The criticism
from “Mrs. Browning’s New Poem” discusses some very interesting points on the
poem Casa Guidi Windows. The fact
that the poem is written in more than one part at very different times is a
point that is up for discussion. The author mentions the fact that the first
half shows a great deal of emotion and creates the sad picture for the
audience. However, the authors states “the whole first part is inferior” when
it is compared to the second part. I believe that the usage of the different
timings had a great deal to do with the change in tone and type of writing that
Barrett Brown used. I think the fact that the later part allowed time for her
to gain more perspective and experience changing from the irrational and
emotional tone of the writing.
The
emotional side of Barrett Browning’s writing is mentioned again in a criticism
by Henry Fothergill Chorley. However, this is not mentioned in a very good
light. He says that she is too emotional and irrational when writing. He does
not like her constant use of politics in poem form. I however, think that this
adds to her creativity. Politics is usually something that is seen strictly as
factual and does not include much creativity. Therefore, when someone like
Barrett Browning shines an artistic side to it she finds her own style and creativity
to writing. This is a trend that many writers have tried or are trying to
perfect, and Barrett Browning set a great example of a way to follow.
The criticism
from Giuseppe Mazzini is very interesting in the way that he describes the way
that Barrett Browning decided to pull an audience into her writings. She is
using her pen as her own weapon in this war. Then he goes onto describe how the
church then the government had the ruling, but Barrett Browning changes those
ideas in her writing. By Barrett Browning making a political difference with
something such as poetry she is giving herself a voice to stand against what
she does not agree with. Then by using these poems to speak out and inform
readers she is hoping to give them that chance to have a voice as well. People
having a fair chance is what Barrett Browning is working towards in such a
creative way of writing.
I wish that we'd had time to look more closely at the second part of the poem in class (wasn't anticipating that the first part would take so long). I like the energy of the first part, but there is a sense of chaos in it, especially when she starts describing what she sees from her windows. The control and perspective in the second part are an interesting contrast.
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