Analysing the poem 'The Farmer's Bride' | Exit Quiz | Oak National Academy

In 'The Farmer's Bride', the farmer treats his bride as a child and in a way that denies her maturity. As such he {{}} her.

• infantilises

• submits

• dysfunctions

• banishes

Answer explanation

The farmer infantilises his wife through his frequent comparisons of her to aspects of nature.

In the poem 'The Farmer's bride', arguably the farmer 'others' his wife. What does this mean?

• he ignores her

• he treats her as alien to himself

• he mistreats her

• he confuses her with someone else

Answer explanation

Throughout the poem the farmer others his wife - portraying her simultaneously as strange and powerless.

In 'The Farmer's Bride', the bride is often described using similes. Complete them below.

• "like a frightened little

• fay"

• "shy as a

• hare"

• "as a young

• larch tree"

• "flying like a

• mouse"

• "like a

• leveret"

Answer explanation

These similes are a stylistic choice of Mew's to imbue the character with the qualities of these things.

In 'The Farmer's Bride', Mew often compares the bride to elements of nature using similes. Why?

• to highlight her fragility, otherworldliness, and wildness

• the poem is set in the countryside - it is to be expected

• it is a romantic poem written before industrialistion

• to contrast with the stronger similes used to describe the farmer

Answer explanation

The similes help portray different aspects of the bride's position in the relationship and particularly her powerlessness and fragility.

Throughout the poem 'The Farmer's Bride' Mew uses a semantic field of ...

• nature.

• love.

• power.

• weather.

Answer explanation

'Harvest time', 'wild violets' and 'beasts in stall' are all examples of this.

Which of these statements about the marriage in 'The Farmer's Bride' are correct?

• Despite the age gap there is respect between them.

• The bride feels fear towards her husband.

• The husband infantilises and others his wife

• The bride is forced into submission.

• Although initially unhappy, they eventually reconcile.

Answer explanation

The relationship is a dysfunctional one, defined by the bride's negative feelings towards her husband and his mistreatment of her.