Comment closely on the following poem, considering ways in which it presents a parent's

view of family.

Consider the writer's choice of language, imagery and structure in your answer.

Sonnets

Most loving is my eldest and I love him most;

Almost a man in seeming, yet a child;
And may it long be thus! I would not boast;
But of his age who taller? less defiled?
My next, the beauty of our home, is meek;
Not so deep-loving haply, but less wild
Than her dear brother-brow and blushing cheek
Her nature slow, serene, and pure, and mild
As evening's early star. And Last of all,
Puny and elf-like, with dishevelled tresses,
Self-willed and shy, ne'er heeding that I call,
Intent to pay her tenderest addresses
To bird or cat-but most intelligent,
This is the family which to me is lent.
To me is 'lent'-was rather-one is gone,
Gone where the 'many mansions' glorious rise;
The one most loving, in whose innocent eyes,
As in a mirror, his pure nature shone;
And I am left heart-broken and alone
With weary mind to count the weary days.
On happy hours! when dwelt with me mine own;
Your very memory half my grief allays,
Whispering, what matters if we part awhile?
Love never dies, and there no parting's known –
The hour approaches, soon the morn must smile,
And I shall stand before the awful throne
With him my loved one, where the ransomed raise
The never-ending hymn of prayer and praise.

In the unseen poem - "Sonnets," the poet establishes a poignant mix of love, loss, and hope - in
weaving together a parent’s profound reflections on the enduring bonds of family. The poem's
structure, divided into three distinct parts, mirrors the parent's emotional journey – from the joy of
a complete family to the grief of loss culminating to the prospect of reunion and reconciliation
amidst the pain.

Firstly, the speaker emphasises her tender affection and admiration she holds for her children and
their self growth. in the opening parts to the poem. The speaker opens with - "Most loving is my
eldest, and I love him most;” sets a tone of parental devotion and establishes the central theme of
love and family, The repetition "most" emphasises the intensity of the speaker's love for her eldest
child. This creates a sense of absolute adoration, suggesting that the speaker's love for her eldest
surpasses all others and implies that this child holds a special place in the speaker's heart. The
diction “loving” placement at the beginning and end of the line creates a framing effect,
emphasising the centrality of love in the parent child relationship. The speaker also describes her
eldest as "almost a man in seeming, yet a child" which highlights the parent's marvel at her son’s
development, alluding to the bittersweet transition from childhood to adulthood, a time when the
parent cherishes their child's innocence while anticipating her son’s future. In contrast to the
eldest, the second child is described as "the beauty of our home," holding a gentle and pure
nature. The use of the possessive pronoun "our" reinforces the sense of belongingness to the
family. It implies that the child is not just an inhabitant of the home but an integral part of its
essence, contributing to its overall warmth, love, and beauty. The child's presence transforms the
house from a mere structure into a haven, a place of refuge and comfort. The imagery of the
"evening's early star" reinforces her serene and tranquil disposition. The celestial metaphor of the
“star” paints an image of the child as a beacon of twilight, suggesting a connection to something
greater than the earthly world and reminds the speaker that even in the face of darkness, there is
always a glimmer of light, a promise of renewal and the enduring presence of love. The third child,
the youngest, is presented as "punning and elf-like, with dishevelled tresses." The connotations of
“elf like” links to lightheartedness, whimsy and a touch of mischief, and alludes to how she
possesses a childlike sense of imagination and a playful spirit that sets them apart from their
siblings. The phrase "dishevelled tresses" further reinforces the child's carefree and untamed
nature. Their unkempt hair suggests a lack of concern for appearances and hints at the child's
untamed energy and zest for life are seen as expressions of their youthful innocence and the
untainted joy of childhood. Overall, the poet presents the speaker’s deep appreciation for the
various personalities of her children.

Moving on, the poem takes a poignant turn with the introduction of the deceased child, described as
"the one most loving." The parent's use of the phrase "to me is ‘lent’–was rather–one is gone"
suggests that children are not permanent possessions, but precious gifts entrusted to the speaker’s
care that have been taken away too soon forcefully. This word choice emphasises the fleeting nature
of life and the inevitability of loss, making the passing of one child all the more heartbreaking. The
quotation marks suggest a reluctance to acknowledge the finality of the word "lent," could be alluded
to the speaker’s desperate attempt to hold tight on to her child's memory and the joy he brought into
her life before. The dashes amplify the impact of the word "gone," leaving a void in the poem that
mirrors the emptiness the child's death has left in the speaker's life. The speaker ponders over the
description of “The one most loving, in whose innocent eyes, As in a mirror, his pure nature shone”.
The description of the child's eyes as "innocent" evokes a sense of purity, naivety, and untainted
goodness. Their eyes are seen as windows into their soul, reflecting the unspoiled beauty of their
character. The speaker's observation that their pure nature shone through their eyes suggests that
their love and kindness were evident in their every action and expression. The use of the simile "As in
a mirror" further reinforces the transparency of the child's nature. Their eyes are likened to a mirror,
reflecting their inner beauty and purity without any distortion or concealment. The mirror metaphor
suggests that the child's love was genuine and unfiltered, a direct reflection of their innocent and
compassionate soul. The parent's grief is palpable, expressed through the phrases "heart-broken and
alone" and "weary mind to count the weary days." The word "weary" is repeated twice, emphasising
the feeling of exhaustion and futility that the speaker is experiencing. The speaker's use of this phrase
suggests that they are trapped in a cycle of grief, unable to escape the pain of their loss. The days
seem to stretch on endlessly, and the speaker is constantly reminded of their child's absence. The use
of the word "heartbroken" suggests that the speaker's grief is not just a temporary feeling but a deep
and lasting wound. The loss of their child has shattered their heart, and they are struggling to find the
strength to rebuild it as exemplified further with the isolation that comes with going through grief
“alone.” Overall, the poet captures the profound pain and emotional turmoil that comes with loss,
leaving a lasting impression on the reader.