The Old Arm-Chair

"The Old Arm-Chair" by Eliza Cook is a moving poem brimming with nostalgia and affection. It centers around an armchair representing the enduring bond between a child and their mother. The poem unfolds as the speaker fondly remembers their mother using the chair as a place for teaching, sharing religious insights, and offering comfort. It also acknowledges the inevitable sorrow of the mother's passing, emphasizing the armchair as a symbol of both joyful childhood memories and profound loss, vividly illustrating the lasting power of a mother's love.