Tennyson and Browning

 This blog task is assigned by Prakruti bhatt mam as a part of thinking activity

1) Justify Tennyson as the representative literary figure of the Victorian Era.

Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s position as the quintessential literary figure of the Victorian Era is well-founded, as his work profoundly reflects the values, concerns, and transitions that defined this period in British history. Through his thematic range, stylistic choices, and the resonance his poetry held with the public, Tennyson captured the Victorian spirit. 

 Historical and Social Context

• Industrial and Scientific Progress: The Victorian Era (1837–1901) was marked by extraordinary developments in industry and science, which led to social transformation and a shift in intellectual paradigms. Tennyson’s poetry addresses these changes, often grappling with the implications of scientific advancements, such as Darwin’s theory of evolution.

• Religious and Philosophical Uncertainty: This period saw a crisis of faith for many Victorians, who were confronted with questions about religion and spirituality in light of scientific discoveries. Tennyson’s work, especially in poems like “In Memoriam A.H.H.,” embodies this conflict, offering a poetic voice to the uncertainties surrounding life, death, and divine existence.

Themes Reflecting the Victorian Psyche

• Exploration of Doubt and Faith: Tennyson’s poetry captures the Victorians’ oscillation between doubt and faith, especially in the face of grief, mortality, and existential questions. “In Memoriam,” written after the death of his close friend Arthur Hallam, is a landmark work that explores profound spiritual doubt and eventual reconciliation with faith.

• Reflection on Social and Moral Issues: Tennyson’s works often address issues such as social responsibility, the role of the individual in society, and the values of heroism and nobility, seen in poems like “Ulysses” and “The Charge of the Light Brigade.” These themes resonate with Victorian values and anxieties about social order and progress.

• Celebration of Domesticity and Family: Tennyson’s poems frequently valorize familial and domestic life, which aligns with the Victorian ideal of the family as a moral center. This is evident in his portrayal of loyalty, love, and duty, particularly in poems like “The Princess,” which advocates for women’s rights while upholding family values.

 Stylistic and Aesthetic Characteristics

• Use of Lyricism and Imagery: Tennyson is celebrated for his exquisite use of language, rich imagery, and rhythmic mastery. His style resonated deeply with Victorian readers, who valued both beauty and clarity in poetry. Tennyson’s lyrical quality, seen in works like “The Lady of Shalott,” offers an aesthetic that captures the romantic allure and melancholic undertones of the Victorian period.

• Combination of Classical and Contemporary Influences: Tennyson masterfully blends classical themes with contemporary Victorian concerns. For instance, his poem “Ulysses” draws from Homeric legend but speaks to Victorian ideals of perseverance and exploration, mirroring the era’s imperial aspirations and individual resilience.

 Representation of Victorian Ideals and Contradictions

• Struggle Between Tradition and Change: Tennyson’s poetry often reflects the Victorian struggle to reconcile tradition with change. The Victorians were deeply rooted in traditional values but were simultaneously experiencing unprecedented social and technological shifts. Poems like “Locksley Hall” explore this tension, capturing the ambivalence Victorians felt about progress.

• Advocacy for Moral Values: Many of Tennyson’s works emphasize moral values such as courage, loyalty, and perseverance, aligning with Victorian ideals. “The Charge of the Light Brigade,” for instance, celebrates the bravery of soldiers despite the futility of their mission, which mirrors Victorian admiration for duty and sacrifice.

Public and Cultural Impact

• Poet Laureate and National Symbol: Tennyson’s appointment as Poet Laureate in 1850 solidified his status as the poetic voice of the Victorian Era. His public role allowed him to shape and reflect the nation’s sentiments, particularly during key historical moments. As Poet Laureate, he was often called upon to write poems that commemorated significant national events, thereby linking his voice to the collective identity of Victorian England.

• Popularity and Enduring Influence: Tennyson’s works were immensely popular and widely read during his lifetime, reflecting his ability to connect with the general populace. His themes, which aligned with the intellectual and emotional concerns of his era, ensured that he remained relevant to Victorian readers, securing his influence over the period’s literary landscape.

