“The Brothers: A Pastoral Poem” (First published in Lyrical Ballads, 1800) by William Wordsworth (Poem, Summary, Paraphrase & Analysis)

 

“The Brothers: A Pastoral Poem”

(First published in Lyrical Ballads, 1800)

by William Wordsworth

(Poem, Summary, Paraphrase & Analysis) 

The Brothers

‘These Tourists, Heaven preserve us! needs must live

A profitable life: some glance along,

Rapid and gay, as if the earth were air,

And they were butterflies to wheel about

Long as their summer lasted: some, as wise,

Perched on the forehead of a jutting crag,

Pour down, like rivulets, a constant stream

Of observations, which the more they see

The less they learn: some show that they possess

Keen appetites, and measure every cliff,

Each craggy nook of the rude mountain’s side,

To some account of their own private use:

Theirs is the language of the heavens, the power

Of man’s sublimer spirit; theirs the train

Of the deep thought and perseverance long,

And strength of feeling that could make it love

(‘Mid bleakest rocks, bare summits, and deep glens

Where the shy deer steals, and the eagle soars)

The beautiful and everlasting forms

Of nature:—there is one Society,

And only one, in this our land of lakes,

Which owns the sway of poetry—that twain

Of natures and of truths the best and best,

And if I fail not, there I found a friend.’

 

—The words were uttered as he passed beneath

The hedge-row shade of a tall ash-tree, hung

With clusters of green keys, and came in sight

Of a fair cottage-plot, a garden-ground

That seemed to hold in little space all shapes

That nature works in: from the tufted crown

Of the tall ash, to the low clover-bell,

That blushed unseen beneath a mossy stone.

Large was the garden-ground; a plot in front

Stretched with a sloping lawn, and a clear brook

Came leaping from the shade of hanging trees

And spread into a basin, where the birds

Bathed and the flowers refreshed their drooping leaves.

There stood the cottage, with a cheerful air,

And near it all that should accompany

A house of rural station:—a small heap,

Of lately gathered stones, beside the door;

A pile of boards and beams, for winter use;

A leafless apple tree, in bloom the boughs;

A range of purple bee-hives; a smooth plat,

More smooth than lawn, and edged with box; the bark

Of last year’s faggot chipt and piled in sticks;

A coil of coiled up line for catching trouts,

And next a mill for grinding apples, built

On beams that bore up in its upper room

A pair of cots, as if for child and nurse.

Beneath this room, a vault was found, half sunk

In earth and over-arched with boughs of vine,

It was the place for making cider;—here

The vagrant birds that flew across the hills

Would sometimes visit, drawn by smell of fruit

Or sweetness of the press, till the whole air

Was full of clamor. There the little boy

Sate on his father’s knee, and heard the talk

Of brothers who had wandered from the hills,

And now returned, and well remembered all

The white ash and the willow-tree, and meads

Where the brooks meet and flow among the ferns,

And chanted ballads of the lonely hills.

 

—So passed the day: then came the evening hour,

And in the churchyard as I stood alone,

Beneath the yew-tree, I beheld the spot

Where once a brother lay. Before me stood

A monumental stone, and on it read

This name—JOSEPH GREEN. It told me, too,

That he was dead: and in that hour I learned

The meaning of a voice that oftentimes

Came from the hill-side; words of pensive mood,

Which I had heard, from one whose lips were used

To utter solemn truths: ‘He was a man

Who wandered far: his early years were passed

Among the mountains, but he left his home

And entered on the world: uncalled he went,

Unfriended, solitary, without hope,

Of praise or notice; ever cheerless toil

He wrought, and suffered without murmur;—lost

To all but pain, and deeply felt distress.

He sought the best in life, but mischief found.

Yet still, though poor and friendless, well he fared:

He knew the value of a blameless life

And made his heart his counsellor. At length

He sank into the grave; his name was known,

But it had ceased to be a tale of praise,

Though once so cherished in his native hills.’

