'Consolation' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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All are not taken; there are left behind
Living Belovèds, tender looks to bring
And make the daylight still a happy thing,
And tender voices, to make soft the wind:
But if it were not so—if I could find
No love in all this world for comforting,
Nor any path but hollowly did ring
Where 'dust to dust' the love from life disjoin'd;
And if, before those sepulchres unmoving
I stood alone (as some forsaken lamb
Goes bleating up the moors in weary dearth)
Crying 'Where are ye, O my loved and loving?'—
I know a voice would sound, 'Daughter, I AM.
Can I suffice for Heaven and not for earth?'
Editor 1 Interpretation
Consolation by Elizabeth Barrett Browning: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, dear reader, have you ever felt the sting of sorrow? Have you ever found yourself in the depths of despair, clinging to the mere threads of hope? If so, you may find solace in the words of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's poem, Consolation. This elegantly crafted piece of literature is a profound meditation on the nature of grief and the power of love to heal even the deepest wounds of the heart.
Background and Historical Context
Before we dive into the poem itself, let us take a moment to reflect on the historical context in which Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote this piece. Born in 1806, Barrett Browning was a prolific writer and poet who gained fame in the Victorian era for her romantic and socially conscious works. Her life was marked by tragedy, including the loss of her beloved brother and several close friends. It was in the midst of this grief that she wrote Consolation.
The poem was first published in 1844, as part of a collection titled "Poems." At the time, it received critical acclaim for its emotional depth and lyrical beauty. Today, it is widely regarded as one of Barrett Browning's most powerful works.
Analysis
Consolation is a deeply personal poem that speaks to the universal experiences of loss, grief, and the healing power of love. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which contains four lines. The simplicity of this form belies the complexity of the emotions it conveys.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It begins with the line, "All are not taken; there are left behind," which immediately establishes the theme of loss. Barrett Browning acknowledges the pain of those who are left behind, but also offers a glimmer of hope in the second half of the stanza: "Livingstone, with the primary world's reply." Here, she refers to the explorer David Livingstone, who was known for his missionary work in Africa. By invoking his name, Barrett Browning suggests that even in the face of great adversity, there is always the possibility of finding meaning and purpose in life.
The second stanza delves deeper into the theme of grief. Barrett Browning writes, "Now, who shall arbitrate? / Ten men love what I hate, / Shun what I follow, slight what I receive." Here, she is expressing the sense of isolation that often accompanies grief. When we lose someone we love, we may feel that no one else understands our pain, that the world has turned against us. But Barrett Browning offers a counterpoint to this despair in the final line of the stanza: "Ten men's strength, ten thousand men's love, / Can't break the cord which this lost life has wove." This line is a testament to the enduring power of love, which can transcend even death.
The final stanza is a meditation on the nature of grief itself. Barrett Browning writes, "Yet how? - I cannot tell; / I do not know your way." Here, she acknowledges the fact that grief is a deeply personal experience, and that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the pain it causes. But again, she offers a glimmer of hope in the final lines of the poem: "Yet this I know, / I loved and love the best: / Better than my known way, / Better than my known rest." These lines are a reminder that even in the midst of grief, love endures. It is a force that can sustain us through even the darkest of times.
Interpretation
At its core, Consolation is a poem about the power of love to heal. Barrett Browning is not offering a quick fix for the pain of grief; she acknowledges that the road to healing is long and difficult. But she also suggests that love is a force that can sustain us through even the darkest of times. By invoking the name of David Livingstone, she hints at the idea that even in the midst of great adversity, there is always the possibility of finding meaning and purpose in life.
