“A Woman’s Last Word” by Robert Browning: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “A Woman’s Last Word” by Robert Browning

“A Woman’s Last Word” by Robert Browning first appeared in the 1855 collection Men and Women, a celebrated compilation of Browning’s dramatic monologues that explore complex human emotions and relationships. This particular poem delves into themes of love, conflict, and reconciliation within a relationship, with a tone that mixes tenderness and submission as the female speaker seems to offer herself as the peacekeeper in a quarrel. The nuanced expression of emotion in the face of potential discord reflects Browning’s mastery of voice and psychological depth, making it a popular work among readers for its exploration of the quiet, intricate dynamics of intimate relationships. Its resonance and enduring popularity lie in its universal themes of love and vulnerability, encapsulated in a lyrical style that feels both delicate and intense. Browning’s insight into the struggles of mutual understanding and the concessions made in love continues to captivate readers, adding to the poem’s historical and literary significance.

Text: “A Woman’s Last Word” by Robert Browning

I.

Let’s contend no more, Love,
 Strive nor weep:
All be as before, Love,
 —-Only sleep!

II.

What so wild as words are?
 I and thou
In debate, as birds are,
 Hawk on bough!

III.

See the creature stalking
 While we speak!
Hush and hide the talking,
 Cheek on cheek!

IV.

What so false as truth is,
 False to thee?
Where the serpent’s tooth is
 Shun the tree—-

V.

Where the apple reddens
 Never pry—-
Lest we lose our Edens,
 Eve and I.

VI.

Be a god and hold me
 With a charm!
Be a man and fold me
 With thine arm!

VII.

Teach me, only teach, Love
 As I ought
I will speak thy speech, Love,
 Think thy thought—-

VIII.

Meet, if thou require it,
 Both demands,
Laying flesh and spirit
 In thy hands.

IX.

That shall be to-morrow
 Not to-night:
I must bury sorrow
 Out of sight:

X

—-Must a little weep, Love,
 (Foolish me!)
And so fall asleep, Love,
 Loved by thee.

