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Poem : The Old Woman by Joseph Campbell

Hello Readers,

Here I'm sharing one poem named "The Old Woman" written by Joseph Campbell.


● About Author :-

Joseph Campbell was an American mythologist writer and lecturer, best known for his work in comparative mythology & comparative religion. His work is vast , covering many aspects of the human experience.

● Poem : The Old Woman :-



"The Old Woman" by Joseph Campbell is a poem projecting life of woman who is at the hand of her life with fulfilling all her roles of her life. Devided into 3 stanzas. This poem is a gem of simplicity. Note the three lovely comparisons. It is easy to see beauty in young woman , but it needs understanding & imangination to see the beauty of old age. Here the poet skillfully represents her beauty by comparing with nature elements. A very important figures of speech that is simile perfectly works here.

   In the very 1st stanza ,  the poet talks about her beauty which is as pure as a candle at a holy-place. As it signifies a lot of piece and purity, so does her face which inspit of being aged looks very beautiful.

   In the 2nd Stanza, it compares with her radiance of the Winter-sun which is extremely soothing to the senses in the same manner.

" As the spent radiance
  Of the Winter-sun
  So is a woman
  With her travail done."

Here  poet used the word ' Spent radiance' for the Winter Sun that means passing of time, the travel of Sun. And then compared with the passing of the lady's travelling.

She has a sense of calm about her as her appearance is that of a contended woman. After all the hard work that she has done.

   In the 3 last Stanza, the poet compares the maturity , understanding her steadiness with the still water of the ruined-mill. Her face carried a brooding look earlier but now she has expressions which are care-free and serene.

● Rhyming Scheme :-

The rhyming scheme of this poem is ABCBBDD.
By concluding the poem we can say that the poet has appropriately compared all the three elements.


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