The farmers bride

• What is the title of the poem discussed?

  The Farmer's Bride
• Who is the author of the poem?

  Charlotte Mew
• What is the main theme of The Farmer's Bride?

  Unhappiness in marriage and isolation
• How does the bride feel about her husband?

  She is unhappy and wants to avoid him
• What does the bride prefer over being with her husband?

  Animals and nature
• What happens when the bride runs away?

  The village chases her and brings her back
• How long has it been since the farmer chose his bride?

  Three summers
• What does the phrase "too young maybe" imply about the bride?

  She may not be ready for marriage
• What does the verb "chose" suggest about the farmer's role?

  He had the power in the decision
• What does the phrase "shut of a Winter's day" convey?

  Her smile and warmth have vanished
• How does the farmer view their relationship after marriage?

  He sees them as a unit despite her fear
• What does the alliteration of "w" in "when us was wed" signify?

  His confusion and sadness
• What does the simile "like the shot of a Winter's day" imply?

  Her withdrawal is sudden and cold
• How does the farmer describe the bride's smile?

  It went out like a candle
• What does the term "fay" refer to in the poem?

  A fairy or magical being
• What does the phrase "Out Among the Sheep" suggest about the bride's preferences?


  She prefers animals to people
• What does the phrase "fetched her home at last" imply about the villagers' actions?

  They are complicit in her capture
• How does the bride react to the farmer's presence?

  She pleads for him to stay away
• What does the comparison of the bride to a "lever" suggest?

  She is vulnerable and timid
• What does the phrase "sweet as the first wild violet" indicate?

  Her beauty and fragility
• What does the rhetorical question "but what to me" reveal about the farmer's feelings?

  His sense of loss and despair
• What does the attic symbolize in the poem?

  The emotional distance between them
• How does the use of sibilance in "she sleeps" affect the tone?

  It conveys helplessness and quietness
• What does the farmer's lament about Christmas time signify?

  His loneliness and longing for connection
• What does the phrase "only a stare betwix us" imply?

  There is a significant emotional barrier
• What does the farmer's call to God at the end signify?

  His desperation and helplessness
• How does the poem's structure reflect the relationship dynamics?

  Irregular stanzas show non-conformity
• What societal issues does the poem address?

  Women's autonomy and patriarchal control
• What was Charlotte Mew's background related to family?

  She had siblings who died young
• What pact did Charlotte Mew make with her sister?

  To never get married
• How does the poem reflect the feminist movement of its time?

  It critiques women's identities tied to men
• What is the significance of the poem's length?

  It reflects prolonged suffering in the marriage
• What does the phrase "the soft young down of her" express?

  His longing and admiration for her youth
• What does the poem ultimately explore?

  The destruction of two lives through marriage
• What are the key themes in The Farmer's Bride?

  • Unhappiness in marriage
  • Isolation and loneliness
  • Women's autonomy
  • The impact of patriarchy
• What literary devices are prominent in The Farmer's Bride?

  • Similes (e.g., "like the shot of a Winter's day")
  • Alliteration (e.g., "when us was wed")
  • Sibilance (e.g., "she sleeps")
  • Rhetorical questions (e.g., "but what to me")
• What historical context is relevant to The Farmer's Bride?

  • Victorian era societal norms
  • Emergence of the feminist movement
  • Issues of mental health and family dynamics
• How does the structure of The Farmer's Bride reflect the relationship dynamics?

  • Irregular stanza lengths indicate instability
  • Long length symbolizes prolonged suffering
  • Use of enjambment reflects emotional turmoil
• What is the significance of the farmer's perspective in the poem?

  • Highlights male viewpoint in a patriarchal society
  • Reveals his confusion and desperation
  • Shows the impact of societal expectations on relationships