Summary and Analysis of Appendix D.6-D.8

Appendix D.6 From [Henry Fothergill Chorley], “Poems before Congress,” The Athenaeum 1690 (17 March 1860): 371-72

In this article the author is expressing his opion about Mrs. Browning. He believes that her poetry is more of her political opinion rather than true poetry. He feels that she lets her poems suffer from her temper and violence which makes her poetry less poetic and beautiful. Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s pamphlet talks about curses towards others like French relations and English abominations. Although the author believes all these things about Elizabeth, he still believes she is a real poetess who has written better than others of her time. This article tended to confuse me because the author seemed to be on her side at times and other times not be on her side. It was hard for me to understand.

Appendix D.7 From “Mrs. Browning’s New Poems,” The Atlas (24 March 1860): 231-33

The author of this article seems to be in favor of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poetry and seems to defend it. He writes that her poems “A Curse for Nation” were not aimed towards England like it is thought to be but rather against the United States. The author believes that English readers will look at this as a great thing and be very happy about it. From my understanding, and again I had difficulty understanding this poem as well, seems like African American rights are the issue and the reasoning why she is upset about the United States.

Appendix D.8 “Mrs. Browning’s New Poems,” The Atlas (24 March 1860): 231-33

The author of this article believes Elizabeth Barrett Browning to be the greatest poetess that has ever been produced. He argues that she is a poetess who unites man’s intellect to the greatness of a women’s heart. I believe the author is aware that there will be haters of Elizabeth’s work because of her belief in popular rights. He believes these people will consider her songs of freedom to be rugged and harsh. These people will consider her poetry to be obscure and consider Elizabeth anti-English since she is cosmopolitan. 

Browning, Elizabeth Barrett, Marjorie I. Stone, and Beverly Taylor. Elizabeth Barrett Browning: Selected Poems. Peterborough, Ont. [u.a.: Broadview Editions, 2009. Print.

Appendix C: Trans-Atlantic Abolitionism and Responses to EBB's Anti-Slavery Poems," p.331 (EBB)

3. Maria Lowell, “The Slave-mother,” The Liberty Bell (1846): 250-52

            The woman that this article is written about is expecting a child. The author writes in hope that the woman never experiences her mother’s happiness because she will be giving birth to a slave-child. The child is born with brown velvet hands but the mother cannot look the child in the face. For she knows what lies ahead for the child since what lies ahead for him is the same as the fate that lied before his mother; a slave.

1.   The literacy World on “Hiram Powers’ Greek Slave” and “The Runaway Slave at Pilgrim’s Point” (1851)

All the new poems have been written as gratitude towards our country. Having all these poems written about national pride cannot be ignored. Elizabeth Barrett Browning is one of the poets who speaks on our country. In her poem “The Runaway Slave,” Elizabeth Browning shows her strong opinion against the American Union. Browning expresses how American citizens should not be held responsible for what the American Union does since it is a local institution

2. Charlotte Forten on “The Runaway Slave at Pilgrim’s Point” (1854)

This article is a journal entry written by Charlotte Forten on anti-slavery and Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poem “The Run-away Slave at Pilgrim’s Point.” It’s funny how clear it is that this was written in the 1800’s just by the wording of the paragraph. In the journal entry though, Forten writes about how a woman named Mrs. Putnam went to Boston to the Anti-Slavery Convention which Forten really wanted to attend because their was an alleged fugitive who was going to be arrested which is all he could think about. Forten takes strong interest in Browning’s poem because of the way she portrays the poor fugitive and as she explains all the sufferings she has encountered. Forten believes that no one could read the poem by Browning without feeling some sort of sympathy towards the fugitive which I believe to be the point of Browning’s poem. 

Browning, Elizabeth Barrett, Marjorie I. Stone, and Beverly Taylor. Elizabeth Barrett Browning: Selected Poems. Peterborough, Ont. [u.a.: Broadview Editions, 2009. Print.

 

Summary of Appendiz D.2-D.5: Review of 'Casa Guidi Windows'

02. From a review of “Casa Guidi Windows,” The Athenaeum 1232 (7 June 1851): 597-98
This article was very hard for me to understand and follow. From my understanding, it is quite obvious that Italy has a role in Casa Guidi Windows. The writing in this poem makes it seem as though it is an Italian writing the poem themselves. This poem is very rugged and in a way a free form of poetry. Some readers have been able to identify her husband, Robert Browning’s tone in the poem. In this poem, Elizabeth Barrett Browning seems to be protesting critics comments toward her poem Casa Guidi Windows because the poem is built on sacrificing the weak.
03. From “Mrs. Browning’s New Poem,” The Leader (14 June 1851): 560-61
Elizabeth Browning has a talent when it comes to writing poetry. She is so talented people look up to her and considers her poems what separates poetry from verse writing. Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s writing is considered an “imperfect grasp on life” and an experience when her poetry is read. Browning’s writes about reality in an abstract way, like in the poem Casa Guidi Windows. The subject in this poem is very depressing but shows reality since people go through emotional rollercoasters and face sad moments in their life.
05. From Casa Guidi Windows. A poem Electric Review, 5^th ser 2 (September 1851): 306-17
This article explains what Casa Guidi Windows is a series of events that have been passed down in Italy since the Great European Outbreak in 1848. Browning takes her shame and becomes an advocate for war. This poem is considered to be a glorious form of poetry according to the author. It represents honest truth, intellectual strength and eloquence. The author believes that Elizabeth Barrett Browning captured the words of everyday people of England in a way that most other authors could not.

Browning, Elizabeth Barrett, Marjorie I. Stone, and Beverly Taylor. Elizabeth Barrett Browning: Selected Poems. Peterborough, Ont. [u.a.: Broadview Editions, 2009. Print.

EBB: Apendix B: Religion and Factory Reform

 01. From "Reviews," The Guardian (22 January 1851): 55-56

Some of Elizabeth Browning's works are from a religious standpoint, and that is something readers need to be aware of. EBB uses idols like Mr. Carlyle, Mr. Tennyson, and Mr. Browning to help model her poetry after. From my understanding, the author of this sections is not a fan of EBB. They seem to think that she is getting her knowledge of her poems from her idols then writing poetry on things she knows nothing about.

02. From Sammuel B. Holcombe, "Death of Mrs. Browning," Southern Literary Messenger 33 (December 1861): 412-17

The author of this section is a huge fan of Elizabeth Browning and feels as thought she is a female version of Shakespeare. He feels her writing is "... genuine, intense, and pathetic womanliness." (p 321) Browning is a Christian poet who bases her poetry on the great truths of the Christian religion. EBB's use of poetry is well written which has made people think of  her as the most poetic female writer of her time.

03. From [Hannah Lawrance], “Mrs. Browning’s Poetry.” The British Quarterly Review 42 (October 1865): 359-84

Browning’s work gives life to abstract ideas from history. EBB gives a different shed of light on things that so many people think they understand. For example: The Virgin Mary. Elizabeth Barrette Browning shares that we need to change our perspective on how we view her and look at it a little deeper. People don’t take into consideration the pain Virgin Mary went through to bare a child that brought forth redemption of the world. Or that she knew the power the infant she was carrying in her womb had and that he was sharing the same flesh as her. EBB sheds light on different perspectives of something so many people claim they know everything about and her idea on it, is quite a realistic one that I could relate to.

Browning, Elizabeth Barrett, and Margaret Forster. Elizabeth Barrett Browning: Selected Poems. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins UP, 1988. Print.