Blog 5: A Summary and Analysis of Criticisms on Robert Browning

Katherine Trujillo-Johnston

A Summary and Analysis of Criticisms on Robert Browning

Summary:

            Oscar Wilde’s criticism, “Browning as Writer of Fiction” praises Browning for his work. Wilde uses Greek allegory in explaining how Brown’s processes make him a great writer of fiction. In his article he says, “He did not belong to the Olympians, and had all the incompleteness of the Titan” (517-518).  In other words, Wilde thought that Browning was genius in the way he did not focus on the outcome but rather the process. Further down in his article Wilde references many of Browning’s most memorable characters from Andrea to the Spanish Monk. Wilde even compares Browning to Shakespeare and concludes his article with the claim that Browning will not be remembered as a poet but rather “as the most supreme writer of fiction” (518).  Wilde also discusses Browning’s talent at creating dramatic situations and the way he was able to create problems.

Analysis:

            I really liked that way Oscar Wilde wrote his article comparing Browning and his style to Greek figures. I found it a very refreshing way to read a criticism because usually they follow the same format. One of the things I have found most interesting about Robert Browning myself has been the way he creates problems, and so I completely agree with Wilde that he is great at creating the dramatic scene filled with unanswered questions.

Summary:

            In the criticism “The Ring and the Book” written by Robert W. Buchanan, Buchanan states, “The Ring and The Book is beyond all parallel the supremest poetical achievement of our time, but that it is the most precious and profound spiritual treasure that England has produced since the days of Shakespeare” (508). Buchanan thinks that Browning’s work exceeds all expectations and compares him to arguably the most famous writer of all time. He talks about how Browning’s writing grows on the reader each time he reads it and that is somewhat of a “spiritual teaching” and that in order to comprehend his work you must be able to have an intellectual understanding but you must feel the work through your soul. He also writes in his article Browning’s ability to create characters that are human through and through that are able to touch his readers.

Analysis:

            I found it very interesting that two of the critics I chose to examine compare Browning to Shakespeare. I had never thought of that before but after reading these articles the comparisons seem clearer. Browning’s capability at creating characters that are complex but human is great. I think that article by Buchanan is different in the way it tells you how to read Browning’s “The Ring and the Book.” He basically says that unless you can read it with a spiritual understanding than you pretty much have no moral fiber. I really liked how passionate Buchanan was but I also think that he loses some credibility by dismissing all people who may feel differently about Browning’s piece.

Summary:

            William Morris in his article “Browning’s Alleged Carelessness” attempts to address the ill claims many other critics have made against Browning. He first details the ideas that people have about Browning from his obscureness to the claim that he writes down everything that comes to his mind. He then goes on to dispute these claims. He says that Browning may be obscure the first time you read his work but that it is meant for further dissection and that if you are unable to understand after several readings that you have a “shallow brain” (502). Ruskin believes that readers should exercise thought over a great poem. He also defends Browning against the claim that he is careless in what he writes down. He talks about how Tennyson was the victim of false claims that critics later changed and he believes Browning’s critics will someday do the same.

Analysis:

            I think Ruskin’s article fairly addresses the harsh claims about Robert Browning’s poems. I agree that Browning’s poems are hard to read at first attempt but I think if you work through them you find so much depth and meaning. I don’t like that Ruskin calls people who can’t appreciate Browning’s poems shallow minded. I think that undermines the concept of criticism all together. His argument would be stronger if he just gave examples of how Browning defies their bad claims, as opposed to putting the other critics down. However I do agree that poetry is a form of literature that is meant to be examined, studied, and lulled over for great periods of time. Every time I read a poem I find a new meaning that I did not see before.

Presentation Blog "A Summary and Analysis of “Browning’s ‘A Toccata of Galuppi’s’: How Venice Once Was Dear" by Stefan Hawlin

Katherine Trujillo-Johnston

English 370

Dr.Hague

3 September 2012

A Summary and Analysis of “Browning’s ‘A Toccata of Galuppi’s’: How Venice Once Was Dear”

Summary

In Stefan Hawlin’s essay “Browning’s ‘A Toccata of Galuppi’s’: How Venice Once Was Dear,” Hawlin attempts to give readers a better understanding of Browning’s poem, as well as, open a window into Browning’s inspiration and influences. He begins his essay explaining that this particular poem by Browning  has yet to be critiqued fully due to its’ complexities and musical references.  While the musical references have been successful in a ‘musical point of view’ they have been set apart from the themes of the poem. Hawlin then lets us know that within the last decade better criticism has emerged and then he goes on to show us how.

Hawlin claims that Browning was influenced by other major authors that Browning was exposed to throughout his life. In particular he talks about Keats, Byron, and Dommett and how they each added to Browning’s representation of Venice. Browning’s poem is compared with Keats’ Nightingale,  “And the music as much as Keats’ nightingale, is what lets him into a warm and luxuriant fantasy, something far away from the matter-of-fact world he usually inhibits” (623). This is mirrored in Browning’s description of Venice in his mind. Hawlin gives credit to Browning’s knowledge of balls, masquerades, and carnival to Byron whom Browning worshipped. Finally the essay talks about Domett and his post war view of Venice and how it influenced the overall theme of decay and death throughout the poem.

Lastly Hawlin explains how music is working throughout Browning’s “A Toccata of Galuppi’s’.” He further explains how Browning used the showy characteristic of a Toccata to his advantage. He describes the purpose for mentioning ‘sixths diminished’ and ‘commiserating sevenths.’ He explains how the music works to show the ‘arc’ of Venice. Everything flourished for a period time but eventually died off slowly; in tune with the ‘commiserating sevenths.’ Lastly Hawlin explains how Browning’s final description of how beautiful and warm Venetian women are leaves the reader “with the sad and humble knowledge of how Venice once was dear”(633).

Analysis

                  I feel like this essay really helped me understand Browning’s poem in a whole new way. I thought it was really great that Hawlin shared Browning’s literary inspirations. It gave the reader a better sense of Browning’s descriptions and views about Venice. I also think explaining the musical language and it’s meaning allows the reader to understand the tone of the poem. Without the explanation of sixths and sevenths I may have never understood how the music mirrored Venice. Another thing I found interesting is how Hawlin helps you understand the overall idea of how Venice once was dear. You understand how the speaker has traveled in his mind to Venice in its’ golden age and also after when Venice has a melancholy veil over it.

Questions

1. Does Browning's "A Toccata of Galuppi's" share any of the same elements from the previous pieces we have read in class?

2. Now that we have learned more about the authors that have influenced Browning, can you see those influences in "My Last Duchess" or "Soliloquy of the Spanish Cloister?"

3. In what other ways does Browning visit romantic themes but make them his own?

Hawlin, Stefan. “Browning’s ‘A Toccata of Galuppi’s’: How Venice Once was Dear.” Robert Browing’s Poetry. Ed. James F. Loucks and Andrew M. Stauffer. 2^nd Edition. New York: W.W. Norton, 2007. 622-633. Print.