farmer's bride

Charlotte mew

structure

The poem is written in 11 stanzas, mostly of 6 lines each (though the final stanza has 5 lines). The structure reflects the uneven emotional journey of the farmer and his troubled relationship with his bride.

rhyme scheme

The poem follows an ABABCC rhyme scheme in most stanzas. The alternating rhymes create a steady rhythm, while the concluding couplet in each stanza adds a sense of finality and emotional tension.

use of enjambment

This flowing rhythm contrasts with the farmer’s controlled exterior, suggesting underlying frustration and a lack of resolution in his thoughts.

form

dramatic monologue where the farmer speaks directly to the reader, revealing his thoughts and emotions. This single speaker structure highlights the farmer’s possessiveness and loneliness.

context

Charlotte Mew was a Victorian poet known for writing about the psychological tension in relationships and social issues. In "The Farmer’s Bride", Mew explores the dark side of marriage and the power dynamics between the farmer and his young bride.

In the Victorian era, women were often seen as submissive to their husbands. The poem critiques this social order, showing the emotional and psychological consequences of forced control and a lack of agency in relationships.

themes

• Marriage and power dynamics

• Possession and control

• Isolation and loneliness

• Nature and emotional repression

• Psychological tension within relationships

rhythm

The poem has a regular rhythm with alternating stressed and unstressed syllables, often following a pattern of iambic tetrameter (four iambic feet per line). This creates a steady, deliberate rhythm that mirrors the farmer’s persistent and obsessive thoughts.

As the poem progresses, the rhythm becomes slightly disjointed, mirroring his growing frustration and psychological unease.