I was really impressed with the biography of Heman's life...what an extraordinary woman! She was brilliant at such a young age. I cannot image learning four languages and being such a great writer at an early age--I'm not a great writer, not famous at least, even now and I am ten years older than Heman was when her first works were published. After reading her life story and her poems, I think it is safe to say that her mother and negative experience with her father and husband equally influenced her work. She definitely used her voice to show her admiration for women and their ability to positively influence the lives of children.
I really liked reading "The Homes of England" because Hemans so successful celebrates the ability of woman to be extraordinary across the board. By titling the poem with the word "homes" and then continuing this pattern throughout each stanza, she emphasizes the power of domestic life in England. Each stanza pays tribute to a different type of woman. For example, in the second stanza she recognizes the "...merry Homes of England" (412). She further explains the value of women in this stanza by giving examples of the many ways in which women teach their children: "There woman's voice flows forth in song,/Or childhood's tale is told,/Or lips move tunefully along/Some glorious page of old" (412). In this passage, the various roles of women in the home become obvious; it is the mother in the home, not the father, that sings, tells stories, and reads to the children. This is something Heman learned through her own personal experience. Though her father left when she was a child, her mother supported her and taught her to be a success.
Heman continues this poem by describing the "blessed," "cottage," and "free,fair Homes in England!" (412). In each stanza, all types of women are recognized. Though their places in life may be very different, a mother is still a mother. She sums up her point in the final stanza of the poem:
"The free, fair Homes of England!
Long, long, in hut and hall,
May hearts of native proof be rear'd
To guard each hallowed wall!
And green for ever be the groves,
And bright the flowery sod,
Where first the child's glad spirit loves
Its country and its God!" (412)
I think every aspect of this final stanza is beautiful and exemplifies one of Heman's strongest values: she believed that women were the necessary unit for all children. If children had great mother's, no matter how their fathers did or did not influence them, they would be good people. When Heman describes the "green...groves" and "flowery sod," she is using an analogy. She means to convey that children will be healthy and fruitful in life if nurtured by their mothers. They will bring joy to God and to the world if their mothers love them and help them learn and grow in any way that they can.
I really appreciate what Heman was trying to convey in this poem because I think a great deal of it is very true. My mother had and continues to have a huge impact on my life and I know that I owe part of my success to her. I disagree with Heman slightly because I do think that a father can be good and can positively influence his children as well. Such is the case for me. While my mother nurtured and loved me and helped me learn, my father equally contributed to my growth and success. While I think Heman was very jaded (not that I can blame her), I also think having and opinion and being a strong and talented writer and mother makes her very admirable.
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3 comments:
Karen,
First of all, thank you for your comment on "my" William Blake's interpretation. I appreciated the compliments. I chose to comment on this topic of yours because I always enjoyed arguing women writers advocating that they (women) are "better" at raising a child just as it seems like they had to make men pay back for the decades of "psuedo domination" they had. Here is, I believe the most "outrageous" passage you described: "she believed that women were the necessary unit for all children. If children had great mother's, no matter how their fathers did or did not influence them, they would be good people." I, however liked how you had a much more moderate point of view at the end stating your own thought process about what she talked about. I believe the ability to raise a child does not depend on whether you are a man or a woman but rather on the values you are transmitting to your son or daughter.
Not all men are "evil"... I feel like Felicia Hemans have been really unlucky throughout her lifetime and have been deprived of a good relationship with a man (as a father or a husband) which is sad to notice I think. There is no category of people that is better than one another. This kind of remarks have led to terrible things in the past (racism, nazism, etc...) don t you think? Let s not do the same mistake with men and women... I have always liked to keep a moderate point of view on sensitive topis like those because a misunderstanding of an extreme position can be very destructive. Great job interpreting her words though!!
Karen,
Very good commentary on and reaction to Heman's life and poem, "The Homes of England." I like the way you merge the poem and the poet and your own response and life experiences; you are clearly operating as an active and engaged reader here. I am glad the readings in this class are so inspiring!
First, let me thank you for your kind words while commenting on my blog. Once again you did such as a fantastic job of explaing Hemans poem "The Homes of England." While I did not write or comment on this poem in my blogs, I have to agree with you that this poem shows the various roles of women in the home and it is the mother in the home, not the father, that sings, tells stories, and reads to the children. Even in today's society sometimes the father is missing from the home leaving the mother to care for the children and to take care of the home, alone. However, each person has his or her own story. I am glad, and I give thanks to God that both parents were in the home when I was growing up because there are certain things that I would prefer to ask my father about which I would not be comfortable asking my mother. On the other hand, especially females would prefer to have their mothers around especially during their teenage years.
Whatever the situation, you have always done a great job of pulling a peom apart and explaining each small detail making your blogs such a joy to read.
Great job.
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