Annotations: “A Woman’s Last Word” by Robert Browning

Line	Annotation
Let’s contend no more, Love,	The speaker, a woman, begins by expressing a desire to end conflict, addressing her lover directly, suggesting an appeal for peace.
Strive nor weep:	She wishes to avoid further struggle or sorrow, indicating her weariness from the emotional strain.
All be as before, Love,	Yearning to return to a state of harmony, she hints at nostalgia for happier times in their relationship.
—Only sleep!	Suggests that rest or temporary escape (perhaps through sleep) may offer relief and resolution.
What so wild as words are?	The speaker reflects on how words can be unruly and provoke conflicts, as they did in their argument.
I and thou	Use of “I and thou” reflects both separation and closeness, emphasizing the individual identities within the relationship.
In debate, as birds are,	Compares their debate to birds in confrontation, suggesting a natural yet unsettling aspect of conflict.
Hawk on bough!	“Hawk on bough” implies a predatory, tense image, perhaps highlighting the potential harm that can come from words.
See the creature stalking	Introduces an ominous “creature,” which could symbolize an external threat or the lurking danger in their discord.
While we speak!	Suggests that this threat is present even as they discuss, emphasizing the urgency of ending the conflict.
Hush and hide the talking,	The speaker urges silence, possibly to protect their love or avoid exacerbating the conflict.
Cheek on cheek!	Conveys intimacy and a desire for closeness, suggesting physical affection as a means of reconciliation.
What so false as truth is,	Questions the nature of truth, implying it can be subjective or deceptive, especially in the context of love and argument.
False to thee?	Directs this notion at her lover, questioning whether truth itself has betrayed them in some way.
Where the serpent’s tooth is	Biblical allusion to the Garden of Eden and original sin, symbolizing temptation or danger.
Shun the tree—	A warning to avoid the source of temptation, suggesting that some truths or discoveries are best left unexplored.
Where the apple reddens	Another allusion to the forbidden fruit in Eden, representing temptation or knowledge that could lead to a fall.
Never pry—	Advocates against curiosity or probing into certain aspects, reinforcing the idea of letting some things remain undiscovered.
Lest we lose our Edens,	Warns that prying too deeply could lead to the loss of innocence or peace, as Adam and Eve lost paradise.
Eve and I.	Identifies with Eve, suggesting shared responsibility in the relationship and evoking the myth of the “fallen woman.”
Be a god and hold me	The speaker asks her lover to elevate her with divine-like reverence, indicating her desire for idealized affection.
With a charm!	Suggests being captivated by him, wanting to be held through charm or attraction, emphasizing her vulnerability.
Be a man and fold me	Seeks physical protection and warmth, revealing her desire for earthly, tangible comfort as well.
With thine arm!	Reinforces her wish to be embraced, leaning on physical closeness as a way to soothe emotional wounds.
Teach me, only teach, Love	She expresses willingness to learn from him, implying a certain degree of submissiveness and trust in his guidance.
As I ought	Reflects a belief in duty or propriety in their relationship, hinting at her desire to fulfill a traditional or expected role.
I will speak thy speech, Love	Declares her readiness to adopt his views or opinions, indicating a willingness to compromise for peace.
Think thy thought—	Suggests complete alignment or conformity, where she will mirror his thoughts, possibly at the cost of her own identity.
Meet, if thou require it,	Shows her openness to meet his expectations, reinforcing the theme of surrender in the face of his demands.
Both demands,	Acknowledges the dual nature of his demands—emotional and physical—implying her readiness to submit to both.
Laying flesh and spirit	Offers her whole self, both physically and spiritually, revealing profound commitment and vulnerability.
In thy hands.	Conveys absolute trust, placing herself entirely under his care or control, which also reflects power dynamics.
That shall be to-morrow	The speaker hints at a hopeful future, suggesting that complete submission may occur at a later time.
Not to-night:	Indicates a temporary delay, as she still needs time to process her emotions.
I must bury sorrow	Speaks to her need to hide or suppress her sadness, perhaps to avoid conflict or maintain harmony.
Out of sight:	Reinforces the desire to keep her pain hidden, suggesting a reluctance to burden him with her emotions.
—Must a little weep, Love,	Admits to needing an outlet for her emotions, suggesting that her sadness is unavoidable, though she perceives it as minor.
(Foolish me!)	Dismisses her own feelings as “foolish,” indicating self-doubt or an internalized need to minimize her own emotions.
And so fall asleep, Love,	Suggests that sleep will bring peace or solace, allowing her to momentarily escape emotional turmoil.
Loved by thee.	Ends on a hopeful note, finding comfort in the knowledge of his love, even amid her personal sacrifices.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “A Woman’s Last Word” by Robert Browning

Literary Device	Example	Explanation
Alliteration	What so wild as words are?	The repetition of the “h” sound at the beginning of “what” and “wild” emphasizes the speaker’s plea for calm and rest, adding a soothing tone.
Allusion	“Where the apple reddens”	This line references the biblical story of Adam and Eve, where the apple represents temptation and the potential loss of innocence.
Anaphora	“Be a god and hold me… Be a man and fold me”	The repetition of “Be a” at the beginning of these consecutive lines highlights the speaker’s desire for both divine and human aspects in her lover.
Antithesis	“What so false as truth is”	This phrase contrasts “false” and “truth,” showing how truth itself can be deceptive, especially in love, creating tension and ambiguity in meaning.
Apostrophe	“Love”	The speaker directly addresses her lover as “Love,” treating love itself almost as a character, intensifying the personal and intimate tone of the poem.
Assonance	“Be a god and hold me”	The repetition of the “o” sound in “god” and “hold” creates a melodious effect, enhancing the poem’s musical quality and emphasizing the intimate appeal.
Consonance	“Hawk on bough”	The repetition of the “k” sound in “hawk” and “bough” draws attention to the harsh, predatory imagery, symbolizing potential danger in conflict.
Diction	“Fold me with thine arm”	The use of “fold” and “thine” reflects a classical, almost biblical language style, enhancing the poem’s timeless and solemn tone.
Double Entendre	“Teach me, only teach”	This could mean literal instruction or a more metaphorical submission to her lover’s ways, highlighting ambiguity in her willingness to conform or learn.
End-Stopped Lines	“Laying flesh and spirit / In thy hands.”	Each line forms a complete thought, emphasizing finality and acceptance in the speaker’s submission, creating a sense of closure.
Enjambment	“Must a little weep, Love, / (Foolish me!)”	This line runs into the next, emphasizing the spontaneity of the speaker’s emotions as they overflow, adding a natural and conversational tone.
Euphemism	“I must bury sorrow”	Instead of directly mentioning pain or sadness, the speaker uses “bury sorrow,” a softer expression that implies a hidden or repressed emotion.
Hyperbole	“Be a god and hold me”	By asking her lover to be a “god,” the speaker exaggerates her desire for him to be perfect and divine, emphasizing the intensity of her need for love and comfort.
Imagery	“Cheek on cheek”	This image creates a vivid mental picture of closeness and intimacy, symbolizing reconciliation and tenderness in their relationship.
Irony	“What so false as truth is”	The phrase ironically questions the nature of truth, suggesting that honesty can sometimes lead to pain or conflict rather than understanding.
Metaphor	“Be a god…Be a man”	The lover is compared to a god and a man, indicating her desire for both idealized and realistic forms of love, adding depth to her emotional appeal.
Parallelism	“Teach me, only teach, Love… I will speak thy speech, Love”	Repeating similar structures emphasizes her desire to follow his lead, reinforcing themes of submission and harmony.
Personification	“Where the serpent’s tooth is”	The “serpent’s tooth” personifies temptation or sin, giving it an active, menacing quality, referencing the Edenic allusion with a warning of consequences.
Repetition	“Love”	Repeating the word “Love” emphasizes the speaker’s emotional connection and her focus on restoring affection and peace in the relationship.
Symbolism	“The apple”	The apple symbolizes temptation and the fall from Eden, implying the potential loss of purity or harmony if boundaries are overstepped.

