Tennyson and Browning_ Voices of the Victorian Age By Sejad Chokiya.pptx

Explore the voices of the Victorian Age through the works of Alfred Lord Tennyson and Robert Browning. This presentation covers their life, major works, poetical characteristics, themes, and literary significance. Learn about Tennyson’s lyrical elegance and historical plays, and Browning’s mastery of dramatic monologue and psychological insight. Perfect for students, literature enthusiasts, and anyone interested in understanding Victorian poetry and its enduring impact on modern literature.

Highlights include:

Introduction to the Victorian Age

Tennyson’s poems (In Memoriam A.H.H., Ulysses, The Lady of Shalott) and plays

Browning’s works (My Last Duchess, Andrea del Sarto, Ring and the Book)

Features, themes, and stylistic characteristics of both poets

Comparative insights and concluding takeaways

1. Tennyson and Browning: Voices of the Victorian Age By Sejad Chokiya

2. The Victorian Age – Historical Background Timeframe: 1837–1901 (Reign of Queen Victoria) Population Growth: from 13.9 million (1831) → 32.5 million (1901) Industrial Revolution: rise of railways, factories, urbanization Science & Religion Clash: 1859: Darwin’s On the Origin of Species shook faith Ongoing “Crisis of Faith” among Victorians Empire Expansion: Britain became the world’s leading power, ruling 1/4th of the globe

3. The Victorian Age – Cultural & Literary Background Education: 1870 Education Act → literacy rates rose rapidly Middle Class Rise: literature shifted from aristocratic tastes to middle-class concerns Themes in Literature: Faith vs doubt Role of women & morality Social class struggles Science vs religion Major Writers: Novelists: Charles Dickens, George Eliot, Thomas Hardy Poets: Alfred Lord Tennyson, Robert Browning, Matthew Arnold

4. Key Features of Victorian Poetry Blend of Romantic imagination + Victorian realism Concerned with: Morality & religion Nature & human progress Personal emotions in a public voice Two main directions in poetry: Tennyson → lyric, elegiac, musical Browning → dramatic, psychological, realistic

5. Alfred Lord Tennyson – Biography Born: 6 August 1809, Somersby, Lincolnshire, England Education: Trinity College, Cambridge (joined 1827) Became close with Arthur Henry Hallam (friend & inspiration) Personal Loss: Hallam’s death in 1833 deeply affected him → led to In Memoriam A.H.H. Appointed Poet Laureate: 1850 (after Wordsworth’s death) Held position until his death in 1892 (longest-serving Laureate) Died: 6 October 1892, buried in Westminster Abbey (“Poets’ Corner”) Arthur Hallam

6. Alfred Lord Tennyson – Major Works “In Memoriam A.H.H.” (1850) About: A long elegy written in memory of Tennyson’s close friend Arthur Henry Hallam , who died suddenly at age 22. Themes: Grief, mourning, faith, doubt, immortality, and the struggle to reconcile loss with hope. Significance: Shows Tennyson’s philosophical depth and emotional intensity; became a guide for Victorians coping with loss. Famous line: “’Tis better to have loved and lost / Than never to have loved at all” (Canto 27) Style: Lyric, meditative, with intricate rhyme and rhythm reflecting emotional tone. Visual idea: Candlelight, memorial, soft blurred background to evoke reflection and mourning.

7. “The Lady of Shalott” (1832/1842) About: Inspired by Arthurian legend , tells the story of a woman under a mysterious curse, living in isolation on an island. Themes: Isolation vs desire for life, the conflict between art and reality, the yearning for freedom. Significance: Explores Victorian concerns about women’s roles, individual choice, and the tension between inner life and society. Style: Rich imagery and lyrical musicality, vivid descriptions of nature, weaving, and the river journey. Visual idea: Medieval castle, flowing river, Lady in a boat, dreamlike atmosphere to reflect lyricism.

8. “Ulysses” (1842) About: A dramatic monologue spoken by the aged Greek hero Odysseus (Ulysses), reflecting on life and adventure. Themes: Restless human spirit, the pursuit of knowledge, courage, perseverance, and refusing to surrender to age or death. Significance: Inspirational Victorian text emphasizing ambition, self-improvement, and heroic ideals. Famous line: “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield” (line 70) Style: Elevated language, vivid imagery of travel and adventure, introspective and motivational tone. Visual idea: Open sea, ship sailing toward sunset, heroic figure, reflecting journey and exploration.

9. “The Charge of the Light Brigade” (1854) About: Narrative poem commemorating the Crimean War cavalry charge that ended tragically. Themes: Patriotism, bravery, obedience, duty, and the tragic consequences of war. Significance: Captures Victorian values of honor and heroism while questioning the cost of blind obedience. Famous line: “Theirs not to reason why, / Theirs but to do and die” (lines 14–15) Style: Rhythmic, almost musical meter reflecting the movement of horses; vivid imagery of battle and courage. Visual idea: Cavalry charge illustration, battlefield, dynamic motion, dramatic skies.

