I’se been a-climbin’ on,
Eye dialect is used to emulate the accent of the mother, which may indicate that she is an immigrant/speaks vernacular english. It makes the narrative voice more realistic and feel as though it is a real conversation being had
And splinters, And boards torn up, And places with no carpet on the floor— Bare.
Imagery and metaphor: Hughes describes life as a staircase, to say that the narrative voice did not live an easy life. He illustrates the complications of life through an old and worn down staircase, comparative to the crystal stair that privileged people would ascend upon
To gain it, Men have borne Contempt of Generations And Crucifixion, shown —
Allusion to the Crucifixion of Christ (which I assume is specific to Christ as it is capitalized in her poem) draws an illustration of the “Contempt of Generations”and “Faith slips” that she writes about. The relationship of faith and doubt is strong, as there is no need for faith without doubt, which ties back to the poem’s central theme of uncertainty.
And that a kelson of the creation is love,
This is in reference to a structure that supports and strengthens the ship, somewhat acting as a backbone. He metaphorizes love as the backbone of creation.
Loafe with me on the grass, loose the stop from your throat,
Walt Witman refers to the act of being idle. "Loose the stop from your throat" is a metaphor for refined and well composed speech that would typically be implored, which is affirmed by his rejection of music or rhymes in the following lines. He wants something organic and real and contemplative, without filter.
live and die
Hypoerbole: The stanzas end with the mention of a heart, life or death, which communicates how the author's love manifests in intense loyalty. The author is offering their whole life to Anthea.
Groweþ sed and bloweþ med and springþ þe wde nu
The alliteration in this phrase, along with the use of iambic pentameter, gives it a melodic quality
Groweþ sed and bloweþ med and springþ þe wde nu
The alliteration in this phrase, along with the use of iambic pentameter, gives it a melodic quality
That thousands of sweepers, Dick, Joe, Ned, and Jack, Were all of them locked up in coffins of black.
These lines reflect the time period it was written, in which children were heavily exploited for work under dangerous conditions. This informs the death motif in the piece, and the thousands of sweepers, along with the list of some names, relays how widespread this was and how personal it is to the narrative voice.
Next, when I cast mine eyes, and see That brave vibration each way free, O how that glittering taketh me!
Use of "vibration" and "glittering" creates a visceral image of the narrative voice's physical reaction, it feels like a tangible way to understand the joy/admiration