—Such was the moral he had drawn, whose heart

And tongue gave utterance to these mournful words:

And, as I turned aside, I saw a grave,

Beside the yew-tree, which I found was marked

With this inscription:—

 

“Here lies Joseph Green,

Who died on the twelfth of May,

And in this village, by his brother’s hand,

Was buried. He was a loving man,

And honest, and of steady conduct: true

To all his duties, as the light of day.

He died in distant lands, and strangers’ hands

Performed the pious office of the grave;

His body was brought home, and in the earth

Of his own country laid with sorrowing hearts.”

 

Summary

Introduction: The Setting and the Stranger

The poem begins with a narrator reflecting on tourists who visit the countryside—some flitting by carelessly, others making shallow observations, and a few truly understanding the beauty and spirit of nature. The narrator is walking in the Lake District when he meets a young stranger (a boy of about 18) sitting near a churchyard. The boy is gazing thoughtfully at a grave. Curious, the narrator approaches and they begin to talk.

 

The Young Boy’s Story: He Lives in the Mountains

The boy tells the narrator that he lives in a mountain village called Ennerdale. He says he came down to this valley to take care of some errands and now rests here. The narrator, warmed by the boy’s simple and honest manner, continues talking with him.

 

The Subject of the Grave: His Brother

They come upon a particular grave. The boy reveals that the grave belongs to his older brother, Leonard, who has died. This leads into the central story of the poem, which the boy recounts.

 

The Family Background

The boy tells how he and Leonard were the only children of a shepherd family. Their father was hardworking and deeply rooted in his native place. Their mother was also devoted and caring. When the father died, the mother moved with the younger son (the boy telling the story), while Leonard, the elder son, was away at sea.

 

Leonard’s Life and Character

Leonard had left the village at age 18 to become a sailor. He was strong, capable, and full of ambition. Though he loved his native hills, he was drawn to the wider world. He traveled far and served at sea for many years, rising in rank and gaining experience. Yet, despite his achievements, he remained thoughtful and emotionally attached to home.

 

Leonard’s Return

Years later, Leonard returned to his home village to see his brother. The boy recalls that he met Leonard unexpectedly one evening, as he was climbing a familiar hill-path. Leonard appeared suddenly on the ridge and embraced him. He had finally come home after years away.

 

Leonard’s Grief

However, Leonard returned only to find their mother recently buried—she had died before he could see her again. Overwhelmed by grief, Leonard visited her grave often. He spoke to the villagers with kindness and shared stories of his travels but carried a deep sadness.

 

Leonard’s Departure and Death

After staying for a few days, Leonard decided to leave again. He felt he could not remain in the place that now reminded him of his loss. He wandered off quietly, telling no one where he was going. Some time later, news came that Leonard had died in a distant land. His body was returned by strangers and buried in the village churchyard—where the boy now stands speaking with the narrator.

 

Conclusion: A Peaceful End

The boy finishes his story with quiet dignity. The poem ends with the narrator reflecting on the peacefulness of the grave and the boy’s serene acceptance. Leonard, though he had wandered far and experienced sorrow, now rests in the earth of his own homeland, beside his mother, and his story is lovingly preserved by his brother.

 

Line-by-line Paraphrase

 Stanza 1

These tourists must have a busy and fruitful life!

Some flutter about like butterflies,

Quickly and cheerfully exploring the world

As if the earth were air and they had no care—

Just enjoying their summer.

Others, thinking themselves thoughtful, sit with books

On cliffs, writing and observing endlessly.

They spend so long at it

That someone could walk miles or harvest a field

While they just look and scribble, scribble and look.

All for stories to tell and sights to list.

 

 Stanza 2

As for me, I too could spend my life doing such a “thankless” task—

Seeing the brooks, trees, and daisies,

The hanging woods, bright meadows,

And the clear blue summer sky.

But I often think about how we ignore

What lifts our spirit

And instead focus on things we’ve lost—

Things left behind that we may never recover.

