Felicia Browne Hemans (1793-1835)
Felicia was born in 1793 in Liverpool, the same year The French Revolution began. Hemans died at the young age of 42. But in those 42 years she wrote numerous poems. Many believed that Felicia began writing at a very early age, between the ages of 8 and 13. After publishing her first poems, it was said that “"... our little heroine was exposed to the lash of a public critic - a useful animal enough, but one whom the superstitious infallibility of print exalts to a divinity."
One of my favorite pieces was “The Homes of England”. The first stanza was great and was written clearer that some of the other poets I have read. Hemans wrote “The stately Homes of England, How beautiful they stand! Amidst their tall ancestral trees, O'er all the pleasant land. The deer across their greensward bound Thro’ shade and sunny gleam, and the swan glides past them with the sound Of some rejoicing stream.” I believe that Felicia was talking about women in this poem. She talks about the nice homes and lives that were available in England. Women are more concerned with domestic life than men are.
Around their hearths by night, What gladsome looks of household love Meet in the ruddy light! There woman's voice flows forth in song, Or childhood's tale is told, Or lips move tunefully along Some glorious page of old.” I believe that Hemans talks about a mother who has their children gathered around the fireplace singing or telling a story to teach their children. A woman is the person who usually sings and has a beautiful voice.
The last stanza is a great summation of what women really are. Hemans’ description talks about how powerful women are and how they are the molds that people use in their lives that would be how we want to be. We want to be “Where first the child's glad spirit loves, Its country and its God!” I believe this how our psychology is made up. We always want to please our parents, especially our mothers. We always have a bond with our mother. Our father is not as forgiving as our mothers are. Mothers are the constant in a household. During this period, women stayed at home and taught the children. She was child’s first love, for the child was born to her. She was the person whom the child first bonded with. Her analogy used in the last stanza is a great example of how mothers can make their children strong through her love and nurturing.
Felicia was born in 1793 in Liverpool, the same year The French Revolution began. Hemans died at the young age of 42. But in those 42 years she wrote numerous poems. Many believed that Felicia began writing at a very early age, between the ages of 8 and 13. After publishing her first poems, it was said that “"... our little heroine was exposed to the lash of a public critic - a useful animal enough, but one whom the superstitious infallibility of print exalts to a divinity."
One of my favorite pieces was “The Homes of England”. The first stanza was great and was written clearer that some of the other poets I have read. Hemans wrote “The stately Homes of England, How beautiful they stand! Amidst their tall ancestral trees, O'er all the pleasant land. The deer across their greensward bound Thro’ shade and sunny gleam, and the swan glides past them with the sound Of some rejoicing stream.” I believe that Felicia was talking about women in this poem. She talks about the nice homes and lives that were available in England. Women are more concerned with domestic life than men are.
Around their hearths by night, What gladsome looks of household love Meet in the ruddy light! There woman's voice flows forth in song, Or childhood's tale is told, Or lips move tunefully along Some glorious page of old.” I believe that Hemans talks about a mother who has their children gathered around the fireplace singing or telling a story to teach their children. A woman is the person who usually sings and has a beautiful voice.
The last stanza is a great summation of what women really are. Hemans’ description talks about how powerful women are and how they are the molds that people use in their lives that would be how we want to be. We want to be “Where first the child's glad spirit loves, Its country and its God!” I believe this how our psychology is made up. We always want to please our parents, especially our mothers. We always have a bond with our mother. Our father is not as forgiving as our mothers are. Mothers are the constant in a household. During this period, women stayed at home and taught the children. She was child’s first love, for the child was born to her. She was the person whom the child first bonded with. Her analogy used in the last stanza is a great example of how mothers can make their children strong through her love and nurturing.
3 comments:
Mike,
Good focus on a single poem by Hemans, and I like your technique of quoting extended passages from the poem, rather than just a few lines and phrases. (One tip, though: separate the lines and show line breaks by using a slash--/-- when you quote multiple lines of verse.) When you quote numerous lines, though, you should spend at least as much space discussing the passage. Sometimes your commentary seems a bit cursory here.
You are correct that Hemans associates home with women in this poem. I also would have liked you to explore the different types of homes she mentions (both the large and fancy and the small and humble), and the different values she attributes to each.
It was very insightful reading your take on Felecia Browne Hemans poem, "The Homes of England." I tend to disagree with you a little on the point that women are more concerned with domestic life than men are. I, a man, live alone for now, not yet married and I have always kept my home clean and tidy even though I had learned the art of keeping a clean home from my mom. Also some women are very untidy and their homes could not in any way compared to those homes of England. It is always different for everyone based on their situation, some have children while other don't, so we should never generalize - To each his own, even though I respect your opinion. Despite having said this, you did a good job of giving your insight about Hemans poem "The Homes of England."
Mike,
I thought you did a great job of describing the impact of women in "The Homes of England." I like the fact that you are saying that "She talks about the nice homes and lives that were available in England. Women are more concerned with domestic life than men are." Even though that might be thought as a cliche, I believe (especially at that time) that it was completely appropriate. However I think your opinion on households might a bit biased by your own personal experience within your family when you say "I believe this how our psychology is made up. We always want to please our parents, especially our mothers. We always have a bond with our mother. Our father is not as forgiving as our mothers are. Mothers are the constant in a household." For example, this is not the case at all in my family. But guess what... diversity is what makes the world a great place to live!! I enjoyed having your opinion.
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