My last duchess analysis line by line. Analysis of the Robert Browning Poem 'My Last Duchess' 2022-10-03
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Jane Eyre is a feminist novel written by Charlotte Bronte in 1847. The novel follows the life of Jane, an orphaned young woman who grows up in the care of her abusive aunt and later becomes a governess at Thornfield Hall. Through her experiences, Jane learns to assert herself and to demand respect and autonomy in a society that often denies these rights to women.
One of the key themes of the novel is the oppression of women in the Victorian era. At the beginning of the novel, Jane is a poor and powerless orphan who is constantly mistreated by her aunt and cousins. Despite her intelligence and strong will, she has no control over her own life and is forced to endure constant abuse and neglect. As she grows older and begins to work as a governess, she finds that she is still treated as an inferior being, with little agency or autonomy.
However, as the novel progresses, Jane begins to assert herself and to demand respect and equality. She refuses to be treated as a subservient servant, and instead asserts her own autonomy and agency. This is seen most notably in her relationship with Mr. Rochester, the wealthy and mysterious owner of Thornfield Hall. Despite his initial attempts to control and manipulate her, Jane refuses to be treated as a mere possession and instead demands equal treatment and respect.
Another important theme of the novel is the double standard that exists for men and women in the Victorian era. Throughout the novel, it is clear that men are afforded more rights and privileges than women. They are able to own property and inherit wealth, while women are often left penniless and dependent upon the men in their lives. This double standard is exemplified in the character of Mr. Rochester, who is able to marry and divorce at will, while Jane is punished for her independent choices.
Overall, Jane Eyre is a powerful feminist novel that highlights the oppression and double standards that women faced in the Victorian era. Through the character of Jane, Bronte demonstrates the importance of assertiveness and autonomy in the fight for gender equality. By refusing to be controlled and demanding equal treatment and respect, Jane is able to gain a measure of independence and agency that was often denied to women in her society.
“My Last Duchess” by Robert Browning: A Detailed Analysis
My favour at her breast, The dropping of the daylight in the West, The bough of cherries some officious fool Broke in the orchard for her, the white mule She rode with round the terrace—all and each Would draw from her alike the approving speech, Or blush, at least. I call That piece a wonder, now; The speaker of the poem draws our attention to the portrait of his last Duchess hanging on the wall. The beauty of the poem is not only contained in its complex narrative but also in its form and structure. Line 54- 56 Together down, sir. On one hand, it is a twisted plan, coupling evil and holy together.
My Last Duchess Poem Summary And Line By Line Analysis By Robert Browning In English • English Summary
The second is the date of publication online or last modification online. He explains to him that she treated everyone equally and that everything made her happy. The Duke tries to present her late Duchess as an unfaithful wife, but the readers see the jealous and egotistical mind of the Duke himself. Soon enough, the loving and caring duke becomes a possessive husband who is enraged by the sexuality of her wife and her friendly behavior. Maybe he admired her by saying that painting can never recreate the reddish glow on her neck and the throat. C onclusion of My Last Duchess Summary My Last Duchess summary revolves around the theme of political and social power in the hands of the Duke.
The Duke gestures toward the wall-mounted picture of his deceased Duchess. Who would be so low as to question her about her odd behavior or to argue with her about it, the Duke then asks his audience. Maybe he is trying to justify something too hard by being judgmental to her actions again and again. Thus, he decides to lesson her on loving everything so easily. The dropping of the daylight in the West, This is the imagery of the sunset and can be seen as a pathetic fallacy and foreshadowing of her life coming to an end, just as the day does during sunset. The Duchess passed away in eerie circumstances.
Analysis of the Robert Browning Poem 'My Last Duchess'
After a reader has read the poem, it becomes a series of psychological ups and downs. Line 31 — 34 She thanked men—good! The Duke starts recalling the portrait sessions and the Duchess. Reading a poem like this in the modern world is certain to make the readers feel a knot in their stomach, which is due to the content of the poem and heightened in effect by the writing style of Robert Browning. We learn that the Duke does indeed kill off his wife, as has been subtly but far from explicitly foreshadowed. She had a golden heart. The Duke believed that she was flirting with almost everyone. The Duchess's Character What the painting captures appears to be a watered-down version of the Duchess's joyfulness.
As a perfect dramatic monologue, it not only has a speaker other than the poet, but also a silent listener who never appears in the poem. Because he thinks that bringing it up at all would be "stooping" to her level, and he refuses to do that. Written in iambic pentameter, the poem consists of twenty-three rhyming couplets. Robert Browning is considered one of the best poets of the Victorian Era and his popularity is rested mostly on his 1842 collection of poems- Dramatic Lyrics. The reader is forced to hate the duke for murdering his wife, but at the same time is impressed by his theatrics. The portrait is so beautifully painted that she looks alive.
He then started to look for a new bride for himself, which has been discussed in My Last Duchess. Before the poem even begins, the courtier has been escorted through the Duke's palace—probably through an art gallery filled with paintings and sculptures. The Duke in this poem uses his power to control a woman, his duchess. It is because he lost his wife recently. There she stands As if alive.
My Last Duchess, Robert Browning Poem Analysis/Annotations
As he recalls about her nature, his tone grows harsher. A heart—how shall I say? My favor at her breast, The dropping of the daylight in the West, The bough of cherries some officious fool Broke in the orchard for her, the white mule She rode with round the terrace — all and each Would draw from her alike the approving speech, Or blush, at least. He expresses that for a wife, such behavior should be only practiced with her husband. Fra Pandolf is the artist of the picture. It tells us about a Duke who is in talks with an emissary. So, the speaker here is a Duke.
Saying that, he quickly moves to the topic of discussion and starts negotiating the dowry that he will exchange with his new bride. Advertisements In the parenthesis, the Duke explains that they turn to him to ask it because none other than him is allowed to draw the curtain that covers the portrait. Now he is negotiating a fresh marriage proposal with the guest, the envoy of a count. The speaker of the poem exhibits arrogance rooted in his audacious sense Premium Duke My Last Duchess Robert Browning Analysis of My Last Duchess The Duke and the Duchess Victoria Overton Introduction to Literature Dr. For a Victorian woman to be morally good, she must embody "sensitivity, self-sacrifice, innate purity. The second date is today's date — the date you are citing the material.
This is a metaphor for the Duchess being sexually aroused too easily, hence, the Duke is portraying her as overly-sexualised — another repeated criticism of her. This grew; I gave commands; Then all smiles stopped together. In saying this, the duke remarks that he keeps the portrait behind a curtain that only he may draw aside. The poem also abounds with enjambments, i. He believes she would offer defenses or put up a fight, demonstrating her reluctance to adapt for him. This grew; I gave commands; Then all smiles stopped together.
As suggested by the character heading at the beginning of the speech, the speaker's name is Ferrara. That is why the Duke considers it a piece of wonderful art now. This phrase very much reiterates his previous complaints that she is overly impressed and entertained, especially by men. Which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me!. He informs him that she continued to be kind and love everyone with greater intensity.