Themes: “A Woman’s Last Word” by Robert Browning

1. Love and Reconciliation: The theme of love, coupled with a desire for reconciliation, is prominent throughout the poem. The speaker’s plea to “Let’s contend no more, Love, / Strive nor weep” (stanza I) conveys her willingness to end conflict for the sake of peace in their relationship. Rather than fueling discord, she seeks harmony, suggesting that love should be an act of mutual understanding and acceptance. The repetition of tender phrases, like “Cheek on cheek!” (stanza III), underlines her deep yearning for closeness, depicting reconciliation as the ultimate expression of love in the face of discord.
2. Submission and Surrender: A significant theme in the poem is the speaker’s inclination toward surrender within her relationship. Her words, “Teach me, only teach, Love, / As I ought” (stanza VII), highlight her willingness to let her lover guide her thoughts and actions, hinting at a traditional, perhaps even unequal, dynamic in their bond. By offering herself both “flesh and spirit / In thy hands” (stanza VIII), the speaker symbolically surrenders her identity and emotions to her lover. This submissiveness reflects her readiness to do whatever it takes to preserve the relationship, even if it means sacrificing her own autonomy.
3. The Nature of Truth and Deception: The poem questions the nature of truth, suggesting that honesty in relationships can sometimes be painful or even harmful. The line, “What so false as truth is, / False to thee?” (stanza IV), implies that truth itself can be deceptive, casting doubt on the belief that honesty always leads to clarity. This ironic view of truth highlights the complexity of human relationships, where complete transparency might be as damaging as any lie. The speaker’s perspective suggests a delicate balance between honesty and silence, advocating for selective truth to protect harmony.
4. Temptation and the Fall from Innocence: Browning incorporates biblical allusions to explore the theme of temptation and the potential fall from innocence. The reference to “the apple” and “the serpent’s tooth” (stanzas IV-V) evokes the story of Adam and Eve, symbolizing forbidden knowledge and temptation. The speaker’s warning, “Where the apple reddens / Never pry” (stanza V), suggests a fear that probing too deeply might lead to irreversible damage to their relationship, just as Adam and Eve’s curiosity led to their fall from Eden. By associating love with temptation and caution, the poem reveals an underlying tension between desire and restraint in maintaining innocence within a relationship.

