"Mild the Mist Upon the Hill" by Emily Jane Bronte:
A line-by-line
explanation, summary and analysis
The title "Mild the mist upon the hill"
suggests a serene and gentle atmosphere, focusing on the calmness of mist upon
the hill. It hints at a contemplative and reflective mood within the poem.
Important Phrases:
1. "Mild the mist upon the hill, Telling not
of storms to-morrow": The opening lines describe the mist in a tranquil
manner, and the reference to the mist not foretelling future storms sets the
initial tone of the poem.
2. "Oh, I'm gone back to the days of youth, I
am a child once more": The speaker expresses a nostalgic longing for the
days of youth, indicating a desire to revisit a simpler and more innocent time.
3. "And 'neath my father's sheltering roof,
And near the old hall door": The mention of the father's sheltering roof
and the old hall door adds to the nostalgic imagery, evoking a sense of
security and familiarity.
4. "I watch this cloudy evening fall, After a
day of rain": The speaker observes the evening setting in after a day of
rain, capturing the post-rain ambiance and its impact on the surroundings.
5. "Blue mists, sweet mists of summer pall
The horizon's mountain-chain": The description of blue mists enveloping
the mountain-chain imparts a sense of beauty and sweetness to the summer
evening.
6. "The damp stands in the long, green grass
As thick as morning's tears": This simile likens the thickness of the damp
in the grass to morning tears, adding an emotional layer to the natural
imagery.
7. "And dreamy scents of fragrance pass That
breathe of other years": The use of dreamy scents and fragrances that
evoke memories of other years contributes to the overall nostalgic and
reflective theme of the poem.
Summary and Analysis:
In "Mild the mist upon the hill" by
Emily Brontë, the speaker reflects on a tranquil evening after a day of rain.
The mist on the hill is described as mild, indicating a calm atmosphere. The
poem takes a nostalgic turn as the speaker longs for the days of youth and
reminisces about being a child beneath the sheltering roof of their father,
near the old hall door.
The second stanza describes the current scene of a
cloudy evening after the rain. Blue mists sweetly envelop the mountain-chain on
the horizon, creating a serene and picturesque landscape. The dampness in the
grass is compared to morning tears, adding a touch of melancholy to the
imagery. The poem concludes with the mention of dreamy scents that carry
fragrances from other years, emphasizing the speaker's contemplation of the
past.
Overall, the poem combines elements of nature,
nostalgia, and reflection, portraying a tranquil moment in the present while
inviting the reader to share in the speaker's longing for the simplicity and
comfort of bygone days.
Line-by-Line Explanation:
1. "Mild the mist upon the hill, Telling not
of storms to-morrow": The mist is described as mild, suggesting a calm
atmosphere, and it doesn't foretell future storms, setting a peaceful tone for
the poem.
2. "No; the day has wept its fill, Spent its
store of silent sorrow": The day is personified as having wept, indicating
a sense of closure and the release of silent sorrows.
3. "Oh, I'm gone back to the days of youth, I
am a child once more": The speaker expresses a deep nostalgia and longing
for the days of youth, wishing to return to a more innocent and carefree time.
4. "And 'neath my father's sheltering roof,
And near the old hall door": The mention of the father's sheltering roof
and the old hall door adds to the nostalgic imagery, evoking a sense of
security and familiarity.
5. "I watch this cloudy evening fall, After a
day of rain": The speaker observes the evening setting in after a day of
rain, capturing the post-rain ambiance and its impact on the surroundings.
6. "Blue mists, sweet mists of summer pall
The horizon's mountain-chain": The description of blue mists enveloping
the mountain-chain imparts a sense of beauty and sweetness to the summer
evening.
7. "The damp stands in the long, green grass
As thick as morning's tears": This simile likens the thickness of the damp
in the grass to morning tears, adding an emotional layer to the natural
imagery.
8. "And dreamy scents of fragrance pass That
breathe of other years": The use of dreamy scents and fragrances that
evoke memories of other years contributes to the overall nostalgic and
reflective theme of the poem.
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