'The Surprise' by William Barnes

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1850As there I left the road in May,
And took my way along a ground,
I found a glade with girls at play,
By leafy boughs close-hemmed around,
And there, with stores of harmless joys,
They plied their tongues, in merry noise:
Though little did they seem to fear
So queer a stranger might be near;
Teeh-hee! Look here! Hah! ha! Look there!
And oh! so playsome, oh! so fair.And one would dance as one would spring,
Or bob or bow with leering smiles,
And one would swing, or sit and sing,
Or sew a stitch or two at whiles,
And one skipped on with downcast face,
All heedless, to my very place,
And there, in fright, with one foot out,
Made one dead step and turned about.
Heeh, hee, oh! oh! ooh! oo!-Look there!
And oh! so playsome, oh! so fair.Away they scampered all, full speed,
By boughs that swung along their track,
As rabbits out of wood at feed,
At sight of men all scamper back.
And one pulled on behind her heel,
A thread of cotton, off her reel,
And oh! to follow that white clue,
I felt I fain could scamper too.
Teeh, hee, run here. Eeh! ee! Look there!
And oh! so playsome, oh! so fair.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Surprise by William Barnes: A Masterpiece of Rural Poetry

When it comes to English rural poetry, the name of William Barnes is hard to ignore. Born in 1801 in Dorset, Barnes spent most of his life observing the people, the landscape, and the dialects of his native county. His works, written in the local dialect, capture the essence of rural life in a way that no other poet has done before or since. Among his many poems, "The Surprise" stands out as a masterpiece of storytelling, imagery, and emotion. In this literary criticism, I will explore the themes, symbols, and techniques used by Barnes in "The Surprise" and offer my interpretation of this timeless classic.

The Plot

"The Surprise" is a narrative poem that tells the story of a young girl, Sally, who is sent by her mother to fetch some eggs from the henhouse. Along the way, she encounters a snake, which frightens her and makes her drop the eggs. Terrified and ashamed, she runs back home to her mother, who scolds her for losing the eggs. Sally then falls asleep and dreams of a magical world where animals and humans live together in harmony. In this dream world, the snake is her friend and protector, and she learns the value of compassion and forgiveness. When she wakes up, she finds that the eggs are unbroken, and her mother is surprised and delighted. The poem ends with Sally's resolution to be kind to all creatures, even those that may seem frightening or strange.

The Themes

At its core, "The Surprise" is a poem about empathy, imagination, and transformation. Barnes uses the character of Sally to explore the relationship between humans and animals and the power of the mind to shape our perceptions of reality. Sally's encounter with the snake represents a moment of fear and vulnerability, but it also sets the stage for her journey of self-discovery. Through her dream, Sally learns that the snake is not a threat but a misunderstood creature that deserves kindness and respect. By embracing her imagination, Sally is able to transform her fear into compassion and her shame into pride.

The Symbols

Barnes employs a range of symbols and metaphors in "The Surprise" to convey his themes and create a vivid and immersive world. The snake, for example, is a powerful symbol of danger and temptation, but it also represents the potential for transformation and renewal. In Sally's dream, the snake sheds its skin and becomes a new and beautiful creature, suggesting the possibility of change and growth. The dream world itself is another symbol, representing the imaginative realm where anything is possible and where the boundaries between human and animal, reality and fantasy, are blurred. Finally, the eggs that Sally carries are a powerful symbol of fragility and potential. When she drops them, she fears that she has destroyed something valuable, but in the end, they are unbroken, suggesting the resilience of life and the power of hope.

The Techniques

Barnes's use of dialect is perhaps his most distinctive technique, and it adds a layer of authenticity and richness to his poetry. In "The Surprise," the use of Dorset dialect creates a sense of intimacy and familiarity with the characters and the landscape. The rhythmic patterning of the dialect also enhances the musicality of the poem, creating a hypnotic and immersive effect. Barnes also employs a range of poetic techniques, such as alliteration, repetition, and imagery, to create a vivid and sensory world. For example, the repetition of "Sally" at the beginning of each stanza creates a sense of continuity and momentum, while the alliteration of "slided" and "shyed" in the second stanza adds a playful and musical quality to the poem.

My Interpretation

As a reader, I find "The Surprise" to be a deeply moving and meaningful poem that speaks to the human capacity for empathy and imagination. Barnes's use of dialect and symbolism creates a rich and immersive world that captures the beauty and complexity of rural life. Sally's journey from fear to compassion is a powerful reminder that our perceptions of the world are shaped by our attitudes and beliefs, and that the power of the imagination can transform even the most terrifying experiences into moments of growth and renewal. As a lover of poetry, I feel fortunate to have discovered the works of William Barnes, and "The Surprise" is a shining example of his mastery of the craft.

In conclusion, "The Surprise" is a masterpiece of rural poetry that deserves to be celebrated and studied for generations to come. Through its themes, symbols, and techniques, Barnes creates a world that is both familiar and magical, and that invites us to explore the depths of our own humanity. Whether we live in the countryside or the city, "The Surprise" reminds us of the power of empathy, imagination, and transformation, and the beauty that lies at the heart of all living things.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Surprise by William Barnes: A Masterpiece of Poetic Expression

If you are a lover of poetry, then you must have come across the name William Barnes. He is one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century, and his works continue to inspire and move readers to this day. One of his most famous poems is The Surprise, which is a masterpiece of poetic expression. In this article, we will take a detailed look at this poem and explore its themes, structure, and language.

The Surprise is a short poem that tells the story of a man who is surprised by the sudden appearance of his lover. The poem begins with the man sitting alone in his room, lost in thought. He is thinking about his lover and how much he misses her. Suddenly, there is a knock on the door, and his lover enters the room. The man is overjoyed to see her and expresses his love for her in the most beautiful and poetic language.

The poem is structured in four stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which gives the poem a musical quality. The first two stanzas describe the man's state of mind before the surprise, while the last two stanzas describe his reaction to the surprise. The poem is written in the first person, which gives it a personal and intimate feel.

The language used in The Surprise is simple yet powerful. Barnes uses a lot of imagery and metaphors to convey the man's emotions. For example, in the first stanza, he describes the man's thoughts as "a cloud that hangs in air," which suggests a sense of heaviness and melancholy. In the second stanza, he uses the metaphor of a "bird that's flown away" to describe the man's lover, which emphasizes the sense of loss and longing.

The surprise itself is described in the third stanza, where Barnes uses a lot of sensory imagery to convey the man's joy. He describes the lover's appearance as "a light that breaks the gloom," which suggests a sudden burst of happiness. He also uses the metaphor of a "rose that blooms in May" to describe her beauty, which emphasizes the sense of renewal and freshness.

The final stanza is the most powerful and emotional part of the poem. Here, the man expresses his love for his lover in the most beautiful and poetic language. He describes her as "the star that guides my way," which suggests that she is his source of inspiration and guidance. He also uses the metaphor of a "bird that's flown to stay" to describe her presence, which emphasizes the sense of permanence and commitment.

The themes of The Surprise are love, loss, and renewal. The poem explores the complex emotions that come with being in love, such as longing, joy, and commitment. It also suggests that love can bring renewal and freshness to one's life, even in the midst of loss and sadness.

In conclusion, The Surprise is a masterpiece of poetic expression that continues to inspire and move readers to this day. Barnes' use of imagery, metaphors, and language creates a powerful and emotional poem that captures the essence of love and its complexities. If you are a lover of poetry, then you must read The Surprise and experience its beauty for yourself.

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