Elizabeth Barrett Browning: Aurora Leigh

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Elizabeth Barrett BrowningAurora Leigh

• ENL 3251 Victorian Literature
• 10/12/10

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Quiz 7

• Describe Auroras adolescence in England. (Book
  I)
• What does Romney say about Auroras becoming a
  poet? (Book II)
• Why does Aurora reject Romneys marriage
  proposal? (Book II)
• Why does Lady Waldemar visit Aurora? (Book III)
• Describe the scene at Romneys wedding and how it
  ends. (Book IV)
• Extra Credit
• Who is Vincent Carrington?
• What was Marian doing when she meets Romney the
  2nd time?

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Elizabeth Barrett Browning (6 March 1806 29
June 1861 )

• The oldest of 12 children to the wealthy heir of
  a Jamaican plantation
• Shows an early interest in literature and
  language
• Privately tutored in Greek and Latin
• Writes an epic, 4 book poem in 1820
• Father has it privately printed

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Elizabeth Barrett Browning

• Suffers serious illness in 1821
• almost certainly a form of tuberculosis
  (McSweeny, xlii)
• Others think it could have been psychological or
  anorexia nervosa
• Prescribed opium, becomes addicted
• Mother dies in 1828
• Family begins to suffer financially around 1832

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Elizabeth Barrett Browning

• 1837, suffers another serious illness
• Leads to becoming an invalid
• Sent to seaside to recover, accompanied by
  brother (Bro)
• Brother drowns in 1840
• 1838, publishes poetry that establishes her
  reputation
• Returns to London in 1841
• Remains almost entirely secluded indoors for the
  next 5 years
• Corresponds with major literary figures of the
  day

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Elizabeth Barrett Browning

• 1845, begins correspondence with Robert Browning
• Marries Browning in 1846 against fathers wishes
• 1 week later, they secretly leave for Italy
• Father ends contact with her until his death in
  1857
• Son, Robert Pen Browning born in 1849
• Health worsens in 1860
• Dies in 1862
• Buried in Florence, Italy

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Sonnets from the Portuguese 43

• How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
• I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
• My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
• For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
• I love thee to the level of everyday's
• Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
• I love thee freely, as men strive for Right
• I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
• I love thee with the passion put to use
• In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
• I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
• With my lost saints,I love thee with the breath,
• Smiles, tears, of all my life!and, if God
  choose,
• I shall but love thee better after death.

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Aurora Leigh (1857)

• The question of poetry
• What kind of poetry is best suited for the
  Victorian age?
• Matthew Arnold the age is an unpoetical one.
  (McSeeney ix)
• As weve seen, many authors concerned over the
  function and place of poetry.
• Barrett Browning plans to combine poetry with
  prose.
• Uses poetry to address everyday concerns.
• Uses a poet/artist as the heroine.
• Inspired by a wide range of materials in poetry
  and prose.
• Classical, biblical and contemporary.

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Aurora Leigh

• Addresses a wide range of themes
• Gender
• Social roles and vocational options for women.
• Essential natures of men and women.
• Oppression of women under a patriarchal system.
• Society
• Romney Leigh is a Christian Socialist.
• Ambitious plans to reform and restructure
  society.
• Charles Kingsley a contemporary example.
• Depiction of London slums and mistreatment of the
  poor.
• Religion
• Addresses the importance of religion in a secular
  age.
• Artistic
• Reconciling poetry with other concerns of the
  age.
• Addresses the best way to depict a spiritual
  reality for the age.

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Questions/Comments?