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!
