Poem Analysis - Bareges

Initial Impression and Tone

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's "Barèges" presents a vivid journey from a harsh, cold landscape to a more welcoming and comforting environment. The poem begins with a tone of relief and longing to escape the bleak and intimidating surroundings of the mountains. As the poem progresses, the tone shifts to one of anticipation and joy, as the speaker imagines the pleasant landscapes and the comforts of home. The speaker's desire for tranquility and solace is evident throughout, creating a sense of yearning for peace and familiarity.

Themes of Escape and Longing

The primary theme of "Barèges" is the desire for escape from a harsh and unwelcoming environment. The speaker's initial lines express a strong wish to leave behind the "cold mountain chains" and the "frightful, gloomy views." The use of words like "frore," "frightful," and "terrific" emphasizes the speaker's discomfort and fear, highlighting the stark contrast between the harsh mountains and the desired peaceful home. This theme of escape is reinforced by the speaker's repeated commands to the landscape, such as "Vanish" and "Arise," which underscore the urgency of the speaker's longing.

Nature as a Symbol of Comfort and Distress

Nature serves as a central symbol in the poem, representing both distress and comfort. Initially, the mountains and torrents are depicted as menacing and overwhelming, with "impracticable avenues" and "terrific waterfalls" that "fatigue" the speaker's brain. These images of nature are associated with fear and exhaustion. However, as the poem progresses, nature takes on a more soothing role. The "landscapes full of charms" and "brooks" that water the farms symbolize peace and prosperity. The contrast between these two depictions of nature underscores the speaker's journey from distress to comfort, suggesting that nature's role in our lives can shift based on our emotional state.

The Journey Home

The final section of the poem focuses on the speaker's longing for home, which is depicted as a place of solace and learning. The "wreath of smoke" that the speaker imagines coming from their own hearth symbolizes the warmth and comfort of home. The speaker's command to the "lazy coursers" to fly swiftly home emphasizes the urgency of their desire to return. The home is described as a place where the soul can "itself possess" and where "all things soothe the mind's distress." This depiction of home as a place of tranquility and learning suggests that the speaker finds comfort not just in physical warmth but also in the mental and emotional peace that home provides. The poem concludes with the speaker's hope that home will teach and console them, highlighting the transformative power of a comforting environment.