A Complaint (William Wordsworth)

William Wordsworth's poem "A Complaint" explores the theme of lost love and the emotional impact of change on the speaker's life. Through vivid imagery and introspective reflection, the poem conveys the sense of emptiness and longing that accompanies the absence of love.You can read the poem below and find analysis further down the page.

A Complaint by William Wordsworth

There is a change—and I am poor;

Your love hath been, nor long ago,

A fountain at my fond heart’s door,

Whose only business was to ‑ ow;

And ‑ ow it did; not taking heed

Of its own bounty, or my need

What happy moments did I count!

Blest was I then all bliss above!

Now, for that consecrated fount

Of murmuring, sparkling, living love,

What have I? shall I dare to tell?

A comfortless and hidden well.

A well of love—it may be deep—

I trust it is,—and never dry:

What matter? if the waters sleep

In silence and obscurity.

—Such change, and at the very door

Of my fond heart, hath made me poor.

Analysis:

Loss of Love: The poem begins with the speaker lamenting the loss of love, which was once abundant and overflowing like a fountain. However, the speaker now finds himself impoverished, as the love that once sustained him has diminished.

Symbolism of the Fountain: The fountain symbolises the abundance and vitality of the speaker's love in the past. Its ceaseless flow represented the joy and happiness experienced by the speaker during that time.

Contrast of Past and Present: The speaker reminisces about the "happy moments" and the blissful state he enjoyed when love was plentiful. However, he contrasts this with the present reality of feeling "comfortless" and having only a "hidden well" of love.

Emotional Impact of Change: The poem underscores the profound emotional impact of change on the speaker's life. The loss of love has left him feeling impoverished and desolate, highlighting the transformative power of love and its absence.

Acceptance of Change: Despite his longing for the return of abundant love, the speaker acknowledges the possibility that the "well of love" may still exist within him, even if it remains dormant and obscured by silence.

Themes:

Lost Love: The poem explores the theme of lost love and its effects on the speaker's emotional well-being.

Emptiness and Longing: The speaker grapples with feelings of emptiness and longing for the love that once filled his heart.

Change and Transformation: The poem reflects on the transformative nature of change and its impact on the speaker's life and emotions.

Acceptance and Resilience: Despite his lamentations, the speaker demonstrates resilience in accepting the changes in his life and finding solace in the possibility of love's enduring presence.

Language and Structure:

Imagery: The poem employs vivid imagery, particularly through the metaphor of the fountain, to convey the abundance and vitality of past love.

Rhythm and Meter: The poem follows a regular rhythm and meter, contributing to its musicality and emphasising the emotional depth of the speaker's lamentations.

Symbolism: Symbolic elements such as the fountain and the well serve to convey deeper meanings related to love, change, and emotional fulfilment.

Repetition: The repetition of the word "poor" throughout the poem reinforces the speaker's sense of emotional impoverishment and loss.

Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows a consistent ABAB rhyme scheme, contributing to its structural coherence and aesthetic appeal.

Conclusion:

A Complaint by William Wordsworth is a poignant exploration of lost love and the emotional toll of change. Through evocative imagery and introspective reflection, the poem invites readers to contemplate the transformative power of love and its enduring presence in the face of life's vicissitudes. Despite the speaker's sense of loss and longing, the poem ultimately conveys a message of acceptance and resilience in the face of change.

You can find analysis of all the Edexcel Relationships Poetry Anthology Poems here.