Student Question
Does the poet in "Life" agree with sages' description of life as dark and gloomy?
Quick answer:
No, the poet in "Life" does not agree with the sages' description of life as dark and gloomy. The poem argues that life's difficulties are transient and often necessary for the good moments. Brontë encourages a carpe diem attitude, acknowledging sorrow but emphasizing that hope will always return. She concludes by advocating for courage in facing life's challenges, as hope will ultimately prevail.
The opening lines of "Life" read:
Life, believe, is not a dream
So dark as sages say
From these lines, and specifically from the word "not," it would appear that the poet certainly does not agree with the sages who say that life is "So dark." In the next few lines, Brontë uses nature as a metaphor to argue that the bad moments in life often give way to, or are necessary for, the good things in life. For example, she says that "a little morning rain" will often indicate " a pleasant day" to follow, and that "clouds of gloom" are "transient" and so will pass. She also asks why we should "lament" the rain when the rain is necessary for "the roses (to) bloom."
In the middle of the poem, Brontë encourages the reader to enjoy "Life's sunny hours" while they last. This attitude is known as carpe diem, meaning to seize the day. She acknowledges that "Death at times steps in" to our lives, and that sometimes "sorrow seems to win," but she also says that "Hope again elastic springs." In other words, no matter how much death and sorrow one might experience, hope will always return, "Unconquered, though she fell."
The final lines of the poem definitively point to the fact that the poet disagrees with the sages who say that life is "So dark." Brontë exclaims in these final lines that we should "fearlessly" bear our trials and tribulations because, "gloriously, victoriously, / Can courage quell despair." Brontë's message is thus that we should always confront the dark times with courage, knowing that light, in the form of hope, will always return.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.