Love and Relationships

Key quote:

"In silence and tears,

Half broken-hearted"

Key quote:

"In silence and tears,

Half broken-hearted"

Analysis:

Byron uses diction associated with pain, such as "silence and tears" and "Half broken-hearted" to depict the sorrow, anguish and vulnerability of the speaker following the end of the relationship.

Key quote:

"Pale grew thy cheek and cold,

Colder thy kiss;"

Analysis:

The imagery of "pale" and "cold" symbolises the fading affection of the lover, intensifying the speaker's sense of loss. The repetition of "cold" emphasises the emotional distance and death-like finality of the separation.

Key quote:

"Thy vows are all broken,

And light is thy fame"

Analysis:

The use of "broken vows" highlights the feelings of betrayal and loss of trust in the relationship. Describing the lover's fame as "light" suggests a superficial or fleeting nature, which is contrasted with the depth of the speaker's emotions.

Key quote:

"A knell to mine ear;

A shudder comes o'er me—"

Analysis:

The metaphor of a "knell", with its connotations of death, creates a sombre tone, illustrating the speaker's pain upon hearing the lover's name. The physical reaction of "shudder" also conveys the emotional impact of the speaker's profound grief.

Key quote:

"Long, long shall I rue thee,

Too deeply to tell."

Analysis:

The repetition of "long" conveys the enduring nature of the speaker's regret and sorrow. The phrase "too deeply to tell" conveys speaker's inability to fully articulate their anguish.

Key quote:

"In secret we met —

In silence I grieve."

Analysis:

The juxtaposition of "secret" and "silence" highlights the clandestine nature of the relationship and the speaker's private sorrow. This reinforces the theme of secrecy and the emotional burden of unexpressed grief.

Key quote:

"That thy heart could forget,

Thy spirit deceive."

Analysis:

The speaker expresses disbelief and pain over the lover's ability to forget and deceive. The use of "heart" and "spirit" suggests a betrayal of both emotion and integrity, deepening the speaker's sense of betrayal and loss.

Key quote:

"If I should meet thee

After long years."

Analysis:

The hypothetical scenario of a future encounter underscores the speaker's lingering attachment and unresolved emotions towards the lover. This reflects the theme of enduring sorrow and the inability to fully move on from the past.

Key quote:

"How should I greet thee?—

With silence and tears."

Analysis:

The repetition of "silence and tears" reinforces the poem's central theme of sorrow and emotional pain. This final line encapsulates the speaker's enduring grief and inability to find closure, leaving the reader with a sense of unresolved longing.

Key quote:

"They know not I knew thee,

Who knew thee too well —"

Analysis:

Byron highlights the speaker's inner conflict, juxtaposing the secrecy of their past relationship with the speaker's intimate knowledge of their former lover. The juxtaposition of "know" and "knew" underscores the speaker's intimate familiarity.

Key quote:

"The fountains mingle with the river"

Analysis:

Shelley's choice of the verb "mingle" evokes a sense of fluidity and unity, portraying the seamless blending of natural elements. Through this language, he highlights the interconnectedness inherent in both nature and love.

Key quote:

"Nothing in the world is single;"

Analysis:

The choice of the "single" illustrates Shelley's emphasis on the connectivity and unity of all things, underscoring that love is an intrinsic part of existence.

Key quote:

"See the mountains kiss high Heaven"

Analysis:

The verb "kiss" imbues Shelley's use of personification with a sense of intimacy, portraying the mountains' interaction with the sky as a tender embrace.

Key quote:

"And the sunlight clasps the earth,"

Analysis:

Through the physicality of the verb "clasps," Shelley personifies sunlight, endowing it with affection, warmth and intimacy as it embraces the earth, but with undertones of desire.

Key quote:

"What is all this sweet work worth

 If thou kiss not me?"

Analysis:

Shelley's use of the rhetorical question "What are all these kisses worth" prompts contemplation on the value of love and reveals his speaker's desire. Through this device, he urges the listener to reciprocate.

Key quote:

"And the winds of Heaven mix for ever"

Analysis:

Through the verb "mix," Shelley personifies the winds, portraying them as active participants in an eternal union. It imbues the scene with a sense of perpetual motion and harmony, echoing the theme of everlasting love.