 

 Stanza 3

The narrator and his brother were born in a cottage

Halfway up a hill.

He lived to see both their parents die.

The family home and land were gone,

But the cottage still stood.

He once again took shelter there

From the rain and wind—

Feeling both joy and pain as old memories stirred.

 

 Stanza 4

His birthplace brought back tender emotions—

Not just memories but deep feelings.

So deep that it barely felt like a joy

To have survived that past.

Leonard, the brother, began working as a boy,

Fishing at the small pond near a thorn bush—

His earliest way of making a living.

 

 Stanza 5

One morning, while Leonard sat alone on the grass,

He heard someone shout.

He looked up and saw a young stranger—

A soldier who had only been gone a year.

They talked, and as they did,

Memories of the place, people, and even the clouds

Came flooding back.

 

 Stanza 6

The soldier said he would return the next day.

Then he left, saying nothing more.

The next day, Leonard was excited,

Going in and out all morning,

Watching the road and pond thickets—

But the young man never came.

 

 Stanza 7

He never came back, and no news ever came.

Leonard resumed wandering.

But every year, the same worry returned:

“What became of him?”

Sometimes Leonard feared the stranger had lied.

Whenever he said so, his voice would break

And a cloud of sorrow would cross his face.

 

 Stanza 8

Leonard died the very next day.

On that day, two tired men walked by.

One glance at one of them sent a chill through the observer—

It was the soldier.

The once-young man was now aged and worn by shame and time.

 

 Stanza 9

The soldier came, saw, and said nothing.

He turned and left without a word or a sigh.

No one saw him again.

No one ever knew what haunted him

Or why he disappeared like a fading dream.

Yet the tale stayed in the heart of the narrator—

A simple story that still deserves thoughtful tears.

 

 Stanza 10

Now that the tale is told,

Let me add this—Leonard’s grave isn’t far from here.

It’s a plain spot with no name or stone.

Only a willow tree grows there, drooping

As if in grief, dropping its leaves

Like sorrow falling day by day.

There Leonard rests in quiet, unknown to fame.

 

 Stanza 11

One summer day I went to see the place where he died.

I met an old man leading a child.

We talked, and he pointed to the willow.

Then he said, “This is Leonard’s grave.

He was my friend—I loved him.”

A tear appeared in his eye—but didn’t fall.

 

 Stanza 12

I asked, “How long ago did Leonard die?”

The old man looked up at the sky,

Then said, “About ten years now.”

He sighed, squeezed the child’s hand,

And slowly walked away.

I stood and watched—the child, the old man,

The fading trail, the leaning tree—

All of it blurred before my eyes like a dream.

 

 Stanza 13

The old man’s words stay with me still:

“I knew him well—no one was more gentle.

He was quiet, kind, and thoughtful,

Loved to read alone and talk in the evenings.

The woods, hills, and fields were his true friends.

He would sit in their calm until night.”

 

 Stanza 14

Then he left home and didn’t return for years.

When he did, his eyes looked sad—

Like someone whose hopes had died.

He hardly spoke and avoided

The places he once loved.

Still, he lingered for a while

And made peace in the end.

I was there when he died,” said the old man—

Then walked away.

 

 Stanza 15

That’s the whole story—truthfully told.

I believe that someone who lived and felt so deeply

Can still comfort others in pain.

His life may still shine as a guide,

A warning, a blessing.

May Leonard’s quiet memory live on,

And may his story teach us something.

 

Analysis in Detail

 Overview

“The Brothers” is a narrative pastoral poem written by William Wordsworth and first published in the 1800 edition of Lyrical Ballads. It presents a deeply emotional story of family, loss, and the spiritual ties to one’s homeland, told through the conversation between a narrator (traveler) and a local shepherd boy. The poem serves not only as a story about two brothers but also as a quiet celebration of rural life and the natural, emotional depth of ordinary people—a hallmark of Wordsworth’s poetic style.

