To the Reverend George Coleridge, of Ottery St. Mary, Devon by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Poem, Summary, & Analysis)

 

To the Reverend George Coleridge, of Ottery St. Mary, Devon

by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

(Poem, Summary, & Analysis) 

To the Reverend George Coleridge, of Ottery St. Mary, Devon

 

A blessed lot hath he, who having past

His youth and early manhood in the stir

And turmoil of the world, retreats at length,

With cares that move, not agitate the heart,

To the same dwelling where his father dwelt;

And haply views his tottering little ones

Embrace those aged knees, and climb that lap,

On which first kneeling his own infancy

Lisped its brief prayer.  Such, O my earliest friend!

Thine and thy brothers' favorable lot.

At distance did ye climb life's upland road,

Yet cheered and cheering: now fraternal love

Hath drawn you to one centre.  Be your days

Holy, and blest and blessing may ye live!

 

To me th' Eternal Wisdom hath dispensed

A different fortune and more different mind.--

Me from the spot where first I sprang to light,

Too soon transplanted, ere my soul had fixed

Its first domestic loves; and hence through life

Chasing chance-started friendships.  A brief while

Some have preserved me from life's pelting ills;

But, like a tree with leaves of feeble stem,

If the clouds lasted, or a sudden breeze

Ruffled the boughs, they on my head at once

Dropt the collected shower: and some most false,

False and fair-foliaged as the manchineel,

Have tempted me to slumber in their shade

E'en mid the storm; then breathing subtlest damps,

Mixed their own venom with the rain from heaven,

That I woke poisoned! But (the praise be His

Who gives us all things) more have yielded me

Permanent shelter: and beside one friend,

I, as beneath the covert of an oak,

Have raised a lowly shed, and know the names

Of husband and of father; nor unhearing

Of that divine and nightly-whispering voice,

Which from my childhood to maturer years

Spake to me of predestinated wreaths,

Bright with no fading colors!

Yet at times

My soul is sad, that I have roamed through life

Still most a stranger, most with naked heart,

At mine own home and birth-place: chiefly then,

When I remember thee, my earliest friend!

Thee, who didst watch my boyhood and my youth;

Didst trace my wanderings with a father's eye;

And, boding evil yet still hoping good,

Rebuked each fault and wept o'er all my woes.

Who counts the beatings of the lonely heart,

That Being knows, how I have loved thee ever,

Loved as a brother, as a son revered thee!

O 'tis to me an ever new delight,

To talk of thee and thine; or when the blast

Of the shrill winter, rattling our rude sash,

Endears the cleanly hearth and social bowl;

Or when, as now, on some delicious eve,

We in our sweet sequestered orchard-plot

Sit on the tree crooked earthward; whose old boughs,

That hand above us in an arborous roof,

Stirred by the faint gale of departing May,

Send their loose blossoms slanting o'er our heads!

 

Nor dost thou sometimes recall those hours,

When with the joy of hope thou gav'st thine ear

To my wild firstling lays.  Since then my song

Hath sounded deeper notes, such as beseem

Of that sad wisdom, folly leaves behind;

Or the high raptures of prophetic faith;

Or such as, tuned to these tumultuous times,

Cope with the tempest's swell!

These various songs,

Which I have framed in many a various mood,

Accept, my brother; and (for some perchance

Will strike discordant on thy milder mind)

If aught of error or intemperate truth

Should meet thine ear, think thou that riper age

Will calm it down, and let thy loves forgive it!

Dedication to Early Poems, 1803.

 

Summary

The poem begins by describing the blessed life of a man who, after experiencing the bustle and turmoil of youth and early adulthood, is able to return in peace to his childhood home. This man, now older, carries with him responsibilities that move but do not agitate the heart—implying a serene maturity. There, he watches his own young children embrace their grandfather, just as he once did in childhood, kneeling in prayer at that same place. Coleridge sees this as a fortunate and idyllic lot, and he directly addresses his earliest friend—George Coleridge, his elder brother—as one who shares such a happy fate, along with their other brothers. Although they once walked separate paths in life, they are now reunited, brought together by fraternal love, and Coleridge wishes that their days be holy, blessed, and filled with blessings for others.

