This was an essay that I wrote as part of my A level English course. Hope you don't get too bored...

How far do the language features, form and themes of 'The Emulation' seem to you typical of 18th Century poetic writing? (50 marks)

'The Emulation' was written in the mid 18th century. There are different aspects of the poem which follow, integrate, or alter from the standard forms of poetry around this times. The main ideas that must be explored are the language features, the form of the poem and the themes which are consistent through the poem. The author of 'The Emulation' is Sarah Egerton. This is the first key idea that must be addressed about the stereotypical poetry of the 18th century, because it was not a common occurrence for women to be accepted in creative roles of society, such as poets. Her own role in society has been portrayed through the creation of the poem and its content. Egerton has referred to legal and conventional restraints which are put onto women in the 18th Century. The title, 'The Emulation', can be interpreted as an imitation or a copy, which is also significant to the poems content. The imitation that is suggested is the idea that women cannot be replaced because their roles in society are already set, and that men would be incapable of replacing them.

The poem is structured in one stanza. However, it is partly divided into miniature stanzas with the use of end-stop lines, for example,

"Can have ill manners justified by law,
For men all join to keep the wife in awe."

This gives a strong sense of rhythm to the poem. Another method which is used to keep the poem flowing is the use of heroic couplets. The example above also shows this. They are pairs of lines that rhyme with one another that are written in iambic metre. This is typically found in English verse, after Chaucer introduced it in the 17th Century. Egerton has used these couplets in order to give the poem a galloping pace throughout the poem, which helps the plot to keep moving, and therefore keeping the readers interest. Egerton has used an alexandrine in line 26, which gives the impression that this line has a big significance to the poem, as it discusses the final outcome of the women and their lives as a wife.

"Their homage and the name were lost had they been seen."

Certain language features also allow the sense of a prolonged rhythm, such as the asyndetic list, for example,

"The nurse, the mistress, parent and the swain,"

which discusses the different roles that the women are forced to play at the same time. The structure of 'The Emulation' is similar to all other 18th Century poetry.

The themes and language features that are used in 'The Emulation' are very important to the opinions and confrontational views of the author; Egerton. The main theme which is consistent through 'The Emulation' is the conventional idea of women as slaves, which is clearly defined in the opening line,

"Say, tyrant Custom, why must we obey
The impositions of thy haughty sway?"

Here, Egerton has used a rhetorical question in order to directly address and confront the audience with the most important issue of standard practice and the reasoning behind it. This quote also illustrates the personification of the custom. She also discusses the role that Moses and religion played in the 18th Century conventions of the female;

"Moses, who first our freedom did rebuke,
Was married when he writ the Pentateuch."

This is used as an example in the poem due to its significance. It is believed that Moses wrote the first of the five books in the Old Testament. However, Egerton has shunned this due to the fact that Moses was believed to be married at the time of writing, when he claimed that women could be portrayed as a male's property after they were married, meaning that he had a vested interest. This is the presentation of a patriarchal power in the 18th century, as she tries to pass the blame to Moses. The author has decided to discuss the religious reference because she has felt that it is time to challenge the stereotypical views. Egerton also uses antithesis in order to discuss the treatment that women would give to men if their positions were reversed,

"They're wise to keep us slaves, for well they know,
If we were loose, we soon should make them so."

This also illustrates the revengeful and aggressive tone of the poem. Egerton has also used the imagery of physical restraints to portray the power imbalance between men and women, and men's opinion that there is a need to repress women.

"We yield like vanquished kings whom fetters bind,"

This use of a metaphor to describe the physically restraining chains, which is actually meaning the stereotypical restraints and conventions that women are forced into. Egerton has used discourse markers in line 27,

"But in this blessed age such freedom's given,
That every man explains the will of heaven,"

Which is used to show a counter argument. This also shows a new level of optimism towards the female role. The discussion of ten celestial females is used in reflection of Classical mythology.

"There's ten celestial females govern wit,
And but two gods that dare pretend it."

There were only two male gods in the realm of art and creativity, compared to ten females, which illustrates that classical mythology did not begrudge the female species, or value them any less.

In conclusion, Egerton has used a variety of 18th century techniques as a base to her poetry of 'The Emulation'. This is a combination of the language features, the structure and form, and the consistent themes which she has used through the poem.

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Thanks for reading. Jodie xxx I personally love this poem, and was thrilled that a question specifically about this poem came up in my A level exam the other week, ooooh hope I get a good mark! Hehe!