From “Mrs. Browning’s New Poem,” The leader (14 June 1851): 560-61

Summary:

               This passage starts with the complementing of Elizabeth B. Browning’s work. It was said in the passage that she has a gift that set her apart like “…poets from verse writers…” or “…singers from speakers…” After the complements the criticism is quickly exposed. Mrs. Browning, it was said, writes in a way that the read easily discover that Browning has “…a want for experience, an imperfect grasp of life, a certain unsubstantiality,” Elizabeth reveals to her readers a lack of true to life emotions and experiences. The passage then goes on to speak of Browning’s poem “Casa Guidi Windows” and how through the poems subject a development of real experience and emotion can be felt.

Analysis:

               Although I don’t agree that prior to “Casa Guidi Windows” Elizabeth did not have any true to life experiences but I do believe something about living in Casa Guidi in Florence moved Elizabeth. I believe that living in Casa Guidi and in Italy at a time of turmoil gave Elizabeth experiences with politics that saddened her and many Italians also made her very passionate. These experiences like the passage said do seem to come to life in her poem “Casa Guidi Windows.”

From [Henry Fothergill Chorley], “Poems before Congress,” The Athenaeum 1960 (17 March 1860): 371-72

Summary:

               The beginning of this passage makes the claim that Elizabeth B. Browning’s poetry is suffering from her passionate political interest. Her enthusiasm over political issues is taking its toll on Browning’s art as the passage says “Choosing to scold, she forgets to sing…” Although the beginning to this passage seems to be criticizing Browning’s political enthusiasm as some sort of distraction it goes on to praise her for doing so. The over the top political passion is what makes Browning one of the greatest poetesses of her time, claims the ending of the passage.

Analysis:         

                          I completely agree with the idea that although Browning reveals a tempered enthusiasm it does not take away from her poetry but adds to it a great amount of style. To use her poetry as a means into the debates over political issues I think is what makes Browning poetry so interesting. A woman in her era to use her poetry to make her voice heard in the masculine world of politics is incredible. Overall I agree that her political enthusiasm does not take from her poetry but adds to it.

From [Henry Fothergill Chorley], “Our Weekly Gossip,” The Athenaeum 1963 (7 April 1860): 477

Summary:

                          This small passage begins by telling us of how Elizabeth Browning asked for it to be specified that “A Curse for a Nation” was not directed toward England but toward the United States. She also whished that it be known it had nothing to do with the Italian and United States relations but rather the issues of slavery in the United States. The passage ends with the question as to why Browning would include issues of slavery in the United States in “Poems before Congress”.

Analysis:

                          I believe Elizabeth included issues of slavery because she want to make it known that issues that may not even involve your home country are still of importance and should be addressed. The issue of slavery is a humane issue and should be of interest to all people even though it is happening in a distant land. Elizabeth is not only mature in understand that these issues should important to her but also she is brave in including them in her work that mainly address issues closer to her home.