Line by line analysis of the poem The Bangle Sellers written by Sarojini Naidu for class xi semester 1.

Line-by-Line Analysis of The Bangle Sellers by Sarojini Naidu

Stanza 1:

"Bangle sellers are we who bear
Our shining loads to the temple fair."

• Analysis:
  The poem opens with the bangle sellers introducing themselves. The phrase "shining loads" refers to the bangles they carry. The image of a "temple fair" suggests a traditional, cultural setting where the bangle sellers are going to sell their wares. This also introduces the idea of religious or ceremonial significance attached to the bangles.

"Who will buy these delicate, bright
Rainbow-tinted circles of light?"

• Analysis:
  The sellers are calling out to potential buyers, describing the bangles as "delicate" and "bright," which highlights their fragility and beauty. The "rainbow-tinted circles of light" is a metaphor for the variety of colors in the bangles, reflecting the spectrum of emotions and life stages that they represent.

"Lustrous tokens of radiant lives,
For happy daughters and happy wives."

• Analysis:
  Here, the bangle sellers emphasize the symbolic significance of the bangles. They are "lustrous tokens" of celebration, representing joy and happiness in the lives of women, particularly for young girls (daughters) and married women (wives). This line highlights the cultural importance of bangles as symbols of good fortune, prosperity, and marital bliss.

Stanza 2:

"Some are made for a maiden's wrist,
Silver and blue as the mountain mist."

• Analysis:
  The bangle sellers describe the bangles intended for young, unmarried women. The colors "silver and blue" are compared to the "mountain mist," suggesting purity, freshness, and the beauty of youth. The bangle is a symbol of maidenhood, representing innocence and dreams.

"Some are flushed like the buds that dream
On the tranquil brow of a woodland stream."

• Analysis:
  These bangles are "flushed" with color, like flower buds that dream of blooming. The comparison to a "woodland stream" suggests tranquility and the calm, hopeful nature of a young maiden. The imagery here further emphasizes the innocence and promise of youth.

"Some are aglow with the bloom that cleaves
To the limpid pines of the woodland trees."

• Analysis:
  The bangles here are described as "aglow," symbolizing the vibrant, flourishing beauty of youth. The reference to "bloom" and "limpid pines" suggests purity and vitality, as the fresh, youthful energy of the maiden is captured in these bright, lively colors.

Stanza 3:

"Some are like the fields of the sunlit corn,
Yellow as the flowers of the citron tree."

• Analysis:
  The bangles for brides are described here. The colors "yellow" symbolize prosperity, happiness, and warmth. The imagery of "sunlit corn" and "flowers of the citron tree" evokes the vibrancy and radiance of a bride on her wedding day, full of hope, promise, and joy.

"Or like the flame of the marriage fire,
Or the fruit of the citron tree."

• Analysis:
  The comparison to the "flame of the marriage fire" reinforces the traditional association of the bangle with the sacred rituals of marriage. The "fruit of the citron tree" symbolizes fertility, abundance, and the fruitful life of a married woman.

"Some are like the bride's delicate hands,
Holding the torch of the marriage fire."

• Analysis:
  The delicate hands of the bride are depicted as holding the "torch of the marriage fire," emphasizing the solemn and sacred nature of the marriage ceremony. The flame represents both the warmth of the bride’s new life and the passion of the newly formed union.

Stanza 4:

"Some are like the last ripe fruit on the tree,
That is pressed by the soft wind's sigh."

• Analysis:
  This line evokes the symbolism of motherhood and maturity. The "last ripe fruit" represents the fulfillment of a woman’s life, while the "soft wind’s sigh" suggests a gentle, peaceful acceptance of life's passage. These bangles are for mature women, signifying the wisdom, dignity, and contentment that come with experience.

"And some are like the wine that gleams,
In the goblet of the wedding feast."

• Analysis:
  Here, the bangles are compared to wine, which is often a symbol of celebration, joy, and richness. The "goblet of the wedding feast" ties this imagery back to the celebration of marriage, symbolizing the warmth, joy, and richness of the married life.

"Some are like the tender songs that rise,
From the heart of a mother's breast."

• Analysis:
  The bangles worn by mothers are symbolized by the "tender songs" that a mother sings to her child. This connects the image of the bangle to nurturing, caring, and the deep emotional bonds of motherhood. It emphasizes the emotional and nurturing aspects of a woman's life as she progresses into motherhood.

"In the soft and dewy evening,
In the soft and dewy evening."

• Analysis:
  The repetition of "soft and dewy evening" evokes a sense of calmness and serenity. The evening here symbolizes the later stages of life, when a woman has matured and finds peace in the roles she has played, especially as a mother. The repetition serves to reinforce the gentle, peaceful tone of this phase of life.

Conclusion:

The poem "The Bangle Sellers" by Sarojini Naidu beautifully captures the different phases of a woman’s life through the symbolism of bangles. The bangle sellers themselves represent the continuity of tradition and cultural values, while the colors and descriptions of the bangles reflect the joys, hopes, and emotions of women in different stages—from maidenhood to marriage to motherhood. Naidu’s use of vivid imagery and metaphors ties the traditional Indian symbol of the bangle to the timeless journey of a woman, making the poem a tribute to womanhood and the cyclical nature of life.