- fathers were very protective of their children, especially of their daughters
- England was becoming increasingly more 'urban' ( modern?)
- relied on newspapers for information
- excited/surprised/shocked the city with tales of crime and lust in the city
- meant that this was not experienced in this socicety?
- no longer valued religion as highly due to the installement of scientific theories especially charles darwin's theory of evolution
- attitude was such due to this that they asked questions again about morality
- science and religion shifted roles
- art became 'arts for art's sake movement'
- wealth and consumption rose
- struggled to decide over material luxuries and beautiess, and helping the poor
- major societal and intellectual upheaval
- questioned morals and faiths
2. Describe the major trends and developments of the Victorian era.
- welath and consumption rose
- poverty soared
- struggled to choose between
- luxurious furnishings, decorations, ornaments, clothing and
- morality in the form of helping the poor
- art for art's sake movement
- england increasingly urban
- scientific theories of life and evolution; largely thanks to charles darwin shifted roles with religion
- major societal and intellectual upheaval
3. In one paragraph, give a brief summary of Browning's early years and background.
Robert Browning was born 7 May 1812 and died in 1889 at the age of 77. He grew up in Camberwell, a suburb of London the first son of Robert a clerk for the bank of england and Anna Browning. He had a younger sister Sarianna. Both his father and mother encouraged literary, education and growth. His father owned a small library of books in his home; little over 6000 books. He attended several private schools, but was later educated by a tutor due to his unlike of instituatinalised education. Browning was a good student, becoming fluent in various languages. He became an aethist and a vegetarian (later given up) and studied at university before leaving aftera year. His mother's staunch evangelical faith prevented him from attending Oxford or Cambridge Universities
4. What impact did his childhood and education have on his career as a writer?
By having parents that focused on literary, in his own house owning a library containing over 6000 books meant that he was 'destined' to become a writer, poet or involved in english. without this influence, it is doubted that he would have been involved to this extent in the world of english. He was an avid reader as a child and began writing poetry at a young age
5. Give a brief explanation of the term DRAMATIC MONOLOGUE in Victorian poetry.
Dramatic monologue is, as it's name suggests, is poetry spoken by only one character and is dramatic. it is meant to induce insight into the feelings of the speaker. This technique was popular in the victorian period and not only Browning used this technique
M. H. Abrams notes the main three points of Dramatic Monologue:
1. A single person who is patently not the poet utters the speech that makes up the poem in a specific situation or moment
2. This persons addresses or interacts with one or more other people, but we know of the auditors presence and what they say and do only from clues in the disourse of the single speaker
3. the main principle controlling the poet's choice and formulation of what the lyric speaker says is top reveal the reader in a way that in enhances interest, the speakers temperant and character
6. What are the three suggested requirements of a Browninesque dramatic monologue?
A single person must be the only speaker in the play. Other people are mentioned throughout the play but only through the speaker, stating this. And finally the poetry must reflect the characters morales and feelings and inhance interest
7. What is meant by the term silent listener?
A silent listener is a character that has been left on purpose by the author for the reader to create their very own character. Where the reader can take the character's role in the play.
8. What is the effect Browning is trying to achieve by the use of this technique - how does it position the reader?
9. Why did some of his contemporary readers find it difficult to read and interpret his work?
10. What were some of the contributing factors to aid in the peak of his career in the 1860's?
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