Mild the mist upon the hill

What type of poet was Brönte?

romantic and victorian poet

What indicates that this poem may be autobiographical?

she uses strong images of nature and how they evoke emotions from childhood

What form is this poem?

lyrical or literary ballad

What do poets like Wordsworth and Coleridge use lyrical/literary ballads as a tribute to?

old folk tales and ballads

What is the form and structure of the poem?

traditional ballad form with four quatrains with an ABAB rhyme scheme

what does the ‘musical’ form do?

separates the poem into four interlinking sections helping the reader follow the poet’s thoughts as she reminisces about the past

example of personification

‘the day has wept its fill’ showing that the natural world has human qualities and reflects her mood and feelings

example of sibilance and its effect

‘Spent its store of silent sorrow’ creates an atmosphere of calm and peace. Indicates the sorrow has gone for the day and nature has used up all its tears and sadness

what tone is used in the poem?

a nostalgic tone is used throughout the poem to show how the current scene reminds her of her childhood

what words are used to evoke a sense of innocence and safety in the past?

‘child’, ‘sheltering’ , ‘youth’

example of smile

‘as thick as morning twars’ - water in the grass

example of imagery and its effect

‘dreamy scents of fragrance pass/that breathe of other years’ has a sad tone and we feel that this natural scene reminds the poet of an earlier,perhaps happier time in her life

How is the theme of memory and childhood portrayed

Brönte looking at the mist one day and it reminds her of her youth. The natural scene reminds her of her childhood and days when she lived at home with her father

How is the power of nature conveyed

images of nature - such as the mist and rain over the hills - show how powerful nature is. It allows her to feel a sense of security and belonging which takes her back to her childhood