Henry James 1845-1916

Henry James was an American novelists, who spent most of his life in England. some of his books are centered around his experiences and environment there. In this excerpt, James does a great job of capturing the consciousness of a young girl who is divided into half amongst her parents that were getting divorced. I like how he is able to capture the child's thoughts in the excerpt, "What Maise Knew" "The greatest effect of the great cause was her own greater importance, chiefly revealed to her in the larger freedom with which she handled, pulled hither and thither and kissed, and proportionately greater niceness she was obliged to show." (p826) This child just like so many others, are aware of their environment and know how to mask their true emotions in order to survive in the situation that they live in. "The word stuck in her mind and contributed to her feelings from the time that she was deficient in something that would meet the general desire."(p.826)

I think that this excerpt reveals some forms of abuse that children are subjected to, as well as the turmoil they endure for the sake of the judicial system as well as yhe price that is paid in order to meet the requirements to see the desired parent.

Oscar Wilde 1854-1900

Ocar Wilde a witty Aesthetic, who was flamboyant and creative, was an Irish poet,essayists, lecturer, and playwriter who believed in self expression. He was known for his for witty talks and lectures.He was an artist that was accepted in the U.S.but rejected by his own because of his alternative lifestyle. His works were expressions of his outlook on life and the things that inspired him from his environment.

"Impression du Matin"

The Thamas nocturne of blue and gold

Changed to a harmony in gray

A barge with ochre- coloured hay

Dropt from the wharf: and chill and cold

The yellow fog come a creeping down

The bridges, till the houses' walls

Seemed changed to shadows and St. Paul's

Loomed like a bubble o'er the town.

Then suddenly arose the clang

Of waking life;

the streets were stirred

With country waggons: and a bird

Flew to the glistening roofs and sang. But one pale woman all alone,

The daylight kissing her wan hair,

Loitered beneath the gas lamps' flare,

With lips of flame and heart of stone. I think that this poem speaks of a gloomy period in Wilde's life, when he may have been searching for love or acceptance. He describes the environment which surrounds him to help paint the mood and emotions that were lurking in the air. If I must be honest, I struggled with his works and went to several websites to see if I could interpret any of his other works.

Siegfried Sassoon 1886-1967

Siegfried Sassoon was a solider and a poet during World War I. He was recognized as hero in his efforts with helping a wounded soldier to safety while he to was wounded. While recuperating he began to write letters about the war being prolonged, and refused to return to the battle. He was was returned later to battle and was wounded again. After the war, he began writing poetry that gave a realistic view of the soldiers encounter and thoughts. He didn't paint a picture of commitment but one that is horrifying and gruesome sight for any creature to behold. .He paints a picture of one that is real in the eyes of the soldiers that lived this experience, survived the battle and now have to deal with the repercussions or the after thoughts of this walk. Here's an example of his writing.

"Glory of Women"

You love us when we're heroes, home on leave,

Or wounded in a mentionable place.

You worship decorations; you believe

That chivalry redeems the war's disgrace.

You make us shells. You listen with delight,

By tales of dirt and danger fondly thrilled.

You crown our distant ardors while fight,

And mourn our laurelled memories when we're killed.

You can't believe that British troops "retire'

When hell's last horror breaks them, and they run,

Trampling the terrible corpses- blind with blood.

O German mother dreaming by the fire,

While you are knitting socks to send your son

His face is trodden deeper in the mud.

Craiglockhart, 1917

I feel that he expresses the sentiments of all veterans of war. Know one honestly knows of all the horrible things soldiers have endured for the sake of a country's freedom, and yet we are quick to forget them while they laboring and fighting on the battlefield or even when or if they return home. Let's not forget about the troops!

T. S. Eliot 1885-1965

Thomas Stearns Eliot was a major component in English- language poetry of the twentieth century. His poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock was about a "crazy love story."

I am no prophet-and here's no great matter;

I have seen the moment of my greatness flicker,

And I have seen the eternal Footman hold my coat, and snicker,

And in short, I was afraid.

