Overview of Percy Bysshe Shelley and Anna Laetitia Barbauld 4

These flashcards cover key concepts about Percy Bysshe Shelley’s subversive themes in his poetry, particularly "Adonais," as well as Anna Laetitia Barbauld's contributions to literature and political activism.

What is the theme of Shelley’s poem "Adonais" regarding grief and transcendence?

Shelley transforms grief into transcendence, moving from mourning to cosmic unity and spiritual immortality.

What traditional literary form does Shelley use in "Adonais"?

A pastoral elegy in Spenserian stanzas.(nine-line stanzas with a specific rhyme scheme: ababbcbcc),

rural imagery

mourners procession

consolation through nature and immortality

How did Shelley subvert traditional pastoral elegy conventions in "Adonais"?

He turned elegy into political critique ( blaming the reiwers) and elevated Romantic imagination over Enlightenment rationality.

How is death viewed in shelly’s adonias?

Consolation through nature and immortality: Death is part of a natural cycle; rebirth is possible

Creates a universal statement on poetic immortality the idea that true poetry survives death

When was shelly’s triumph of life created ?

This unfinished poem (Shelley died before completing it)

what are the main themes in triumph of life?

subversion of human greatness

disillusionement

unfinshed nature

Was Anna barbauld part of a conformist family?

Nonconformist Protestant family, emphasizing education,religious dissent, and liberal political ideals

Brother john Atkin ,Warrington dissenting intellectual milieu

What social and political ideals did Anna Laetitia Barbauld advocate for?

Democracy, women's education, and political activism against empire and slavery.

What is significant about Barbauld's work in relation to gender?

She challenged traditional gender roles by writing politically charged work, defying the expectation for women to focus on domestic issues.

What genre does Anna Laetitia Barbauld employ to reach broad audiences?

She used multiple genres, including poetry, essays, and children's literature, to promote social change.

What was a major critique in Barbauld's poem "Eighteen Hundred and Eleven"?

It criticized Britain's involvement in the Napoleonic Wars and presented Britain as a declining empire.

How does Barbauld's political engagement reflect her status as a 'double dissenter'?

She navigated public intellectual life as a woman and a religious dissenter opposing Anglican orthodoxy.

What were the key themes of BArbauld’s works ?

Historical Progress: In Eighteen Hundred and Eleven, she presents a philosophy of

inevitable historical decline and transformation rather than optimistic endless progress.

Accountability and Moral Responsibility: Citizens share in the guilt of their governments injustices.

Women Intellectual Empowerment: Advocated for womens education and public engagement.

Resistance to Empire and Slavery: Deeply critical of Britain's imperial and colonial

enterprises.

what is the british context for radicalism?

-Britain is a trad conservative country (ex monarchy )

British radicalism often failed because moderate reform became the norm

Consensus politics ww2- thatcher’s reforms = broad political agreement between parties

What was a key outcome of the influence of the American, French and Bolshevik Revolutions on British radicalism?

They inspired radical ideas and movements within Britain during times of social and economic inequality.

Why did radicalism grow in britain?

Inequality

slow progress towards democracy

unemployement and poverty

Rise of marxism and socialism in Europe

Reaction to nazism and communism abroad

What impact did WWI have on British radicalization?

Post-WWI trauma and economic hardships led to the emergence of stronger labor organizations and political movements.Such as

trade unionism

labour party strength

comunist party of great britain

“land fit for heroes”

AS well as the communist party what far right mouvements emerged ?

British union of facists lead by oswald mosley

what was the zinoviev letter scandal ?

A controversial document purportedly from Soviet leader Grigory Zinoviev, urging British communists to intensify revolutionary activities. Its publication in 1924 fueled anti-communist sentiment and discredited the Labour Party.

What resistence was there to extremism?

Labour Governments (1924, 1929 -31) were moderate.

National Government (1931 1939): a centrist coalition formed during the

economic crisis.

Media and institutions (e.g., BBC, conservative press) defended the status quo

What major achievements did the labour party acommplish from 1945-1951?

NHS creation

Welfare state