The Farmer's Bride: Summary and Analysis with Quotes | Quizlet

Summary

"The Farmer's Bride" by Charlotte Mew is a poignant and evocative poem that delves into themes of unrequited love, mental health, and societal expectations. It narrates the story of a farmer and his young wife, focusing on their strained relationship.

The poem is narrated by a farmer who has married a young woman. She is fearful and unable to adapt to her new life, eventually running away. When she is brought back, she becomes more isolated and detached. The farmer speaks of his longing for her and his frustration over their loveless and unconsummated marriage, revealing his lack of understanding of her emotional state and needs.

Form

The poem is composed of six stanzas, varying in length and not following a strict rhyme scheme. This irregular structure mirrors the chaos and confusion in the farmer's life and mind.

Setting

The setting is a rural farm, which is significant as it underscores the isolation of the farmer's bride and the traditional, patriarchal society in which they live.

Themes

Isolation and Loneliness: Both the farmer and his bride are isolated, but in different ways.

Mental Health and Emotional Well-being: The bride's fear and apparent mental distress are central to the poem.

Gender Roles and Societal Expectations: The poem explores the impact of societal norms on individual lives.

Nature and the Seasons: Nature reflects the emotional landscape of the characters.

Motifs

Seasonal Change: Reflects the passage of time and the changes in the farmer's wife.

Animals and Nature: Used to draw parallels between the bride and the natural world.

Silence and Communication: The lack of communication between the couple is a key motif.

Analysis with Quotes

The Bride's Fear and Isolation: "We chased her, flying like a hare" - This line depicts the bride's fear and desperation as she runs away, highlighting her sense of entrapment.

Analysis with Quotes

Farmer's Desire and Frustration: "But what to me? Aye, staring wide / When I come in from field at night" - The farmer's longing and frustration are evident here, showing his desire for a normal marital relationship.

Analysis with Quotes

Depiction of the Bride's Mental State: "Her eyes, her hair, her hair!" - The repetition and focus on physical features suggest the farmer's obsession but also his lack of deeper understanding of her emotional and mental state.

Analysis with Quotes

Nature Reflecting Emotions: "The short days shorten and the oaks are brown" - The changing seasons mirror the emotional and psychological changes within the household.

Analysis with Quotes

Lack of Mutual Understanding: The farmer's narrative perspective shows his inability to comprehend his wife's needs and emotions, while her silence and actions convey her own suffering and detachment, "She sleeps up in the attic there / Alone, poor maid. 'Tis but a stair / Betwixt us."