"The Pearl" , Alliterative Poem of Middle English Period : An Elegiac Lament of a Father for a Little, Long-lost Daughter

 "The Pearl" is an alliterative Middle English poem believed to have been written by an anonymous poet around the 14th century. The author of "The Pearl" is, though unknown and unnamed, a poet second only to Chaucer in Chaucer's generation. (The Pearl,1908, 2004) It is one of the greatest surviving works of medieval English literature and is often studied for its intricate structure and rich symbolism. The Pearl Manuscript contains four of the masterpieces of medieval English literature: "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight", "Pearl", "Cleanness", and "Patience." The writer, believed to be from a Northwestern district of England in the 14th century, remains unknown. He displays aristocratic breeding, religious and secular education, deep emotion, and spirituality. Never the less, these poems show 'classical unity' as stated by Derek Pearsall in his "English and Middle English Poetry."

 "The Pearl" tells the story of a narrator who experiences a dream vision in which he mourns the loss of a precious pearl and engages in a dialogue with a heavenly figure. The poem begins with the narrator mourning the loss of a pearl that has been taken from him. He describes his grief and his longing to be reunited with the pearl, which he considers a symbol of perfection and beauty. As he laments, he falls into a deep sleep and enters into a dream-like state.

In his dream vision, the narrator finds himself in an otherworldly landscape where he encounters a beautiful maiden dressed in white. This maiden, who represents purity and spirituality, guides him through a wondrous landscape and explains the meaning behind his loss. She reveals that the pearl he mourns represents a loved one who has died and is now dwelling in paradise.

The poem explores themes of loss, grief, and the quest for spiritual enlightenment. The narrator's longing for the pearl can be seen as a metaphor for the human desire for perfection and the eternal. The dream vision allows the narrator to grapple with his grief and find solace in the belief that his loved one is in a better place.

"The Pearl" is written in a unique poetic form known as the alliterative verse, which was common in Old English poetry. The poem consists of 101 stanzas, each containing twelve lines. The lines are structured with alliteration, where the stressed syllables in each half-line begin with the same consonant or vowel sound. The language of the poem is highly symbolic and rich in religious imagery. It draws heavily from Christian theology and uses allegory to convey deeper spiritual truths. The pearl itself symbolizes purity, perfection, and the heavenly kingdom.

The difficult rhyming scheme, requiring six words of one rhyme and four of another, results in forced lines, which are considered a flaw. However, the use of naive and familiar expressions adds to the poem's charm. The presence of theological dogma and moral platitudes aligns with the medieval tradition of poetry, even though it may seem discordant to modern readers.

While the symbolism and theological aspects may lead some to view the Pearl as a personification, the plain reader finds echoes of a human being whose loss was anguish and whose presence brought rapture to the poet:

"Pearl that the Prince full well might prize,

So surely set in shining gold!

No pearl of Orient with her vies;

To prove her peerless I make bold:

So round, so radiant to mine eyes,

smooth she seemed, so small to hold,

Among all jewels judges wise

Would count her best an hundred fold."

"The Pearl" teaches us universality of hope and  faith even amid  death and sorrow.  An elegy for a young girl who died at a young age, "The Pearl" teaches us is that death is not the end. Death is not something to be feared here, but rather something to be embraced, as it is simply a transition to a new and better life. The power of love, the father's love for his daughter is so strong that it allows him to travel to the heavenly realm and see her again. This shows us that love is a powerful force that can overcome even death. Even, the father in the poem is able to find comfort in his grief by believing that his daughter is in a better place. This shows us that faith can help us to cope with loss and to find hope in the midst of despair that offers us comfort and hope in the face of loss. 

In summary, "The Pearl" is a complex and enigmatic poem, written in a challenging dialect. The presence of moral and theological elements, as well as the symbolic nature of the Pearl, reflects the medieval poetic tradition. It explores themes of loss, grief, spirituality, and the quest for meaning. Its intricate structure, rich symbolism, and poetic techniques make it a remarkable example of medieval English literature. The poems showcase his imaginative and beautiful writing style, incorporating elaborate rhymes and alliteration.

Ardhendu De

References:

1. The Pearl (Jewett, Trans.; EBook #13211). (1908; 2004, August 18). PROJECT GUTENBERG. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/13211/13211-8.txt

2. Lawton, D. A. (1983). The Unity of Middle English Alliterative Poetry. Speculum, 58(1), 72–94. https://doi.org/10.2307/2846614

3.Pearsall, D. (1977). Old English and Middle English Poetry (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429200076