Anna Seward
Romantic Poet, Letter Writer, and Novelist
Biography Profile
Anna Seward was born 1742 in Derbyshire, Britain. Anna was "referred to as the Swan of Lichfield." Many of her poems were know for having a more romantic theme. Her dad was a clergyman, who later in 1750, became chosen as a Canon in Lichfield. Where they moved to and where she lived the rest of her life. Honora Sneyd, a friend of Anna's, was a muse for many of her poems. After she was adopted into Seward's family. Seward's was active in Lichfield's literary community. She soon gained attention with her poem of The Elegy of Captain Cook. She even collaborated with Dr. Darwin. And corresponded with other authors after receiving some fame. Seward later died in 1809. And with the help of Walter Scoot, helped to publish six volumes of letters in 1811.
Anna Seward's Poems
Autumn Leaves
In Anna Seward's poem, Autumn Leaves, isn't just about the season of fall. It has a deeper meaning, which I interpreted it as man cling to life(leaves) just Before Winter. In the poem Anna writes about a a tree with only a few yellow leaves left. Clinging to the branches until they to get whirled away. And she says it is an "emblem" of man seeking "longevity." She goes on to talk about man getting the wisdom of knowing that after being sick and getting better again you will still pass away but the "weak leaves"(people) still hold on to life afraid to fall. Anna uses free verse and rhyming pattern in her poem. It helps pull the poem together. She also uses symbolism in her poem, which is a huge part of it. Saying that the tree leaves cling to the branch are just like humans clinging to life. This poem is true to humankind. We all cling to life just like the leaves on the tree.
Sonnet li
Sonnet li is a poem about Nature. In this poem she starts of in May where there is rolling hills and brooks that flow through Valleys. What joy she has when she is outdoors. That "Nature smiles, as she smiles." Then she writes about more things in nature while using consonance and alliteration. The consonance and alliteration help the poem achieve a more poetic writing. She also has some hyperboles in her poem, saying brooks of liquid gold and glassy lakes. It helps the poem to intensify how grand and beautiful nature is. Overall this poem is talking about the beauty in nature all around.
To the Poppy
The poem To the poppy is about a maid and a poppy. She writes about how the poppy and what it means. That it is a symbol of "misfortune's victims." Then she writes about a love-crazed maid. Who is full of grief and pain. The literary devices in this poem include symbolism and imagery. Symbolism helps the poem by achieve a deeper meaning. And the imagery helps to intensify it. The overall message of the poem is that this maid could be represented as the poppy. Symbolizing grief and pain.
Sonnet lii
This poem is about how time always heals. Just like the sun rising, filling the earth with light. Bringing with it beauty, health, and hope- talked about in the poem. She uses metaphor saying that time always heals is like the sun light will heal. She also uses imagery: "morning steals grey on the rocks" and "calm crystal seas." This helps the reader to get and understanding of what she was feeling. Rhythm also took part in this poem helping to make the poem flow. Overall the message of the poem was that time heals all.