The Farmer's Bride recounts the troubled relationship between a farmer and his young wife, set in the rural English countryside. The poem explores themes of loneliness, unspoken desires, and social boundaries within a marriage. The narrative depicts the farmer’s longing for companionship and the wife’s silence and distant attitude, which creates a tension that is palpable throughout the poem. The text employs vivid imagery and approximations of speech to evoke emotional depth. For example, phrases such as 'her eyes were wild' and 'her hair over her face' underline her elusive nature and emotional turmoil, while the farmer's perspective reveals a desire for connection. The poem navigates the delicate balance of power, communication, and emotional vulnerability in their relationship, making it a profound study of human connection. The language is characterised by simple yet evocative diction, with subtle stylistic devices that enhance the emotional undertone. Students should pay attention to how the poet constructs mood and character through word choice and structural features.

The poem employs various stylistic devices to portray the complex relationship between the characters. For instance, the use of imagery such as 'her hair over her face' and 'her eyes were wild' helps convey her emotional state. Notice the presence of caesura in lines like 'Her hair over her face —', which adds a pause and emphasises her distance. The poet also uses repetition, as seen in phrases like 'no more' to underscore themes of longing and frustration. Pay particular attention to the tone created by the choice of words and the rhythm of the poem, which alternates between intimacy and detachment. These stylistic elements serve to deepen the reader's understanding of the characters' emotional states and the overall mood.

The poem is composed of free verse with irregular line lengths and strategic line breaks, often employing caesura to pause and emphasise emotional moments. These structural choices mirror the unsettled nature of the relationship, creating a rhythm that alternates between tension and longing, thus enhancing the poem's mood of emotional discord.