The Farmer's Bride (Charlotte Mew)

The Farmer's Bride by Charlotte Mew is a poem that explores the theme of love and relationships, particularly focusing on the complexities of marriage and the consequences of societal expectations. The poem tells the story of a farmer who marries a young bride, but she is unable to adjust to her new life and husband. She becomes withdrawn, preferring the company of animals over her husband. The poem captures the farmer's frustration and longing for his wife's affection, as well as the bride's sense of confinement and fear. You can read the poem below and find analysis further down the page.

The Farmer's Bride by Charlotte Mew
 

Three summers since I chose a maid,

Too young maybe—but more’s to do

At harvest-time than bide and woo.

When us was wed she turned afraid

Of love and me and all things human;

Like the shut of a winter’s day

Her smile went out, and ’twadn’t a woman—

More like a little frightened fay.

One night, in the Fall, she runned away.

“Out ’mong the sheep, her be,” they said,

’Should properly have been abed;

But sure enough she wadn’t there

Lying awake with her wide brown stare.

So over seven-acre field and up-along across the down

We chased her, flying like a hare

Before out lanterns. To Church-Town

All in a shiver and a scare

We caught her, fetched her home at last

And turned the key upon her, fast.

She does the work about the house

As well as most, but like a mouse:

Happy enough to chat and play

With birds and rabbits and such as they,

So long as men-folk keep away.

“Not near, not near!” her eyes beseech

When one of us comes within reach.

The women say that beasts in stall

Look round like children at her call.

I’ve hardly heard her speak at all.

Shy as a leveret, swift as he,

Straight and slight as a young larch tree,

Sweet as the first wild violets, she,

To her wild self. But what to me?

The short days shorten and the oaks are brown,

The blue smoke rises to the low grey sky,

One leaf in the still air falls slowly down,

A magpie’s spotted feathers lie

On the black earth spread white with rime,

The berries redden up to Christmas-time.

What’s Christmas-time without there be

Some other in the house than we!

She sleeps up in the attic there

Alone, poor maid. ’Tis but a stair

Betwixt us. Oh! my God! the down,

The soft young down of her, the brown,

The brown of her—her eyes, her hair, her hair!

Analysis:

Title Significance:

The title "The Farmer's Bride" immediately sets the tone and context of the poem. It highlights the central characters involved - the farmer and his bride. The possessive pronoun "farmer's" suggests ownership and control, reflecting the imbalance of power within the marriage.

Themes:

Love and Relationships: The poem explores the complexities of marriage and the dynamics between partners. It portrays a relationship marked by loneliness, longing, and unfulfilled desires.

Isolation: The bride's isolation is a prominent theme in the poem. She is emotionally distant from her husband and seeks solace in the company of animals, highlighting her sense of alienation and displacement.

Confinement: The bride feels trapped in her marital situation, symbolised by the imagery of the locked door and her desire to escape. Her confinement reflects the constraints imposed by societal expectations and gender roles.

Structure and Form:

The poem is written in six stanzas of varying lengths, reflecting the fragmented nature of the farmer's thoughts and emotions.

The irregular rhyme scheme contributes to the poem's sense of unease and discord within the marriage.

Mew's use of enjambment enhances the flow of the narrative, creating a sense of movement and urgency as the farmer recounts his experiences.

Imagery and Symbolism:

Animals: The presence of animals in the poem serves as a contrast to the human characters and highlights the bride's affinity with nature. The animals also symbolise innocence and instinctual desires, contrasting with the complexities of human relationships.

Seasonal Imagery: References to the changing seasons throughout the poem reflect the passage of time and the cyclical nature of life. The shifting seasons also mirror the evolving dynamics within the marriage.

Language and Tone:

Mew employs a simple and straightforward language, characteristic of the farmer's voice. The colloquial tone adds authenticity to the narrative, allowing readers to empathise with the farmer's struggles.

The tone of the poem is tinged with sadness and resignation, as the farmer grapples with the loss of his wife's affection and the realisation of their irreconcilable differences.

Conclusion:

The Farmer's Bride by Charlotte Mew offers a poignant exploration of love and relationships, presenting a nuanced portrayal of marital discord and emotional estrangement. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Mew invites readers to reflect on the complexities of human connection and the enduring impact of societal expectations on individuals within a relationship.

You can find analysis of all the AQA Love and Relationships Poetry Anthology Poems here.