In contrast, Coleridge reflects on his own life, which he says divine wisdom has shaped differently. Unlike his brother, he was uprooted early from his birthplace, before he could form strong emotional ties to a home or family. As a result, he has spent his life chasing fleeting friendships, often exposed to life’s hardships without stable support. Some friends offered brief shelter, but like a tree with weak leaves, that shelter vanished under pressure, leaving him exposed to misfortune. Others, though appearing attractive and safe like the manchineel tree (a poisonous plant), betrayed him—leading him to trust and rest in their shade, only to be poisoned by their deceit.

Despite this, Coleridge thanks God that some true friends have given him lasting shelter. Among these, one friend in particular stands out, under whose symbolic oak-like protection, Coleridge has built a modest home. He has found a domestic life as a husband and father, and he remains attuned to a divine, guiding voice—a spiritual whisper that has spoken to him since childhood of heavenly rewards and eternal glory.

Yet, even with these blessings, Coleridge confesses that he sometimes feels deep sadness, particularly when he remembers his own estrangement from his birthplace and family home. This sorrow intensifies when he thinks of George, who lovingly watched over his youth like a father—guiding, correcting, and caring for him. Coleridge expresses a profound, lifelong love for his brother: as a brother and as a son might feel. He cherishes any opportunity to speak of George and his family, especially during quiet, cozy moments—whether in winter by the hearth or in spring in the orchard, under blooming trees swayed by gentle May breezes.

Coleridge then asks whether George still remembers the early days when he listened with hope to Coleridge’s first poetic attempts—his “wild firstling lays.” Since those early poems, Coleridge notes that his poetry has matured, embracing deeper, more serious themes: the hard-earned wisdom from suffering, the ecstasy of prophetic faith, and verses shaped by the tumultuous political and social climate of the time.

He concludes the poem by offering his collected poems to George, referring to him affectionately as a brother. He acknowledges that some of the poems might not suit George’s gentler temperament, and if any lines seem harsh or extreme, Coleridge asks that George remember they are the result of youth’s fervor—and he hopes maturity will mellow his tone. He closes with a plea for forgiveness and enduring affection.

 

Analysis in Detail

 

Overview of the Poem:

This poem serves as a dedication to Coleridge’s early poems (1803) and is addressed to his older brother George Coleridge, a clergyman. The tone is deeply personal, reflective, and affectionate, blending themes of family, memory, gratitude, spiritual longing, poetic development, and the contrast between stability and wandering.

 

Structure and Form:

Blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter), which is common in Coleridge’s more contemplative and serious poems.

The structure flows meditatively, without division into stanzas, imitating the continuous stream of thought.

The poem moves from external observation (of his brother’s life) to internal reflection (on his own life) and then to a deeper emotional confession.

 

Detailed Thematic Analysis:

1. Theme of Domestic Stability vs. Rootlessness:

The opening lines idealize domestic peace: a man returning to the home of his childhood, his children playing at their grandfather’s knees, forming a symbolic cycle of continuity and generational harmony.

George Coleridge and the other brothers are shown as enjoying the blessing of rootedness—they return to their origins, unified by fraternal love.

In contrast, the speaker (Samuel) presents himself as displaced, emotionally and physically. He was "too soon transplanted" and lacked a chance to form "first domestic loves." This evokes a sense of uprootedness, loss, and longing.

 

2. Theme of Friendship and Betrayal:

Coleridge discusses his pursuit of friendships, likening it to seeking shelter from life’s "pelting ills."

Some friendships offered temporary relief, but were fragile and easily destroyed by emotional or situational storms—"leaves of feeble stem."

Others were deceptive and harmful, compared to the manchineel tree, a beautiful but poisonous plant—symbolizing attractive yet toxic relationships.

However, he is grateful for true companionship, especially one enduring friend who became like the oak tree, offering reliable support.

 

3. Theme of Gratitude and Divine Providence:

The line “But (the praise be His / Who gives us all things)” shows Coleridge’s spiritual sensibility and thankfulness to God, even amidst pain and betrayal.

He acknowledges that he has found joy in becoming a husband and father, despite early turmoil.

