Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"A Clever Woman" is a poem written by Mary Elizabeth Coleridge in 1907. Coleridge was a British poet and novelist who was associated with the Decadent movement.

Context: "A Clever Woman" was written towards the end of Coleridge's life, and reflects her interest in themes of love, loss, and mortality. The poem was written during the early 20th century, a time of significant social, cultural, and political change, and reflects the changing attitudes towards women and their role in society.

Content: "A Clever Woman" is a poem that tells the story of a woman who is praised for her intelligence and wit, but ultimately finds that her cleverness is a barrier to love and happiness. The poem is structured around a series of contrasts between the woman's intellect and her emotional life, and reflects Coleridge's interest in psychological and philosophical themes. The poem uses vivid and evocative language to create a sense of melancholy and regret.

Form: "A Clever Woman" is written in free verse, with no consistent meter or rhyme scheme. The poem is divided into five stanzas of varying length, with each stanza contributing to the overall story and atmosphere of the poem.

Poetic Elements: "A Clever Woman" makes use of a variety of poetic techniques and devices, including metaphor, imagery, and repetition. The poem uses the woman's cleverness as a symbol of her intellectual and emotional isolation, and contrasts her inner life with the external world around her. The use of vivid and evocative language creates a sense of melancholy and regret, and emphasizes the woman's longing for love and connection.

Summary: "A Clever Woman" is a poignant and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of love, loss, and the limitations of intellect. The poem's use of vivid and evocative language creates a sense of melancholy and regret, and emphasizes the woman's longing for love and connection. While the poem may not be considered a masterpiece of literature, it is an important example of Coleridge's late work, and a reflection of the changing attitudes towards women and their role in society during the early 20th century.

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