Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Eleanor Wilner's "Emigration" intricately explores the duality of existence through the lives of Charlotte Brontë and her friend Mary Taylor, juxtaposing the notions of staying and leaving, conformity and rebellion. The poem delves into the contrasting choices and fates of these two women, reflecting broader themes of societal expectations, personal sacrifice, and the pursuit of autonomy.

The poem opens with the premise that within each individual, there exists a duality: the one who stays and the one who leaves. This duality is personified through Charlotte Brontë, who remained in England, and Mary Taylor, who ventured to Australia. Wilner contrasts their lives and choices, using their friendship and diverging paths to explore deeper questions about fulfillment and legacy.

Charlotte Brontë, the one who stays, is portrayed as deeply rooted in her English rectory, dedicated to her family and constrained by societal norms. Her life is marked by sacrifice and duty, symbolized by her remaining in England to care for her dying sisters. The image of Charlotte as "like potatoes growing in the dark" suggests a life of hidden growth and potential, stifled by the lack of exposure to broader horizons. Her fame, encapsulated in her plaque in Westminster Abbey, represents a form of recognition that is ironically detached from her true self. The "little governess with the ungovernable heart" epitomizes the conflict between societal expectations and personal desires. Despite achieving literary fame, her legacy is tinged with the melancholic realization that intensity and passion often go unappreciated in a society that values wealth and status.

In contrast, Mary Taylor represents the one who leaves, embodying defiance and independence. Her decision to emigrate to Australia and establish a life with a woman friend signifies a bold rejection of Victorian constraints. Unlike Charlotte, who is remembered and immortalized in literature and plaques, Mary slips into relative obscurity, leaving behind a minimal trace of her existence. Her emigration is an act of rebellion, a quest for a life unconstrained by the rigid expectations of her time. The metaphor of Mary "waving her kerchief on the packet boat" symbolizes her departure from the familiar into the unknown, embracing uncertainty and freedom over the security of staying.

The poem also delves into the complexities of their friendship, marked by a mixture of love and anger. Charlotte's letters, kept by Mary beside her bed, serve as a testament to their enduring bond and Mary's simmering resentment towards the constraints that held Charlotte back. This relationship underscores the tension between personal fulfillment and societal duties, highlighting the sacrifices women often make for the sake of propriety and family.

Wilner's exploration of these two lives culminates in a reflection on the broader implications of their choices. Charlotte's life, marked by "the long indemnity of all who work for what will never wish them well," contrasts sharply with Mary's daring defiance of convention. The poem suggests that while Charlotte's adherence to societal norms brought her fame, it also brought profound personal cost. In contrast, Mary's life, though largely forgotten by history, embodies a fierce independence and authenticity that defied the limitations of her time.

In "Emigration," Wilner poignantly captures the essence of two contrasting lives, weaving their stories into a broader meditation on the costs of conformity and the courage of rebellion. The poem challenges the reader to consider the value of legacy versus the fulfillment of personal freedom, ultimately celebrating the quiet defiance of those who choose to carve their own paths in the face of societal expectations.

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