Structure:
* Dramatic Monologue: The poem is written in the form of a dramatic monologue, delivered by a young woman who is about to become a farmer's bride.
* Free Verse: While not strictly free verse, the poem doesn't follow a consistent rhyme scheme or meter. It is loosely organized and flows naturally, mirroring the speaker's thoughts and feelings.
* Three Parts: The poem can be broadly divided into three parts:
* Introduction (Stanzas 1-10): The speaker introduces herself and her situation, describing her rural surroundings and the impending marriage.
* Memories and Doubts (Stanzas 11-28): The speaker delves into her past, reflecting on her dreams and anxieties, and hinting at a past love.
* Resolution and Acceptance (Stanzas 29-32): The speaker faces the reality of her situation, accepting her fate and finding a sense of purpose in the simple life.
* Shifting Tone: The tone of the poem shifts throughout. It starts with a sense of naivety and excitement, then becomes increasingly introspective and melancholic as the speaker reminisces about her past. Finally, it ends on a note of acceptance and quiet resignation.
Key Structural Features:
* Repetition: The poem makes use of repetition, particularly of phrases like "I am the farmer's bride" and "My heart is full of a quiet joy," emphasizing the speaker's acceptance of her role.
* Imagery: Vivid imagery is employed to depict the natural world and the speaker's emotional state. The imagery of the farm, the animals, and the natural cycles is particularly significant.
* Symbolism: The poem utilizes symbolism, with objects like the "white-washed wall," the "wild, wild roses," and the "long, low farm-house" holding symbolic meaning.
* Enjambment: The poem employs enjambment, where lines run on without punctuation, contributing to a sense of natural flow and mirroring the speaker's train of thought.
Overall, the structure of "Farmer Bride" serves to amplify the poem's themes of isolation, longing, acceptance, and the complexities of female identity in rural settings. The poem's open-endedness and ambiguity allow for multiple interpretations, leaving the reader to ponder the speaker's true feelings and the ultimate meaning of her choice.