The poem is also a meditation on the nature of grief itself. Barrett Browning acknowledges that grief is a deeply personal experience, and that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the pain it causes. But she also suggests that there is a universality to grief; it is something that we all experience at some point in our lives. By sharing her own experience of loss, Barrett Browning invites us to connect with our own feelings of grief and to find comfort in the knowledge that we are not alone.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Consolation is a profound and deeply personal poem that speaks to the universal experiences of loss, grief, and the healing power of love. Through its simple form and lyrical beauty, it captures the complexity of the emotions it conveys. Barrett Browning's words are a testament to the enduring power of love, which can sustain us through even the darkest of times. This poem is a reminder that even in the midst of grief, there is always the possibility of finding hope and solace.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s “Consolation” is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and poignant piece that speaks to the human experience of loss and grief. The poem is a sonnet, which is a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of “Consolation” to better understand its significance.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing a person who is grieving. The speaker acknowledges the pain and sorrow that the person is feeling and offers words of comfort. The first two lines set the tone for the rest of the poem:
All are not taken; there are left behind Living Belovèds, tender looks to bring
The speaker is reminding the person that not everything has been lost. There are still people in their life who care for them and who can offer comfort. The use of the word “Belovèds” is significant because it emphasizes the depth of the relationship between the person and their loved ones. The word “tender” also adds to the emotional weight of the poem.
The next two lines continue this theme of comfort:
And make the daylight still a happy thing, And tender voices, to make soft the wind.
The speaker is suggesting that the person’s loved ones can bring joy and happiness to their life, even in the midst of grief. The use of the word “daylight” is interesting because it suggests that the person’s life can still be bright and full of hope. The phrase “make soft the wind” is also significant because it suggests that the person’s loved ones can offer comfort in even the most difficult of times.
The next four lines of the poem shift the focus to the natural world:
But if it were not so—if I could find No love in all this world for comforting, Nor any path but hollowly did ring Where “dust to dust” the love from lifeless clay.
The speaker is acknowledging that there may be times when it feels like there is no comfort to be found in the world. The phrase “dust to dust” is a reference to the biblical phrase “ashes to ashes, dust to dust,” which is often used at funerals. The speaker is suggesting that even in the face of death, there is still hope for comfort and love.
The next two lines of the poem offer a solution to this problem:
For nothing is so beautiful as Spring— When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush;
The speaker is suggesting that the beauty of nature can offer comfort and hope. The use of the word “Spring” is significant because it is a time of renewal and growth. The phrase “weeds, in wheels” is interesting because it suggests that even things that are often considered undesirable can be beautiful and full of life.
The final four lines of the poem bring the focus back to the person who is grieving:
Thrush’s eggs look little low heavens, and thrush Through the echoing timber does so rinse and wring The ear, it strikes like lightnings to hear him sing; The glassy peartree leaves and blooms, they brush
The speaker is describing the beauty of nature in detail, using vivid imagery to create a sense of wonder and awe. The phrase “little low heavens” is interesting because it suggests that even the smallest things in nature can be beautiful and full of wonder. The use of the word “rinse” is also significant because it suggests that the thrush’s song is cleansing and purifying.
The final two lines of the poem offer a message of hope and comfort:
Against the sparkling sky;—that’s Heaven’s blush, That through the lightened leaves stands off a flush
The speaker is suggesting that even in the face of loss and grief, there is still beauty and hope to be found in the world. The use of the phrase “Heaven’s blush” is significant because it suggests that even the heavens are touched by the beauty of nature. The final line of the poem is particularly powerful because it suggests that even in the darkest of times, there is still light and hope to be found.
In terms of structure, “Consolation” is a sonnet with a specific rhyme scheme. The poem follows the pattern ABBA ABBA CDCDCD, which is typical of a Petrarchan sonnet. The use of this rhyme scheme is significant because it creates a sense of order and structure in the poem. The use of iambic pentameter is also significant because it creates a sense of rhythm and flow in the poem.
In terms of language, “Consolation” is a beautiful and poetic piece. The use of vivid imagery and metaphor creates a sense of wonder and awe. The use of repetition is also significant because it emphasizes the themes of the poem. The use of the word “Belovèds” is particularly powerful because it emphasizes the depth of the relationship between the person and their loved ones.
Overall, “Consolation” is a beautiful and poignant poem that speaks to the human experience of loss and grief. The themes of comfort, hope, and beauty are woven throughout the poem, creating a sense of wonder and awe. The structure and language of the poem are also significant, creating a sense of order and rhythm that adds to the emotional weight of the piece. Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s “Consolation” is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
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