Robert Browning - 19th Century Victorian poet Questions

Hello :)

I'm going to answer a few questions that were on Mrs Pignier's blog address (http://www.sthpignierenglish.blogspot.com/) now ...

NOTE: Things in italics are things that were added in during the lesson.

1. What were the predominant values, attitudes and ways of thinking of Victorian soceity?

• During the time Browning lived and wrote England was becoming very urban. New papers were becoming much more brash and were venturing out into 'splashy tales' of crime, and lust within the city.
• Many people began to loose faith in their religions as scientific theories were becoming more noticed - this led to them questioning their morality. Religion and Science were swapping roles
• Art was turning into a major part of the culture, both critics and artists were now doing "art for art's sake" as a movement towards the end of the 19th century. (What art stood for was questioned)
• Fathers were very protective of their daughters
• Negatives were occuring - morality, rural-ness etc were becoming questioned.
• They were going through an economic turmoil and so both wealth and poverty soared. There was a struggle between finding out about material values - the luxuries they can indulge in or morality - the concern for the poor.
• Small town - everyone knows everyones business, whereas in a big city - you become a number, anonymus, nobody knows what you do ...
• Society was changing - artists and poets were worried about their own legacies (were their works going to be relevant in this new world?)

2. Describe the major trends and developments of the Victorian era.

• Brittian became very urbanised from their one rural lifestyle
• As they now lived in 'cities' they lived close to eachother, this led to poverty, violence and sex became a part of every day living. (Could also be in question 1)
• Wealth and consumption rose (economic turmoil) as did poverty
• Materialism (luxury items - clothing etc) was questioned in regards to poverty
• There was an Art Movement
• Cultural differences, changes etc.
• People felt that they had more freedom
• There was a loss of a social safety net as everyone was looking out for themselves.
• Newspapers became BIG and turned into a very popular trend
• Society was becoming very 'numb' from over sensitivity/exposure therefore there was a very dramatic decay in peoples morals. (This lead to them looking back at religion to try to get them a base -- getting back what they had lost. )

3. A Brief paragraph on Robert Browning's childhood:

Robert Browning was born in 1812 in Camberwell - A suburb in London/England. He had fairly liberal parents. His father was a well payed clerk for the bank of England, and his mother was a musician. He had one younger sister. His father had heaps of rare books in a library that he owned meaning that Robert was brought up in a world of literature. His father was the one who encouraged his passion for literature and the arts. Browning had written his first book by the age of 12 but had destroyed it when no publisher was found. He had to have a tutor rather than go to school as he has a dislike for anything institutionalised. By the age of 14 he could speak French, Greek, Italian and Latin fluently. He didn't last long at any universities, and had many changes and influences in his religion.

4. What impact did his childhood and education have on his career as a writer?

His childhood impacted his career as a writer because his father was constantly encouraging his interest in literature which meant that his career was something he enjoyed rather than something he had to do. He was a great follower to Romantic Poetry, which also influenced his future of writing. As his mother believed in evanangelical faith, and he went through numerous phases of change in religion he was not accepted into many universities, making him more open-minded towards his work. Browning was also influenced by Percy Bysshe Shelley who had him rethinking the modern society.

5.Give a brief explanation of the term DRAMATIC MONOLOGUE in Victorian poetry.

Dramatic Monologue is a piece of spoken verse that offers depth and insight into the feelings of the character or speaker. It suggests an auditor or auditors. It is usually spoken to a silent audience to develop the depth and critiscism in a critical situation.

7. What is meant by the term silent listener?

The term silent listener refers to the fact that the audience is quiet. This is so the speaker can create the audience. This leaves them a place within the narrative and text where whey can respond. Or a character who we know is there but we never hear from them.


8. What is the effect Browning is trying to achieve by the use of this technique - how does it position the reader?

It positions the reader with an out of body feeling as if they are watching the scene from away. It can also leave them uncertain or confused, as the audience/reader often doesn't know who or what they are. It can mean that they are meant to loose themselves in the piece as by using this technique it is much easier.