The "divine and nightly-whispering voice" represents a spiritual calling or inspiration, likely both divine guidance and poetic intuition.

 

4. Theme of Estrangement and Melancholy:

Despite finding a family and some solace, Coleridge confesses that he feels like a stranger even in his birthplace. His soul remains “naked” and vulnerable at home.

This estrangement becomes especially painful when he remembers his brother George, who served as a fatherly figure, watching over him, correcting him, and loving him.

This part of the poem is filled with emotional intensity and vulnerability, showcasing a deep emotional debt and yearning for reconciliation or reunion.

 

5. Theme of Poetic Evolution and Self-Awareness:

Coleridge refers to his early poems as “wild firstling lays”, filled with youthful enthusiasm.

He contrasts them with his later works, which carry deeper philosophical and emotional weight—products of suffering, wisdom, and a sense of prophetic vision.

He acknowledges the potential discord between his more intense poems and George’s milder disposition, asking for understanding and forgiveness if some expressions seem too harsh or rash.

This reflects Coleridge’s self-awareness as a poet and a brother—he is conscious of how his art has evolved and may differ in tone or temperament from his family's values.

 

Tone and Mood:

The tone is intimate, meditative, and reverent.

The poem alternates between melancholy and gratitude, especially when moving between reflections on his own life and admiration for his brother’s.

The mood lightens in the final section, particularly with the image of sitting in the orchard under May blossoms—an image of peace, connection, and artistic memory.

 

Symbolism and Imagery:

The home and hearth: Symbol of stability, love, tradition.

The manchineel tree: A powerful image of false friendship—beautiful yet deadly.

The oak tree: Symbol of true friendship, strength, and security.

Tree imagery (blossoms, crooked branches, orchard): Evokes both the natural cycle of life and Coleridge’s poetic growth.

The whispering voice: May represent divine inspiration, conscience, or poetic calling.

 

Relation to Coleridge’s Life:

Coleridge experienced restlessness, displacement, and periods of isolation and illness throughout his life.

His complicated personal life, including troubled relationships and a strained marriage, echoes the emotional volatility in this poem.

The poem expresses his yearning for connection—to family, to home, to constancy—which he often felt denied in real life.

 

Final Thoughts:

“To the Reverend George Coleridge” is not just a dedication—it is a poetic confession. It contrasts a life of stability and familial love with a life of wandering and emotional turmoil, but ends on a note of humble submission, affection, and poetic growth. It is a poignant glimpse into the soul of the poet, who, even amidst sadness, finds beauty in love, memory, and faith.

 

Key Exam Points

Title and Occasion:

Dedication to Coleridge’s elder brother George, a clergyman.

Part of the 1803 edition of Coleridge’s early poems.

 

Form and Style:

Written in blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter).

Reflective and personal tone.

No stanza divisions – mimics a continuous train of thought.

 

Main Themes:

Domestic Stability vs. Wandering Life – George is rooted and blessed with family unity; Coleridge feels uprooted and transient.

Friendship and Betrayal – Coleridge contrasts true supportive friends with deceptive, harmful ones.

Divine Providence – Despite struggles, he is thankful to God for family and spiritual guidance.

Estrangement and Emotional Vulnerability – Coleridge feels like a stranger in his own birthplace.

Poetic Growth and Self-Awareness – Acknowledges change from youthful poems to deeper, wiser ones.

 

Important Symbols & Images:

Manchineel Tree: False friends (beautiful but toxic).

Oak Tree: Loyal friendship and protection.

Orchard and Blossoms: Peaceful memory and poetic inspiration.

Divine Voice: Inner guidance/spiritual calling.

 

Tone and Mood:

Affectionate and Reverent toward George.

Melancholic and Regretful about his own life.

Hopeful and Grateful by the end.

 

Character of George Coleridge (as portrayed):

Fatherly, guiding, affectionate.

Symbol of stability, morality, and familial love.

 

Biographical Relevance:

Reflects Coleridge’s own life of dislocation, emotional struggles, and yearning for family ties.

Expresses real affection for his brother and introspection on his personal and poetic journey.

 

Closing Message:

Asks for understanding and forgiveness for the intensity in some of his poems.

