Past, Present, Future Poem
Introduction
In Emily Bronte’s poem “Past, Present, Future,” a smiling child describes his perceptions of each time frame. The past is likened to an Autumn evening with a melancholic wind, conveying a sense of longing and sadness. The present is described as a vibrant springtime scene with a young bird gathering strength to fly, representing a time of possibilities and exploration. The future, according to the happy child, is a vast and dazzling sea under a cloudless sun, symbolizing magnificence, excitement, and mystery.
Summary of the Poem
Imagine a happy child playing in a park. One day, someone asks this cheerful child about different times—past, present, and future. The child, with a big smile, shares their thoughts.
First, they say the past feels like a calm autumn evening with a gentle breeze that sounds a bit sad. It’s like remembering something nice but also a little bit wistful.
Then, when asked about the present, the child describes it as a beautiful spring day, full of flowers and greenery. There’s also a young bird on a tree branch, getting ready to fly. The present is like a time of excitement and new possibilities.
Finally, the child talks about the future. To them, the future is like a huge, sparkling sea under a sunny sky, going on and on without an end. It’s this big, amazing adventure waiting to happen.
So, in a nutshell, the poem is like a sweet conversation with a happy child who sees different times as parts of a lovely story—some with memories, some with opportunities, and the future like a vast and exciting journey.
Explanation and Analysis
Bronte captures the child’s innocent perspective on time, using nature as a metaphor for each temporal aspect. The autumn evening in the past suggests a sense of nostalgia and wistfulness, emphasizing the fleeting nature of time. The springtime imagery in the present signifies growth, renewal, and the anticipation of new experiences.
1. “Tell me, tell me, smiling child”
– The poet addresses a happy child and asks for their thoughts.
2. “What the past is like to thee?”
– Specifically inquires about the child’s perception of the past.
3. “An Autumn evening soft and mild”
– The child likens the past to a gentle and calm autumn evening.
4. “With a wind that sighs mournfully”
– Describes the past further, suggesting a wind that carries a sorrowful sound.
5. “Tell me what is the present hour?”
– Asks the child about their current understanding of the present.
6. “A green and flowery spray”
– The child describes the present as a scene filled with greenery and flowers.
7. “Where a young bird sits gathering its power”
– Adds that in the present, a young bird is preparing to fly, symbolizing potential and growth.
8. “To mount and fly away”
– The bird is getting ready to take flight, emphasizing the idea of seizing opportunities in the present.
9. “And what is the future, happy one?”
– The poet asks the child to share their vision of the future.
10. “A sea beneath a cloudless sun”
– The child describes the future as a vast sea under a clear, sunny sky.
11. “A mighty, glorious, dazzling sea”
– The sea is depicted as powerful, splendid, and radiant, emphasizing the child’s positive view of the future.
12. “Stretching into infinity”
– The sea is seemingly endless, symbolizing the vast opportunities and mysteries that the future holds.
In short, the poem explores a child’s innocent perspective on the past, present, and future, using nature and vivid imagery to convey emotions associated with each time frame. The past is gentle but somewhat sorrowful, the present is vibrant and full of potential, and the future is depicted as a magnificent and limitless sea.
Theme
The theme of Emily Bronte’s poem “Past, Present, Future” revolves around the subjective nature of time and the emotional associations individuals have with different phases of their lives. The poet employs nature imagery and the perspective of a happy child to convey these themes.
1. Subjectivity of Time:
– The poem suggests that how we perceive and feel about time is subjective and varies from person to person.
– Each temporal dimension (past, present, future) is portrayed through the child’s personal lens, emphasizing the individualized experience of time.
2. Nostalgia and Longing:
– The description of the past as an autumn evening with a mournful wind carries a sense of nostalgia and longing.
– The child sees the past as a time that is soft and mild, but with an undertone of sadness, perhaps reflecting the bittersweet nature of memories.
3. Hope and Possibility in the Present:
– The present is depicted as a vibrant springtime scene, symbolizing growth, renewal, and the potential for new beginnings.
– The image of a young bird gathering its power to fly suggests a sense of hope and readiness to embrace opportunities in the present moment.
4. Optimism and Mystery of the Future:
– The child’s vision of the future as a vast sea under a cloudless sun is imbued with optimism.
– The sea stretching into infinity signifies endless possibilities, and the cloudless sun suggests clarity and brightness. The future is presented as a magnificent and dazzling journey.
5. Connection with Nature:
– Bronte uses nature as a metaphor to convey complex emotions and abstract concepts related to time.
– The changing seasons and the imagery of a sea evoke powerful emotions and provide a rich backdrop for the exploration of the theme.
6. Innocence and Imagination:
– The choice of a smiling child as the speaker emphasizes the innocence and purity of the perspective being presented.
– The child’s imaginative associations with nature reveal a simple yet profound understanding of time and its different facets.
7. Cyclical Nature of Life:
– The use of seasonal imagery (autumn, spring) and the metaphor of a bird learning to fly suggest the cyclical nature of life—cycles of growth, change, and renewal.
In essence, the poem invites readers to reflect on their own perceptions of time, the emotions tied to different moments in their lives, and the cyclical and subjective nature of the human experience. Through the lens of a child’s innocence and imagination, Bronte explores the profound and nuanced relationship between individuals and the passage of time.