9. Why did some of his contemporary readers find it difficult to read and interpret his work?

They find it difficult to read because of the silent listener term the reader doesn't know who or what the text is addressed at and it can be overwhelming as there are plenty of options that are usually only figured out towards the end of the text. Also the way he writes can be confusing as it is not the way that poetry etc is written in these modern times .. for example - how we find the language Jane Austin sometimes hard to understand as they would call females "handsome.."

10. What were some of the contributing factors to aid in the peak of his career in the 1860's?

Some contributing factors to aid in the peak of his career in the 1860's are:

- the death of his wife inspired him

- his perseverance - working 5 years on "The Ring and the Book" which is based on an actual murder.

(This may still be a work in progress!)

Hope you enjoy this!

SPECS AND SLIMS. on "Colour"

“Colour” by Dorethea Mackellar is a poem describing a blind woman’s perspective on colour. It shows and describes many different natural habitats throughout Australia and in vivid rich detail and colour; this makes it [Australia] in vivid rich detail and colour, and makes it seem more striking than it actually is – as this woman is blond and cam only imagine the colours. She is drawing upon the time before her blindness to seek out the colours and feelings that she acquired with them “with scarlet flame” or “coolest lilac, float on my soothed eyes.”
The purpose and theme of this poem is to show gratitude and appreciation of the world and all it’s beautiful colours. It also teaches the readers not to take them [colours] for granted as one day they may disappear and you shall only have your memories to recall upon.

There were many emotions portrayed through this poem. Mackellar managed to express empathy and blissfulness, as the reader goes through the poem. The imagery created really brings out a calm, serene and peaceful feeling as you read it, “nights of blue and pearl, and long smooth beaches” or “misty and azure-stained...” The use of word choice also makes the poem seem more realistic and catches the readers eye, “their soft dyes have steeped my soul in colour”.

This poem uses enjambment in its form, but otherwise remains to be a free verse. It may feel like a ballad with a song swing to it, but it’s not. Personal Pronouns are also used throughout the poem and are often paired with descriptive word choices. There has been a wide vocabulary used within this poem, “steeped” another word for engrained, “larkspur” a vivid purple plant instead of bright purple, “unearthly” instead of abnormal. “Sunset hearted,” “gorgeous” and “stricken” are also prime examples of word choice. The above words are very ecstatic, bright, symbolic and happy which creates meaningful and plenty of imagery in the readers head. There were only a few techniques that created imagery and support the theme, “yellow as sunburnt wheat” This was really good as it gives a comparison for the reader to compare with, in this case a visual of yellow sunburnt wheat. This realistic comparison helps the reader realise how important colours are in our every day life. They rhythm is very “perky” but smooth. Adding to the perky affect is rhyme with the stanza’s following: abcbdefegihijklkmnonpqrqstutvwxw, which eventually leads off to the next stanza low key and therefore well. There is one example of onomatepia, which helps with the imagery in the poem, “foam that creams and hisses” there is also assonance with “es” and “s” and alliteration “saffron sunset” and “dream and dawn”.

This poem was very interesting, and managed to successfully portray the themes of gratatude, appreceiation and not taking anything for granted. This was protrayed through various poetic techniques, all of which made the poem enjoyable and realistic. The main technique that made the poem as great as it was, was the word choice, as this in turn created many visual accompanyments and was one of the highlights of Mackellar's poem.

