Webaula 4 Elizabeth - Profa. Débora Lorena | DEaD UERN

Introduction to Victorian Poetry

Overview of the Victorian Era

• The Victorian era in literature spans from 1830 to 1901, coinciding with Queen Victoria's reign.

• This period is complex and includes at least four distinct generations of poets, marking a transition from Romanticism.

Characteristics of Victorian Poets

• Common traits among Victorian poets include:

• A sense of authority in their work.

• Awareness of their position as successors to Romantic poets.

• Recognition that poetry had lost its previous social function compared to earlier periods.

Focus on Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Influence and Legacy

• Elizabeth Barrett Browning was part of the first generation of Victorian poets and had a significant impact on both English and American literature.

• Notable figures influenced by her work include Edgar Allan Poe, who dedicated "The Raven" to her.

Challenges Faced

• Despite her influence, Browning's work was often overshadowed by her husband Robert Browning's fame, leading to neglect of her contributions.

Life and Education of Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Early Life

• Born in 1806 and passed away in 1861, she published numerous works throughout her life, including the renowned collection "Sonnets from the Portuguese."

Educational Background

• Although she did not attend university due to gender norms, she received a privileged education with access to tutors and was well-read in classical literature by age ten.

Literary Contributions During Youth

Early Publications

• Began publishing at age 13 with "The Battle of Marathon," followed by several other works during her youth until around 1840 when personal tragedies struck.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning: Life and Literary Influence

Early Life and Challenges

• Elizabeth Barrett Browning faced significant emotional pain, particularly after the loss of her brother. This period led to her most productive years as a poet from 1841 to 1844.

• In 1844, she published "The Poems," which notably influenced Edgar Allan Poe's work, including his famous poem "The Raven." The collection also featured her poem "Lady Lady Jerusalem Court."

• Her poem "Aurora Leigh" is autobiographical, depicting the journey of a female artist and reflecting on her own literary career.

Personal Struggles and Health Issues

• Despite receiving an education, Elizabeth's life was marred by health issues; she suffered from severe pulmonary problems that became incurable by age 20.

• A horse riding accident at age 15 exacerbated her health issues, leading to chronic pain and dependency on morphine for relief.

• Living in isolation due to her health conditions, Elizabeth found companionship with her dog Flush, who would later be immortalized in Virginia Woolf's writings.

Relationship with Robert Browning

• Elizabeth's correspondence with Robert Browning began through letters before they met in person. She feared he would be disappointed by her frail appearance.

• Their relationship blossomed through letter exchanges over a year before they finally met. Robert brought positivity into Elizabeth’s life, challenging the perception of her illness.

Marriage and Family Dynamics

• Elizabeth’s father was controlling and opposed to his children marrying. Out of eleven siblings, only three married due to fear of disinheritance.

• In winter 1847, facing pressure from family dynamics and health concerns, Elizabeth accepted Robert’s marriage proposal. They married secretly within a week.

Legacy and Recognition

• After their marriage, Elizabeth sent numerous letters to her father that went unanswered; he never acknowledged them even years later when returned unopened.

• Elizabeth passed away in Florence in 1861 at age 55. Her funeral drew significant attention with tributes from both English and Italian writers.

• Despite having more mature works than Robert Browning, she received less recognition during her lifetime compared to him; it wasn't until much later that appreciation for her contributions grew significantly.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Life and Works

Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Legacy

• A collection of writings from Elizabeth Barrett Browning is discussed, highlighting her literary contributions after her death. Her husband, Robert Browning, moved back to England and left Florenza, never to return.

• Robert Browning restricted the publication of his wife's biographies and letters during his lifetime, allowing only those written to Richard Hangst Horn for literary purposes to be published to support friends in financial need.

Posthumous Publications

• After Robert's death, their son was entrusted with the decision regarding the publication of Elizabeth’s letters. Ten years later, he made these letters available, leading to various compilations and online access.

"Sonnets from the Portuguese"

• The discussion transitions to "Sonnets from the Portuguese," published in 1850. This collection is highly regarded in English literature and has been compared to Shakespeare's works.

