Assignment 104 : Alfred Lord Tennyson As a representative poet of Victorian age 104

Tennyson as Representative 

Personal Information 

Name :  Makwana Bhargav Arvindbhai 

Roll No : 01

Batch: M.A Sem 1 (2024-2026) 

Enrollment Number : 5108240018

Email : bhargavmakvana221@gmail.com

Assignment Details 

Topic : Alfred Lord Tennyson : As a representative poet of Victorian age 

Paper & subject Coad  : 104 Literature of the Victorians 22395

Date of  Submission :  20 November 2024

Table of contents 

• Introduction

• Victorian era : overview

• Alfred Lord Tennyson : Life

• Alfred Lord Tennyson as representative of Victorian Age

 Introduction 

Alfred Lord Tennyson, one of the greatest poets of the Victorian era, is renowned for his profound exploration of human emotions, philosophical reflections, and the socio-cultural ethos of his time. Born on August 6, 1809, in Somersby, Lincolnshire, Tennyson's life and works mirrored the struggles and triumphs of Victorian England. That's why he was a representative literary figure of the Victorian era. From grappling with personal tragedies to capturing the spirit of a rapidly changing world, his poetry reflects themes of loss, faith, heroism, and the quest for meaning. As the Poet Laureate of England, Tennyson not only immortalized historical and national events but also earned enduring recognition as the voice of an age characterized by innovation, conflict, and introspection.

Victorian Era : Overview

The Victorian Era, spanning the duration of Queen Victoria’s rule from 1837 – 1901, is characterized by the expanding horizons of education and literacy, as well as by an increased desire of the people to question religion and politics. During this time period, publications such as Marx and Engle's Communist Manifesto in 1848 and Darwin’s Origin of the Species in 1859, served as catalysts for political and religious controversy. These new notions of government and science signalled a turn from the idealism of the Romantics to a more empirical worldview. The Victorian era also marks a time of great economic growth, technological discovery, and industrialization. Many writers reacted to both the wonders of this Industrial Revolution as well as to the troubles of an industrialised society. Also during the Victorian Era, the influence of literature became more prevalent in society as reading evolved into a social pastime indicated by the increasing literacy rate. At the era’s beginning in 1837, it is estimated that approximately half of the adult male population was literate to a certain degree. Because of the new practices, compulsory education and technological advances in printing resulting in widely available reading materials, standard literacy was more or less universal by the end of the centaur. 

Victorian literature

As reading became less of a privilege of the wealthy and more of a pastime of the common British citizen, publications such as periodicals flourished. These magazines provided monthly installments of news articles, satiric essays, poetry and fiction. These serial publications enabled many authors to easily share their work with the public and helped launch the careers of prominent Victorian writers such as Dickens, Eliot, Tennyson, and the Browning's (Norton). Because literature was an accessible and pervasive part of Victorian society, studying it is crucial in understanding the attitudes and concerns of the people who lived during this era. Much of the writing during this time was a reaction to the rapidly changing notions of science, morality, and society. Victorian writers also reacted to the writings of previous generations. George Landow argues that the Victorians wanted to escape what they saw as ‘the excessive subjectivity of the Romantics’ while at the same time keeping their “individuality, originality, intensity, and, above all, sincerity.” Thus Victorian literature tries to combine the use of Romantic subjectivity(~1798-1830) with the objectivity of the Augustans (~1660-1798). Landow argues that the birth of the dramatic monologue and autobiographical fiction were used to bring personal experiences to literature without the author seeming self-obsessed.

Alfred Lord Tennyson 

Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson, FRS (6 August 1809 – 6 October 1892), was an English poet. He was the Poet Laureate during much of Queen Victoria's reign. In 1829, Tennyson was awarded the Chancellor's Gold Medal at Cambridge for one of his first pieces, "Timbuktu". He published his first solo collection of poems, Poems, Chiefly Lyrical, in 1830. "Claribel" and "Mariana", which remain some of Tennyson's most celebrated poems, were included in this volume. Although described by some critics as overly sentimental, his poems ultimately proved popular and brought Tennyson to the attention of well-known writers of the day, including Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Tennyson's early poetry, with its medievalism and powerful visual imagery, was a major influence on the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.

Tennyson As Representative if Victorian Era

Alfred Lord Tennyson, is widely regarded as one of the most significant representative poet of the Victorian era. His poetry encapsulates the spirit and sensibility of the Victorian era, and his works mirror the social, cultural, and moral values of the time. Tennyson’s poetry resonated with the Victorians, and he became a prominent figure in literary landscape during Queen Victoria’s region. 

Here are some key reason why Tennyson is considered a representative poet of the Victorian era. 

1. Reflecting Victorian Values

Tennyson's poetry encapsulates the core values of the Victorian era, such as duty, perseverance, and moral uprightness. In The Charge of the Light Brigade, he celebrates bravery and sacrifice, epitomizing the Victorian ideal of serving one’s country. Similarly, his poetic narratives often emphasize the importance of family, faith, and societal order, which were cornerstones of Victorian life.

