Written After A Visit To The Institution For The Deaf And Dumb.

By Eliza Paul Kirkbride Gurney

Sonnet
    I thought those youthful hearts were bleak and bare,     That not a germ had ever flourished there,     Unless perchance the night-shade of despair,     Which blooms amid the sunless wilderness.     But I was told that flowers of fairest kind     Graced what I deemed a desert of the mind,     That for these hapless beings man had twined     A fadeless wreath to make their sorrows less.     And then I feared, like sunbeams of the morn     Which spoil the frost-work they awhile adorn,     That rays of light might render more forlorn     The expanding bosoms they were meant to cheer.     I feared those glittering beams would vainly show     That the best charms of life they ne'er could know,     "The feast of reason and the soul's calm flow,"     The witchery of sound, the bliss to hear.     But when I saw those eyes mirthful and bright,     And beaming soft with intellectual light,     My groundless fears that moment winged their flight,     I felt that joy would on their path attend.     May Heaven this favored Institution bless,     Man's "high endeavor" crown with "glad success,"     And on each patron's noble brow impress     The glorious title of "The dumb man's friend."

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem undertakes a nuanced exploration of the human mind, probing the tension between despair and hope, darkness and illumination. Through its formal structure, which adheres to a consistent rhyme and stanza pattern, the poem establishes a sense of musicality and order, contrasting with the chaotic and desolate landscape of the mind. The voice, characterized by introspection and uncertainty, oscillates between skepticism and wonder, as the speaker grapples with the notion that the mind can be transformed and uplifted. A significant tonal shift occurs when the speaker encounters the mirthful and bright eyes of the institution's patrons, which dispel their earlier fears and doubts. This shift is accompanied by a change in the sound and imagery, as the poem moves from a focus on darkness and despair to one of light and intellectual fervor. One precise observation is that the poem's ultimate affirmation of the institution's mission, with its promise of glad success and the glorious title of The dumb man's friend, serves as a testament to the power of education to transcend the limitations of the human condition.

Understanding the Sonnet

The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.

Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:

  • Shakespearean (English) Sonnet: Composed of three quatrains followed by a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This form often builds a complex argument or narrative, culminating in a powerful closing statement.
  • Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet: Divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with a typical rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA for the octave, followed by various patterns in the sestet such as CDECDE or CDCDCD. The octave usually presents a problem, with the sestet providing a resolution.
  • Meter: Sonnets are traditionally written in iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a rhythmic and melodic quality that enhances its emotional impact.

The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.