Thou large-brained woman and large-hearted man,
Self-called George Sand ! whose soul, amid the lions
Of thy tumultuous senses, moans defiance
And answers roar for roar, as spirits can:
I would some mild miraculous thunder ran
Above the applauded circus, in appliance
Of thine own nobler nature’s strength and science,
Drawing two pinions, white as wings of swan,
From thy strong shoulders, to amaze the place
With holier light ! that thou to woman’s claim
And man’s, mightst join beside the angel’s grace
Of a pure genius sanctified from blame
Till child and maiden pressed to thine embrace
To kiss upon thy lips a stainless fame.

Summary

“To George Sand: A Desire” is a poem that celebrates the unconventional and courageous spirit of George Sand, a woman who defied societal expectations in the 19th century. The speaker of the poem admires Sand’s intelligence and bravery, comparing her to a lioness roaring in defiance against the constraints placed upon her. They express a wish for Sand to use her strength and intellect for a noble purpose, transcending her rebellious nature and embracing a higher calling.

In the first stanza, the speaker addresses George Sand, praising her for her boldness and defiance. They acknowledge her as both a “large-brained woman” and a “large-hearted man,” recognizing her ability to challenge gender roles and societal norms.

The second stanza continues to praise Sand’s rebellious spirit, comparing her to a lioness roaring amidst the tumult of her senses. The speaker acknowledges her defiance and courage in the face of societal expectations, admiring her for refusing to conform to traditional gender roles.

In the third stanza, the speaker expresses a desire for Sand to channel her strength and intelligence for a higher purpose. They wish for a miraculous transformation to occur, symbolized by “mild miraculous thunder” and “white wings of swan,” suggesting a divine intervention that would guide Sand towards a more enlightened path.

The fourth stanza concludes with the speaker’s hope for Sand to embrace a “pure genius sanctified from blame,” urging her to transcend her rebellious nature and embody a more noble and virtuous spirit. They express a desire for Sand’s influence to extend beyond her own fame, inspiring others, especially women and young girls, to defy societal constraints and embrace their own potential.

Overall, the poem celebrates George Sand as a symbol of defiance and courage, urging her to use her strength and intellect for a higher purpose. It reflects the admiration of the author for Sand’s rebellious spirit and her refusal to conform to societal expectations, while also expressing a hope for her to embrace a more virtuous and enlightened path.

Analysis

“To George Sand: A Desire” is a poem that celebrates the rebellious and courageous nature of George Sand, a woman who challenged societal norms in the 19th century. The poem is written in admiration of Sand’s defiance of traditional gender roles and her refusal to conform to societal expectations.

The speaker begins by addressing Sand as both a “large-brained woman” and a “large-hearted man,” acknowledging her intelligence, strength, and compassion. This opening sets the tone for the poem’s admiration of Sand’s multifaceted character and her ability to transcend gender boundaries.

Throughout the poem, the speaker uses vivid imagery to depict Sand’s defiance. They compare her to a lioness roaring amidst the “tumultuous senses,” suggesting her fierce and unyielding spirit. This imagery highlights Sand’s bravery in the face of societal pressures, as she refuses to be silenced or subdued by the expectations placed upon her.

The speaker expresses a desire for Sand to use her strength and intelligence for a higher purpose. They wish for a “mild miraculous thunder” to intervene, symbolizing a divine intervention or moment of enlightenment. This imagery suggests a longing for Sand to channel her rebellious energy towards a more noble and virtuous cause, transcending the mere defiance of societal norms.

The reference to “two pinions, white as wings of swan” further reinforces this desire for transformation. The image of wings suggests a desire for Sand to rise above the constraints of her earthly existence, symbolizing a journey towards spiritual enlightenment and higher understanding.

The speaker concludes by expressing a hope for Sand to embrace a “pure genius sanctified from blame.” This phrase suggests a desire for Sand to embody a more virtuous and noble character, free from the criticisms and judgments of society. It reflects the speaker’s belief in Sand’s potential to inspire others, especially women and young girls, to defy societal constraints and embrace their own potential.

Overall, “To George Sand: A Desire” is a poem that celebrates the rebellious spirit and courageous defiance of George Sand. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt language, the speaker expresses admiration for Sand’s ability to challenge gender norms and societal expectations. The poem reflects a longing for Sand to use her strength and intelligence for a higher purpose, inspiring others to embrace their own potential and defy societal constraints.

Line by Line Explanation

“THOU large-brained woman and large-hearted man,” Explanation: The speaker addresses George Sand, a woman who is described as having a big brain and a big heart. This suggests that Sand possesses both intelligence and compassion, traits typically associated with both men and women.

“Self-called George Sand! whose soul, amid the lions” Explanation: George Sand is being referred to as someone who has chosen her own name (“self-called”) and whose inner self (“soul”) is surrounded by challenges or difficulties (“lions”).

“Of thy tumultuous senses, moans defiance” Explanation: Despite facing inner turmoil and conflicting emotions (“tumultuous senses”), George Sand expresses defiance or resistance (“moans defiance”).

“And answers roar for roar, as spirits can:” Explanation: Sand responds to challenges with strength and determination, just as spirits or souls are capable of doing.

“I would some mild miraculous thunder ran” Explanation: The speaker wishes for a gentle yet miraculous thunder to occur, symbolizing a powerful and transformative event.

“Above the applauded circus, in appliance” Explanation: This suggests the setting of a circus where performances are celebrated and enjoyed by the audience.

“Of thine own nobler nature’s strength and science,” Explanation: The speaker desires for this miraculous event to showcase Sand’s noble qualities, including her strength and intellect (“nature’s strength and science”).

“Drawing two pinions, white as wings of swan,” Explanation: The miraculous event involves the appearance of two wings, as pure and white as those of a swan, emerging from Sand’s strong shoulders.

“From thy strong shoulders, to amaze the place” Explanation: The wings emerging from Sand’s shoulders are intended to astonish or impress those present in the circus.

“With holier light! that thou to woman’s claim” Explanation: The miraculous display is meant to shine with a sacred or divine glow, symbolizing a higher purpose.

“And man’s, mightst join beside the angel’s grace” Explanation: The speaker hopes that Sand’s actions will support both women and men equally, alongside the grace of an angelic being.

“Of a pure genius sanctified from blame” Explanation: Sand’s intellect and creativity are described as pure and blameless, suggesting a high level of moral integrity.

“Till child and maiden pressed to thine embrace” Explanation: The speaker envisions children and young women eagerly embracing Sand, symbolizing their admiration and respect.

“To kiss upon thy lips a stainless fame.” Explanation: These admirers would metaphorically kiss Sand’s lips, symbolizing their desire to share in her untarnished reputation and legacy.