Modern British Literature Since 1798 Essay (Critical Writing)

British Literature at the beginning of the 19^th century

Political and social changes at the end of the 18^th century gave birth to a new breed of writing, which was called Romanticism. The literature of that time was characterized by emotionalism and introspection. The depiction of life of an individual and the common man was the main theme in works. Urbanism and industrialization were also among authors’ concerns. The poetry of 19^th century was influenced by Romanticism, but it also developed in its own directions. There are many outstanding poets representing the period since 1798. Among them William Blake, Lord Tennyson and William Butler Yeats occupy significant positions.

Expressiveness and Creativity of William Blake

William Blake worked at the beginning of the 19^th century during the era of Romanticism, but his style was unique and idiosyncratic. The Chimney Sweeper represents a story of a little boy, who works hard and sleeps in soot. This boy is a slave like many other children, because of black color of their skin. The little chimney sweeper dreamt of an angel, who will “set them all free” out of their coffins. Children will be able to enjoy their life, “wash in a river, and shine in the sun” (Blake). The only problem of these children is color of their skin, and when they are white “They rise upon clouds and sport in the wind” (Blake). The sense of his life is in the last line of the poem: “if all do their duty they need not fear harm” (Blake). The author implies that slaves can be set free only in their dreams or in heaven. Thus, this poem impresses us with its humanism and philanthropy.

William Blake is famous for his idiosyncrasy and mysteriousness. His works were rejected by contemporaries. By means of an everyday story, accurately taken words and huge skill, the author conveys tragic destinies of slaves and racial injustice. It is surely a masterpiece with the harmony of content and form. This is a characteristic feature of Modern British literature. Depiction of true-to-life stories in the works is also typical for it.

Acceptance of Death by Lord Tennyson

Tennyson is one of the representatives of the Victorian period in literature. His works form a link between Romanticism and the literature of the 20^th century. Crossing the Bar by Lord Tennyson is a fine example of a philosophical and metaphorical poem. The author hears “one clear call for me”, which is a call of death (Tennyson). The lines “Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark!” describe waiting for death. The author hopes for the absence of sadness during the farewell to life. He will confront death bravely, with excitement and curiosity and “hope to see my Pilot face to face when I have crossed the bar” (Tennyson). The author hopes to see the Lord or an angel. This poem is rich in metaphors. For example, a sand bar symbolizes a barrier between life and death, and crossing this barrier means dying. Thus, the author accepts his death calmly. This masterpiece of Tennyson proves his outstanding position among British poets and his deep understanding of life and death.

William Butler Yeats is a bright representative of British Literature in the 20^th century. At that time modernism was reigning in poetry. Search for new forms, new striking images, and iconoclasm are characteristic features of Modernist literature, which tries to go over the line of Realistic and Romantic literature. One of its themes is the emergence of urbanism and city life as a central force in modern society.

The decline of Civilization in “The Second Coming”

The Second Coming is a fine example of Modernist Literature, which shows the mystical inclinations of Yeats. This poem looks like a gloomy prophecy of the decline of civilization. The cycle of history has come to its end, and the second coming of Christ points to the Apocalypse. The author describes the signs of the end of the world: “the falcon cannot hear the falconer”, “Things fall apart; the center cannot hold”, “anarchy is loosed”, “blood-dimmed tide” and “ceremony of innocence is drowned” (Yeats). The end of the world is described as darkness. The author touches upon the reasons for it: “The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity” (Yeats). People’s blindness, covetousness, lust, pride, anger, envy, gluttony, and idleness destroyed the world. And the “rough beast” will bring an obscure future. This poem strikes the reader with its straightforwardness, impressive images, vivid metaphors, and bleak prospects. Yeats was a Symbolist poet because he used allusive imagery in his works, which was characteristic of the art movement of Symbolism.

Representation of Main Stages of Development by Three Poets

These three poems represent the best traditions of British poetry. Vivid and fascinating, they touch upon eternal problems of sense of life, death, injustice, people’s future. In fact, William Blake represents the early era of Modern British Literature at the time of Romanticism. The works of Tennyson are viewed as a bridge from the literature of the 19^th century to the 20^th century. Yeats worked in the 20th century. These three poets represent the main stages of the development of Modern British Literature, which can be characterized as intellectual, reflecting on the eternal problems and striving for the harmony of content and form.

Works Cited

Blake, William. The Chimney Sweeper. Web.

Tennyson, Alfred. Crossing the Bar.

Yeats, William Butler. The Second Coming. Web.