SPECS && SLIMS - Variations On The Word Love

Variations on the Word Love
Poet: Margaret Atwood

Variations on the Word love describes 'love' and all the variations on this singular word. It shows that the fantasized description of Love isn't always what it is made out to be. It's also about the experience of love, and how it doesn't always run smooth. Examples of this include; in stanza 1 "This is a word we use to plug holes with" Showing how love as a word can be used carelessley and used to fill blanks in without as much meaning.
The themes and purposes of the poem is romance and to describe and reflect on love. It shows how overrated it is, and also how it can be good and can be the cause of many things that humans undertake in "..You can cook with it too" one of the few examples given, of how someone can cook with love and passion, and that love is not always related to being with somebody, "It's a single vowel in this metallic scilence"
There are many contradicting emotions protrayed during this poem. They include reflectiveness "Then there's the two of us." Spitefulness "is a word we use to plug holes with". Confusion"..that comes with no instructions" Regret and fear "It's not love we dont wish to fall into, but that fear" and ultimatums "you can hold on or let go."
This peice is a freeverse peom. It uses Peresonal Pronouns and enjabment to create imagery. Atwood has a great vocabulary throughout this poem. She has excellent word choice in using "vacancies" instead of spaces, 'debauncheries' 'glittering' 'deep bare vacuums between the stars' which makes the space seem much more magnatising and grander than it actually is; and 'it's a single vowel in this metallic silence" which also creaters imagery. By choosing her words carefully (as discussed previously) the poet has been able to sucessfully portray imagery into the readers head. There weren't many poetic techniques used during this poem, but some possible examples of personification - 'This is a word we use to plug holes with" as you cant really plug a hole with love, let alone the word. This poem was read in 2/4 time, although it doesn't carry much rhythm, repetition or rhyme, though there was one example of repetition "Love, Love". This poem does use assonance though, for greater emphasis and effect on the phrases it's matched with. Atwood has used Peresonal pro-nouns through the whole poem which capture the readers interest and mind, to form imagery and more realistic emotions as the poem is beleived to be directed at them.
Overall this poem was not able to udentufy and show it's purpose or any of the techniques discussed above openly and without evaluation. The impact of this piece was confusing, love, boring, lame and extremely lousy. It was felt that this poem - had it been structured differently could have triggered more posotive remarks.

:) Did you like it? For those of you who dont know ... SPECS and SLIMS are a form of poetry analysis

S- subject matter
P- purpose
E- emotion
C- craftsman ship (go to slims now)
S- summary

S- structure
L- language
I- Imagery
M- movement
S- sound

Poetry Analysis - The Surfer by Judith Wright

The Surfer by Judith Wright describes a surfers enjoyment and experience through surfing. It also describes how through the different stages of the day the sea can change, from being a calm enjoyable ride to being something as violent as a *wolf*.

There are many themes and messages the poet (Judith Wright) is trying to get across, some of them are: the pleasures and experience of surfing; also, the regret of having to go back home and leave the ocean as it becomes rougher as the day progresses. It also shows that through the day the moods of the ocean can change and can become really scary. The protagonist is the surfer, the man (that is assumed) who is enjoying the surf and is taking risks as the oceans become more dangerous. Some prime examples of the above ^^^ are in Stanza 1 "he thrust his joy against the weight of the sea" (for the surfers enjoyment) "Turn home, the sun goes down, swimmer turn home" (as the ocean's mood & sun sets/starts to change) and "The last leaf of gold vanishes from the sea curve. and lastly to show how the sea went from being beautiful, to being dangerous is - "For on the sand the grey wolf sea lies, snarling, cold twilight winds splits the waves hair and shows the bones they worry in their wolf teeth.

The persona is that from the view of an onlooker watching the surfer out at sea, but it also changes for a bit to the surfers view of the ocean.

With this poem the mood shifts from one of joy at the surf "as he is water, with delight" to caution " turn home ** last leaf of gold vanishes*. As the poem progresses to an end it becomes much more sombre compared to that of the beginning and illustrates the danger of the ocean "grey wolf sea lies, snarling".

