Introduction
Ace your exams with this analysis of Mew’s The Farmer’s Bride, exploring its dramatic monologue form and themes of power and isolation in relationships.
Analysis
"The Farmer's Bride" by Charlotte Mew is a dramatic monologue that tells the story of a farmer whose young bride becomes increasingly distant and fearful. Married three years, she initially resisted the marriage and later fled, leading to her capture and return. The farmer describes his longing and frustration as his wife remains silent and withdrawn, preferring the company of animals and nature over him. Through vivid imagery and emotional depth, the poem explores themes of unrequited love, isolation, and the psychological impact of a forced marriage. Mew poignantly portrays the farmer's sense of helplessness and unfulfilled desire.
00:00 Intro
00:05 Context
02:24 Structural overview
05:14 Title
05:39 Line-by-line analysis
Additional resources
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Check out the rest of my videos on the poem in the AQA Love and Relationships anthology: • AQA Love and Relationships
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The Poem
Text of The Farmer’s Bride by Charlotte Mew
Three summers since I chose a maid,
Too young maybe—but more’s to do
At harvest-time than bide and woo.
When us was wed she turned afraid
Of love and me and all things human;
Like the shut of a winter’s day
Her smile went out, and ’twadn’t a woman—
More like a little frightened fay.
One night, in the Fall, she runned away.
“Out ’mong the sheep, her be,” they said,
’Should properly have been abed;
But sure enough she wadn’t there
Lying awake with her wide brown stare.
So over seven-acre field and up-along across the down
We chased her, flying like a hare
Before our lanterns. To Church-Town
All in a shiver and a scare
We caught her, fetched her home at last
And turned the key upon her, fast.
She does the work about the house
As well as most, but like a mouse:
Happy enough to chat and play
With birds and rabbits and such as they,
So long as men-folk keep away.
“Not near, not near!” her eyes beseech
When one of us comes within reach.
The women say that beasts in stall
Look round like children at her call.
I’ve hardly heard her speak at all.
Shy as a leveret, swift as he,
Straight and slight as a young larch tree,
Sweet as the first wild violets, she,
To her wild self. But what to me?
The short days shorten and the oaks are brown,
The blue smoke rises to the low grey sky,
One leaf in the still air falls slowly down,
A magpie’s spotted feathers lie
On the black earth spread white with rime,
The berries redden up to Christmas-time.
What’s Christmas-time without there be
Some other in the house than we!
She sleeps up in the attic there
Alone, poor maid. ’Tis but a stair
Betwixt us. Oh! my God! the down,
The soft young down of her, the brown,
The brown of her—her eyes, her hair, her hair!
About Me
I’m an experienced English teacher with over 25 years of classroom and private tutoring experience. My videos are tailored to help students achieve top marks in AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas/WJEC, CCEA and Cambridge IGCSE English exams.
Please note that any literature analysis is highly subjective and may disagree with analysis by another person. All interpretations are valid if they can be justified by reference to the text. This interpretation is my own: it is not exhaustive and there are alternatives!
Let's Discuss!
What do you think the poem reveals about the power dynamics in the relationship between the farmer and his bride? How does the use of language and imagery reflect the speaker’s emotions and growing obsession? What role does the theme of isolation play in shaping the bride’s experience? I’d love to hear your thoughts—let’s explore this complex poem in the comments below!
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