Reference: 

These lines have been taken from the poem “New Year Resolutions”, written by Elizabeth
Sewell.

Context: 
This poem is about the New Year resolutions and promises. Another year has lapsed. On the start
of the new year, the poetess takes stock of herself very realistically. She tries to make this world
a better place by making new pledges. Her untraditional resolution is to face and lie with reality.

Context:
In this poem, the poetess throws light on the blessings of self-examination. This ennobles and
purifies one’s soul. The poetess wants to take stock of her past misdeeds and wrongs in a rational
manner. Her aim is to lead a better life at the start of new year.

Explanation:

Lines: 1 – 3 

In these lines the poetess describes her mental state and the way she would drink to purify her
soul. She says that she will drink wine at night secretly. She will have long draughts during night
and will purge herself from all kinds of evils. This will assist her in helping other people because
her own mind and spirit will be free from all types of evils. “Long draughts of Quiet” also
suggests that she will keep quiet most of time. This will be the best means for the purification of
her soul and it will help her in leading beneficial and successful life. She says; she will talk less
and hear more and mould her life into betterment.

Lines 4 – 6 

In the given lines Elizabeth says, she will remember herself twice daily, in the evening and in the
morning. She will take into consideration what her aim of creation is. She will try to understand
the purpose of life in general. Perhaps she means that she should recognize herself, which will
help her in recognizing God and leading life for benefit of others.

Lines 7 – 9 

These are concluding lines of the poem. Here, the poetess says she will accept reality. While,
sleeping at night, she will consider the bitter reality of life. During the new year she will make
some promises and pledges. She will sleep on thin, less-fleshy arms of reality. Accepting reality
and facts is always a difficult thing, but she will accept it bravely. She will feel relieved and
satisfied, when she comes to know that she has spent her life for the benefit of others. The image
of bony arms is a hard reality. Even then she will get delight and feel comforted when she has
fulfilled her promises and resolutions, she has made on the start of the new year.
Stanza  1:
I will drain
Long draughts of quite
As a purgation:

Reference:
Context:
These lines have been taken from the poem New Year Resolution written by Elizabeth Sewell
It is small but very impressive poem. In this poem, the poetess describes her intentions in a
delightful manner at the approach of New Year. Usually, people celebrate New Year by drinking
wine or doing other such useless things. But, the poetess doesn’t want to waste her time in
such useless things. She wants to celebrate the arrival of New Year in a different style by
learning bitter realities of life and making resolution for her future life.
Explanation:
In these lines the poetess throws light on her New Year resolutions. She wants to drain her self
by long draughts of quite. Now “the draining of long draughts” is commonly associated
with drinking wine. But, she wants to drink in quite, as a means of purifying herself. Quite is a
symbol of calmness and purity and this is what she wants to achieve.
Stanza  2: Remember Twice daily Who I am;

Reference to  the  Context:

Same as above.
Explanation:
In these lines, the poetess shows her second intention, what she wants to do in New Year.
Actually, she wants to learn form her past shortcomings and defects. In a day, she wants to
remember her reality twice. She doesnot want to forget her reality but wants to know purpose of
her creation. She wants to know her objective in life and her rights and duties towards others. In
short, through these lines the poetess makes us to realize our purpose of reality.
Stanza  3:
Will lie o’nights
In the bony arms
Of reality and be comforted.
Reference to  the  Context:
Same as above.
Explanation:
In the ending lines of this short poem, the poetess gives her third intention on New Year. The
poetess doesnot want to spend her nights in sound sleeps rather she wants to know realities of
life. She has a desire to spend her nights while staying in the bony arms of reality. She will feel
comfortable while knowing the realities of life. Actually, the bony arms of reality refer towards
the bones without flesh that is realities in their true sense. In short, she wants to know the
realities of life though how bitter they are