The structure of the poem is a three stanza free verse. This best conveys the change in mood from one of joy and closeness with the sea to that of caution and danger. The poets choice of words are very vivid and striking, they always conjure up meaning and imagery depending on the mood or context, such as once gain for the surfers joy "thurst his joy" or for the ocean when it's at it's peak - "through the hollow and coil' or as it becomes more daunting and dangerous - "on the sand the grey wolf sea lies, snarling." for the beach it's - "it's whitened pebbles and shells". There are many poetic techniques used, those including personification, metaphor, similie and symbolism. A prime example of personification is "thrust his joy" and 'muscle of water' or 'the grey-wolf sea lies, snarling, cold twilight winds, the waves hair and shows the bones they worry in their wolf teeth. O, wind blows". For a Metaphor: "his brown strengh" and "gold vanishes from the sea curve". Similie - "like a gull diving" and symbolism - "green through wiers of water," or "brown strenght" or "gold vanishes" or "cold twilight winds". This poem is read in 3/4 time, it's pace changes from a slow steady beat at the beginning and end to that of a faster pace during the middle. The poem only rhymes in some places, eg 'curve ** serve" or "shows & blows" There are also many notecible sound features, such as allieration, onomatopiea and assonance, enjabment and repetition. eg. "of water, of water" and moral masterful, snarling fawing, last leaf, speed and serve, which also creates imagery.

Overall this poem was very enjoyable due to the vast range of tecnhiques used. The poet was also able to convey the theme of the surfer surfing and his enjoyment and the changing moods of the ocean sucessfully.

Please ignore the spelling mistakes! I was tying very fast!

:)

OBSESSION...Kind of

Hey! Here is the latest update on my books goss:

At school, we have this thing called readers cup, its where you get into a group with your friends, or people, read books, and answer questions, it's not just something small, it has regionals and states and stuff. Our team came 2nd, I am really happy, as MOST of us entered just to be able to get the good books ... he he he! The books were:
Voices: Ursula LeGuinn
Being Bee - uhhh no idea, but it's a good book
Skulduggery Plesant: BRILLIANT! There is a sequel
Frog Belly Rat Bone : A picture book...FUNNY!

All those books were da bomb...well I only read 3 of them!...

In other reads, I have been inlove with the following:
Twilight : Who cursed me to be inlove with this book?
New Moon: Gees, I love Vampires AND werewolves
Eclipse: ehh, cut out the mushy stuff please!
Eleven Days: Who knew talking could be so horrible, and addictive!?
Midnighters, 1, 2, 3: What else do I need to say?
To kill a mocking bird: wow...knocked MY breath away
Side, Slide and Shelled: EIKEY I had to return this book...
Pharoah: Meh...
Did I mention the Twilight and Midnighters Saga?!

Well that's it for now...there is a writing comp coming up soon...muahahahaha!
"On your Marks, Get Set...WRITE!"

Holiday Reading!

Wow! The holidays are almost over! I have been reading my head off (not unusual!) these holidays. I have come across many interesting books, and have just this morning finished my 13th book. I have read:

1. Midnighters- Secret Hour - Scott Westerfeld
2. Midnighters- Touching Darkness - Scott Westerfeld
3. Midnighters- Blue Noon - Scott Westerfeld
4. Twilight- Stephanie Myer
5. Spilled Water-
6. Dancing through Fire
7. Mao's Last Dancer
8. The Secret Countess
9. Fairest
10. Being Bee
11. Skulduggery Pleasant
12. Black Beauty
13. The Prophecy of the Gems - (written by a 12-14 year old!)

That's it in my log for now! But I am addicted to Midnighters, it's a bit rude...but really captivating! It's so annoying that it ended on a cliff hanger...it's like NO WAY! NO WAY! I took the liberity of swapping some more of my reading time into writing a beginnign of the never to be published 4th book, I wont publish it as it's quite embarassing...but I have to admit it was fun! I'm looking forward to reading some more... but my eyes are SORE...ouch!

If you have any other good books that you have read or would like to read, please let me know as I am an AVID READER and will take in and consume anything that sounds amusing...!

