Charlotte Bronte

The theme of Charlotte Bronte’s poem “Life” is being cheerful during and learning from adversity. Trials are not as bad as they seem, and they pass quickly. Also, adversity helps one gain knowledge and become stronger. Trials are difficult but, with courage, can be overcome. Not only can trials be overcome, but also good things can come out of the hardships. If one endures trials until the end, the rewards will be great.

First, trials are not as bad as they seem. “Life, believe, is not a dream So dark as sages say” (1-2) The tone of this poem is hopeful. Bronte says, “Oft a little morning rain foretells a pleasant day” (3-4). A situation that starts out badly may turn out to be fine. Also, suffering passes quickly. “Sometimes there are clouds of gloom, But these are transient all” (5-6). One should not dwell on adversity, but focus on the good. “Life’s sunny hours flit by,…Enjoy them as they fly!” (8, 10). If one is not optimistic, then trials seem much more difficult. My niece was born premature and had to be in the hospital for two weeks. It was hard for my sister and brother-in-law. Now, my niece is three years old, and she is perfect and healthy. The time when she was premature and sick passed quickly, and everything turned out well. Therefore, one should concentrate on the pleasant things in life, because trials sometimes are not as bad as they seem and will rapidly pass.

Also, adversity helps one gain knowledge and become stronger. “If the shower will make the roses bloom, Why lament its fall?” (7-8). No one will be given trials they cannot handle. We should not “lament its fall” because trials help us learn. My friend Tiffany is growing up in a broken home where drugs and alcohol have been abused. She has learned from these terrible experiences never to take drugs or alcohol because they only cause bad things to happen. Therefore, adversity helps one gain knowledge and become stronger.

I can relate to this poem because in my religion we believe that God lets us experience adversity for many reasons. First, he gives us agency, which is the ability to