SISTER HELEN - DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI

 SISTER HELEN – DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI

 

“Sister Helen” is a narrative poem by the English poet and painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti. The poem was published in 1881 as part of Rossetti’s collection titled “Ballads and Sonnets”. It tells the story of a woman named sister Helen who seeks revenge on a man named James. The poem is inspired by the ballad traditions and combines elements of Gothic horror and supernatural themes.

 

The poem begins with Sister Helen speaking to her brother, who is a priest. She tells him about her encounter with James, a man who had betrayed and abandoned her, causing her to suffer greatly. She asks her brother for guidance on how to seek revenge on James for the wrongs he has done to her.  

 

The brother advises Sister Helen to pray for James and not to seek revenge, as vengeance is not her role as a nun. However, sister Helen is consumed by anger and desire for revenge. She rejects her brother’s advice and decides to use black magic to cast a spell on James, with the help of a witch. 

 

Sister Helen and the witch gather ingredients for the spell, including a wax effigy of James, a vial of her own blood, and various herbs and potions. They perform the dark ritual, invoking supernatural forces to curse James. The ritual involves symbolic actions like melting the wax effigy and chanting incantations.

 

As the spell progresses, Sister Helen begins to experience the consequences of her actions. Her chamber becomes filled with a noxious smell, and she hears eerie sounds. She starts to have doubts and fears about the path she has chosen. The poem vividly describes the eerie and unsetting atmosphere as the ritual unfolds.

 

Eventually, the spell seems to take effect. James falls ill and is tormented by disturbing visions and hallucinations. He believes he sees Sister Helen and is haunted by her presence. Despite his suffering, he does not die immediately.

 

Sister Helen is tormented by guilt and remorse for what she has done. She realizes that her desire for revenge has led down a dark and destructive path. She prays for forgiveness and redemption, acknowledging the consequences of her actions.

 

The poem ends with Sister Helen’s brother finding her dead body in her chamber. The implications are that her attempt to seek revenge through dark magic ultimately led to her own downfall and death. 

 

The poem “Sister Helen” explores themes of revenge, morality, supernatural forces, and the consequences of one’s actions. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of succumbing to vengeful desires and dabbling in forbidden powers. 

 

 

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SNAKE - D.H. LAWRENCE

 SNAKE – D.H. LAWRENCE

 

D.H. Lawrence’s poem “Snake” is complex and evocative piece that explores themes of human nature, respect for nature, and the conflict between intellect and instinct. The poem is written in first person and describes an encounter between speaker and a snake that comes to drink at the speaker’s water trough. The speaker is initially dilled with conflicting emotions of fear and fascination as they observe the snake.

 

Throughout the poem, Lawrence delves into the speaker’s thoughts and emotions, highlighting their internal struggle between the fear instilled by societal norms and the instinctual respect for nature and its creatures. The snake is depicted as majestic and ancient creature, embodying a sense of primordial wisdom and natural rhythm.

 

The turning point of the poem occurs when the speaker decides to act on their instincts and not succumb to the fear-driven impulse to kill the snake. Instead, the speaker allows the snake to drink peacefully and even consider it a kind of honoured guest. This choice represents a moment of revelation for the speaker, as they come to realize the beauty and significance of coexisting with nature without trying to dominate or destroy it. 

 

The poem concludes with a sense of regret and longing as the snake slowly retreats into the undergrowth. The speaker reflects on their own inability to fully embrace their instinctual connection with nature due to societal constraints and the conditioning of civilization.

 

In summary, “Snake” by D.H. Lawrence is a reflective and introspective poem that uses the encounter with a snake as a metaphor for exploring the tension between human intellect and primal instincts, as well as the desire to find harmony with the natural world. 

 

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Resolution and Independence -- William Wordsworth (Outline Summary)

 Resolution and Independence – William Wordsworth (Outline Summary)

 

“Resolution and Independence” is a narrative poem written by the renowned English Romantic Poet William Wordsworth. The poem first published in 1807 as part of his collection “Poems in Two Volumes”, delves into the themes of nature, human perseverance, and the wisdom of experience. 

 

The poem recounts a speaker’s encounter with an old, humble leech-gatherer (a person who collects medicinal leeches) during a solitary walk in the country side. The speaker is initially filled with feelings of despondency and doubt, contemplating the struggles and uncertainties of life. However, upon meeting the leech-gatherer, the speaker witnesses a contrasting example of resilience and fortitude in the face of hardship.

 

The leech-gatherer is portrayed as an emblem of steadfastness and resolution. Despite his old age and arduous profession, he maintains a cheerful and contented demeanor, deriving wisdom from his long experience with the natural world. Through their conversation, the speaker comes to appreciate the wisdom that can be gained through endurance and patient observation of nature’s cycles.  

 

The poem presents a stark contrast between the speaker’s initial melancholy and the leech-gatherer’s unyielding spirit, ultimately leading to a sense of moral rejuvenation and hope for the future. The encounter serves as a reminder of the profound lessons that nature and human experience can offer, encouraging the speaker, and by extension, the reader, to find solace and strength in life’s trials and tribulations.

 

“Resolution and Independence” exemplifies Wordsworth’s signature themes of the power of nature, the beauty of simplicity and the transformative potential of encounters with ordinary people. It remains an enduring work that highlights the Romantic Belief in the redemptive qualities of the natural world and indomitable spirit of the human soul.

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