Felicia Hemans

Felicia Hemans was a poet for whom I can find immense respect. Rather than attempting to equilibrate her works with other male Romantic writers, Hemans wrote in a way that was intensely feminine, as she celebrated the duties associated with women in her time. I believe that the intelligence conveyed in her writings could have prompted other women of the time to join her in the exaltation of a women's nature, rather than being left to feel inferior or insignificant to a man's duties. Her influential writings have also allowed for "reflection of many of the key social, psychological, and emotional concerns for women in her day," which could have otherwise been overshadowed (406). 

Within Heman's works, I particularly enjoyed her illustrations of the "idealism of home" and "the necessity of maternal responsibility"(405). Therefore, I will focus on The Homes of England for this blog. In this poem, Hemans begins by describing "the stately Homes of England," by exclaiming, "how beautiful they stand! Amisdt their tall ancestral trees"(412). These "tall ancestral trees" provide the reader with an awareness for the profound heritage associated with these homes. Hemans later calls attention to the "Cottage Homes of England," as to not exclude any social class from her rejoice (412). In the description of both types of homes, "stately" and "cottage," Hemans calls the attention to every class of people, for in every home within their country lies the future of England, each individual having no more important a role than the next, regardless of social distinctions. This inclusion of all classes in England can also be witnessed when Hemans calls out to all "the free, fair Homes of England! Long, long, in hut and hall"(412). Her clause of "in hut and hall" signifies the equal importance she gives to both classes. 

Hemans goes on to inspire the people of England to have a "merry home" (412). In this home's description, Hemans speaks in a warm and loving mood of a home where a "woman's voice flows forth in song, or a childhood's tale is told" (412). This quotation conveys the importance of a mother's love to nurture the children and to create a merry atmosphere from which the children can grow. Hemans then speaks of the value of having a "blessed home," where God is reverenced and present. She claims, "How softly on their bowers is laid the holy quietness that breathes from Sabbath-hours!"(412). In both of these stanzas, Hemans is not talking to a group of people as she is when she speaks to the "stately" and "cottage" homes. Rather, Hemans is encouraging both the "stately" and "cottage" homes to adopt a certain ideology that holds values like raising children and observing the Sabbath-thus, creating a home that is also both "merry" and "blessed"(412). In every home, lies the future and the heart of England. So, Hemans stresses the importance of strengthening the ideals and practices within the home because this will, in turn, strengthen the ideals and practices of England's future. 

Like her fellow Romantics, Hemans often references nature in her poems. Throughout The Homes of England, Hemans seems to use nature to unite all of England under a common pride and joy. As Hemans speaks to the "stately" homes she speaks of "the deer across their greensward bound" and "the swan [that] glides past them"(412). Then as she talks to the "cottage" homes, she references the "glowing orchards forth" and "the bird beneath their eaves"(412). Hemans sees nature as a constant force-"green for ever be the groves, and bright the flowery sod"- that will always continue to provide unity and inspiration for England's people (412).      

The final stanza of this poem is, by far, the most powerful. Here Hemans states that the home is one "where first the child's glad spirit loves its country and its God!"(412). Again, she is stressing the importance of the values of the home, from which each child who is to become a part of the future of England learns the most vital lessons - lessons from which he will go on to define himself by, which in turn will be the lessons and values that define his country. In this way, the homes teach the children to have pride for their country, but ultimately it is in the home that lies the pride of England.