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.