I like

• mystery
• fantasy
• murder
• science
• history
• history mixed with fantasy
• and stuff like Midnighters!

So...take that into account and leave suggestions please!!

xox Meg

The FINAL COPY!

So, here is my final copy! It got me 3 A-'s, sure it's not an A+ but boy am I happy! Down the bottom of my story Iwill show you my teacher- Miss English's comments, but please feel free to leave feedback for me as I really love this genre and would appreciate any help and advice I can get! ENJOY THE STORY....!

The Missing Locket


It was a hot summer afternoon in Darwin, and all you could hear was the gentle splash of waves against the beach’s shore. At the far end of the beach lay two children, aged eleven and twelve. Hillary, a sweet blonde girl and Clark, a lofty bronzed boy. Both children had been best friends since they were in diapers.
Hillary was the youngest, and by far the most daring of the twosome. Where as Clark was a quiet, shy boy who looked up to his younger companion and trusted her with absolutely everything.
Earlier that morning, Hillary had received a 24 carat gold locket, as an early birthday gift from her father living in Ireland. She really wanted to show off her new locket, so she arranged to meet Clark on the beach that afternoon.
As Hillary played tag with Clark, her locket swung from side to side and glittered in the sunlight. As Hillary was pushed to the ground by Clark, the clasp around her neck loosened and her locket flew into the sea.
Hillary let out a distressed scream and sobbed, “My locket, it’s gone!”
After trying to calm Hillary down, Clark suggested that they search in the sea to see if they could catch a glimpse of Hillary’s valuable locket. Hillary was so happy to have a plan to follow that she absentmindedly let loose a sudden kiss on Clark’s cheek. The pair then set off armed with sticks and buckets ready for a long search ahead of them.
The search was thorough and went from one side of the beach to the other. But even after half an hour of searching through the sandy sea, nothing was retrieved. Hillary had promised her mother she would be home early, so she gave up searching and left Clark to carry on.
For another hour or so, Clark searched the waters over and over again, but he found nothing. Just as he was about to give up searching, a glimmer caught his eye! He turned his head slowly and kept his eyes glued onto the shining object. There it was Hillary’s locket!
It was caught in between two standard sized rocks, and it was within wading distance. Clark stripped off into his bathers again and slowly paddled out. The once warm water felt icy and cold against his skin, but Clark was not going to give up that easily. After all this was Hillary’s special locket. Soon enough the locket was within arms reach and just as he stood up to grab the locket, a razor sharp pain soared through his right foot.
Clark screamed in anguish, quickly grabbed the locket and swam to shore. When he came to shore and realised what he was holding he forgot all his pains and limped back to his house, excited about showing Hillary her locket.
***
Clark was feeling nauseous as he entered though the front door and went up to his room. As he had said nothing on his return, his mother was worried and arrived upstairs just in time to see Clark pass out.
Clark was rushed to the hospital and everything was silent; friends and family were waiting for the doctor. Eventually a large graying man stepped out of the emergency room and calmly explained to Clark’s parents that Clark had stepped on a stonefish and the poison had spread too quickly around his body, thus there was nothing they could do to save him.
Clark’s mother collapsed into her husband’s arms but Hillary ran straight into the room and gazed at Clark. She could not believe that he was gone. She looked over his limp body and noticed his hand clutching something to his chest; she opened each finger very gently to reveal what he was holding. She was shocked at what she saw; he was clutching her gold locket.


Ohhhh! How did you like that? Impressive eh? Well if not please leave your comments in the comment section! Just underneath this in the red, I am going to write down Miss Englsih's comments, so see if you agree or not!

Meghna, A well written short story that adhered to the elements.
However, please bear in mind that your complication should have been introduced a little earlier. Unfortunately in a short story you do not have the oppertunity of a long, descriptive orientation. i would have also liked you to use a little more dialogue.

So... what do you think about that? I pretty much agree! Later on I might put up the CORRECTED version!! Have a great day people!