Childhood, Early life and Education
Elizabeth Barrett Browning was born on 6 March 1806 at Coxhoe Hall, Durham, England. She was the eldest of 12 children of Edward and Mary Moulton Barrett. Her father was a Jamaican plantation owner who moved to England when he retired from his plantation business in Jamaica. Elizabeth was educated at home, mostly from her father’s library. She was taught English, Latin, French and Italian, as well as religious studies and music. She began writing poetry from an early age and her first published poem, The Battle of Marathon, was published in 1820.
Publications and Literary Career
Elizabeth started publishing work under the pseudonym “Ellis Bell”. Her first collection of poems, An Essay on Mind and Other Poems, was published in 1826. Her next collection of poems, Prometheus Bound and Other Poems was published in 1833. In 1838, she became a celebrity when her third collection of poems, The Seraphim and Other Poems, was well received. She wrote several more collections of poems, including Sonnets from the Portuguese in 1845 and Casa Guidi Windows in 1851.
Marriage and Later Life
In 1845, Elizabeth married Robert Browning, an English poet. The couple moved to Italy in 1846, where Elizabeth wrote several of her most famous works. She continued writing until her death in 1861. Her last collection of poems, Aurora Leigh, was published in 1856.
Legacy and Awards
Elizabeth Barrett Browning is widely regarded as one of the most important authors of the Victorian era. She is remembered for her influence on English poetry and for her passionate and evocative works. She won numerous awards in her lifetime, including a gold medal from the Royal Society of Literature in 1850. She was also granted an honorary degree from Harvard University in 1856.
Critical Reception
Critics have praised Elizabeth Barrett Browning for her use of lyricism and narrative in her poetry. Her works have been noted for their exploration of issues such as religion and gender. Early critics noted her ability to convey emotion in her writing and her use of symbolism. More modern critics have lauded her work for its feminist themes and its exploration of human relationships.
Influence and Popularity
Elizabeth Barrett Browning has inspired generations of writers, as well as influencing many popular culture works such as films, television shows and songs. Her works are still widely studied in universities, and are popular in literary circles. Her poem, How Do I Love Thee, is one of the most famous and most often quoted love poems in English literature.
Influence on Other Poets
Elizabeth Barrett Browning had a profound influence on many poets of her time. Her use of lyricism and symbolic imagery influenced the work of other English poets such as Charlotte Mew, Algernon Charles Swinburne, Alfred Lord Tennyson and Robert Browning. She is also credited for influencing American poets such as Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson.
Critical Analysis
Elizabeth Barrett Browning was an immensely talented and influential poet whose work has stood the test of time. Her work was innovative in its use of symbolism and metaphor to create powerful images and convey profound emotion. She was an ardent feminist and her works often explored issues such as gender, religion and human relationships. Despite the fact that she was mostly forgotten in the last century, her work continues to be held in high regard and it is evident that her influence is still felt today.
Thematic Focus
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s works often focus on themes such as love, nature, spirituality, death and the human condition. She explored these themes with an optimism and a sensitivity that resonates even today. She was a passionate believer in human potential and her works often conveyed the idea that a life lived to its fullest is one of love, growth and possibility. Her works were written to inspire and to challenge and it is clear that her impact was felt far and wide.
Style and Form
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s works are noted for their characteristic lyrical style and emphasis on narrative. Her poems often contain impeccable imagery and word choice with an emphasis on the exploration of big ideas and concepts. Her works are structured in a way that allows her to express her ideas with a natural grace and a humble wisdom. Her poetic style is often noted for its evocative power, its musicality and its emotional impact.
Critical Evaluation
Elizabeth Barrett Browning was a remarkable poet and her works are still widely read and appreciated today. She was ahead of her time in many ways, exploring issues such as gender and religion with an unwavering optimism for the future of mankind. Her use of lyricism and narrative enabled her to create powerful images, allowing her to convey her ideas with a poetic grace. Her work is held in high regard and she is remembered for her influence on English poetry and her passionate and evocative works.
