Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Confession of Faith" by Elinor Wylie, the speaker explores themes of fear, vulnerability, and the internal conflict between love and self-protection. The poem delves into the speaker’s struggle to reconcile the desire for connection with the fear of its emotional consequences. Through stark imagery and the repetition of certain phrases, Wylie examines the tension between longing for intimacy and the defense mechanisms that arise from fear of the unknown or the painful nature of love.

The opening lines—“I lack the braver mind / That dares to find / The lover friend, and kind.”—express the speaker’s sense of inadequacy or fear in pursuing love. The "braver mind" refers to the courage required to open oneself to love, to find someone who is both a lover and a friend. The speaker acknowledges their own inability to take such a step, implying that love requires a bravery they do not possess. This admission sets the tone for the poem, revealing the speaker’s reluctance to embrace love fully.

The next lines, “I fear him to the bone; / I lie alone / By the beloved one,” further emphasize the depth of the speaker’s fear. The phrase "fear him to the bone" suggests an almost physical reaction to the idea of love or intimacy, a visceral response that prevents the speaker from fully embracing the beloved. Despite this fear, the speaker remains in proximity to the "beloved one," creating a tension between wanting connection and being unable to fully engage with it. The speaker’s solitude, even when near the one they love, highlights the emotional distance they maintain.

The lines “And, breathless for suspense, / Erect defense / Against love's violence / Whose silences portend / A bloody end / For lover never friend” describe the speaker’s defensive posture against love’s potential harm. "Breathless for suspense" suggests an anxious anticipation of what love might bring, but this anticipation is paired with a defensive reaction, as the speaker prepares for emotional pain. The phrase "love's violence" implies that love can be destructive or overwhelming, and the "silences" in love, which might signify unspoken tension or unresolved feelings, are seen as foretelling a "bloody end." The idea that "lover never friend" reflects a belief that love, in its intensity, is incompatible with friendship, further fueling the speaker's fear of emotional harm.

In the final stanza, “But, in default of faith, / In futile breath, / I dream no ill of Death,” the speaker ultimately resigns themselves to their fears, acknowledging that without the faith to overcome their fear of love, they find solace in the idea of death. The speaker does not wish ill of death, perhaps seeing it as a release from the painful uncertainty of love, or as an escape from the emotional vulnerability they fear.

“Confession of Faith” is a poignant exploration of the tension between love and fear. Through the speaker's internal conflict and self-protective mechanisms, Wylie captures the complexity of human emotions, particularly the struggle to engage with love while grappling with the vulnerability it entails. The speaker’s inability to fully embrace love—coupled with their ultimate resignation to the possibility of death—illustrates the destructive nature of fear when it prevents emotional connection and intimacy. The poem highlights the delicate balance between longing for connection and the defense mechanisms that prevent true intimacy.

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