Composite Social Dynamics In The Victorian Age: Theperception Of Alfred Lord Tennyson

Abstract

Victorian times were the times of great industrialization, scientific progress, of strict social orders, characterized by the profound cultural and moral change in Britain. Against this background, Alfred Lord Tennyson one of the most acclaimed poets of his era came out as a curious and adroit commentator and decoder of the twists and turns of the social fabric at that time. This paper examines how poetry written by Tennyson mirrors and criticizes changing values, fears, and aspirations of the Victorian society. The close examination of some of the most important works, including In Memoriam A.H.H., reveals this point. The paper, The Princess, and The Lady of Shalott, explores how Tennyson explored the issues of gender roles, division of classes, religion and skepticism, and the tension between tradition and progress. Isolation of individuals, depressed self reflection and romanticized and limited femininity as described by Tennyson is an insight into the psychological and emotional subtext of the Victorian lower and upper classes. What is more, his style of poetry that is full of imagery, musicality and allusion to classics can be seen as reflection and comment of the cultural turmoil of the time. This paper has already emphasized the dual nature of Tennyson both as a creation of the social environment he existed in, and as a critic of the social environment he lived. However, in the end, this study also shows how the work of Tennyson did not only reflect the spirit of Victorian England but also provided a delicate yet insightful criticism of the complexities of the time, and his poetry is a powerful tool through which to interpret the social fabric of the period, its convolutions and twists.