Question

Analyze the following poem:

What ethics in the pine-grove lurk
For keen of ear to sound—
A myriad kindly ministers,
Humility profound.

The trees maintain a brotherhood,
The earth exhales a prayer,
Each bough a precious ointment pours
In balm upon the air.

The ferns a tender refuge grant
To vagrant, rolling cone;
The forest monarch woos the bird
To share his royal throne.

The willing branches move aside
To leave the sunlight room;
And in the whole broad, lovely wood,
No envy makes a gloom.

Come out and learn of pine-grove lore
How sweet it is to give,
What perfect rule for happiness-
To live and help to live.

Answer 1

The poem reflects Romantic values, with themes of nature as a moral guide and a benevolent force. It utilizes metaphors to personify natural elements, suggesting harmony within the forest as an ideal for human ethics, while highlighting the contrast of purity in nature against human sin.

Step-by-step explanation:

Analyzing Themes and Metaphors in Romantic Poetry:

The presented poem reflects the ideas and values of the Romantic period, emphasizing a close relationship with nature, viewing it as a source of ethical guidance and inspiration for living in harmony. The trees 'maintain a brotherhood', and the earth 'exhales a prayer', suggesting a spiritual connection between nature and humanity. This imagery aligns with the Romantic belief in nature's inherent goodness and its role as a moral compass. Meanwhile, the phrase 'no envy makes a gloom' eliminates the presence of negative human traits, contrasting with the purity and giving nature of the forest landscape. Romantic poetry often explores these themes of nature's tranquility and its capacity to teach and inspire.

Metaphors are used throughout the poem to give life to the natural elements and ascribe to them human-like qualities. For example, 'Each bough a precious ointment pours' and 'The willing branches move aside' personify the trees, attributing them with willful and considerate actions. References to Robert Frost's love of nature can be seen in similar poems, where the natural world often serves as a backdrop for introspection and discovery, such as in the famous line 'I took the one less traveled by,' implying a choice that leads to personal growth and uniqueness.

The theme of the poem can be understood as a celebration of the selfless and interconnected nature of the forest, which serves as an ideal for human behavior—encouraging generosity ('How sweet it is to give'), compassion, and living in a way that benefits others ('To live and help to live'). Consequently, the poem instructs humanity to observe and learn from nature's wisdom for a more fulfilled and ethical existence. The essence of purity and the absence of sin within the pine-grove exemplify an untouched and morally sound environment, one that provides a stark contrast to the often conflicted and morally ambiguous realm of human societies.