Emily Brontë, the author of the famous novel Wuthering Heights, is also well known for her poetry. One of her most popular poems is ‘Love and Friendship’. In this poem, Brontë explores the differences between the powerful emotions of love and the steadfastness of friendship. By examining the themes and imagery in ‘Love and Friendship’, we can gain a deeper understanding of what the poem means.
The Themes of Love and Friendship
The poem ‘Love and Friendship’ is a reflection on the themes of love and friendship. Brontë suggests that although love is perceived as the most powerful emotion, it is often fleeting and shallow. In contrast, friendship is a steadfast bond that remains even when love fades.
In the first stanza of the poem, Brontë tells us that love is a selfish emotion. When we fall in love, we become consumed by our feelings and often neglect our friends. Brontë suggests that we should be cautious when falling in love because our friends will always be there for us, but love is a fickle emotion that can desert us at any moment.
The second stanza of the poem contrasts love with friendship. Brontë uses vivid imagery to describe the importance of friendship:
“But when the storm of life is past,
And death’s dark cloud has onward moved,
The memory of what we’ve loved and lost
Will be the warmth of our hearts improved.”
Brontë is suggesting that although we will lose the things we love in life, the bond of friendship will remain even in the face of death. The calm “storm of life” creates a sense of positivity and safety for the speaker, a kind of feeling that only those who have experienced a genuine bond of friendship can relate to.
The Imagery of Love and Friendship
In addition to examining the themes of love and friendship, Brontë also uses powerful imagery to express her ideas. The first stanza is full of images of love as a fickle and fleeting emotion:
“But love is like the wild rose-briar,
Friendship like the holly-tree —
The wild rose-briar is sweet in spring,
Its summer blossoms scent the air;
Yet wait till winter comes again,
And who will call the wild-briar fair?
Then, scorn the silly rose-wreath now,
And deck thee with the holly’s sheen,
That when December blights thy brow
He may still leave thy garland green.”
The image of the “wild rose-briar” represents the journey of love in life. It is beautiful, sweet and engulfs us in the first of spring, but by winter, everything withers and dies, just like love. The “silly rose-wreath” suggests that while it may be beautiful now, it will not withstand the test of time.
In contrast, the image of the “holly-tree” in the second stanza represents friendship. It is rugged, weather-beaten and full of imperfections, but it remains steadfast through all adversity. Brontë is suggesting that friendship is like the holly-tree, and it will always be there to help us weather the storms of life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ‘Love and Friendship’ is a powerful poem that explores the themes of love and friendship. Brontë suggests that love, while it may be a powerful emotion, is often fleeting and shallow. In contrast, friendship is a steadfast bond that remains even when love fades. Through her use of imagery, Brontë suggests that while love is the beautiful wild rose-briar, friendship is the rugged holly-tree. When storms come in life, the holly-tree of friendship will remain, proving to be more permanent and sustainable for the long haul.
FAQ
Is love and friendship a theme?
The theme of “love and friendship” is one of the most common and enduring themes in human history. Throughout the ages, it has captivated the hearts and minds of theologians, philosophers, poets, and novelists alike. This wide interest in the theme of love and friendship shows its importance for the human existence. The theme of love and friendship has been explored in countless works of literature and art and also in numerous academic debates that seek to understand and explain this essential aspect of human life.
Love and friendship are both powerful emotions that have the ability to affect every aspect of our lives. They are often seen as two sides of the same coin, because they both involve deep connections between individuals. Love is an intense, romantic attraction to another person that often involves the desire to share life together, while friendship is a close, platonic relationship based on mutual understanding, trust, and affection. Both love and friendship require a certain level of commitment and devotion to another person.
In literature and art, the theme of love and friendship has been explored in many different ways. For example, in William Shakespeare’s plays, like Romeo and Juliet or A Midsummer Night’s Dream, love is presented as a force that can both create and destroy. The characters’ love for each other brings them together, but it also causes them to make decisions that ultimately lead to tragedy. Similarly, in the works of Jane Austen, such as Pride and Prejudice or Emma, friendship is seen as a vital component of romantic love. The characters must first form deep, meaningful friendships before committing to a romantic relationship.
The theme of love and friendship has also been the subject of much academic debate. Philosophers and theologians have long sought to understand the nature of love and friendship, and how they relate to one another. Scholars have developed various theories about the nature of love and friendship, ranging from Aristotle’s concept of “friendship of virtue” to the more modern concept of “companionate love.”
Love and friendship are two of the most critical themes in human existence. Their importance can be seen in the endless amount of literature, art, and academic discourse devoted to them. Both love and friendship require a certain level of commitment and devotion to another person, and they are crucial to forming deep, meaningful connections with others. Regardless of how they are explored, the theme of love and friendship will continue to captivate and inspire us for years to come.