Poetry Section--Stars by Emily Bronte
I chose this one because I understand it in a way.
Ah! why, because the dazzling sun
Restored our earth to joy
Have you departed, every one,
And left a desert sky?
All through the night, your glorious eyes
Were gazing down in mine,
And with a full heart's thankful sighs
I blessed that watch divine!
I was at peace, and drank your beams
As they were life to me
And revelled in my changeful dreams
Like petrel on the sea.
Thought followed thought-star followed star
Through boundless regions on,
While one sweet influence, near and far,
Thrilled through and proved us one.
Why did the morning dawn to break
So great, so pure a spell,
And scorch with fire the tranquil cheek
Where your cool radiance fell?
Blood-red he rose, and arrow-straight
His fierce beams struck my brow:
The soul of Nature sprang elate,
But mine sank sad and low!
My lids closed down--yet through their veil
I saw him blazing still;
And steep in gold the misty dale
And flash upon the hill.
I turned me to the pillow then
To call back Night, and see
Your worlds of solemn light, again
It would not do--the pillow glowed
And glowed both roof and floor,
And birds sang loudly in the wood,
And fresh winds shook the door.
The curtains waved, the wakened flies
Were murmuring round my room,
Imprisoned there, till I should rise
And give them leave to roam.
O Stars and Dreams and Gentle Night;
O Night and Stars return!
Adn hide me from the hostile light
That does not warm, but burn--
That drains the blood of suffering men;
Drinks tears, instead of dew:
Let me sleep through his blinding reign,
And only wake with you!
Book of the Month--Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Charlotte Bronte, the authoress, was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1816, to the Rev'd Patrick Bronte and his wife Maria. She was one of 6 children. The family moved to Haworth in 1820, and a year later, Charlotte's mother died. Later, in 1824, the four older girls were sent to a boarding school (to be depicted in some degree by Charlotte in 'Jane Eyre'), where the two oldest died as a result of maltreatment and poor conditions at the school.
The two younger girls (Charlotte and Emily) were brought home, where with their brother Branwell and sister Anne, they led a reclusive, fantasy life. This dream world included tiny books and magazines with proportionately tiny handwriting that could only be read by looking through a magnifying glass. They contained the elaborate sagas created by the four siblings, "the four Chief Genii [who] ruled supreme, built great cities out of dust, revived the dead, inspired their favourites, and oversaw titanic battles and the rise and fall of empires" (Dark Quartet by Lynne Reid Banks).
As young adults, the three sisters tried to make a living as governesses, but could not endure it. They also tried to start a boarding school of their own, but never succeeded in this endeavour. However, they did succeed in their efforts to publish poetry and novels. Jane Eyre was an instant success. Charlotte passed away in 1855, in pregnancy, a year after her marriage.
About the Book:
"I stood motionless...My refusals were forgotten--my fears overcome--my wrestlings paralysed. The Impossible-- i.e. my marriage with St. John--was fast becoming the Possible. All was changing utterly...Religion called - Angels beckoned - God commanded - life rolled together like a scroll - death's gates opening, showed eternity beyond: it seemed, that for safety and bliss there, all here might be sacrificed in a second. 'Could you decide now?' asked the missionary. The inquiry was put in gentle tones: he drew me to him gently. Oh, that gentleness! how far more potent is it than force! Yet I knew all the time, if I yielded now, I should not the less be made to repent, some day, of my former rebellion. His nature was not changed by one hour of solemn prayer: it was only elevated.
'I could decide if I were but certain...that it is God's will I should marry you...', I answered,'I could vow to marry you here and now...'. 'My prayers are heard!' ejaculated St. John. He pressed his hands firmer on my head as if he claimed me. He surrounded me with his arm, almost as if he loved me. (I say almost - I knew the difference - for I had felt what it was to be loved). 'Show me the path!' I entreated of Heaven. I was more excited than I had ever been; and whether what followed was the effect of it, the reader shall judge.
All the house was still...The one candle was dying out: the room was full of moonlight. My heart beat fast and thick: I heard its throb. Suddenly it stood still to an inexpressible feeling that thrilled it through, and passed at once to my head and extremities. The feeling was not like an electric shock; but it was quite as sharp, as strange, as startling: it acted on my senses as if their utmost activity hitherto had been but torpor; from which they were now summoned, and forced to wake. They rose expectant: eye and ear waited, while the flesh quivered on my bones.
'What have you heard? What do you see?', asked St. John. I saw nothing: but I heard a voice somewhere cry-- 'Jane! Jane! Jane!' nothing more.
'Oh! what is it?' I gasped.
I might have said, 'Where is it?' for it did not seem in the room - nor in the house - nor in the garden: it did not come out of the air - nor from under the earth - nor from overhead. I had heard it - where, or whence, for ever impossible to know! And it was the voice of a human being - a known, loved, well-remembered voice - that of Edward Fairfax Rochester; and it spoke in pain and woe wildly, eerily, urgently.
'I am coming!' I cried. 'Wait for me! Oh, I will come!'. I flew to the door, and looked into the passage: it was dark. I ran out into the garden: it was void.
'Where are you?' I exclaimed.
The hills beyond Marsh Glen sent the answer faintly back - 'Where are you?' I listened. The wind sighed low in the firs: all was moorland loneliness and midnight hush."
(from Jane Eyre, pp. 421-22; chapter 35)
This is one of my favourite novels. It is about a young orphan girl named Jane Eyre who, after living in the house of hostile relatives, and then being sent to a harsh school with dangerous living conditions, finds a post as a governess. Naturally self-deprecating, she finally allows herself to fall in love with, and become engaged to, the master of the house. But unexpectedly, during the wedding ceremony, an impediment is presented... Jane's subsequent proceedings and adventures make up the second part of the novel.
I admire the intensity of emotion and the power of vocabulary throughout this work. The reader truly feels akin to the heroine, and the characters and the story come alive in your mind.
Read Jane Eyre and send me your impressions. I will put them here for others to read. Send them to:
ra_pun_zelle@yahoo.ca
For the more zealous readers, next book up for discussion will be Mansfield Park by Jane Austen.
For those of you who may be interested in the last selection, Oliver Twist, click here!