Elizabeth Barrett Browning was an English poet whose work was first published in the 19th century. She was widely regarded as one of the best poets of her time, and her most famous poem, ‘A Dead Rose’, stands out for its poignant content and emotional depth. The poem, written in 1846, tells the tragic story of a rose that withers away and dies, its beauty fading as its life slowly ebbs. It is a heartbreaking reminder of the fleetingness of life, and the futility of trying to cling to things that never last.
The poem has inspired many interpretations over the years. The poet’s own daughter wrote: ‘The poem is an elegy to love, as well as life, because of its subject-matter and tendency to invoke feelings of sadness. It is also seen as a testament to Barrett Browning’s own struggle to come to terms with her internal demons, which included a battle with depression.’
Critics have praised the poem for its excellent use of imagery, vivid descriptions and a powerful meaning evoked that goes beyond the literal. Writing in The Atlantic, one critic noted: ‘The essence of “A Dead Rose” lies in its evocation of an inherent sadness, which is implicit in the contrast between the life and death of the rose, and the consequent contrast between beauty and mortality’.
The poem has influenced many a writer, and its resonance and pathos have made it one of Barrett Browning’s most beloved and celebrated works. Professor of English at Milwaukee University, Dr Jody Kalberer, puts it simply: ‘It has been praised for its complex yet simple articulations of love, death, and the inevitable nature of life; and it continues to move readers today.’
It seems fitting that a poem so powerful, so exquisite and so poignant, should be penned by one of the greatest poets of her age. In her poem, Barrett Browning has perfectly captured the feeling of loss, and the pain of transience: one can almost smell the sweet aroma of a rose that is just wilting away.
Separation from Society
The poem captures the theme of separation, a core aspect of Barrett Browning’s perceived social exclusion and experiences of pain and isolation. The poet was virtually an outcast in conventional women’s circles due to her illness and her political views, and this loneliness and discomfort is captured in the phrase: ‘No other cost nor compensation’, further enhanced by ‘not found any morn nor noon’.
The ‘present pain and present leer’ alludes to the attitude of society, showing the lack of sense of care and understanding towards the poet’s social exclusion, ironically depicted in such a tender and delicate image, like that of a rose’s wilting petals.
The second stanza tackles the issue of trying to cling onto something that is surely fading away, a metaphor for the poet’s own fear for her mortality. The repetition of ‘o’ gives an almost chant-like feel of desperate worship, wishing for something to remain, but knowing deep down it will not last.
The poem echoes a sentiment of having to accept that mortality is part of the human condition, but there is also a hint of hope, with words like ‘hope’ and ‘boon’ being used. A sense of resignation, yet a lingering desire that everything may someday be alright, is strongly expressed.
The poem’s power and beauty lie in the idea that, in spite of the fragility of life and in the face of death, hope and love still persevere.
Literary Devices Used
Barrett Browning has used many poetic devices to great effect in her poem. In the first line, ‘A dead rose’, the use of alliteration through the repetition of the ‘d’ sound gives a mournful, somber feel of finality.
The use of assonance, using the same vowel sound in words such as ‘no’ and ‘so’, also creates a feeling of desolation and hopelessness. Other devices used include imagery, personification and metaphor showing a comparison between the life and death of the rose and the fragility of life.
The poet has also used a number of literary techniques that make the poem more meaningful and moving. The symbolism of a rose is a strong symbol of love, beauty, and resilience in the face of death, one that is expressed in a beautiful and evocative manner.
The use of rhyme is another device that is used to bind the poem up into perfectly formed stanzas. The repetition of the same consonants and vowel sounds carry the poem along and provide closure, which adds the right amount of tension to the poem.
Conclusion
Ultimately, it is difficult not to be moved by the beauty and raw emotion of “A Dead Rose”. Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poem is an outstanding example of poetic mastery and her own deep, personal struggle with her own mortality. It is an incredibly moving, beautiful and timeless poem that conveys the deep sadness of existence, and the acceptance of love and death, that no one can escape.
Analysis of Theme
The poem is about coming to terms with mortality, set against the backdrop of love, death and hope. It captures the idea of trying to hold on and desperately wishing for something that is sure to pass. Despite this, there is a lingering sense of hope and perseverance, as alluded to by words such as ‘hope’ and ‘boon’.
It is this idea that in spite of the transience of life and in the face of death and despair, love still finds a way to live on, nothing else can compensate or be compared to it. This is what Elizabeth Barrett Browning was attempting to convey in ‘A Dead Rose’, the power of love and the insignificance of death in the face of that kind of emotion.
Comparison to Other Poetry
The poem can be compared to other famous works dealing with pain, death and the fragility of life. In Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s poem ‘In Memoriam A.H.H.’ grief and mortality are explored, whilst Wordsworth’s ‘Lines Written in Early Spring’ conveys a sense of hope, yet also of a heartbreaking sadness born from accepting one’s own mortality.
Although all of these poems deal with similar themes, Barrett Browning’s work stands out for its unique combination of pain, love and the power of the natural world evoked in her carefully chosen words and the imagery used. On a deeper level, her poem speaks of the futility of our own efforts to deny mortality, and being able to find solace in our own helplessness.
Reception and Impact
The reception of the poem has been unanimously positive and it is regarded as one of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s greatest works. As one critic put it, ‘the poem has been widely praised for its elegant language and its ability to evoke strong emotional responses.’
The poem has also been widely studied and taught in schools around the world, and its themes of mortality, hope, and love are widely recognised and understood by many generations. It has been clearly understood as an illustration of the fragility of life, and the need to accept that everything passes, and to learn to cherish those moments while they last.
Links to Other Works
A Dead Rose has many links to other works by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, such as her Sonnets from the Portuguese, which also explores the themes of mortality and love; as
