Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote the poem ‘A Musical Instrument’ in 1856, just two years after the death of her beloved brother Edward. In this poem she reflects on grief, solace and its effects on her life. She expresses her struggles through the use of musical metaphors, and underscores her belief in the power of music to heal and comfort.
The poem is written in five stanzas, each comprising of five lines. In the first stanza Barrett Browning paints a vivid picture of an old musical instrument waiting to be played. The instrument is described as ‘slumbering’, indicating its state of being neglected. It is clear that it has been long forgotten and no longer has a purpose or place in the home.
In the second stanza, Elizabeth Barrett Browning introduces a more general theme of her solace. She expresses her desire for a ‘soothing melody’, which she believes will bring joy and peace to her heart. The metaphor of music as a remedy for grief is further reinforced when she speaks of ‘the touch of soul-felt harmony’, suggesting that music has the power to heal and bring joy even in the middle of grief.
The theme of comfort and solace is further developed in the third stanza of the poem, as Elizabeth Barrett Browning speaks of the comfort of moving away from grief and instead being surrounded by thoughts of joy. Here, she compares the memory of a loved one to the sound of music, and her sorrow to the bittersweet sound of a ‘quivering string’. The imagery of music is used to contemplate the emotions of grief and love, while at the same time providing a sense of comfort and optimism.
The fourth stanza of the poem describes the power that music has to revive the soul. Barrett Browning speaks of how it can fill the heart with joy and create a sense of peace. She also expresses her wish that the music may be ‘heard in Heaven’, suggesting that music has the power to transcend death and go beyond this world.
Finally, in the fifth stanza, Barrett Browning hints at her inner healing by speaking of her joy and hope for the future. The musical instrument symbolises her regained hope and determination, and suggests that in time she will recover from her grief and once again find joy in life.
The Themes of Music and Grief
The theme of music and grief is central to Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poem ‘A Musical Instrument’. Through her use of metaphors and vivid imagery, she conveys the power of music to bring comfort in times of sorrow and to heal the soul. By highlighting the beauty of music and its ability to transcend death, she suggests that in time, joy and hope may be found again.
The imagery of music as a source of comfort and healing can be seen in many of Barrett Browning’s other writings, and this is perhaps a reflection of her own experience of grief and how it shaped her own life. It is clear that music provided her with solace in times of sorrow and was a very important part of her life.
Analysis
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poem ‘A Musical Instrument’ is a moving and engaging exploration of the power of music to both heal and revive the soul in times of grief. By using the metaphor of a forgotten musical instrument, Barrett Browning conveys the idea of hope and new beginnings. The poem hints at the power of music to bring comfort in times of sorrow and to heal emotions. Further, she suggests that music can even transcend death, providing a bridge between life and death.
The poem is therefore an important exploration of the subject of grief, and the power of music to bring comfort and healing. It is a poem that many readers can relate to, and its themes of hope in times of sorrow resonate strongly.
Society’s Reception
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poem ‘A Musical Instrument’ has been widely appreciated and praised. It has been recognised as an important exploration of grief and is seen as a significant work of Victorian poetry. Its depiction of the power of music to bring comfort and healing has resonated with many readers and has been chosen as a source of comfort and inspiration in times of sorrow.
Furthermore, the poem has been highly praised for its skillful use of metaphor and imagery. It has been commended for its exploration of the power of music to transcend death, and for its ability to bring hope in times of grief. The poem has also been seen as an important testament of Barrett Browning’s own experience of grief.
Effects on the reader
The poem ‘A Musical Instrument’ has the power to evoke powerful and moving emotions in readers. By drawing on her own personal experience of grief, Barrett Browning conveys the healing power of music in times of sorrow. She speaks of the solace that music can bring, and suggests that in time, joy and hope may be found again. Through her powerful use of metaphor and imagery, readers can form a connection with the poem and find comfort and solace in her words.
The poem is thus a testament to the power of music and of hope. It has the power to evoke powerful emotions, and by reading it readers can gain a greater appreciation and understanding of grief and its effects.
The artist perspective
For Elizabeth Barrett Browning, music was an important source of solace in times of grief. She believed in its ability to bring comfort and healing, and to bridge the gap between life and death. This is reflected in the poem ‘A Musical Instrument’, which speaks of the power of music to revive the soul. Barrett Browning is seeking to share her personal experience of grief and to express her belief in the power of music to heal.
The poem is thus a very personal exploration of grief, and of the experience of losing a loved one. Through her use of metaphor and imagery, Barrett Browning conveys a deep understanding of the emotions associated with grief, and of the solace that music can bring in times of sorrow.
Interpretations
There have been many different interpretations of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poem ‘A Musical Instrument’. Some have seen the poem as an exploration of grief, and of the comfort that music can bring in times of sorrow. Others have interpreted it as an expression of Barrett Browning’s faith, and of her belief in a life after death. Still others have viewed it as a metaphor for hope and new beginnings, and of the power of music to bring joy and healing.
It is clear, then, that the poem has the power to evoke powerful emotions in readers, and that its meaning is open to interpretation. No matter how it is interpreted, however, it is clear that ‘A Musical Instrument’ is an important and moving exploration of grief, and of the power of music to bring comfort and healing in times of sorrow.