And would it have been worth it, after all,

After the cups, the marmalade, the tea,

Among the porcelain, among some talk of you and me,

Would it have been worth while,

To have bitten off the matter with a smile,

To have squeezed the universe into a ball

To roll it towards some overwhelming question,

To say: "I am Lazarus, come from the dead,

Come back to tell you all, I shall tell all"

It seems to me, that Eliot was describing someone who wanted to take a chance on love but was afraid that the love was one-sided or wasn't worth the risk of opening up one's heart for heartbreak. It feels as if the person has admitted to himself that he's really just afraid to truly love somebody. We can all relate to these feelings at one time or another. How wants to risk their heart being broken.

James Joyce 1882-1941

James Joyce was one of the persons responsible for bringing novels into the modern era. A native of Dublin, Ireland most of his writings consisted of his homeland in some way. Joyce wrote that he planned the volume to be a chapter of Ireland's "moral history" and that in writing it he had "taken the first step towards the spiritual liberation of my country." pg. 1131 "After the break-up at home the boys had got her that position in the Dublin by Lamplight laundry, and she liked it. She used to have such a bad opinion of Protestants but now she thought they were very nice people, a little quiet and serious, but still very nice people to live with. Then she had her plants in the conservatory and she liked looking after them. She had lovely ferns and wax-plants and, whenever anyone came to visit her, she always gave the visitor one or two slips from her conservatory. There was one thing she didn't like and that was the tracts on the walls; but the matron was such a nice person to deal with, so genteel." I think that these are just a few of the qualitiese that Joyce began to realize existed in his enviroment, when he began to write. I think that it's wonderful when a person can begin healing when you realize that the first step, is to deal with the issues that deem as the source or the root of your problem. To evaluate the elements that contributed to the hurt, and realize that at the time it may have felt horrible and appeared impossible, really weren't place in your life to destroy you, but were put there as stepping stones or the things that have helped to make you the person that you are. These things are designed for you to always remember who you are and where yuo came from not, not to destroy you , but to stregthen you.

William Butler Yeats 1865-1939

William Yeats is responsible for the acknowledgement for all modern Irish writings. He wrote poems of romance. "Yeats is, among his other distinctions, a great poet of unrequited love." pg.1115 His poetry consisted of his love and loneliness for a woman that he desired.

No Second Troy

Why should I blame her that she filled my days

With misery, or that she would of late

Have taught to ignorant men most violent ways,

Or hurled the little streets upon the great,

Had they but courage equal to desire?

What could have made her peaceful with a mind

That nobleness made simple as fire,

With beauty like a tightened bow, a kind

That is not natural in an age like this,

Being high and solitary and most stern?

Why, what could she have done, being what she is?

Was there another Troy for her to burn?

Here's a man with a hurting heart, who yearns for the love of a women who he considers as beautiful as a bow, she was perfect in his sight except for that fact that she doesn't return the affection that he has for her. He assumes that there must be someone else that she adores since he can't seem to spend time with her.We have learned through experience that when one doesn't respond to your advances, that their must be someone else that they desire, and refuse to accept this fact and for some reason we can't move on because we have fallen for someone that doesn't feel the same as we do.

George Bernard Shaw 1856-1950

Bernard Shaw was known for his ideads of political plays. He combined his democratic ideas and with an unsentimental views of human nature. He was a person who believe in human equality. The " Shavian" element of all the plays, and of Shaw's essays and reviews, resides in an unwillingness to propose a simple answer to social problems,or to establish a clear-cut "right" and "wrong." (Dettmar and Wicke, pg. 1003) In his plays their were no villians or heroes but they consisted of characters that challenge the issues of capitalism. The fact that he was able to address issues that plagued his era, paved the way for other playwriters to address issues that consumed their time. I feel that its a creative approach to reach an audience that may not receive the info or deal with the current issues any other way.

World War I - Rupert Brooke 1887-1915

Rupert Brooke was among the first of Britain's "war poets". He became a hero to his country because of his patriotic poem, "The Soldier", because it related to the temperament of of his people. Brooke was very honest as to what could possibly be the fate of the soldiers in this war including his own demise. In the poem you can feel the fear and the dedication that this soldier has for his life and for his country. I can see why he was considered a hero for his country, because he expressed the common thoughts of the land, those in battle and of those who were waiting for their return.

