests that it has accepted its fate and is content with its existence.
This description of the thorn bush is important because it highlights the resilience of nature. Despite the harsh conditions that it has faced, the bush has survived and thrived. This is a message that Wordsworth wants his readers to take to heart. No matter what challenges we face in life, we can overcome them and emerge stronger on the other side.
The third stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the emotions that the thorn bush evokes in Wordsworth. He notes that the bush is "lovely" and "beautiful," despite its rough exterior. He also notes that the bush has a "sweet power" that draws him in and makes him feel "calm and happy."
This description of the thorn bush is important because it highlights the emotional connection that we can have with nature. Wordsworth is suggesting that nature has the power to soothe our souls and bring us peace. This is a message that is still relevant today, as many people turn to nature as a way to escape the stresses of modern life.
The fourth stanza of the poem takes a darker turn. Wordsworth notes that the thorn bush has a "hidden thorn" that can cause pain and suffering. He notes that this thorn is "sharp" and "cruel," and that it can cause "wounds" that are difficult to heal.
This description of the thorn bush is important because it highlights the duality of nature. While nature can be beautiful and soothing, it can also be dangerous and harmful. This is a message that Wordsworth wants his readers to take to heart. We must respect nature and be aware of its potential dangers.
The final stanza of the poem brings everything together. Wordsworth notes that the thorn bush is a "symbol" of life, with all of its joys and sorrows. He notes that the bush is a reminder that life is "mixed" and that we must accept both the good and the bad.
This final stanza is the most important part of the poem. Wordsworth is reminding us that life is not always easy, but that we must accept it for what it is. We must embrace both the joys and the sorrows, and find meaning in both. This is a powerful message that is still relevant today.
In terms of structure, The Poetry Thorn is a five-stanza poem with a consistent rhyme scheme. Each stanza has four lines, with the first and third lines rhyming, and the second and fourth lines rhyming. This consistent structure gives the poem a sense of stability and order, which is appropriate given the themes of resilience and acceptance that are present throughout.
In terms of language, Wordsworth uses a variety of techniques to convey his message. He uses vivid imagery to describe the thorn bush, which helps to bring the poem to life. He also uses metaphor to compare the thorn bush to life, which is a powerful way to convey his message. Finally, he uses repetition to reinforce his themes, such as the repeated use of the word "mixed" in the final stanza.
In conclusion, The Poetry Thorn by William Wordsworth is a classic piece of literature that has stood the test of time. This poem is a powerful reminder of the resilience of nature and the importance of accepting both the good and the bad in life. Wordsworth's use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and repetition help to bring his message to life, and the consistent structure of the poem gives it a sense of stability and order. This is a poem that is still relevant today, and it is a testament to Wordsworth's skill as a poet.
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