Ends with an offering of poems as a gesture of love and reconciliation.

 

Revision Sheet

1. Background & Context:

Written as a dedication to his elder brother George Coleridge.

Included in the 1803 edition of Coleridge’s early poems.

George was a clergyman in Ottery St. Mary, Devon, Coleridge’s birthplace.

The poem reflects Coleridge’s gratitude, emotional struggles, and development as a poet.

 

2. Form and Structure:

Written in blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter).

No formal stanzas; continuous flow mirrors personal reflection.

Meditative, autobiographical, and confessional in tone.

 

3. Key Themes:

Domestic Stability vs. Displacement:

George enjoys a settled, loving home life. Coleridge contrasts this with his own sense of uprootedness and wandering.

 

Fraternal Love and Admiration:

Deep respect and affection for George, who acted as a moral guide in his youth.

 

Friendship – True and False:

Describes painful betrayals by false friends (likened to the poisonous manchineel tree) and gratitude for genuine companionship (symbolized by the oak tree).

 

Divine Providence:

Despite his struggles, Coleridge expresses thankfulness to God for spiritual insights and the blessings of marriage and fatherhood.

 

Poetic Growth and Self-Awareness:

Acknowledges the transformation from youthful poetic enthusiasm to mature, emotionally deeper poetry.

 

Estrangement and Longing for Belonging:

Feels like a stranger in his own birthplace; emotionally distanced from his roots.

 

4. Imagery and Symbolism:

Manchineel Tree – Symbol of dangerous, deceptive friendships.

Oak Tree – Represents faithful and enduring friendship.

Orchard with Blossoms – Peaceful setting evoking shared memory and poetic inspiration.

Whispering Divine Voice – Suggests spiritual calling or poetic intuition guiding him through life.

 

5. Tone and Mood:

Affectionate – toward George and fond memories of youth.

Melancholic – when reflecting on his own loneliness and losses.

Reverent and Grateful – toward God and enduring friendships.

Hopeful and Humble – in his poetic dedication.

 

6. Personal and Biographical Links:

Reflects Coleridge’s real-life feelings of isolation, restlessness, and emotional vulnerability.

Touches on his personal disappointments, especially in relationships.

Reveals his emotional bond with family, especially with George, who represents both moral support and lost intimacy.

 

7. Closing Lines – Message to George:

Offers his poems as a gift to George.

Acknowledges that some may feel too intense or errant.

Asks for forgiveness and understanding, hoping age and love will soften any harshness.

 

Possible Exam Questions

 

Who is the poem addressed to, and what is his relation to the poet?

 

What contrast does Coleridge draw between his own life and his brother's?

 

How does Coleridge describe false friendships in the poem?

 

What is the significance of the “oak tree” imagery in the poem?

 

Name two blessings that Coleridge says God has given him despite his struggles.

 

What is the tone of the poem toward George Coleridge?

 

What symbolic meaning does the orchard scene hold in the poem?

 

Briefly explain the theme of home and belonging as expressed in the poem.

 

How does Coleridge portray his feelings of estrangement in the poem?

 

Comment on the poet’s use of natural imagery in expressing friendship.

 

What role does divine guidance or spirituality play in Coleridge’s reflections?

 

How does Coleridge show the transformation in his poetry and mind over time?

 

Compare and contrast the lives of the poet and George Coleridge as depicted in the poem.

 

Discuss how Coleridge’s personal struggles and emotional vulnerabilities are reflected in “To the Reverend George Coleridge.”

 

Examine the theme of friendship – both true and false – in the poem with reference to imagery and tone.

 

How does Coleridge use symbolism to express his spiritual and emotional journey in the poem?

 

In what ways is this poem both a personal confession and a poetic tribute?

 

Explain the meaning and significance of the lines:

“Me from the spot where first I sprang to light, / Too soon transplanted…”

 

What does the poet mean when he says:

“I woke poisoned!”

How does this line reflect his experience with relationships?

 

Comment on the imagery in the lines:

“We in our sweet sequestered orchard-plot / Sit on the tree crooked earthward...”

 

How does Coleridge describe George’s life as a “blessed lot”? Quote to support your answer.