The Solider

If I should die, think only of me :

That there's some coner of a foregin field

That is forever England. There shall be

In that rich earth richer dust concealed;

A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,

Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam,

A body of England's, breathing English air,

Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home.

And think, this heart, all evil shed away,

a pulse in the Eternal mind, no less

Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given,

Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;

And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness,

In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.

I know that this poem displays the seniments of the British, but I also feel that this poem describes the feeling of all soldiers, their loved one's, and the country that they represent as whole feel this way. I feel that its a wonderful, expressive poem.

Thomas Hardy 1840-1928

Thomas Hardy was known for his ability to create the imagery and rural landscape of the countryside. Being a modernist, he had the ability as well with capturing the historical, natural, and personal experiences. Here's a great example of his writing talents that display his ability to convey the powers of events, Wessex Heights "There are some heights in Wessex, shaped as if by a kindly hand For thinking, dreaming, dying on, and at crisises when I stand," Say,on Ingen Becaon eastward, or on Wylls-Neck westwardly, I seem where I was before my birth, and after death may be." In the lowlands I have no comrade, not even the lone man's friend- Her who suffereth long and is kind: accepts what he is too weak to mend: Down there they are dubious and askance: there nobody thinks as I, But mind- chains do not clank where one's next neighbour is the sky." Skip to the following 13-18, Down there I seem to be false to myself, my simple self that was, And is not now, and I see him watching, wondering what crass cause Can have merged him into such a strange continuator as this, Who yet has something in common with himself, my charysalis. I cannot go to the grat grey Plain, there's a figure against the moon, Nobody sees it but I, and it makes my breast beat out of tune; I feel that the description used to describe this place called Wessex is the place where he wa born and from the poem, it will be the place where he will die. We gather that he is a nomad,or a drifter. He feels different because of the way thinks, that alone causes him to be unacceptable and no friends not even a dog. And he feels because he doesn't let the typical stuff that bothers or the weights of the world hold him down. I thimk that this is a feeling that we have all felt at some time or another.

Virginia Woolf 1882-1941

Virginia Woolf was a dynamic writer with an exceptional style of writing. I enjoyed the excerpt from "Professions for Women". "And the phantom was a woman, and when I came to know her better I called her after the heroine of a famous poem, "The Angel in the House". It was she who used to come between me and m ypaper when I was writinf reviews. It was she who bothered me and wasted my time and so tormented me that at last I killed her." The way in which she re-told a conversation that may have been with her mother, or someone who was very concerned about her future ambitions as a writer. She captured the emotions of the concerned person as well as her lackadaisical attitude toward the conversation very well. Here's an example of the inner conversation that Woolf displays, "It was she who used to come between me and my paper when I was writing reviews. It was she who bothered me and wasted my time and so tormented me that at last I killed her"(Woolf, Professions for Women). This excerpt basically lets you know the role of a women in those times. Any work that a women did out of her home was unacceptable. She was adamant about not allowing anyone to kill the dream and the love she has for writing.Her way of dealing with this male chauvinistic society was through her writing.

Gerard Manley Hopkins 1844-1889

Gerard Manley Hopkins is considered to be one of the most modern Victorian poets. He had a very distinctive original style in poetry. "His entries are always searching to grasp the essential particularity of a thing, its inner landscape-what he called "inscape",(Henderson & Sharpe, p.774). Hopkins also used the word "instress" to define and describe the emotional effect he wanted to profit to the observer. "Taken together, the terms "inscape" and "instress" convey the organic beauty that for Hopkins speakes of God's presence in nature",(Henderson & Sharpe, p.744).The poem entitled, " Spring and Fall: to a young child", exemplifies the connection and beauty of God and nature as well as captures emotions that allows the reader to experience what I think Hopkins wanted familiarity and the common relationship that is shared between the items that are being represented. The following lines were taken from the poem, "Spring and Fall:to a young child", Lines 3,4, &5 "Leaves, like the things of man, you With your fresh thoughts care for, can you? Ah! as the heart grows older It will come to such sights colder" Line 3, I'm reminded of the inner questions and scattered thoughts that often plague a person while grieving. Line 5, As time goes on and you experience things, you become numb: immune to pain or denial. Line 11, I interpreted as , sorrow and Spring are things that come and go. That they are things that you don't have control over, it just happens.

