Welcome to Poem of the Day – Love and Friendship by Emily Brontë.
Emily Brontë, best known for her novel Wuthering Heights, also produced a wealth of poetry that explores complex emotional landscapes, often focusing on themes of nature, longing, and isolation. One of her most famous poems, Love and Friendship, is a poignant exploration of the tension between these two fundamental human experiences. Through simple yet powerful language, Brontë contrasts the ephemeral nature of friendship with the deeper, more enduring qualities of love. While seemingly straightforward, the poem delves into profound philosophical questions about human relationships, attachment, and the ways in which different emotional connections shape our lives.
Love and Friendship Poem
Love is like the wild rose-briar,
Friendship like the holly-tree—
The holly is dark when the rose-briar blooms
But which will bloom most constantly?
The wild rose-briar is sweet in spring,
Its summer blossoms scent the air;
Yet wait till winter comes again
And who will call the wild-briar fair?
Then scorn the silly rose-wreath now
And deck thee with the holly’s sheen,
That when December blights thy brow
He still may leave thy garland green.
Love and Friendship Poem Explanation
Love and Friendship is a lyrical poem that uses clear, direct language to explore the differences between two types of human connection: love and friendship. The poem is structured as a comparison, with the speaker contrasting the qualities of love to those of friendship. While both love and friendship are initially presented as deeply meaningful, Brontë gradually reveals that love, unlike friendship, is more enduring and constant, remaining steadfast even in times of adversity.
The poem’s central metaphor is the comparison between two natural images: the “rose” representing friendship, and the “oak” symbolizing love. Through these images, Brontë examines the transient nature of friendship and the enduring power of love, ultimately suggesting that love is a deeper, more reliable bond that can withstand the trials of time and circumstance. In doing so, she touches on the universal human experience of seeking emotional connection and stability.
Friendship: The Fragile Rose
In the opening lines of the poem, Brontë presents friendship as a “rose”:
“Love is like the wild rose-briar,
Friendship like the holly-tree.”
This simple image sets the tone for the comparison that follows. The rose, often associated with beauty, fragrance, and delicacy, symbolizes the transient nature of friendship. Just as a rose blooms brightly but withers quickly, so too does friendship, according to the poem, often burn brightly at first but fade or change as time goes on. Friendship is depicted as a beautiful and inviting connection, but one that does not always last, its fragility subject to external forces or the passage of time.
Brontë’s choice of the holly tree to represent friendship is a deliberate contrast. While the holly is evergreen, resilient, and capable of enduring harsh conditions, it lacks the warmth and softness of the rose. The holly’s branches are described as being covered in prickly leaves, which suggests that while friendship may endure, it can also be difficult or uncomfortable at times. This contrast between the rose and holly implies that friendship, while valuable, is not without its challenges. The ease and warmth that we associate with friendship can sometimes be overshadowed by its limitations.
While the rose of friendship is beautiful, it is short-lived and more easily affected by external circumstances, which leads Brontë to imply that it can be unreliable, especially in times of hardship or adversity. Unlike love, friendship does not have the same depth or permanence to withstand life’s challenges.
Love: The Enduring Oak
In the second part of the poem, Brontë shifts her focus to love, which she compares to the sturdy, resilient oak tree:
“Love is like the wild rose-briar,
Friendship like the holly-tree.
But which will bloom most constantly?
The wild rose-briar, the wild rose-briar.”
In contrast to the fragile rose of friendship, love is likened to the oak tree—strong, enduring, and steadfast. The oak, a symbol of solidity and permanence, represents a deeper, more unshakeable bond that grows with time and remains resilient even in the face of adversity. Whereas friendship may be fleeting, love is capable of withstanding the trials of life. The oak, unlike the rose, is not affected by seasonal changes or external pressures; it stands firm throughout the years, much like love, which transcends the conditions that can often cause friendships to fade or fracture.
Brontë’s depiction of love as the oak tree suggests that love is not merely a fleeting emotion but a deep-rooted, enduring force. Unlike the rose, which is dependent on favorable conditions to thrive, love has an inherent strength that enables it to survive challenges and difficulties. The oak, though perhaps less immediately striking than the rose, possesses a quiet, steady power, much like the enduring nature of true love.
This idea of love as a constant and reliable force contrasts sharply with the impermanence of friendship. The oak tree, unlike the rose, grows slowly, its roots extending deep into the earth. Similarly, love may take time to develop, but it becomes something more solid and lasting over time. Through the comparison of the rose and the oak, Brontë suggests that love is a force that deepens and strengthens with time, unlike the more transient and unpredictable nature of friendship.
The Poem’s Themes: The Transience of Friendship vs. the Endurance of Love
At its core, Love and Friendship explores the relative permanence of these two fundamental emotional connections. Through the use of natural imagery, Brontë contrasts the delicate, fleeting nature of friendship with the enduring strength of love. While friendship may bring joy and warmth, it can also be fragile and vulnerable to the forces that shape life. On the other hand, love, depicted through the oak, remains steadfast and unwavering even in times of hardship or change.
Brontë’s poem suggests that while friendships are often based on shared experiences and can be deeply meaningful, they are also subject to change and external pressures. In contrast, love is depicted as a bond that is deeper, more consistent, and less dependent on external conditions. The contrast between the rose and the oak highlights the inherent differences between these two forms of human connection: friendship may be a source of immediate comfort, but love provides a foundation that endures throughout life.
Despite the poem’s focus on the enduring nature of love, there is a subtle recognition of the importance of friendship. Brontë acknowledges that friendship, like the holly tree, has its own virtues—it is resilient, steady, and able to endure difficult conditions. However, she ultimately suggests that love, like the oak, is the more substantial and lasting bond.
Conclusion
Emily Brontë’s Love and Friendship is a simple yet profound meditation on the nature of human relationships. By contrasting the fragile rose of friendship with the enduring oak of love, Brontë highlights the ways in which different types of connections shape our lives. While friendships may be fleeting, love offers a deeper, more enduring bond that remains steadfast through time and adversity. Through vivid natural imagery, Brontë eloquently conveys the complexity of human emotion and offers a timeless reflection on the differing ways in which love and friendship manifest in our lives. The poem reminds us that while friendship is valuable and necessary, it is love that provides the foundation for lasting emotional fulfillment.
