1st Edition

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

By Rebecca Stott, Simon Avery Copyright 2003
    264 Pages
    by Routledge

    264 Pages
    by Routledge

    This volume will provide students with an introduction to the poetry and life of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, one of the most popular poets of her day in Britain and America and who has become one of the great icons of Victorianism for the modern age. The authors present a biographical survey, study of her poetry, its critical reception and an assessment of her influence on later poets.

    This book also examines the complex 'myths' which are associated with Elizabeth Barrett Browning and offers re-readings of her life and work, particularly in dispelling the myth of the ailing invalid poet-recluse and instead showing her to be one of the great intellectuals of her day, immersed in European history and politics from a very early age. The book situates Browning within broader historical,political and cultural contexts than have yet been examined enabling a better understanding of her poetry and paints the portrait of a fine and innovative poet, an intellectual and an astute political thinker.

    INTRODUCTION: A POET LOST AND REGAINED  1. CONSTRUCTING THE POET LAUREATE OF HOPE END: ELIZABETH BARRETT'S EARLY LIFE  2. AUDACIOUS BEGINNINGS: ELIZABETH BARRETT'S EARLY WRITINGS  3. THE CULTURE OF THE SOUL: ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING'S POETICS  4. THE VOICE OF A DECADE: ELIZABETH BARRETT'S POLITICAL WRITINGS OF THE 1840'S  5. GENRE: A CHAPTER ON FORM  6. 'HOW DO I LOVE THEE?': LOVE AND MARRIAGE  7. 'TWIXT CHURCH AND PALACE OF A FLORENCE STREET': ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING AND ITALY  8. 'WHERE ANGELS FEAR TO TREAD'

    Biography

    Rebecca Stott, Simon Avery