A.L. TENNYSON 1809-1892

A.L. Tennyson was writer who was destined to fail because his father was disinherited by his evil and controlling father and a sickness that plagued his family. Alcoholism and depression were the the sicknesses that plagued him and his immediate family. Determined to succeed, he was able to capture the emotions of the poor as well as the things that inspired and transfixed his generation.

FANNY KEMBLE 1809-1893

Fanny Kemble was a passionate writer who shared her imaginative and descriptive experience of her first ride on a locomotive. The steam locomotive was created in 1830, in England. This was the first time anything had ever been created and compared to the speed of a horse. She gave a dreamy and fairytale caption to her experience to whirled you in and had you in a daze of the smoothness, speed, and silence of this magical train ride. She also allowed the reader to enjoy the acceptance of the change that had taken place and the the changes that were to come.

ADAPTATION AND INDUSTRIALISM

I wondered how the Victorian Era received it's name, and that question was answered In Podcast 9. The Victorian time period formulated during the reign of Queen Victoria, who ruled England from the age of 18 until her death at the age of 37. She had the longest reign ever. This was a time of drastic change in wealth and a new way of living began in England and other countries. Adaptation and Industrialism were the areas of concentration for England simply, because of the loss of tradition,responses were both good and bad but that way of life now was considered out dated and had begun to change. There were great discoveries and understandings in Science and Technology the locomotive train was invented, Darwin's explanation of Evolution was better understood. A political power for more people was initiated, shocking and causing a democracy toward all people. The Reform Bill of 1832 was created which allowed middle class white males to vote. The second Reform Bill was created later in 1867, which entitled the working class right to vote. Women's right to vote came after the Victorian period in 1918. Other inventions in this era are; the telegraph, photography, moving pictures, and the railroad. In medicine the development of anesthesia, and Queen Victoria was the first to give birth under this method.

ROBERT BROWNING 1812-1889

More than any other writer of the 20th century, Robert Browning was the most influential in the shaping of the poetry for the British and American poets. A genius in his on right, I found him to be a little strange and unusual. He sought to find his voice through impersonating people as a way gaining acceptance from others. It was through his plays and poetry that he was able to reveal his secrets.

THOMAS CARLYLE 1795-1881

Thomas Carlyle, a creative and educated man who was considered by some as difficult and cranky, was a passionate man who was destined for love even if he and others didn't consider him worthy of love. He was a man of principle and determination. He wasn't afraid to express his views on what he considered to be the downfall of the European society. Through all of his hardships and setbacks he believed that strong leaders were a must if there is to be any type of social reform

The Victorian Era of Love

The Victorian Era was a very intriguing and exciting time for love and change. This era gave birth to many great expressive writers like, Thomas Carlyle,who inspired and influenced other talented and noted writers such as, Charles Dickens, J.S.Mill, A.L. Tennyson, R. Browning, and others. From this era, I enjoyed Charles"Boz" Dickens and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. When reading the insert of the Visit to New Gate, I wasn't expecting to be touring a prison but I could visualize this place and the emotions of a visitor, because of his ability to describe the place and the persons he encountered while he was there. I enjoyed that fact that he wanted you to be aware of people who we as a society, cast out. He makes the reader aware of theri perceptions of others. I truly enjoyed the poetry of Elizabeth Barrett Browning. The tale of her personal love story of a "forbidden love", that was destined to exist. The fact that she wasn't afraid to express the love that she had for her soul mate, her future husband. she not only challenged that love but she also, shocked the world with her boldness to attack and challenge of human inequality for women in a masculine society as well as the issue of American slavery.