Victorian Poets: Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)

• Most celebrated woman poet of the Victorian era.
• Recognized by prominent figures such as Wordsworth, Queen Victoria, Christina Rossetti, Edgar Allan Poe, and Emily Dickinson.
• Early success as a writer; became reclusive and isolated due to illness in her teens.
• Actively wrote and corresponded with literary and public figures despite isolation.

Personal Life

• Entered a romantic relationship with Robert Browning in 1845 (she was 40, he was 33).
• Eloped with Robert Browning in 1846 to Italy, leading to a recovery in health, the start of their family, and a continued writing career.

Key Works

• Sonnets from the Portuguese (1850)
  • A collection of sonnets expressing deep emotion and love.
• Aurora Leigh (1856)
  • A significant work combining poetic narrative and social commentary, advocating for the role of women in literature.

Correspondence

• Robert Browning to Elizabeth Barrett (10 Jan. 1845)

  • Expresses deep admiration for her poetry, emphasizing the impact her verses had on him.
  • Describes his honest and heartfelt regard for her talent.

• Elizabeth Barrett to Robert Browning (18 Sept. 1846)

  • Reflects the intensity of their emotions in their relationship.
  • Highlights her anticipation of their union and the reverence with which she speaks of him.

Aurora Leigh: Book 1 Overview

• Self Portrait: Art's Purpose

  • Declarative intent: "I. . . Will write my story for my better self."
  • Expresses a connection to the external world while delving into her inner self.

• Familial Background

  • Mother: Florentine, died young.
  • Father: English and stern.
  • Descriptive imagery of first meeting their parents: contrasting perceptions.

• Mother's Influence

  • Her Mother’s Portrait portrays the duality of her presence/absence in Aurora's upbringing.
  • Mythical references: Muse, Psyche, Medusa.
  • Emotional weight conveyed through phrases like "leaving her last smile" versus "without smile or kiss."

• Aurora’s Education

  • Arrival in England described with a focus on nature and personal transformation.
  • Influence of a strict aunt advocating for a 'virtuous life' as confining.

• Lessons in Education

  • The instructive value of language, history, and arts examined.
  • Critique of conduct books that limit a woman's intellectual scope.
  • Emphasis on the symbolical power of women’s works.

• Discovery of Poetry

  • Art’s role as a means to enlightenment amidst darkness.
  • The poet portrayed as a prophetic voice conveying essential truths about the soul and existence.

Art's Purpose in Aurora Leigh

• From Book 5
  • Poets should strive for double vision: understanding both the close details and the broader context of life.

How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)

• Context and Themes
  • The sonnet lists various profound expressions of love, showcasing both depth and breadth.
  • Key themes include selflessness, passion, faith, continuity beyond death, and the transcendence of love.
  • Notable concluding lines: "if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death."

Visual Representation

• "Clasped Hands of the Brownings" by Harriet Goodhue Hosmer
  • A symbolic art piece illustrating the union and mutual support in the Browning's relationship.