 

 Setting and Structure

The poem is set in the Lake District, a rural and mountainous region of England which Wordsworth cherished. It opens with a critique of superficial tourists who travel through nature without understanding its emotional or spiritual value. This introduction contrasts sharply with the authentic, emotional connection the local people have with their surroundings.

The structure of the poem is conversational and unfolds slowly. It uses blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter), which gives it a flowing, natural speech-like quality. This form is especially effective in capturing the calm, sincere tone of the boy as he recounts his family’s history.

 

 Characterization

▸ The Narrator:

He is likely a version of Wordsworth himself—a thoughtful traveler who seeks more than scenic beauty. He shows genuine interest in local life and represents the reflective, philosophically inclined observer. He serves as a bridge between the reader and the rural world.

 

▸ The Boy:

The shepherd boy is around 18 years old. Despite his youth, he speaks with dignity, composure, and emotional clarity. He represents the moral strength and emotional maturity of rural people, uncorrupted by the outside world. His speech is gentle but powerful.

 

▸ Leonard:

The elder brother, Leonard, is a tragic yet noble figure. He leaves home to become a sailor, driven by ambition or perhaps a longing for adventure. He succeeds professionally but remains emotionally tied to his home. His return after his mother’s death shows deep sensitivity and grief. Leonard is a symbol of wandering humanity, eventually returning to his roots, both emotionally and physically (through burial in his homeland).

 

 Themes

1. Nature and Home

Wordsworth emphasizes that true emotional and spiritual nourishment comes from one’s connection with nature and home. Leonard’s life away from his home lacks the richness and rootedness of rural life. His death and return for burial symbolize a kind of spiritual reunion with the land.

 

2. The Value of the Ordinary

Wordsworth’s poem elevates simple rural life, showing it as emotionally and morally rich. The shepherd family is poor but loving, grounded, and strong in character. Through them, Wordsworth expresses his belief that great truths exist in humble lives, not only in grand cities or among elites.

 

3. Memory and Loss

The poem explores grief, remembrance, and emotional legacy. Leonard’s journey away from and back to his homeland parallels the emotional arc of returning to what truly matters. The mother’s death, Leonard’s sorrow, and his eventual burial in his village all reflect on the cycle of life and memory.

 

4. Isolation and Return

Leonard's choice to leave, and his later alienation, mirrors the Romantic theme of alienation from nature and one’s roots. But his final return, even in death, suggests a restorative power in coming back to where one belongs.

 

5. Moral Strength

Wordsworth uses Leonard and the boy to reflect on moral character, perseverance, and emotional resilience. The boy's calm and clear narration, and Leonard’s self-awareness and grief, highlight the dignity and strength of rural individuals.

 

💬 Tone and Language

The tone of the poem is calm, reflective, and reverent. There’s a deep sense of quiet sorrow in Leonard’s story, but also a gentle admiration in the way the boy tells it. Wordsworth does not dramatize events; instead, he uses simple, direct language to bring out emotional depth.

Descriptions of the cottage, churchyard, and the surrounding landscape are vivid and realistic, blending poetic beauty with grounded imagery. The natural surroundings are never just decorative—they hold symbolic meaning and reflect the emotional states of the characters.

 

 Dramatic and Poetic Devices

Dramatic monologue & dialogue: The boy’s narration to the traveler resembles a dramatic monologue, creating a quiet tension and intimacy.

Imagery: Rich, concrete images of the home, hillside, and graveyard ground the poem in real, lived experience.

Foreshadowing & Symbolism: The grave, introduced early, prepares the reader for the story of death and return.

Blank verse: The use of unrhymed iambic pentameter gives the poem a natural rhythm, like gentle spoken conversation.

 

 Conclusion

“The Brothers” exemplifies Wordsworth’s core poetic philosophy: that rural life, ordinary people, and emotional sincerity are worthy of poetic attention. It is a poem of quiet power, expressing the tragedy of loss, the enduring bond of family, and the healing nature of home. The pastoral setting is not just background—it is a vital character in itself, embodying stability, memory, and belonging.