Home-Thoughts, from Abroad The Home Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Line)

Quote #4

Hark, where my blossomed pear-tree in the hedge
Leans to the field and scatters on the clover
Blossoms and dewdrops—at the bent spray's edge—
That's the wise thrush; he sings each song twice over, (11-14)

What's most telling about this passage is the word "my." Either the speaker is imagining an orchard in his own back yard at home, or he's so connected to this scene that he feels possessive of its details. We know feel that way about the pizza joint around the corner.

Quote #5

Far brighter than this gaudy melon-flower! (20)

Sometimes what brings home most into focus is the sheer difference you find in your surroundings. Based on this line, it's a safe bet to say that England has a lot of things going on in spring, but melon flowers sure aren't one of them. It's too cool, apparently. We didn't think it was possible to hate on a flower, but the speaker's description of the flower as "gaudy" tells us just how annoyed he is to be seeing it. He'd rather enjoy the more familiar details of his home.