The Farmer’s Bride - Quotes + Context Flashcards
Finish the quotation and explain its significance - “I _____ a ____.”
Chose, maid. The past participle “chose” implies the speaker had all of the say in the decision to marry the “bride” and that the society was male dominant. Furthermore, the word “maid” implies he doesn’t view her as a person but more as a tool to help around the house, adding to the idea of objectification.
Finish the quotation and explain its significance - “More’s to do at _______-time than ____ and ___.”
Summer, bide, woo. This quotation implies that the decision to marry the woman was more of a status or financial decision than one of love, showing a lack of love in the relationship and a lack of connection as he prioritises money.
Finish the quotation and explain its significance - “Like the ____ of a winter’s day her _____ went out”.
Shut, smile. This quotation indicates that he feels closed off from her and perhaps disconnected as soon as he tries to get closer to her. The usage of seasonal imagery depicts the relationship as cold and dead,
Finish the quotation and explain its significance - “Like the ____ of a winter’s day her _____ went out”.
Shut, smile. This quotation indicates that he feels closed off from her and perhaps disconnected as soon as he tries to get closer to her. The usage of seasonal imagery depicts the relationship as cold and dead,
Finish the quotation and explain its significance- “Turned the ___ upon her ____.”
Key, fast. The usage of the noun “key” implies the wife is imprisoned and therefore he feels like she has committed crime. This also depicts how little of a choice the wife has in the marriage and perhaps represents the patriarchal values of the time.
Finish the quotation and explain the significance of it - “I’ve hardly heard her ____ at all.”
Speak. The pronoun “I’ve” in particular shows how little of a personal connection he has with her and the fact she doesn’t speak to him again highlights the lack of connection in the relationship and the forced nature of it.
Finish the quotation and explain its meaning - “_______ and _____ as a young ______ tree”.
Straight, slight, tree. This quotation shows how fixated the farmer is on her appearance and how little he cares for her personality, furthering the notion of the objectification of women.
Finish the quotation and explain the significance of it - “ ‘Tis but a ____ betwixt us.”
Stair, this is a metaphor for the mental separation between the two in the relationship and that they are not in love and that the marriage is forced.
What is the poem written as?
A dramatic monologue.
What was Charlotte Mew’s life like?
Mew was subject to tragedy during her life as 3 of her brothers died at a young age.
What era is this poem written about?
The Victorian age.
What was marrying in a farming community like?
A farmer would choose a wife suitable for helping with farming and the wife had no say in the marriage. The wife had to give in to all sexual demands of the husband too.
What did Charlotte Mew have that influenced her poems?
Mental illnesses due to her traumatic past.
