Poem Analysis - As The Heart Hopes

A Yearning Lament and Enduring Connection

Lucy Maud Montgomery's "As The Heart Hopes" is a poignant exploration of love and longing in the face of death. The poem is steeped in a tone of gentle melancholy, tinged with both sorrow at the loss of a loved one and unwavering faith in their continued connection. While the initial verses paint a picture of the deceased's potential journey through a celestial afterlife, the poem ultimately shifts its focus back to the enduring power of earthly love and shared experiences. It is a heartfelt testament to the belief that love transcends even the boundaries of mortality.

Echoes of Loss, Whispers of Eternity

While specific historical or social contexts might not be explicitly tied to this poem, it is worth noting that Montgomery, writing in the early 20th century, lived in a time when grief and mourning were often expressed with a certain degree of formality and sentimentality. This is reflected in the poem's elevated language and its focus on the spiritual aspects of death. The poem reflects on a human tendency to seek comfort in the idea of an afterlife, and suggests that hope and the memory of love are sources of solace.

The Enduring Power of Love

One of the primary themes in "As The Heart Hopes" is the unyielding strength of love. The speaker acknowledges the possibility that her loved one is experiencing unimaginable wonders in the afterlife, traversing the cosmos and conversing with prophets. However, she asserts that these experiences cannot surpass the joy and intimacy they shared on Earth. This theme is developed through vivid imagery, contrasting the grand celestial scenes with the simple, cherished moments of "old, delightsome speech of eye and lip." The poem suggests that genuine connection, built on shared memories and affections, is more profound and meaningful than any ethereal experience. The final stanza drives home this point, declaring that the loved one's true "home" remains "within my heart!"

Celestial Wonder and Earthly Beauty: A Contrast in Imagery

The poem makes extensive use of contrasting imagery to highlight the central theme of love's enduring power. The first half is filled with images of celestial grandeur: stars, suns, the Pleiades, the Milky Way, "prophets and...martyrs," "the Sons of Morning," and "the choirs of the seraphim." These images suggest a realm of limitless beauty and spiritual enlightenment. However, the second half shifts to more intimate and earthly imagery: "speech of eye and lip," "close communings," "gathered violets," "virgin moon," and "sunset's lustrous stain." This juxtaposition emphasizes the speaker's belief that the simple, shared moments of earthly love hold a unique and irreplaceable value, surpassing even the splendor of the afterlife. The roses of heaven cannot compare with the earthly violets which are ‘sweeter’. The poem subtly elevates domestic life and intimate relationships.

Home is Where the Heart Is: A Definitive Assertion

Ultimately, "As The Heart Hopes" is a powerful declaration of love's ability to transcend death. While the speaker acknowledges the potential wonders of the afterlife, she firmly believes that the bond they shared remains the most important thing. The poem's final lines – "But still I knowI knowyour only home/Is here within my heart!" – are not just a sentimental expression; they are an assertion of the enduring reality of love. The speaker's heart becomes the ultimate haven, a place where the memory of the loved one lives on, forever cherished and present. The poem is significant because it shows how the human heart tries to cope with separation.