Literary Theories and “A Woman’s Last Word” by Robert Browning

Literary Theory	Application to “A Woman’s Last Word”	References from the Poem
Feminist Theory	This theory examines the dynamics of gender roles, focusing on the speaker’s apparent submission to her lover, reflecting traditional views on women’s roles in relationships. Feminist analysis might critique the poem’s portrayal of the woman’s self-sacrifice and willingness to adopt her lover’s thoughts and desires over her own autonomy.	“Teach me, only teach, Love / As I ought” (stanza VII) suggests her readiness to be molded by her lover. “I will speak thy speech, Love, / Think thy thought” (stanza VII) further implies a loss of her own voice and identity, which can be seen as reinforcing patriarchal ideals.
Psychoanalytic Theory	Psychoanalytic theory, particularly Freudian analysis, can explore the speaker’s internal conflicts, desires, and submission. The poem suggests an emotional dependency where the speaker’s desire for reconciliation may stem from unconscious fears of abandonment or rejection. Her willingness to sacrifice personal needs for peace reflects a possible struggle with self-identity and unresolved insecurities in the relationship.	“I must bury sorrow / Out of sight” (stanza IX) hints at suppression of her own emotions to maintain harmony. Additionally, “Must a little weep, Love, / (Foolish me!)” (stanza X) reflects self-repression and a tendency to minimize her own feelings, indicative of internalized insecurities.
Biblical/Religious Allusion Theory	This theory examines the influence of religious themes and references on the poem’s themes of temptation, innocence, and moral conflict. The speaker’s references to Edenic symbols suggest an underlying fear of knowledge or truth, potentially reflecting a moral dilemma regarding curiosity and obedience in relationships.	“Where the apple reddens / Never pry— / Lest we lose our Edens” (stanza V) directly references the biblical story of Adam and Eve, symbolizing the potential downfall from probing too deeply. “Where the serpent’s tooth is / Shun the tree—” (stanza IV) similarly alludes to temptation and danger.

Critical Questions about “A Woman’s Last Word” by Robert Browning

• What is the significance of the speaker’s call for silence and sleep in the poem?
• The speaker’s repeated call for silence and sleep throughout the poem underscores her desire to escape the pain of conflict and reach a state of emotional peace. In the opening lines, she says, “Let’s contend no more, Love, / Strive nor weep: / All be as before, Love, / —Only sleep!” (stanza I), where “sleep” becomes a metaphor for both physical rest and the idea of letting disagreements fade into quiet. Sleep here symbolizes a wish to pause, avoid further damage, and seek a form of temporary oblivion, revealing her need to soothe both her lover’s and her own emotions. By asking to “bury sorrow / Out of sight” (stanza IX), she further emphasizes this desire for peace, even if it means hiding her pain, suggesting that silence and sleep are not merely about rest but also a means of coping with unresolved conflict.
• How does the poem portray the theme of submission within a relationship?
• The poem portrays submission as both a conscious choice and an emotional necessity for the speaker, who appears willing to forgo her autonomy for the sake of harmony. She offers to take on her lover’s thoughts and words, saying, “Teach me, only teach, Love / As I ought; / I will speak thy speech, Love, / Think thy thought” (stanza VII). This willingness to adopt her lover’s perspective reveals her desire to create unity through self-sacrifice. Her words, “Laying flesh and spirit / In thy hands” (stanza VIII), indicate a complete surrender, where she metaphorically hands over her identity, hoping this submission will be met with reciprocation or protection. This portrayal of submission suggests a complex power dynamic, where her love and need for reconciliation drive her to take on a passive, almost devotional role in the relationship.
• What role do biblical allusions play in expressing the speaker’s fears?
• Biblical allusions in the poem, particularly references to the Garden of Eden, reflect the speaker’s anxieties about knowledge and its potential to disrupt harmony. She warns, “Where the apple reddens / Never pry— / Lest we lose our Edens, / Eve and I” (stanza V), echoing the biblical tale of Adam and Eve’s fall from innocence due to curiosity. Here, the apple represents temptation, and her caution against prying implies that understanding certain truths may harm their relationship. Her reference to “Where the serpent’s tooth is / Shun the tree” (stanza IV) reinforces this caution, associating knowledge with potential danger. These biblical images suggest that the speaker fears the consequences of probing too deeply into personal grievances or complex emotions, preferring to maintain innocence rather than risk losing the “Eden” of their love.
• How does the poem explore the complex nature of truth and deception in relationships?
• The poem presents a complex view of truth, suggesting that honesty is not always beneficial and can even be hurtful. The speaker questions, “What so false as truth is, / False to thee?” (stanza IV), implying that truth may not always align with the lover’s perceptions or needs. This line conveys a paradox where truth, typically seen as a virtue, becomes a potential threat to harmony. In a relationship, she seems to argue, there are moments when truthfulness might deepen conflict rather than resolve it. Her cautionary stance, where she chooses to hide her own sorrow “Out of sight” (stanza IX), reveals her belief that selective silence may be preferable to complete openness. Thus, the poem suggests that truth and deception are intertwined in love, where maintaining peace sometimes requires withholding certain truths.