Key quote:

"All things by a law divine"

Analysis:

Shelley's use of religious language underscores the idea of love as a fundamental force ingrained in the fabric of existence.

Key quote:

"No sister-flower would be forgiven"

Analysis:

The use of the conditional statement "would be forgiven" implies a moral imperative within nature. It suggests that deviating from the natural order of love incurs consequences, reinforcing the theme of love's universal law.

Key quote:

"And the moonbeams kiss the sea —"

Analysis:

Through the repetition of "kiss" throughout the poem, Shelley reveals the speaker's desire. Here he anthropomorphises the moonbeams, depicting them as tender lovers in an embrace.

Key quote:

"If thou kiss not me?"

Analysis:

Shelley's use of the conditional statement "If thou kiss not me" conveys a sense of urgency and longing. It heightens the emotional intensity of the speaker's plea and highlights a profound desire for reciprocated love.

Key quote:

"The rain set early in to-night

The sullen wind was soon awake,

It tore the elm-tops down for spite,"

Analysis:

Browning sets a foreboding atmosphere with the imagery of rain and wind foreshadowing the tragic events to come. The present tense phrase "set in to-night" adds immediacy.

Key quote:

"And spread, o'er all, her yellow hair,"

Analysis:

The imagery of Porphyria spreading her hair creates a sense of intimacy. It symbolises her willingness to share her vulnerability with the speaker in their shared moment.

Key quote:

"As a shut bud that holds a bee,"

Analysis:

Browning's simile evokes a sense of impending danger. It foreshadows the tragic climax of the poem.

Key quote:

"I propped her head up as before,"

Analysis:

The speaker's detached tone and repetition of actions underscore his disturbing lack of remorse. It conveys his chilling approach to the aftermath of the murder.

Key quote:

"And thus we sit together now,

And all night long we have not stirred,"

Analysis:

The image of the speaker sitting with Porphyria's corpse illustrates the speaker's delusional belief in their eternal togetherness, but also for the reader, the finality of her death.

Key quote:

"Happy and proud; at last I knew

Porphyria worshipped me; ..."

Analysis:

Browning's use of "worshipped", with its religious connotations, reflects the speaker's ego and portrays Porphyria's adoration as absolute. This reinforces the imbalance of power in their relationship.

Key quote:

"I warily oped her lids: again

  Laughed the blue eyes without a stain."

Analysis:

Browning's choice of the verb "laughed" to describe the eyes of the deceased Porphyria conveys the speaker's unsettling detachment from reality as it contrasts with the gravity of his actions.

Key quote:

"And yet God has not said a word!"

Analysis:

Browning's use of religious references adds a chilling dimension to the speaker's delusion, as he believes that God has not intervened or condemned his actions. This highlights the speaker's warped morality and his unrepentant attitude towards his crime.

Key quote:

"I think of thee! —my thoughts do twine and bud

About thee, as wild vines, about a tree,"

Analysis:

The use of the first-person and an exclamation emphasises the intensity of the speaker's thoughts, with an extended metaphor of a vine conveying longing. Verbs like "twine" and "bud" highlight how the speaker's thoughts have grown and flourished.

Key quote:

"Yet, O my palm-tree, be it understood"

Analysis:

The speaker shifts tone here, addressing her lover directly with an exclamation "O" and a metaphorical term of endearment "palm-tree". This shift suggests a more passionate and direct plea.

Key quote:

"I will not have my thoughts instead of thee

Who art dearer, better! Rather, instantly"

Analysis:

The word "instantly" and the exclamatory tone emphasises her urgency and longing for his return and the listing of "dearer, better" suggests the speaker's exaggerated love and praise for the beloved.

Key quote:

"Renew thy presence; as a strong tree should,

Rustle thy boughs and set thy trunk all bare,"

Analysis:

The speaker passionately instructs the lover to return. The erotic, extended metaphor of a tree and personification of the "boughs" rustling and the "trunk" being bare creates a sense of urgency and movement.

Key quote:

"And let these bands of greenery which insphere thee

Drop heavily down,— burst, shattered, everywhere!"

Analysis:

The "bands of greenery" suggest boundaries or restrictions to their love. The violent verbs "drop heavily down," "burst," and "shattered" emphasise the intensity of her desire.

Key quote:

"Because, in this deep joy to see and hear thee"

Analysis:

The sensory verbs "see" and "hear" highlight the importance of physical closeness.

