The Bells Symbolism, Imagery & Wordplay

Silver bells, silver bells, it's Christmas time in the city. Ring-a-ling, hear them ring, soon it will be Christmas day….Hark! how the bells, sweet silver bells, all seem to say, "Throw cares awa...

This second set of bells is also deeply symbolic. Gold has been a sign of wealth and permanence (since it doesn't tarnish or corrode) and love (think of wedding rings) for a long time. That's why...

These are the first scary bells we run into in the poem.  They are loud fire alarm bells, whose call shatters the calm of the night, filling it with noise and fear and danger.  Again, the...

The night is everywhere in this poem, almost like a character. Every section happens at night, but as things move along, the feeling of the nighttime and the darkness changes to match the shifting...

The Turtle-Dove is an old symbol of love and faithfulness. (Apparently these doves form really strong bonds with their mates.) That's why the turtle-doves makes a perfect match for the golden bell...