The typical engagement period in early nineteenth-century England is about 6 months to 2 years.

A common way in early nineteenth-century England to exchange sentiments. Also used in the mourning of a loved one.

Portrait miniatures were often given between lovers as a symbol of love or affection, especially if the loved one was absent for long periods of time. (1450 to 1789: Encyclopedia of the Early Modern World, Web)

Approbation means the "action of expressing oneself pleased or satisfied with anything; or the mere feeling of such satisfaction; approval expressed or entertained" (OED).

According to the customs of the time, parents were to be consulted about a marriage and their opinion to be taken in high regard; however, men and women were mostly free to choose their marriage partner. If a young adult did choose someone who their parents disliked, they might be left out of the will or, if they are underaged, they may have permission withheld from them. Parental opinions were often respected by young people. ( Elizabeth Maurer, "Courtship and Marriage in the Eighteenth Century", Web.)

Some girls born into affluent families may have been educated at home by parents, a live in governess, tutor, or may have gone off to a private boarding school. Since women did not go on to have careers in this day, education and knowledge was something reserved primarily for boys.

Domestic trainings were a more appropriate education for a woman to receive. "For women of the 'genteel' classes the goal of non-domestic education was thus often the acquisition of 'accomplishments,' such as the ability to draw, sing, play music, or speak modern (i.e. non-Classical) languages (generally French and Italian)" (The Republic of Pemberley, "Education, Women's Education, and Accomplishments")

Rock -Solid, hold shape. Water - Liquid, formless

Referring to those who go against the grain, who "sail upwind" (windward)

Rat and crept softly are not exactly things I see in the same sentence. The juxtaposition of a rat (a sewer living, garbage eating, bottom of the food chain, disease infested animal) and creeping softly.

The sound you make when your drinking water.

He keeps bringing up these mythical woman. Belladonna, The Lady of the Rocks, Hyacinth, Philomel. They are all mythical, kind of god like, kind of human. Half-breads.

Is the author making fun by using sew great after so great? as if saying it in an accent?

I noticed a visual component to this section of the poem. Why does the author use "next to barber" as the repeating base?

What is the authors intended goal in using repetition here?

in modern day depictions good always overcome evil. Not in this poem. The author does not truly see the evil until he is dead and all the illusions are torn away. He explores what even is good and evil? is it all relative?

Symphonys usually have conductor with them so who is orchestrating this one? and why does it seam that all of nature is in on it? Are all the forces of nature in on it to get the author?

There is something about "ancient" things that is mysterious and creepy to us. When you think about the pyramids, they are mystic and alien but still parts of us want to understand but the other wants to keep it separate from us. Same goes with old people and there "ancient air". They are wise and interesting but we don't want to be them because old age is equated with death.

I feel this is a glimpse into how controlling her husband is. She might even have a hint of sarcasm in this comment.

Possibly a biblical reference to how on the seventh day God rested. This meaning that the "Negro" was a sort of afterthought, after god made man.

Going beck and forth between the two meanings of dynamo, one a type of generator and the other an energetic person.

Reoccurring theme of religion, He mentions prayer, faith and God in the passage.

Felt the humans need to create, progress and go father in this passage.

Reminds me of a dog who is conditioned and comes to the person they know will feed them. Primal Instincts?

Biblical referencing to the "meek inherit the earth" scripture.

full flower symbolizing virginity or the "deflowering" of virgin earth?

reminds me of a guy with a beer belly sitting in his "man chair" asking for another beer. Maybe representing contentment in the wrong kind of way.

In other words glorifying the greed aka consumerism

Pig is a symbol of greed

Improper english used to emphasize a point

Lion is a symbol of Industry? machines? consumerism?

Uses parallel structure to emphasize point