Key quote:

"And breathe within thy shadow a new air,"

Analysis:

The line "breathe within thy shadow a new air" suggests a sense of renewal and transformation that will come with the beloved's presence. Their physical unity is both sensual and exciting.

Key quote:

"I do not think of thee — I am too near thee."

The physical closeness and intimacy of the lovers is reinforced by the line's symmetry, the dash (reflecting their connectedness) and the use of repetition of "I" and "thee".

Key quote:

"We stood by a pond that winter day,"

Analysis:

The poem opens with a simple statement establishing the setting: a cold, winter day. This bleak image sets the tone for the poem, foreshadowing the speaker's melancholic reflection on a lost love.

Key quote:

"And the sun was white, as though chidden of God,"

Analysis:

The personification of the sun, described as "white" and "chidden of God," suggests a lack of warmth and divine favour. This image contributes to the overall sense of desolation.

Key quote:

"And a few leaves lay on the starving sod;

— They had fallen from an ash, and were grey."

Analysis:

The personification of "starving sod" and "grey" leaves reinforces the bleak atmosphere. The fallen leaves, once vibrant, now lie lifeless, mirroring the speaker's perception of the dead relationship.

Key quote:

"Your eyes on me were as eyes that rove

Over tedious riddles of years ago;"

Analysis:

The speaker describes their former lover's gaze as distant and uninterested, comparing their eyes to those "that rove / Over tedious riddles of years ago." This suggests a lack of connection and a sense of the past haunting the present.

Key quote:

"The smile on your mouth was the deadest thing

Alive enough to have strength to die;"

Analysis:

This oxymoron describes the former lover's smile as "the deadest thing / Alive enough to have strength to die." This paradox highlights the speaker's perception of their love as a lifeless entity, slowly fading away.

Key quote:

"And a grin of bitterness swept thereby

Like an ominous bird a-wing ..."

Analysis:

The "grin of bitterness" suggests a forced smile masking deeper emotions. It is compared to "an ominous bird a-wing," foreshadowing a sense of misfortune.

Key quote:

"Since then, keen lessons that love deceives,

And wrings with wrong, have shaped to me"

Analysis:

A significant amount of time has passed, and the speaker reflects on the harsh lessons learned from love. The use of strong verbs like "deceives" and "wrings with wrong" emphasises the speaker's disillusionment.

Key quote:

"Your face, and the God curst sun, and a tree,

And a pond edged with greyish leaves."

Analysis:

The final line repeats elements from the first stanza, but with a shift in tone. The sun is now described as "God curst," reflecting the speaker's bitterness. This circular structure suggests the memory remains a source of pain.

Key quote:

"Neutral Tones"

Analysis:

The title "Neutral Tones" is significant as it suggests a lack of vibrant colours, reflecting the emotional detachment and disillusionment associated with lost love.

Key quote:

"Three summers since I chose a maid,

Too young maybe — but more's to do

At harvest-time than bide and woo."

Analysis:

The blunt verb "chose" and the understatement ("more's to do") reveal the farmer's practicality and lack of romantic sentiment.

Key quote:

"When us was wed she turned afraid

Of love and me and all things human;"

Analysis:

The use of "afraid" conveys the intensity of the bride's fear, while "all things human" suggests a deep-rooted trauma.

Key quote:

"Like the shut of a winter's day

Her smile went out, and 'twasn't a woman —

More like a little frightened fay."

Analysis:

The simile compares the bride's transformation to a cold, dark winter day. The metaphor of a "Frightened fay" conveys her vulnerability and difference.

Key quote:

"One night, in the Fall, she runned away."

Analysis:

The use of dialect "runned" portrays the bride's escape as desperate and impulsive.

Key quote:

"'Out 'mong the sheep, her be,' they said,

Should properly have been abed;

But sure enough she wasn't there

Lying awake with her wide brown stare."

Analysis:

The informal language ("be," "wasn't") reflects the villagers' perspective while "wide brown stare" emphasises the bride's haunted expression.

Key quote:

"We chased her, flying like a hare

Before our lanterns. To Church-Town"

Analysis:

The simile "flying like a hare" dehumanises the bride, portraying the chase as violent and unequal.

Key quote:

"The women say that beasts in stall

Look round like children at her call.

