A poem comparing romantic love with the love between friends. The poem鈥檚 content, ideas, language and structure are explored. Comparisons and alternative interpretations are also considered.
Bront毛 uses the extended metaphorA metaphor (where one thing is represented by another - eg hope as a seed) that is developed or recurs throughout a text. of plants to represent the different types of love. Even though the 鈥榟olly is dark鈥 in spring and summer when the rose is bright and blooming, by wintertime, the 鈥榮illy rose-wreath鈥 will have wilted when the holly will still have its 鈥榮heen鈥. Similarly Bront毛 implies that friendship will last and stay constant through all seasons, whereas love, though 鈥榳ild鈥 and 鈥榮weet鈥 in season, will not be as lasting.
She acknowledges the excitement that comes with romantic love, but reminds us that it is fleeting. Friendship, on the other hand, will be there during both difficult and good times.