Literary Works Similar to “A Woman’s Last Word” by Robert Browning

1. “When We Two Parted” by Lord Byron
   This poem shares Browning’s themes of sorrow and loss in love, portraying the pain and lingering regret of a fractured relationship.
2. “Remember” by Christina Rossetti
   Like Browning’s poem, Rossetti’s work contemplates love, memory, and self-sacrifice, with the speaker urging her lover to move on peacefully if her memory brings pain.
3. “The Last Ride Together” by Robert Browning
   This poem, also by Browning, echoes similar themes of unfulfilled love and acceptance, with the speaker coming to terms with rejection yet cherishing a final moment together.
4. “Sonnet 43: How Do I Love Thee?” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
   Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s sonnet parallels the deep, almost devotional love seen in “A Woman’s Last Word,” celebrating love’s intensity and selflessness.
5. “To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell
   Marvell’s poem explores love and urgency in the face of time, similar to Browning’s focus on emotional surrender and the fleeting nature of harmony in relationships.

Representative Quotations of “A Woman’s Last Word” by Robert Browning

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspective
“Let’s contend no more, Love, / Strive nor weep”	The speaker opens with a plea to end conflict, seeking peace.	Psychological Theory: Reflects a desire to suppress emotional strain and achieve inner harmony.
“All be as before, Love, —Only sleep!”	The speaker longs to return to previous harmony, with “sleep” as a metaphor for peace.	Feminist Theory: Suggests a traditionally passive response, where resolution is achieved through withdrawal.
“What so wild as words are?”	She reflects on how words can fuel conflict and disrupt intimacy.	Deconstruction: Highlights the instability of language and the power of words to distort intentions.
“Hush and hide the talking, / Cheek on cheek!”	The speaker advocates for silence and closeness as a remedy for their quarrel.	Psychoanalytic Theory: Indicates a need to avoid confrontation and conceal unresolved issues.
“What so false as truth is, / False to thee?”	She questions the reliability of truth, suggesting it can betray or harm.	Postmodernism: Emphasizes the relativity of truth and the complexity of honesty in relationships.
“Where the apple reddens / Never pry”	References the forbidden fruit, cautioning against curiosity that may lead to loss.	Biblical/Religious Theory: Uses Edenic symbolism to suggest moral restraint and the dangers of knowledge.
“Be a god and hold me / With a charm!”	She desires her lover to embody both divine and human qualities in his affection.	Romanticism: Reveals the speaker’s idealized view of love, desiring both reverence and physical closeness.
“Teach me, only teach, Love / As I ought”	The speaker expresses willingness to be guided by her lover’s wisdom.	Feminist Theory: Examines themes of submission and the influence of patriarchal expectations in love.
“I will speak thy speech, Love, / Think thy thought”	She offers to adopt her lover’s perspective, aligning herself fully with his identity.	Identity Theory: Reflects a merging or erasure of self-identity within a romantic relationship.
“Must a little weep, Love, (Foolish me!)”	The speaker downplays her emotions, viewing them as irrational or excessive.	Psychoanalytic Theory: Shows self-repression and the internalized belief that her emotions are burdensome.

Suggested Readings: “A Woman’s Last Word” by Robert Browning

1. Auerbach, Nina. “Robert Browning’s Last Word.” Victorian Poetry, vol. 22, no. 2, 1984, pp. 161–73. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/40002964. Accessed 29 Oct. 2024.
2. Poston, Lawrence. “BROWNING REARRANGES BROWNING.” Studies in Browning and His Circle, vol. 2, no. 1, 1974, pp. 39–54. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/45285364. Accessed 29 Oct. 2024.
3. Fletcher, Robert Huntington. “Browning’s Dramatic Monologs.” Modern Language Notes, vol. 23, no. 4, 1908, pp. 108–11. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/2916938. Accessed 29 Oct. 2024.
4. Haigwood, Laura E. “Gender-to-Gender Anxiety and Influence in Robert Browning’s ‘Men and Women.'” Browning Institute Studies, vol. 14, 1986, pp. 97–118. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25057789. Accessed 29 Oct. 2024.