I've hardly heard her speak at all."

Analysis:

Juxtaposing the animals' reaction with the bride's silence illustrates her withdrawal from human connection.

Key quote:

"The soft young down of her, the brown,

The brown of her — her eyes, her hair, her hair!"

Analysis:

The repetition of "brown" and the focus on physical details expose the farmer's lustful desires rather than emotional connection. The exclamation indicates a shift in tone, but the poem ends unresolved.

Key quote:

“Alone, poor maid. ’Tis but a stair

Betwixt us. Oh! my God! the down,”

Analysis:

The poet uses enjambment with irregular rhyming lines to show the farmer's growing frustration, reinforced by his exclamatory tone.

Key quote:

"All in a shiver and a scare

We caught her, fetched her home at last

And turned the key upon her, fast."

Analysis:

The use of "fetched" implies the bride is an object, while "turned the key upon her" reveals the act of her imprisonment.

Key quote:

"It is eighteen years ago, almost to the day —

A sunny day with leaves just turning,"

Analysis:

The poem opens with a specific memory, emphasising the vividness and emotional significance of the event. The detail of a "sunny day with leaves just turning" adds a touch of nostalgia. It hints at a time of transition and change, mirroring the son's journey towards independence.

Key quote:

"The touch-lines new-ruled — since I watched you play"

Analysis:

The words "new-ruled touch-lines" creates a sense of a fresh start. It suggests a world of new beginnings and possibilities on the football field which is juxtaposed with the bittersweet ending of a stage in their relationship.

Key quote:

"Your first game of football, then, like a satellite

Wrenched from its orbit, go drifting away"

Analysis:

The simile compares the son to a satellite violently pulled from its course. It highlights the suddenness and disruption of the son's independence. The word "wrenched" conveys the forceful nature of this separation, hinting at a sense of loss for both parent and child.

Key quote:

"Behind a scatter of boys."

Analysis:

The phrase "scatter of boys" portrays the child's integration into a new social group, separate from their parent. It suggests a shift in focus and loyalty, as the child forms new bonds.

Key quote:

"With the pathos of a half-fledged thing set free"

Analysis:

"Pathos" evokes sympathy for the child's vulnerability as they venture into independence, similar to a young bird leaving the nest. The image of a "half-fledged thing" emphasises their incomplete development.

Key quote:

"... the gait of one

Who finds no path where the path should be."

Analysis:

This line suggests the child's uncertainty and lack of direction in this new phase of life. The phrasing "no path where the path should be" creates a sense of confusion and highlights the challenges of navigating independence for the first time.

Key quote:

"That hesitant figure, eddying away

Like a winged seed loosened from its parent stem,"

Analysis:

The simile compares the child to a seed, signalling their dependence on the parent yet inevitably moving towards individual growth. The word "hesitant" reinforces the child's uncertainty, while "winged seed" suggests potential and the ability to take flight on their own.

Key quote:

"... — the small, the scorching

Ordeals which fire one's irresolute clay."

Analysis:

The extended metaphor of pottery is used to describe the child's development; "irresolute clay" portrays the child as unformed but with potential. The imagery of "scorching ordeals" and "fire" implies the difficulties inherent in growth and self-discovery.

Key quote:

"... Perhaps it is roughly

Saying what God alone could perfectly show —

How selfhood begins with a walking away,"

Analysis:

The speaker acknowledges the limitations of human understanding but suggests that the child's separation is essential for their self-discovery. The word "roughly" indicates the speaker's struggle to articulate this complex concept.

Key quote:

"And love is proved in the letting go."

Analysis:

The final line presents a paradox: true love requires the ability to allow someone's independence, even if it's painful. The act of "letting go" becomes a demonstration of love and trust in the child's ability to thrive on their own.

Key quote:

"he saw the first lapwings return and came

indoors to write to me, his knuckles singing

as they reddened in the warmth"

Analysis:

The detail of "his knuckles singing as they reddened in the warmth" adds a sensory detail and alludes to the satisfaction of hard work. The detail in the opening lines creates a feeling of intimacy.

Key quote:

"It's not romance, simply how things are."

Analysis:

The speaker clarifies the practical and honest approach to their long-distance relationship, with the informal, elliptical style reflecting natural speech.

Key quote:

"You out there, in the cold, seeing the seasons

turning, me with my heartful of headlines

feeding words onto a blank screen."

