Individuals are born with several different types of mindsets and approaches to how they perceive and react to societal norms. In situations where most of society abides by what is presented to them, some individuals may stand out. In this regard, it is Elizabeth Barrette Browning is certainly one individual who has stood out.
With both, her moralistic as well as her literary
armory on her side, Elizabeth certainly does have
the status of an individual worthy of having her
literary works canonized. This is because she
was a poet who expressed elements like rhythm
and spontaneity, sentimentalism, and protest against
oppression of other human beings. Though one cannot
really assert that Elizabeth was explicitly committed
to political poetry, it can be said that she considered
this important to her as a poet as well as her
ability to express romantic sentiments through
her work (Elizabeth Barrette Browning (a), 2004).
Deviating from the societal expectations of her time, Elizabeth was against slavery. Her resentment for slavery was particularly known when her father wanted to send her younger siblings to his plantations to work (Dally, 1989, 21-25). It was at about this time that she wrote ‘ The Seraphim and Other Poems’ in (1838). This was presented with grand style in the form of a Greek Classical Tragedy.
Elizabeth ’s technique employed was unique, and indeed was a result of her interest in Greek studies. Prior to this, Elizabeth studied Hebrew on her own so that she could read the Old Testament. This was because of the fact that she was interested in Christian ways of life, and enriched her knowledge by doing so (Elizabeth Barrette Browning (b), 2004). In addition to this, Elizabeth helped in services of the church in every possible manner possible. However, it is not this that she should be remembered, as her literary work has indeed left and indelible mark in the minds of readers who have picked up her poetry.
Elizabeth’s poetry was indeed enough to
entertain the poet Robert Browning. He was particularly
interested in one that she wrote in her collection
of poems simply named ‘Poems’. This
was indeed significant to note, as a poet who
takes interest in works of another poet means
that there is something to be valued in it.
In Elizabeth’s poems there is a heavy influence of Shakespeare, and this is because she was keen on his works from a very young age. Indeed, she was interested in Shakespearean works much before the age of ten. By the time she was twelve she wrote her first poem. This was influenced by works such as the ‘Lost paradise’. However, her influence switched from this to Greek, particularly Greek Tragedy’.
Greek drama fascinated Elizabeth, and hence, she began writing her poetry accordingly. A major characteristic of her work was that it was symbolic. An example of this are the terms she uses in her poems or their names, such as ‘Sonnets from the Portuguese’. Here the Portuguese was no one but herself, as Robert Browning referred to Elizabeth as his ‘little Portuguese’ because of her dark complexion.
Apart from the symbolism in her poems, Elizabeth
is known for her spontaneity in her poems. There
is a high degree of liveliness to most of her
work, though there are several that are sentimental.
In fact, it must be noted that the sentimental
ones are mainly the ones that she had written
secretly and stored away. Most of them were published
after she married Robert Browning, as these expressed
her love for him (Winwar, 1950, 15-20).
In addition to her sentimental and rhythmical works, Elizabeth’s position on social injustice was also known through her poetry. She had expressed her voice for freedom for Italy and other oppressed nations. This certainly reflects the way that she felt about slavery. However, this is not expressed explicitly because of her general rejection of social oppression (Donaldson, 1993, 5-18).
In order to canonize any poet or writer for his or her literary productions, it is a must for them to impress their readers. Certainly, Elizabeth Barrette Browning’s work is impressive. It has rhythm and is certainly attractive. In addition to this, it is expressive because of the two well-known expressions Elizabeth has. In view of her ability to write romantic sentiments as well as rejection of social oppression, it can be asserted that her literary ability to use Shakespearean and Greek forms is interesting. Since her works have been recognized and recognized for these characteristics, it is worth continuing to recognize them as canonized literary works as well as recognizing Elizabeth Barrette Browning as a canonized literary figure. |