 Enduring Legacy as a Voice of the Victorian Era

• Tennyson’s poetry continues to serve as a window into the Victorian mindset. His exploration of universal themes, coupled with a style that balances depth with accessibility, has cemented his legacy as a poet who both represented and transcended his time.
• As the Victorian poet who adeptly captured the era’s aspirations, anxieties, and moral values, Tennyson’s works remain essential reading for understanding the complexities and contradictions of the Victorian Age.

2) Pick a poem written by Robert Browning and discuss its thematic concerns.

Robert Browning’s "Porphyria’s Lover" is a dramatic monologue that delves into themes of possessive love, power, and madness. The speaker’s obsession with Porphyria leads him to murder her in an attempt to keep her love eternal, reflecting the dark extremes of control and obsession. Through his calm, disturbed narration, Browning explores the psychological imbalance where love becomes possessive and morally ambiguous. The storm outside symbolizes the speaker’s inner turmoil, contrasting with the eerie calm inside, where he now controls Porphyria’s lifeless body, critiquing Victorian views on gender and objectification. The poem is a haunting exploration of the dangers of obsessive love.

 Possessive Love and Obsession

• In "Porphyria’s Lover," love is portrayed as deeply possessive and obsessive; the speaker's desire to own Porphyria completely leads him to take her life in an attempt to preserve her love forever. He believes that by killing her, he has immortalized her affection, showing how his love is twisted by an obsessive need for control and permanence.

 Power and Submission

• The poem explores power dynamics, beginning with Porphyria in control as she warms the cottage and sits beside the narrator. However, this shifts dramatically when the speaker kills her, taking ultimate control by deciding her fate. After her death, he arranges her body as he wishes, reducing her to a submissive object, thereby asserting complete dominance over her life and memory.

 Madness and Moral Ambiguity

• Browning delves into madness and moral ambiguity, as the speaker calmly narrates his crime without remorse, hinting at a psychological imbalance. He even justifies his actions by noting that “God has not said a word,” interpreting divine silence as approval, suggesting a disturbed mind that rationalizes murder as an act of love and sees his crime as morally acceptable.

 Gender and Objectification

• The speaker’s actions reflect the Victorian tendency to objectify women, portraying Porphyria as a possession rather than a person with autonomy. After her death, she becomes a lifeless doll he manipulates, symbolizing how Victorian societal norms often viewed women as mere extensions of male desires, a perspective that Browning critiques through the lover’s actions and words.

 Nature as a Reflection of Emotion

• The stormy weather outside mirrors the speaker’s inner conflict and foreshadows the violent act, while the quiet, controlled atmosphere inside the cottage represents his attempt to control both Porphyria and his emotions. This contrast between the natural chaos and the eerie calmness inside serves as a symbolic reflection of the speaker’s disturbed psyche, highlighting the tension between outward control and inner turbulence.

Conclusion 

Tennyson's status as the representative literary figure of the Victorian era is solidified by his ability to reflect the period's moral dilemmas, societal changes, and intellectual struggles in his poetry. His works, such as "In Memoriam" and "Ulysses," address themes like the conflict between faith and doubt, the quest for personal meaning, and the challenges of progress and tradition. Similarly, Robert Browning's "My Last Duchess" explores power, control, and the objectification of women, revealing the darker side of human nature through the Duke’s possessive tendencies. Both poets embody the Victorian era’s complex blend of optimism, anxiety, and moral questioning, making them central to understanding the cultural and intellectual landscape of the time. In conclusion, Tennyson's and Browning’s works capture the essence of Victorian concerns, illustrating the tension between individual desires, societal expectations, and the evolving notions of morality.

References

"Porphyria's Lover - Madness." Poetry for Students, Vol. 15. Gale Cengage, access date 18 Nov. 2024 https://www.enotes.com/topics/porphyrias-lover-robert-browning/themes#themes-madness

“Alfred, Lord Tennyson.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 4 Nov. 2024, www.britannica.com/biography/Alfred-Lord-Tennyson. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.