Analysis:

The speaker contrasts their experiences: the father is immersed in nature and witnesses the changing seasons, while the speaker is confined to an urban environment, bombarded by traumatic news.

Key quote:

"Is your life more real because you dig and sow?"

Analysis:

This rhetorical question challenges the notion that a rural life is inherently more meaningful. It suggests a mutual respect for their different experiences.

Key quote:

"You wouldn't say so, breaking ice on a waterbutt,

clearing a path through snow. ..."

Analysis:

The speaker anticipates the father's response, suggesting they share a similar perspective on the challenges and realities of their respective lives.

Key quote:

"... Still, it's you

who sends me word of that other world

pouring air and light into an envelope. ..."

Analysis:

This line conveys the importance of the father's letters. He acts as a bridge, connecting the speaker to the natural world they miss. The act of "pouring air and light into an envelope" conveys the emotional sustenance that the letters provide.

Key quote:

"our souls tap out messages across the icy miles."

Analysis:

The "icy miles" represent the physical separation, while "souls tap out messages" emphasises the enduring connection between them.

Key quote:

"In February, digging his garden, planting potatoes, "

Analysis:

This opening line establishes the father's connection to nature. The specific details of "February," "digging," and "planting potatoes" create a sense of being grounded.

Key quote:

"feeding words onto a blank screen."

Analysis:

This phrase paints a picture of the speaker's potentially monotonous reality. "Feeding" suggests a passiveness and this is juxtaposed with the father's physical interaction with the natural world in the rest of the poem.

Key quote:

"They are waiting for me ..."

Analysis:

The dramatic opening line of the poem uses ambiguity to create distance between the speaker and his parents. "They" avoids their names, creating a sense of formality and emotional detachment.

Key quote:

"My father, twenty-five, in the same suit

Of Genuine Irish Tweed, ..."

Analysis:

The use of details like age and clothing ("Genuine Irish Tweed") create a vivid image of the father, and grounds the memory in a specific time, adding realism and immediacy for the reader.

Key quote:

"The sky whitens as if lit by three suns."

Analysis:

The unnatural description of "three suns" suggests both the intensity of the light and the dreamlike quality of the memory. The use of "whitens" also implies a bleaching or faded quality, as if the memory is also fading.

Key quote:

"... Leisurely,

They beckon to me from the other bank."

Analysis:

The adverb "leisurely" creates a sense of calmness and peacefulness associated with the memory. This peaceful image is juxtaposed with the act of beckoning, which suggests a desire to bridge the gap between them.

Key quote:

"... 'See where the stream-path is!

Crossing is not as hard as you might think.'"

Analysis:

The parents' guidance here seems both literal and symbolic, as the act of crossing a stream can also represent the act of overcoming a challenge or difficulty in life.

Key quote:

"... slowly sets out

The same three plates, ..."

Analysis:

This description, with its seemingly unnecessary detail, reflects the speaker's immersion in the past memory and the emotional weight he associates with these seemingly ordinary objects. The enjambment adds to the intensity of the memory.

Key quote:

"I had not thought that it would be like this."

Analysis:

The final line of the poem is a single, short sentence emphasising the speaker's emotional response with a hint of resignation. It is ambiguous, leaving the reader to interpret "this" as the distance, the memory itself, or the realisation of his grief at his parents' absence and loss.

Key quote:

"twenty-five" and "twenty-three"

Analysis:

Including the specific ages of the speaker's parents adds a layer of sentimentality to the description. Mentioning their young ages emphasises their youthfulness and potentially a time of carefree happiness for the family. This detail could also be a way for the speaker to anchor the memory in a specific point in time.

Key quote:

"The same three plates, the tin cups painted blue."

Analysis:

The familiarity and routine associated with these picnics seems precious for the speaker, conveyed by the phrase "the same three plates" and the precise detail of the memory.

Key quote:

"My father worked with a horse-plough,

His shoulders globed like a full sail strung

Between the shafts and the furrow."

Analysis:

This opening simile creates a powerful image of the speaker's father. Comparing his shoulders to a sail emphasises his strength and mastery over the plough. The use of the verb "strung" suggests tension and control, highlighting the physical exertion required for the task.

Key quote:

"The horse strained at his clicking tongue."

