Tori Bixler
Despite differences in culture and experience, love is an emotion that is felt in people all around the globe. This is seen in a ton of love letters recorded in history, that span all different kinds of eras, cultures, and countries. Some core themes found many times in these historical love letters include longing, admiration, devotion, and literary devices. The examples of love letters throughout history shown below prove that love is universal and remains the same throughout the centuries. From ancient times to present day, the way we express love is something we as humans all share. While many concepts have evolved over time, the essence of love remains the same.
One major theme we can see that appears often in love letters across the world is longing. The relentless yearning to be with your loved one is a very common theme across all love letters. In 12-century Europe, letters that were exchanged between Heloise and her lover Abelard show an intense yearning for connection. In her first letter to Abelard, she writes, “I have your picture in my room; I never pass by it without stopping to look at it; and yet when you were present with me, I scarce ever cast my eyes upon it.” Heloise keeps a picture of Abelard in her room that can symbol her lingering feelings and desire the reunite with her lover from whom she was separated. For context, Heloise and Abelard’s relationship began as Abelard being a tutor for Heloise which soon developed into a love affair between the two. Their love affair led to a big scandal and they eventually were separated. These letters were written after the two were torn apart. Their letters reveal the heartache of longing for a loved one.
Another example of longing is found in a letter written by Major Sullivan Ballou to his wife, Sarah, During WWII “…But, O Sarah, if the dead can come back to this earth, and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you in the garish day, and the darkest night amidst your happiest scenes and gloomiest hours always…” He has been longing for his lover for a very long time, and is saying that even in death, he will be with her. This illustrates the deepness of his longing for his wife during wartime, and how badly he wants to be with her again. This is a theme shown so often throughout history and all around the world, especially with people involved in combat.
Across all countries around the globe, love letters tend to often focus on the admiration of the qualities of their lover. An excellent example of this is shown in what some call the earliest reference to a love letter- The Song of Solomon, a poetic book found in the Hebrew Bible as well as the Old Testament. The speaker writes, “Behold, you are beautiful, my love; behold, you are beautiful; your eyes are doves.” This early example uses imagery to express admiration for one’s beauty.
Similarly, in a love letter written in 1796 from Napoleon Bonaparte to his wife Josephine, expressing true admiration for his lover: “You are the soul of my existence, and the passion I feel for you is beyond all description. I adore you with a love that grows with each passing day.” In this letter to his wife, Bonaparte expresses deep admiration for his wife, calling her the center of his life and his happiness.
One major unforgettable theme when the conversation of love comes up is devotion. One of the most important things to have for someone you love is devotion. Love letters are often a symbol of undying devotion for one another. This is seen a lot, especially in letters sent during wartime. These letters frequently included promises of eternal love and hope for their future. Take Harry MacDonald and Jacquelyn Robinson for example. Harry and Jaqueie fell in love before he had to leave to fight in WWII. They sent love letters to each other while he was in combat. During this time, he asked her to marry her. In her response, she mentions her gratitude for his letter and hopes for the future. One quote that stood out to me that really shows how deep Jaqueie’s devotion to Harry is “But no matter how long it is I shall wait. I think I would wait forever for you just so long as I could always know you were somewhere waiting too.”
The universality of love can also be shown in the vocabulary and literary devices used in love letters. A lot of love letters might use repetition of certain phrases to emphasize their strong feelings of love, need, and dedication for the other person. A study titled “Plant Metaphor of Love in English and Khowar: A Cross-Cultural Linguistic Study” was done in 2021 found that Kowar speakers use metaphors relating to nature to express their love. This relates to how in The Song of Solomon, eyes are compared to doves. Similarly, in a letter sent from Oscar Wilde to Lord Alfred Douglas in the 1890s Oscar Wilde writes “…, and it is a marvel that those red rose-leaf lips of yours should be made for no less for the madness of music and song than for the madness of kissing.” These uses of literary devices show that the language of love transcends time, language, and culture.
Love letters serve as proof that love itself is a universal feeling. Despite differences in culture, language, and era, they show feelings of longing, admiration, and devotion that remain highly similar despite the differences that may distance us socially. Whether it be written from a soldier in World War II or an English poet, or a dedicated and passionate lover from ancient times, love letters reveal that love is a shared human emotion all across the world. This not only connects us to people who may live hundreds of thousands of miles away, but also shows the universality of love.
Resources and works cited:
Letters of Abelard and Heloise
“My Very Dear Wife” – The Last Letter of Major Sullivan Ballou (U.S. National Park Service)