I Am The Only Being Whose Doom

By Emily Bronte

Lyric Poem
    I am the only being whose doom     No tongue would ask no eye would mourn     I never caused a thought of gloom     A smile of joy since I was born     In secret pleasure, secret tears     This changeful life has slipped away     As friendless after eighteen years     As lone as on my natal day     There have been times I cannot hide     There have been times when this was drear     When my sad soul forgot its pride     And longed for one to love me here     But those were in the early glow     Of feelings since subdued by care     And they have died so long ago     I hardly now believe they were     First melted off the hope of youth     Then Fancy's rainbow fast withdrew     And then experience told me truth     In mortal bosoms never grew     'Twas grief enough to think mankind     All hollow servile insincere,     But worse to trust to my own mind     And find the same corruption there

Share & Analyze This Poem

Spread the beauty of poetry or dive deeper into analysis

Analyze This Poem

Discover the literary devices, structure, and deeper meaning

Copy to Clipboard

Save this poem for personal use or sharing offline

Share the Love of Poetry
More Poems
More Lyric Poems
Daily Poem

Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a poignant exploration of solitude, despair, and disillusionment. The speaker presents a narrative of personal doom - a life devoid of joy or companionship, marked by hidden pleasures and tears. The theme of solitude is central, presenting the speaker as a friendless figure, as alone on their eighteenth year as they were on their birth day.

The tone is melancholic, underscored by the stark, straightforward structure of the poem that relies on full end rhymes and a consistent rhythm to create a sense of inevitability and confinement. The poet uses a progression of time to highlight the speaker's transformation from a hopeful youth with vibrant emotions to a jaded individual who no longer trusts in humanity or even in their own mind. This progression is enhanced by the effective use of personification, as 'hope,' 'Fancy's rainbow,' and 'truth' are all given active roles in the speaker's disillusionment.

Moreover, the poem leverages powerful contrasts—between the speaker's inner world and the outer world, between past emotions and present indifference, and between the initial trust in others and the ultimate self-distrust—to further emphasize the speaker's desperation and desolation. The repeated use of negations ("No tongue would ask, no eye would mourn", "I never caused a thought of gloom") and the antithetical phrases ("secret pleasure, secret tears", "hollow, servile, insincere") heighten the feeling of alienation and loneliness that permeates the poem.

Exploring Lyric Poetry

Lyric poetry is a powerful and intimate form of expression, characterized by its focus on the personal emotions and thoughts of the poet. Often musical in nature, lyric poems resonate with readers through their vivid language and rhythmic flow, capturing moments of intense feeling.

Here are some key characteristics that define lyric poetry:

  • Expressive Language: Lyric poems use rich and evocative language to convey deep emotions, often painting a vivid picture of the poet's inner world.
  • Personal Perspective: Typically written in the first person, these poems offer a window into the poet's personal experiences, thoughts, and reflections.
  • Musicality: Lyric poems often feature a rhythmic structure, with meter and rhyme that give them a song-like quality, enhancing the emotional impact.

From ancient odes to contemporary free verse, lyric poetry remains a beloved and enduring form, celebrated for its ability to articulate the nuances of human emotion in a way that resonates deeply with readers.