In order to answer an essay question on any poem, it is vital that you understand what it is about. This section includes:
- The poem in a nutshell
- A “translation” of the poem, section-by-section
- A commentary of each of these sections, outlining Emily Brontë’s intention and message
“Shall earth no more inspire thee" in a nutshell
“Shall earth no more inspire thee", written by the victorian novelist and poet Emily Brontë, explores complex emotions related to humanity’s relationship with the natural world. Through observations of the power of the universe, the speaker, Nature, pleads for the listener to return to their relationship and find peace.
“Shall earth no more inspire thee" breakdown
Lines 1–4
“Shall earth no more inspire thee,
Thou lonely dreamer now?
Since passion may not fire thee
Shall Nature cease to bow?”
Translation
- The lines are ambiguous in terms of who the speaker is addressing:
- The speaker asks a “lonely dreamer” without “passion” if nature has also lost its power to “fire” them or motivate them
Brontë’s intention
- Brontë’s speaker asks two [popover id="_XniPj44Q533hY2K" label="rhetorical questions"] to begin, contributing to the poem’s reflective tone
- Brontë presents a doubtful speaker and listener, presenting a troubled introspection:
- The speaker questions the listener’s isolation and lack of imagination (“fire”)
Lines 5–8
“Thy mind is ever moving
In regions dark to thee;
Recall its useless roving—
Come back and dwell with me.”
Translation
- The speaker refers to the listener’s dark and restless (“roving”) thoughts
- The speaker comments on the pointlessness of rambling and “useless” thinking
- Here, the speaker asks the “lonely dreamer” to return and “dwell” (stay) with them
Brontë’s intention
- Brontë raises romantic ideas about the way nature can provide comfort:
- The poem raises ideas about human emotions and Inner turmoil
- Specifically, these lines suggest that by dreaming the speaker may calm their restless and gloomy thoughts
Lines 9–12
“I know my mountain breezes
Enchant and soothe thee still —
I know my sunshine pleases
Despite thy wayward will.”
Translation
- Here, the reader is alerted that the narrator is “Nature”:
- The speaker explains how “my” wind can calm and “my sunshine” can bring peace
- The speaker suggests they know that they “soothe” a “wayward will”, which means nature can calm disturbed thoughts
Brontë’s intention
- Brontë draws attention to Romantic ideas about the simplicity of nature bringing joy and wellbeing
- By personifying nature, she affords it a wise and omniscient voice
Lines 13–16
“When day with evening blending
Sinks from the summer sky,
I’ve seen thy spirit bending
In fond idolatry.”
Translation
- The speaker describes the dusk, when the day is “blending” with night
- The speaker adds that this scene alters the listener’s mood: “Thy spirit bending”
- The speaker reminds the listener that they have praised or worshipped nature in “fond idolatry” previously
Brontë’s intention
- Brontë’s speaker, Nature, is certain about the influence of its simple beauty
- Brontë appears to be reminding the individual that they have found pleasure in the world before when they have appreciated nature
Lines 17–20
“I’ve watched thee every hour;
I know my mighty sway,
I know my magic power
To drive thy griefs away.”
Translation
- The speaker (Nature) tells the listener (the “lonely dreamer”) that they know them very well
- The speaker refers to their powerful force (“mighty sway”) that can alter moods
Brontë’s intention
- Brontë’s speaker presents the close relationship between nature and the individual:
- The speaker lists the things they know about the listener’s “grief”
- Brontë stresses the power of reflection and the appreciation of the simple beauty of the natural world to “drive” off pain and sadness
Lines 21–24
“Few hearts to mortals given
On earth so wildly pine;
Yet none would ask a heaven
More like this earth than thine.”
Translation
- The speaker comments again on the emotional state of the listener:
- They refer to a heart that “wildly” pines and grieves deeply
- They suggest it is rare to find someone so emotional
- However, the speaker suggests the beauty on earth is like “heaven”
- They advise the listener to appreciate their world
Brontë’s intention
- Brontë refers to the inner turmoil of the listener
- Her poem pleads for individuals to consider earth as like “heaven”
- She reminds the individual that the earth belongs to them, that it is “thine” earth
Lines 25–28
“Then let my winds caress thee;
Thy comrade let me be —
Since nought beside can bless thee,
Return and dwell with me.”
Translation
- The speaker urges the listener to be comforted by the sensory nature of “my winds”
- The speaker, Nature, asks for a relationship with the listener, to be their friend (“comrade”)
- The speaker again refers to the emotional state of the listener:
- They suggest nothing (“nought”) else but being together can heal (“bless”) them
Brontë’s intention
- Brontë’s ambiguous speaker and listener create a sense of harmony or “oneness” between human beings and the natural world
- Brontë appears to imply that only appreciation of the natural world can bring peace