Analysis:

Sensory language ("clicking tongue") depicts the interaction between the father and the horse. The verb "strained" reinforces the image of hard work and the physical demands of ploughing.

Key quote:

"An expert. He would set the wing

And fit the bright steel-pointed sock.

The sod rolled over without breaking."

Analysis:

These lines establish the father's expertise. Details like "setting the wing" and "fitting the sock" suggest a practiced routine and mastery of the craft. The final line, "The sod rolled over without breaking," highlights the precision and skill of the father's work.

Key quote:

"At the headrig, with a single pluck

Of reins, the sweating team turned round

And back into the land."

Analysis:

Descriptive language portrays the father's control over the horses. "Single pluck" emphasises the minimal effort required, showcasing his experience and authority. The image of the "sweating team" reinforces the physical demands of the task.

Key quote:

"I stumbled in his hob-nailed wake,

Fell sometimes on the polished sod;"

Analysis:

Contrast is used to highlight the difference between the father's skill and the speaker's clumsiness. "Stumbled" and "fell" emphasise the speaker's lack of experience and his difficulty following in his father's footsteps.

Key quote:

"Sometimes he rode me on his back

Dipping and rising to his plod."

Analysis:

Sensory language ("dipping and rising") are used to depict the physical experience of being carried by his father, with words like rode and plod conveying the movement of a horse. It creates a contrasting image of the playful interaction between father and son despite the serious nature of the work.

Key quote:

"All I ever did was follow

In his broad shadow round the farm."

Analysis:

The words “broad shadow" emphasises the dominance of the father and the speaker's sense of being overshadowed. The verb "follow" reinforces the speaker's struggle to live up to his father's example.

Key quote:

"Yapping always. But today

It is my father who keeps stumbling

Behind me, ... "

Analysis:

This final stanza uses a dramatic shift to portray the role reversal between father and son. The speaker, once the "nuisance" who "yapped always," is now the one moving forward. The verb "stumbling" used for the father mirrors the speaker's earlier clumsiness, suggesting a reversal of roles and the father's potential dependence on the son.

Key quote:

"and will not go away."

Analysis:

The final line, "and will not go away," is ambiguous. It could suggest the father's lingering presence and influence or it could hint at their inescapable connection.

Key quote:

"... hob-nailed wake,"

Analysis:

This descriptive phrase uses a compound noun ("hob-nailed wake") to create a vivid image of the father's footsteps. The speaker follows in his father, struggling to keep up.

Key quote:

"Mother, any distance greater than a single span

requires a second pair of hands."

Analysis:

This opening line introduce the poem's theme of dependence and connection. "Single span" suggests a small, easily manageable distance, but the line emphasises the need for help even for such a basic task. This foreshadows the emotional dependence the speaker has for his mother.

Key quote:

"You come to help me measure windows, pelmets, doors,

the acres of the walls, the prairies of the floors."

Analysis:

The use of hyperbole, with metaphors of "acres" and "prairies", depicts the vastness of the new home. This exaggeration conveys the overwhelming task the speaker faces alone and highlights the need for maternal assistance.

Key quote:

"You at the zero-end, me with the spool of tape, recording

length, reporting metres, centimetres back to base ..."

Analysis:

Detailed language portrays the act of measuring the house. The specific details ("zero-end," "spool of tape," "metres," "centimetres") could symbolise the measurement of the time and memories that the pair have experienced together.

Key quote:

"...unreeling years between us."

Analysis:

These lines compare the unfurling tape measure to the speaker's growing distance from his mother over the years. It highlights the speaker's sense of separation despite their physical proximity while measuring the house.

Key quote:

"... Anchor. Kite."

Analysis:

Juxtaposition is used. The metaphor of "Anchor" suggests stability and security, while "kite" suggests freedom and independence. These contrasting images highlight the speaker's connection to his mother and his wish to break free.

Key quote:

"I space-walk through the empty bedrooms ..."

Analysis:

The speaker compares their exploration of the house to a “Space-walk”, reminding the reader of their childhood, but also the growing distance between them.

Key quote:

"...climb

the ladder to the loft, to breaking point, where something

has to give;"

Analysis:

Physical imagery ("climb," "ladder," "breaking point") depicts the speaker's journey. Climbing the ladder symbolically alludes to the speaker's growing independence and his further separation from his mother.