Charlotte Smith and Her Sonnets

Charlotte Smith's "Sonnet Written at the Close of Spring" is a lovely, romantic poem about nature written in the traditional form of a sonnet. One of Smith's major themes is that of the wonders of Nature's creations, and this poem clearly expresses her theme.

The poem basically discusses the wonders of spring. She lists all the flowers that bud and bloom in the spring, like and anenomies, primrose, hare-bells, violets, and purple orchis, etc. All of these vibrant flowers have risen up or come alive again for yet another spring. However, the interconnectedness of all things that live and Smith's rare ability to use human categories for the non-human world are also seen here. At the same time she is appreciating the beauty of nature and the idea that it renews itself each spring, she is also wondering what is true for humans. "Ah, poor humanity! so frail, so fair, /Are the fond visitors of thy early day, /Till tyrant passion, and corrosive care, /Bid all thy fairy colours fade away!" (Lines 9-12). These lines are her speculations about youth and age. In other words, she feels sorry for humanity because we age until our colors fade away unlike the flowers spoken of previously. Then, Smith ends with the couplet that makes her point much clearer. "Another May new buds and flowers shall bring; /Ah why has happiness-no second spring?" (Lines 13-14). what the poet is asking is "Why we don't have second springs?" "Why don't other wonderful emotions renew themselves after a period of time, like happiness? In short, Nature is in a far better position than humans are.

In this poem, Smith uses literary technique typical of Romanticism. One thing she does is personify Nature. "The garlands fade," (Line 1) and the idea that nature "nurs'd with dew" (Line 2) each flower are two examples of personification. She continues this with "No more shall violets linger in the dell" (Line 5) or "Or purple orchis variegate" (Line 6) or "dress with humid hands" (Line 8). Nature is of prime interest to a Romantic poet, and Smith shows this in her vivid personification of Nature. "Ah, poor humanity!" is an example of an apostrophe, and once again part of the emotional flourish of the Romantics. the language Smith uses is flowery as well-not just talking about flowers but very emotional and vivid itself. The subject of her writing is Nature and the final couplet provides a question that really hits the reader in the gut. Smith's interest and awe of nature is characteristic of Romanticism, but she seems more like Emily Dickinson when she asks that final question. the philosophical direct hit almost shocks the reader.

I was previously unfamiliar with the work of Charlotte Smith, and I've found that I like her very much. she is a typical Romantic author in some of her writings, but in others and personal life, she questions the roles of women greatly. She uses a common time-honored form to create powerful meaning. I would like her language to be a little simpler as to be understood by more people. She is a little hard to read, which makes her not as accessible. But I like her work. I enjoy reading about nature, and her style of posing interesting questions and/or observations intrigues me.