The Farmer's Bride Study Notes

Summary of "The Farmer's Bride" by Charlotte Mew

  • The poem explores the relationship between a farmer and his young bride, who is ultimately unhappy and treated poorly.

Detailed Synopsis

  • Narrative Overview
    • The farmer reflects on his choice to marry a young girl.
    • Admits that she was too young at the time of their marriage.
    • After marriage, the bride becomes fearful of her husband.
    • She attempts to escape from the farm, resulting in a chase and eventual capture by the farmer and the community.
    • Once brought back, she is confined and works in the house, but is unhappy and disengaged.
  • Themes and Expressions
    • As winter approaches, the farmer laments her inability to bear him a child.
    • Expresses feelings of emotional and physical distance between himself and his bride, and objectifies her.

Contextual Background on Charlotte Mew

  • Biographical Information
    • Charlotte Mew (1869-1928) came from an upper middle-class family with several hardships; three siblings died young, and two faced mental illnesses.
    • These experiences deeply influenced her poetry and themes.
    • Mew made a pact with a sister to avoid marriage due to fears of mental illness and its potential transmission.
  • Historical Context
    • "The Farmer's Bride" was written during a time when discussions on women's rights and suffrage were emerging.
    • The poem critiques the notion of female possession within marriage, emphasizing the need for women's identities to exist independently from their husbands.

Poetic Analysis and Structure

  • Perspective
    • The poem is narrated from the farmer's perspective, which limits the voice of the bride and emphasizes the farmer's selfishness.
    • Mixes past and present, indicative of Mew's personal and idiosyncratic style.
  • Structure
    • The poem's structure reflects the farmer's increasing despondency and lack of awareness regarding his wife's suffering.
    • Use of enjambment enhances the narrative flow and reflects emotional isolation.

Language and Literary Devices

  • Objectification of Women
    • The farmer uses language that highlights the objectification of his bride.
    • Examples include:
    • Fricative alliteration in "frightened fay" that emphasizes her fear and fragility.
    • The line, "I’ve hardly heard her speak at all," represents her isolation and marginalization.
    • Simile of the bride as "shy as a leveret" (a young hare) suggests both innocence and vulnerability.
  • Imagery and Symbolism
    • Nature symbolizes the bride’s oppression, contrasting with romanticized interpretations found in other poetry.
    • Notable phrases like "the soft young down of her" infantilize and sexualize the bride, indicating possessiveness.
  • Emotion and Tone
    • Language conveys the farmer's obsession and desolation, particularly in phrases like "Alone, poor maid," showcasing his selfish self-pity.
    • The usage of sibilance creates an ominous mood, reflecting internal horror related to their relationship.

Comparisons to Other Works

  • Comparison with "Love's Philosophy" by Shelley
    • Similarities: Both speakers express frustration over unfulfilled desires.
    • Differences: Nature in Shelley's work is depicted as beautiful, while in Mew's work, it symbolizes oppression.
  • Comparison with "Porphyria's Lover" by Browning
    • Similarities: Both speakers share possessive and objectifying traits.
    • Differences: The speaker in "The Farmer’s Bride" shows more awareness of his infliction of suffering compared to Browning's speaker, who believes Porphyria is content.

Final Observations

  • Overall Conclusion
    • "The Farmer's Bride" critiques the dynamics of power in gender relations during the era.
    • It reflects the struggle of women during a time of evolving societal norms and the need for agency and identity beyond marriage.
    • Mew utilizes potent imagery and a powerful narrative voice to emphasize these themes.