2. Embracing Romanticism and Victorianism

Tennyson serves as a bridge between Romanticism and Victorianism, blending the emotional depth and nature-centric focus of the former with the intellectual and social engagement of the latter. Poems like The Lady of Shalott and Tears, Idle Tears display Romantic elements of melancholy and a longing for the past, while works such as Ulysses and In Memoriam A.H.H. reflect Victorian concerns with progress, responsibility, and the human condition.

3. Capturing the Zeitgeist

Tennyson’s poetry captures the spirit of the Victorian age—its rapid industrialization, expanding empire, and cultural shifts. He addresses the anxieties of a society in transition, grappling with questions of identity, purpose, and the meaning of progress. Through his nuanced portrayal of the era's paradoxes, he becomes the voice of Victorian sensibilities.

4. Reflecting the Struggle with Faith

One of the defining features of the Victorian era was the tension between religious faith and emerging scientific theories. Tennyson’s In Memoriam A.H.H. explores this struggle, delving into themes of grief, doubt, and the search for spiritual reassurance. The poem reflects the broader Victorian dilemma of reconciling traditional beliefs with new scientific discoveries, such as Darwin’s theory of evolution.

5. Portraying the Role of Women

Tennyson’s portrayal of women reflects both the traditional and evolving views of the Victorian era. In The Princess, he addresses the question of women's education and their societal roles, offering a progressive yet cautious perspective. In works like The Lady of Shalott, he presents women as both constrained by and rebelling against societal norms, encapsulating the era’s shifting attitudes toward gender roles.

6. Addressing Social Issues

Although not as overtly critical as some contemporaries, Tennyson subtly engages with social issues of his time. Poems like Locksley Hall highlight concerns about industrialization, social mobility, and the breakdown of traditional structures. His works often reflect a deep awareness of the challenges faced by different classes in a rapidly changing society.

7. Incorporating National Themes

As Poet Laureate, Tennyson frequently wrote about national pride and unity. In works such as The Charge of the Light Brigade and Idylls of the King, he celebrates Britain’s heroic past and addresses themes of leadership, patriotism, and moral integrity. His poetry reinforced Victorian ideals of loyalty to the nation and the glory of the British Empire.

Here are some example that how his poetry represent him as representative of Victorian Era. 

1. The Charge of the Light Brigade

Represents: National theme and Victorian values.

Highlights patriotic pride and the valor of soldiers who fulfill their duty despite inevitable loss.

Embodies Victorian ideals of bravery, loyalty, and sacrifice.

2. The Princess

Represents: The role of women in Victorian society.

Explores the question of women’s education and their societal roles, reflecting Victorian debates on gender equality.

Balances progressive ideas with traditional views of domesticity.

3. In Memoriam A.H.H.

Represents: The struggle with faith and Victorian values.

Grapples with grief, doubt, and the search for divine justice, mirroring the Victorian spiritual crisis.

Advocates perseverance and hope, key moral virtues of the era.

4. Ulysses

Represents: Victorian values and capturing the zeitgeist.

Celebrates ambition, progress, and the pursuit of greatness, embodying the restless energy of the Victorian age.

Reflects the Victorian ideal of striving for purpose and fulfillment.

5. Tears, Idle Tears

Represents: Romantic and Victorian sensibilities.

Combines Romantic nostalgia and emotional depth with Victorian concerns about time, mortality, and the transient nature of life.

6. Crossing the Bar

Represents: The struggle with faith and Victorian values.

Offers a serene reflection on death and the afterlife, emphasizing acceptance and trust in divine guidance.

Captures the Victorian ideal of facing life’s transitions with dignity.

These associations demonstrate Tennyson’s ability to address diverse themes relevant to Victorian society, making him the most representative literary figure of the era.

Conclusion 

Alfred Lord Tennyson is widely regarded as the most representative literary figure of the Victorian era, capturing the complex dynamics of the period through his poetry. His works engage deeply with the era's core values, such as duty, faith, and social responsibility. He addresses the Victorian struggle with faith, reconciling personal grief with broader existential questions, while reflecting the relentless pursuit of ambition and progress, embodying the Victorian spirit of exploration and resilience. Tennyson also celebrates the ideals of patriotism and sacrifice, aligning with the era’s emphasis on national pride and collective duty.

Tennyson’s poetry also explores the shifting roles of women in society, reflecting the era’s evolving gender norms and the question of women's education and societal expectations. In addition, he delves into the Victorian fascination with time, mortality, and spiritual faith. By skillfully blending personal introspection with national and social concerns, Tennyson became a voice that spoke to the intellectual, emotional, and moral preoccupations of the Victorian age. His ability to navigate the tensions between scientific progress, traditional faith, and moral duty cements his place as the era's defining poet.

References

Ireland, Alleyne. “The Victorian Era of British Expansion.” The North American Review, vol. 172, no. 533, 1901, pp. 560–72. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25105153. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Timko, Michael. “The Victorianism of Victorian Literature.” New Literary History, vol. 6, no. 3, 1975, pp. 607–27. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/468468. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

CAMLOT, JASON. “Alfred, Lord Tennyson, ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’ (1854).” Victorian Review, vol. 35, no. 1, 2009, pp. 27–32. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/27793693. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.