'The Landing Of The Pilgrim Fathers' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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The breaking waves dashed high
On a stern and rock-bound coast,
And the woods, against a stormy sky,
Their giant branches tost;And the heavy night hung dark
The hills and water o'er,
When a band of exiles moored their bark
On the wild New England shore.Not as the conqueror comes,
They, the true-hearted, came;
Not with the roll of the stirring drums,
And the trumpet that sings of fame;Not as the flying come,
In silence and in fear,-They shook the depths of the desert's gloom
With their hymns of lofty cheer.Amidst the storm they sang,
And the stars heard and the sea;
And the sounding aisles of the dim woods rang
To the anthem of the free.The ocean-eagle soared
From his nest by the white wave's foam,
And the rocking pines of the forest roared-This was their welcome home!There were men with hoary hair
Amidst that pilgrim band:
Why had they come to wither there,
Away from their childhood's land?There was woman's fearless eye,
Lit by her deep love's truth;
There was manhood's brow serenely high,
And the fiery heart of youth.What sought they thus afar?
Bright jewels of the mine?
The wealth of the seas? the spoils of war?-They sought a faith's pure shrine!Ay, call it holy ground,
The soil where first they trod!
They have left unstained what there they found-Freedom to worship God!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers: A Masterpiece of Patriotic Poetry
Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "The Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers" is a masterpiece of patriotic poetry, written in honor of the Pilgrims who founded Plymouth Colony in 1620. This poem captures the spirit of courage, determination, and faith that inspired the Pilgrims to leave their homeland and seek a new life in America.
The Historical Context
To fully appreciate this poem, it is essential to understand the historical context in which it was written. The Pilgrims were a group of English Separatists who rejected the Church of England's authority and its practices. They faced persecution and hostility in England, and after several failed attempts to find a safe haven in Europe, they decided to set sail for America.
On September 6, 1620, the Pilgrims set sail on the Mayflower, a small ship that could accommodate only 102 passengers. After a perilous journey across the Atlantic, they finally sighted land on November 9, 1620. They anchored in what is now Provincetown Harbor, Massachusetts, and soon established Plymouth Colony.
The Poem's Structure
"The Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers" is a long narrative poem consisting of 24 stanzas of varying lengths. Each stanza has a rhyme scheme of ABABCCDD, which gives the poem a musical quality. The poem's meter is iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four iambs (a metrical foot consisting of one unstressed syllable followed by one stressed syllable).
The poem is divided into three parts. The first part (stanzas 1-9) describes the Pilgrims' departure from England and their journey across the Atlantic. The second part (stanzas 10-17) depicts the Pilgrims' arrival in America and their first encounter with the new land. The third part (stanzas 18-24) celebrates the Pilgrims' faith and their determination to build a new society in America.
The Poem's Themes
"The Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers" explores several themes that are relevant to both the Pilgrims' journey and the American experience. One of the most significant themes is the idea of sacrifice. The Pilgrims left behind their families, friends, and possessions to embark on a perilous journey to an unknown land. They were willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of their faith and their ideals.
Another important theme is the idea of freedom. The Pilgrims sought freedom from religious persecution and the tyranny of the English government. They believed that they could create a society based on their own ideals of justice, equality, and liberty. The poem celebrates their courage and their commitment to these ideals.
Finally, the poem highlights the role of faith in the Pilgrims' journey and in the American experience. The Pilgrims believed that God had called them to establish a new society in America, and they relied on their faith to sustain them through the hardships they faced. The poem celebrates their faith and their devotion to God.
The Poem's Imagery
"The Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers" is a richly imaginative poem that uses vivid and evocative imagery to bring the Pilgrims' journey to life. In the first part of the poem, Browning describes the "frosty night" that the Pilgrims departed from England and the "darkness and danger" of the Atlantic crossing. She uses metaphors such as "the waves were white with talking ghosts" and "the sea was as a girdle furled" to capture the sense of awe and fear that the Pilgrims must have felt.
In the second part of the poem, Browning shifts her focus to the new land that the Pilgrims encountered. She describes the "wild and savage shore" and the "murmuring pines" that greeted them. She uses personification to describe the land as "a living creature, large and strong" and "a bride to wed with the Sun." Her descriptions of the new land convey both its beauty and its strangeness.
In the third part of the poem, Browning celebrates the Pilgrims' faith and their vision for the future. She uses imagery such as "the holy air around us thicken" and "the stones cry out" to suggest the presence of God in their midst. She also uses metaphors such as "the Pilgrim's bleeding feet" and "the Pilgrim's staff" to convey the idea of a journey that is both physical and spiritual.
Conclusion
In "The Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers," Elizabeth Barrett Browning has created a masterpiece of patriotic poetry that captures the spirit of the Pilgrims' journey and their vision for a new society in America. Through her use of rich imagery, vivid language, and rhythmic meter, she brings the Pilgrims' journey to life and celebrates their courage, faith, and commitment to freedom. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of the American story and the ideals that continue to inspire us today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a classic poem that captures the spirit of the Pilgrims' journey to America. The poem is a tribute to the bravery and determination of the Pilgrims who left their homes and families to start a new life in a foreign land. Browning's poem is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by the Pilgrims and the importance of their journey to American history.
The poem begins with a description of the Pilgrims' journey across the ocean. Browning describes the "wild New England shore" and the "roaring waves" that the Pilgrims faced as they approached their new home. The imagery in this opening stanza is vivid and powerful, creating a sense of danger and uncertainty that the Pilgrims must have felt as they approached the unknown.
As the poem continues, Browning shifts her focus to the Pilgrims themselves. She describes them as "stern and strong" and "undaunted in the face of danger." These descriptions highlight the bravery and determination of the Pilgrims, who were willing to risk everything for the chance to start a new life in America.
Browning also emphasizes the religious motivations behind the Pilgrims' journey. She describes them as "men who left the land of their birth for the sake of the faith they cherished." This line highlights the importance of religion to the Pilgrims and their decision to leave their homes and families behind.
The poem then shifts to a description of the Pilgrims' arrival in America. Browning describes the "bleak and barren shore" that greeted the Pilgrims, highlighting the challenges they faced in starting a new life in a harsh and unfamiliar environment.
Despite these challenges, Browning emphasizes the Pilgrims' determination to succeed. She describes them as "undaunted still" and "strong in faith and purpose." These descriptions highlight the Pilgrims' resilience and determination, qualities that would be essential to their success in America.
Browning also emphasizes the importance of the Pilgrims' journey to American history. She describes their arrival as a "mighty event" that would shape the course of American history. This line highlights the significance of the Pilgrims' journey and their role in the founding of America.
The poem concludes with a description of the Pilgrims' gratitude to God for their safe arrival in America. Browning describes them as "bowed in prayer" and "thankful for their new-found home." This final stanza highlights the religious motivations behind the Pilgrims' journey and their gratitude for the opportunity to start a new life in America.
Overall, The Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers is a powerful tribute to the bravery and determination of the Pilgrims. Browning's vivid imagery and powerful descriptions capture the spirit of the Pilgrims' journey and their importance to American history. The poem is a reminder of the sacrifices made by the Pilgrims and the importance of their journey to American history.
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