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.