10. Tennyson – Plays 1. Queen Mary (1875) Historical drama on Mary I of England Themes: power, political intrigue, personal conflict 2. The Cup (1881) Verse drama exploring human emotion, morality, ambition 3. Becket (1884) Life of Thomas Becket Themes: loyalty, conscience, church vs state conflict 4. The Promise of May (1830) Early dramatic work Themes: love, honor, and human relations 5. Harold (1876) Historical play about Harold II, last Anglo-Saxon king of England Themes: leadership, duty, national destiny 6. The Falcon (1870) Verse drama with medieval setting Themes: chivalry, loyalty, and moral choices

11. Tennyson – Poetical Characteristics 1. Choice of Subject Often draws on myths, legends, history, and personal experiences . Explores grief, love, heroism, morality, faith, and human destiny . Example: In Memoriam (personal grief), The Lady of Shalott (Arthurian legend), The Charge of the Light Brigade (historical event). 2. Craftsmanship Highly polished and meticulous use of language . Attention to form, meter, rhyme, and structure reflects mastery over poetic techniques. Poems show balance between intellect and emotion .

12. Continued… 3. Pictorial Quality Creates vivid mental images through descriptive language. Nature and surroundings often mirror emotion or theme . Example: In The Lady of Shalott , the river, castle, and island evoke isolation and longing. 4. Lyrical Quality Known for melodious, flowing verse with musical rhythm. Refrains, rhyme, and meter give a song-like, hypnotic effect . Enhances the emotional and aesthetic impact of poetry.

13. Continued… 5. Extracts (Illustrative Lines) “’Tis better to have loved and lost / Than never to have loved at all” ( In Memoriam , Canto 27) “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield” ( Ulysses , line 70) “Theirs not to reason why, / Theirs but to do and die” ( The Charge of the Light Brigade , lines 14–15) 6. Reputation & Legacy Celebrated as Poet Laureate of England (1850–1892) Regarded as the voice of Victorian ideals, emotional depth, and lyric beauty Influence on successive poets and Victorian literature is immense.

14. Robert Browning – Life & Background Born: 7 May 1812, Camberwell, London Family: Son of a bank clerk; had a strong literary environment at home Education: Largely self-taught; avid reader of Shakespeare, Milton, Dante Marriage: Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1846), moved to Italy → influential literary partnership Literary Focus: Explored human psychology, morality, and social critique Death: 12 December 1889, buried in Westminster Abbey (“Poets’ Corner”) Legacy: Known as the master of dramatic monologue , pioneering modern psychological poetry

15. Dramatic Monologue – Definition & Features Definition: A poem in which a single character speaks to a silent listener , revealing their thoughts, feelings, and personality . The speaker is not the poet , but a created character in a critical moment. Key Features: Single speaker: Only one voice tells the story. Silent listener: Implied but never speaks. Reveals character: Shows personality, motives, and inner thoughts. Dramatic situation: Occurs at a pivotal moment in the speaker’s life. Moral/psychological insight: Explores ethics, human behavior, ambition, love, or obsession.

16. Browning – Major Works (Poems) 1. My Last Duchess (1842) Dramatic monologue of a Duke reflecting on his late wife Themes: jealousy, power, control, pride Famous line: “My last Duchess painted on the wall, / Looking as if she were alive” 2. Porphyria’s Lover (1836) Psychological drama of obsession and murder Themes: love, passion, moral ambiguity

17. 3. Andrea del Sarto (1855) Portrait of an artist torn between ambition and compromise Themes: human weakness, artistic struggle, unfulfilled potential 4. The Bishop Orders His Tomb at Saint Praxed’s Church (1878) Explores greed, vanity, and corruption Themes: ethics, social critique, moral hypocrisy Continued…

18. Browning – Other Notable Works 1. Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came (1855) Narrative poem about a knight’s perilous quest to reach the Dark Tower Themes: perseverance, courage, existential struggle, human endurance Significance: Symbolic exploration of fear, isolation, and moral courage 2. Pacchiarotto (1876) Satirical poem critiquing corruption, moral hypocrisy, and social injustice Themes: morality vs immorality, social critique, art and justice Significance: Demonstrates Browning’s wit, moral insight, and literary versatility

19. Ring and the Book (1868–1869) About: Long narrative poem based on a true Roman murder trial Told from multiple perspectives , revealing different sides of the story Significance: Explores inner life and complex human motives Demonstrates Browning’s mastery of dramatic monologue Influenced modern poetry with realistic, psychologically rich characters Continued…

20. Features of Browning’s Works Dramatic Monologue: Single speaker reveals thoughts, feelings, and motives Listener is silent or implied Psychological Depth: Explores inner life, emotions, and moral dilemmas Characters are complex and realistic Realism & Complexity: Focus on human flaws, ethical issues, and societal concerns Not just storytelling; moral and psychological insight Variety of Themes: Love, jealousy, obsession, ambition, morality, justice Often set in historical or dramatic contexts Versatile Language & Style: Conversational tone, irregular rhythm, rich diction Combines narrative, lyrical, and dramatic elements Literary Significance: Pioneered dramatic monologue as a poetic form Influenced modern poetry and drama

21. References Albert, Edward. History of English Literature . 5th ed., revised by J.A. Stone, Harrap, 1979. "Alfred Lord Tennyson." Wikipedia , Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Sept. 2025, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Lord_Tennyson. Browning, Robert, and Myra Reynolds. Selections From the Poems and Plays of Robert Browning . Scott, Foresman, 1909. "Robert Browning." ResearchGate , 2025, www.researchgate.net/profile/Robert-Browning . "Robert Browning." Wikipedia , Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Sept. 2025, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Browning. Tennyson, Alfred. Selected Poems . Gramercy Books, 1993.