• The poems were initially dedicated to Robert during their correspondence and reflect a deeply personal tone due to their intimate relationship.

Themes and Inspirations

• The title "Sonnets from the Portuguese" reflects both Elizabeth and Robert’s admiration for Camões. Some sonnets have been translated into Brazilian Portuguese by Manuel Bandeira.

• An anecdote about Manuel Bandeira affectionately nicknaming Elizabeth as "Belinha de Barrito" adds a personal touch.

Analysis of Sonnet 43

• The analysis includes a reading of Sonnet 43 ("How Do I Love Thee?"), emphasizing its emotional depth and spiritual comparisons within love.

Emotional Depth

• The poem is referenced in popular culture (Charlie Brown's Peanuts), showcasing its lasting impact on literature and society.

Structure & Style

• Sonnet 43 employs iambic pentameter which creates a conversational rhythm; this structure enhances its natural flow despite occasional breaks in verse.

Freedom of Choice in Love

• A significant theme is love as a free choice. This resonates with Elizabeth’s life experiences under restrictive parental control until her marriage at age 40.

Reflection on Past Griefs

• References to “Old Griefs” highlight her struggles before marriage, contrasting her newfound freedom with past limitations imposed by her father.

Exploring Love and Freedom in Poetry

The Concept of Free Will and Romantic Values

• The discussion begins with the idea that Elizabeth experiences a form of freedom, leading to a "happy ending" in her life. This newfound liberty is linked to romantic values, emphasizing choice and love.

• The speaker highlights the ethical implications of love, particularly for women in the 19th century who often lacked agency in choosing their partners. Elizabeth's choice to marry for love rather than wealth signifies a shift towards personal freedom.

• Elizabeth's decision to pursue love at the cost of familial ties illustrates her struggle for autonomy. Her secret marriage represents a significant act of defiance against societal norms.

Poetic Structure and Its Significance

• The poem opens with an imperative phrase "let me," indicating that the female voice controls her narrative. This use of archaic English emphasizes both formality and depth in expressing devotion.

• The formal structure of the sonnet aligns with traditional expressions of love, suggesting that Elizabeth’s meditation on love is serious and profound.

Metaphors and Dimensions of Love

• In reflecting on how love fills her soul, Elizabeth employs spatial metaphors (width, height, depth), suggesting that love is not just emotional but also something substantial that can be measured.

• This metaphor implies that love requires effort to sustain; it is akin to constructing something tangible through work and dedication.

Emotional Complexity in Love

• The use of enjambment creates continuity between lines, enhancing emotional intensity. Hyperbole further emphasizes the transcendental nature of her feelings.

• By contrasting existence ("being") with grace, she suggests that true love transcends physical limitations and connects deeply with spiritual existence.

Everyday Realities vs. Idealized Love

• In discussing daily life ("everyday"), Elizabeth acknowledges that real love manifests through mundane actions rather than grand gestures or special occasions.

• Antithesis appears as she juxtaposes opposites (joy/sorrow), illustrating how love encompasses all aspects of human experience—light and dark alike.

Reshaping Beliefs About Love

• Concluding this section, Elizabeth expresses a pure form of love derived from past pains ("childhood's faith"). This transformation indicates growth from suffering into a deeper understanding of affection.

Exploring Innocence and Spirituality in Love

The Loss of Childhood Innocence

• The purity of childhood is often lost as one grows up, primarily due to disillusionments faced in adulthood.

• Despite this loss, the love expressed by the speaker for their beloved has the power to restore that innocence once experienced in childhood.

• The speaker reflects on loving unconditionally, similar to how a child loves, indicating a deep emotional connection.

Interpretation of Love and Spirituality

• Initial interpretations of the phrase "my lost sense" may suggest a lack of belief in religion; however, subsequent lines reveal a connection to spirituality and God.

• The term "lost" may not refer solely to religious figures but could symbolize individuals admired during youth who were later disappointed or estranged from the speaker's life.

• This disappointment might be linked to personal experiences with parental figures, particularly highlighting control and exclusion from the father figure in the writer's life.