True Love's Hope and Faith
Charles Darwin, a famous biologist, geologist, and English naturalist, once said: “The loss of these tastes [for poetry and music] is a loss of happiness, and may possibly be injurious to the intellect, and more probably to the moral character, by enfeebling the emotional part of our nature.” The intellectual capacity for humans to feel and create the belief of hope and faith in darkened times is what makes humans different from animals. For centuries, mankind expressed ideologies of hope and faith through the use of music and poetry. In the Poem “To My Dear and Loving Husband” by Anne Bradstreet, she depicts a soulful love connection between her and her husband with the hope and faith that the love will continue into the afterlife. Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem “Vivien’s Song” also follows the theme and tone of hope and faith by describing the intended view of true love between both parties present within the poem. This idea is also evident in music within postmodern society. The song “A Life Without You (Is No Life At All)” by the actor John C. Reilly also condones the theme and tone of hope and faith by expressing how his love is perfect and can never be broken.
The Poem “To My Dear and Loving Husband” by Anne Bradstreet was written in the year 1678. In this time period, women were treated like property or objects. The poem depicts the wife explaining how the love between her and her husband is so grand and honest, that they are one physical and mental being. This is proven when Anne Bradstreet states: “If ever two were one, then surely we.” Throughout the poem, the feeling of true love is made clear and evident. Anne Bradstreet has hope and faith that the love between her husband and herself is genuine, that she states “Then while we live, in love let’s so persever, / That when we live no more we may live ever.” Ms. Bradstreet has faith and hope that the love between them will continue into the afterlife. Overall, the theme can be described as admiring, ardent, candid, celebratory, and compassionate. The statement “I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold” also shows how true the love between them is. Ms. Bradstreet values her husband’s love more than riches and titles.
Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem “Vivien’s Song” follows a man and a woman, where the man preaches that the love between them is valid only if they want it to be true. Mr. Tennyson explains that the faith must be put between one another to create a bond that will cause the sensation of true love, which will create the feeling of having the world. Mr. Tennyson states: “In Love, if Love be Love, if Love be ours, / Faith and unfaith can ne’er be equal powers: / Unfaith in aught is want of faith in all.” This statement is a preach that true love comes from the faith both parties put on each other rather than the idea of fate. One must put trust and faith within the other party to create the idea of love. Mr. Tennyson also claims that when the love is achieved, nothing can stop it for that love is the strongest power in the universe. This can be seen in the quote “That by and by will make the music mute, / And ever widening slowly silence all.” This quote displays that when the love is reached between the two parties, the world and society will remain silent on the couples red carpet, due to the immense power love has. The general theme of this poem can be described as dignified, earnest, forceful, frank, and honest due to the fact that Mr. Tennyson clearly states what he wants and how he can achieve it.
Dr. Seuss once said, “You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” In the song “A Life Without You (Is No Life At All)” by John C. Reilly, love and perfection are in correlation to the theme of hope and fate throughout the song. This song was written for his wife to show her he will remain faithful and true to the binding words of marriage while he is on tour. In the song he states “Darling, you must believe / I could never leave / You if I tried / A life without you is no life at all” Mr. Reilly is expressing how much the love between him and his wife means to him. He truly believes that his wife is the core of his life and if the intimate relationship would end he would have no meaning to live. Mr. Reilly also believes his wife and his life are perfect due to his marriage, which is proven when he states “I have a perfect life / You are the perfect wife” Mr. Reilly has hope and faith that he will remain faithful to his wife to further expand the happiness he receives through her. This theme can be described as gentle, impassioned, joyful, optimistic, and reverent due to his strong respect and love he has for his wife as displayed throughout the song.
Colliding all works, one theme and tone is made perceptible; hope and faith. They all share and captivate the idea of true love whilst showing the extreme benefits and outlooks that come with it. Within “To My Dear and Loving Husband” the character, while having the hope and faith that her true love will carry on beyond death, is gaining the satisfaction of being loved. This makes her feel as if love is the only important idea in the world and money and everything else is now worthless. Anne Bradstreet also shows the happiness she endures while in the state of true love which makes her live an easier, enjoyable, and happier life. This idea also correlates to “Vivien’s Song” by Alfred Lord Tennyson. Within this poem, Mr. Tennyson knows the benefits of being in true love are and has hope and faith that with putting trust within each other, true love will arise between both parties, leading to the same benefits as in “To My Dear and Loving Husband” In the song “A Life Without You (Is No Life At All)” by John C. Reilly, true love also brings the same satisfactions as seen within each of the poems. Mr. Reilly explains how his life is surrounded by his wife and how their marriage makes his life perfect. Each work displays to the reader or listener the colossal power true love has on the human body, which makes them want to aspire to find love as well.
However, there are some differences that correlate throughout these works. “To My Dear and Loving Husband” it shows the natural true love that was seeded by fate and satisfaction. In contrast, “Vivien’s Song” displays true love in a controlled form rather than fate bringing the two parties together. In addition, both of these poems only describe the positives of being in a relationship that carries true love. In the song “A Life Without You (Is No Life At All)” Mr. Reilly shows the hardships one must face to remain in the true love state within a relationship. Mr. Reilly has to fight the urges that are brought up to him to condone the true love aspiration in his life.
The theme and tone of hope and faith are included in all of the works stated. All these works show the positives of being in a true love relationship as well as the beneficiary feelings of daily living and thinking. This captivates the reader or listener to experience what these authors are displaying, showing the true power of the written word. One strives to achieve greatness with their surrounding party, by condemning such powerful words of true love and its beautiful benefits, the words truly change peoples lives. That is the power of poetry and music, it contains hope and faith which makes humans split from animals.
Works Cited
Tennyson, Alfred Lord. “Vivien’s Song.” Poets.org, Academy of American Poets, 27 July 2015,
Reilly, John C. “ A Life Without You (Is No Life At All).” Genius, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox
Story (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), 30 Oct. 2007, genius.com/John-c-reilly-a-life-without-you-is-no-life-at-all-lyrics.
Booth, Alison, et al. The Norton Introduction to Literature. W.W. Norton, 2006. To My Dear
and Loving Husband
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