Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s epic poem Aurora Leigh presents a viable feminist ideal. Its heroine, Aurora Leigh, ultimately resolves the dilemma of having to deny love for the sake of her work or vice versa by developing a new concept of the female artist. Although Aurora Leigh offers material for a much broader analysis of feminism, this paper will focus on the main character and narrator, Aurora Leigh herself. Although characters such as Marian Erle and Lady Waldemar also present interesting figures for further study, extending the analysis to them would be beyond the scope of this paper. As this paper concentrates on the feminist ideal in relation to a woman’s vocation as an artist, Aurora Leigh best exemplifies this dynamic.
Beginning by addressing Aurora’s education and early career in order to demonstrate her progression from a traditional concept of love and work, this paper will follow her development as she rejects conventional opposition to arrive at a fuller understanding of life as a female artist. Possible alternative readings, such as the argument that Aurora ultimately sacrifices her artistic strivings for a conventional marriage, will also be discussed in order to support the thesis.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Aurora's Education and Early Career
- Rejection of Conventional Opposition
- The Choice Between Love and Work
- Failure and the Masculine Concept of the Artist
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze the feminist ideal presented in Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Aurora Leigh, focusing on the protagonist's development of a new concept of the female artist. It examines how Aurora Leigh navigates the societal pressures of her time and ultimately reconciles her artistic aspirations with her personal life.
- The conflict between a woman's artistic ambitions and societal expectations.
- The development of a feminist ideal within a Victorian context.
- The redefinition of the female artist and the rejection of traditional gender roles.
- The exploration of the relationship between love, work, and artistic fulfillment.
- The impact of societal pressures on a woman's mental and physical health.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory section establishes the paper's central argument: that Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Aurora Leigh presents a viable feminist ideal through its protagonist, Aurora Leigh, who successfully reconciles her artistic ambitions and personal life by developing a new understanding of the female artist. The paper focuses specifically on Aurora's journey, acknowledging other interesting characters but limiting its scope for a more focused analysis.
Aurora's Education and Early Career: This section details Aurora's upbringing and education, highlighting the conflict between her aunt's traditional expectations and Aurora's own burgeoning artistic spirit. Examples from the poem illustrate Aurora's resistance to a prescribed education that prioritizes piety and conformity over creativity and self-expression. The section emphasizes Aurora's early attempts to separate her "quickening inner life" from external pressures, suggesting this separation is crucial for preserving her artistic identity and mental health.
Rejection of Conventional Opposition: This section analyzes Aurora's rejection of conventional notions of love and work as mutually exclusive realms. Her relationship with her cousin Romney exemplifies the traditional view that women are suited only for domestic roles. Aurora’s insightful critique of Romney’s views highlights her understanding that a woman's capacity for love and work should not be viewed as separate but as equally important aspects of her existence. This section sets the stage for Aurora's subsequent attempts to reconcile these seemingly opposing forces.
The Choice Between Love and Work: This section explores Aurora's decision to prioritize her artistic career over a conventional romantic relationship. The challenges she faces in her writing, coupled with her initial self-imposed isolation, reveal the inherent difficulties in pursuing an artistic path while simultaneously navigating societal expectations. The section emphasizes Aurora's struggle to meet her own artistic ideals, and the potential for failure caused by her own self-imposed restrictions.
Failure and the Masculine Concept of the Artist: This section delves into Aurora's initial feelings of failure and explores her apparent adoption of a masculine concept of the artist. The section analyzes her self-assessment of her work as "cold and false" and her identification of the artist as a "greatened man," suggesting a possible internalization of societal norms that undervalue the feminine aspect of artistic creation. The section connects this internal conflict to Aurora's struggles with balancing her artistic pursuits and her personal life.
Keywords
Feminism, Victorian literature, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Aurora Leigh, female artist, gender roles, love, work, artistic fulfillment, societal expectations, mental health.
Frequently Asked Questions: Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Aurora Leigh
What is the main focus of this paper?
This paper analyzes the feminist ideal presented in Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Aurora Leigh, concentrating on the protagonist's development of a new concept of the female artist. It examines how Aurora Leigh navigates societal pressures and reconciles her artistic aspirations with her personal life.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the conflict between a woman's artistic ambitions and societal expectations, the development of a feminist ideal within a Victorian context, the redefinition of the female artist and rejection of traditional gender roles, the relationship between love, work, and artistic fulfillment, and the impact of societal pressures on a woman's mental and physical health.
What is covered in the Introduction?
The introduction establishes the central argument: that Aurora Leigh presents a viable feminist ideal through Aurora Leigh, who successfully reconciles her artistic ambitions and personal life. It clarifies the paper's focus on Aurora's journey.
What does the chapter on Aurora's Education and Early Career discuss?
This section details Aurora's upbringing and education, highlighting the conflict between her aunt's traditional expectations and her artistic spirit. It shows Aurora's resistance to a prescribed education prioritizing piety over creativity and her early attempts to separate her inner life from external pressures to preserve her artistic identity and mental health.
What is analyzed in the chapter on the Rejection of Conventional Opposition?
This section analyzes Aurora's rejection of conventional notions of love and work as mutually exclusive. Her relationship with her cousin Romney exemplifies the traditional view, while Aurora’s critique highlights her belief that a woman's capacity for love and work are equally important.
What is the focus of the chapter on The Choice Between Love and Work?
This section explores Aurora's decision to prioritize her artistic career over a conventional romantic relationship. It details the challenges she faces in her writing and her initial self-imposed isolation, revealing the difficulties in pursuing an artistic path while navigating societal expectations and her struggle to meet her own artistic ideals.
What does the chapter on Failure and the Masculine Concept of the Artist explore?
This section delves into Aurora's initial feelings of failure and her apparent adoption of a masculine concept of the artist. It analyzes her self-assessment of her work and her identification of the artist as a "greatened man," suggesting an internalization of societal norms undervaluing the feminine aspect of artistic creation. It connects this internal conflict to her struggles with balancing artistic pursuits and personal life.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Keywords include Feminism, Victorian literature, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Aurora Leigh, female artist, gender roles, love, work, artistic fulfillment, societal expectations, and mental health.
- Quote paper
- Katharina E. Thomas (Author), 2008, Feminism in Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s "Aurora Leigh": Developing a Concept of the Female Artist, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/172963
