Poetry: The Farmer's Bride Flashcards
What is The Farmer’s Bride?
A poem where a farmer grieves for his unhappy relationship
What is the verse structure in The Farmer’s Bride?
First verse
Second verse
Third verse
Fourth, fifth and sixth verse
What happens in the first verse of The Farmer’s Bride?
A farmer has married a young woman three years earlier, but she is afraid of intimacy and runs away
What happens in the second verse of The Farmer’s Bride?
A search party finds the runaway wife and brings her home
What happens in the third verse of The Farmer’s Bride?
The bride is happy to make friends with birds and animals but fears men
What happens in the fourth, fifth and sixth verse of The Farmer’s Bride?
While his wife sleeps, the farmer is filled with longing
What is the theme of The Farmer’s Bride?
Unfulfilled love
What is the setting of The Farmer’s Bride?
The setting is rural and the seasons echo the theme of the poem
What is the voice of The Farmer’s Bride?
The farmer’s, speaking in dialect
‘Three Summers since I chose a maid’
The word ‘chose’ suggests that the bride did not have a choice
‘Too young maybe - but more’s to do’
There is an age gap; also a note of doubt and perhaps guilt
‘And turned the key upon her, fast.’
This further underlines that he sees his wife as his ‘property’
‘I’ve hardly her speak at all.’
Emphasises farmer’s loneliness and resentment that his bride thinks more of the animals than him
‘Sweet as the first wild violets, she.’
‘She’ being isolated suggests him lingering on the word: perhaps reflects growing obsession
What poems can The Farmer’s Bride be compared with?
Hour
Sonnet 43
