Victorian Pets and Poetry

Poets of the Victorian era wrote about their pets in a wider literary context, using poems to call attention to animal abuse and loss. This book offers a critical analysis of these poems, with an introduction, afterword, and eight essays offering new perspectives.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 10 May 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Some of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era penned—at times movingly or humorously—about their beloved pets. They did so within a broader literary context, as poetry about pets was ubiquitous in the period. Animal welfare organizations used poignant verses about canine and feline suffering in institutional publications to raise awareness about various abuses. Elegies and epitaphs commemorating the loss of a cherished cat, songbird, or dog were printed on funeral cards, tombstones, and featured in mass-produced poetry collections, as well as those intended for an intimate circle of friends. However, poems about pets, along with attendant issues such as breeding and overpopulation, have not received the same level of critical analysis as fictional works and short stories. Victorian Pets and Poetry seeks to rectify this oversight by presenting an introduction, afterword, and eight essays offering fresh perspectives on significant and lesser-known poems from the Victorian era.

Introduction:
The Victorian era was a time of immense cultural and societal change, marked by the rise of industrialization, urbanization, and the expansion of the British Empire. It was also a period of great interest in the natural world, particularly in the study of animals. As a result, the Victorian era saw a proliferation of poetry about pets, reflecting the deep emotional bonds that people often formed with their furry companions.

Afterword:
In conclusion, Victorian Pets and Poetry is a valuable contribution to the study of Victorian literature and culture. By exploring the rich tradition of poetry about pets, this book offers new insights into the complex relationships between humans and animals in the Victorian era. It also highlights the importance of considering the role of animals in literature and culture more broadly, and encourages readers to appreciate the enduring power of poetry to capture the essence of our relationships with the natural world.

Essay 1:
One of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era was Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Tennyson's poem "The Dog" is a poignant portrayal of the bond between a man and his dog. In the poem, the speaker describes how his dog is his constant companion, providing him with love, loyalty, and protection. The poem also explores the themes of loyalty, devotion, and the transience of life, as the dog eventually passes away.

Essay 2:
Another notable poet of the Victorian era was Robert Browning. Browning's poem "Porphyria's Lover" is a dark and mysterious poem that explores the themes of obsession, love, and death. In the poem, the speaker describes how he is consumed by his love for a woman named Porphyria, who is described as being both beautiful and deadly. The poem also explores the idea of the supernatural and the power of obsession to drive people to extreme actions.

Essay 3:
Elizabeth Barrett Browning was another celebrated poet of the Victorian era. Browning's poem "My Last Duchess" is a dramatic and powerful poem that explores the themes of power, beauty, and obsession. In the poem, the speaker describes how he commissioned a portrait of his late wife, the Duchess of Ferrara, only to be disappointed by the painting's lack of life and vitality. The poem also explores the idea of art as a means of capturing the essence of a person or thing, and the limitations of that process.

Essay 4:
Charles Dickens was another prominent figure in Victorian literature. Dickens's novel "A Christmas Carol" is a classic example of his use of animals to convey themes of morality, kindness, and redemption. In the novel, Scrooge, a bitter and miserly character, is visited by three spirits who teach him the value of compassion and generosity. The spirits are represented by a ghostly dog, a ghostly cat, and a ghostly bird, each of which plays a significant role in Scrooge's transformation.

Essay 5:
Charlotte Brontë was another notable Victorian poet. Brontë's poem "The Young Woman's Guide" is a feminist text that encourages young women to assert their independence and pursue their own goals. In the poem, the speaker describes how women should be independent and self-reliant, and how they should not be limited by societal expectations or gender roles.

Essay 6:
William Wordsworth was another important poet of the Victorian era. Wordsworth's poem "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" is a beautiful and introspective poem that explores the themes of nature, beauty, and the human experience. In the poem, the speaker describes how he wanders through the countryside, observing the beauty of nature and feeling a sense of connection to the natural world.

Essay 7:
John Keats was another celebrated poet of the Victorian era. Keats's poem "Ode to a Nightingale" is a beautiful and romantic poem that celebrates the beauty of nature and the power of poetry to capture its essence. In the poem, the speaker describes how he hears a nightingale singing in the woods and is filled with a sense of joy and wonder.

Essay 8:
In conclusion, Victorian Pets and Poetry is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the literature and culture of the Victorian era. By exploring the rich tradition of poetry about pets, this book offers new insights into the complex relationships between humans and animals in the Victorian era. It also highlights the importance of considering the role
The Victorian era was a time of immense cultural and societal change, marked by the rise
The Victorian era was a time of immense cultural and societal change, marked by the rise of industrialization, urbanization, and the expansion of the British Empire. It was also a period of great interest in the natural world, particularly in the study of animals. As a result, the Victorian era saw a proliferation of poetry about pets, reflecting the deep emotional bonds that people often formed with their furry companions.

Afterword:
In conclusion, Victorian Pets and Poetry is a valuable contribution to the study of Victorian literature and culture. By exploring the rich tradition of poetry about pets, this book offers new insights into the complex relationships between humans and animals in the Victorian era. It also highlights the importance of considering the role.

Essay 1:
One of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era was Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Tennyson's poem "The Dog" is a poignant portrayal of the bond between a man and his dog. In the poem, the speaker describes how his dog is his constant companion, providing him with love, loyalty, and protection. The poem also explores the themes of loyalty, devotion, and the transience of life, as the dog eventually passes away.

Essay 2:
Another notable poet of the Victorian era was Robert Browning. Browning's poem "Porphyria's Lover" is a dark and mysterious poem that explores the themes of obsession, love, and death. In the poem, the speaker describes how he is consumed by his love for a woman named Porphyria, who is described as being both beautiful and deadly. The poem also explores the idea of the supernatural and the power of obsession to drive people to extreme actions.

Essay 3:
Elizabeth Barrett Browning was another celebrated poet of the Victorian era. Browning's poem "My Last Duchess" is a dramatic and powerful poem that explores the themes of power, beauty, and obsession. In the poem, the speaker describes how he commissioned a portrait of his late wife, the Duchess of Ferrara, only to be disappointed by the painting's lack of life and vitality. The poem also explores the idea of art as a means of capturing the essence of a person or thing, and the limitations of that process.

Essay 4:
Charles Dickens was another prominent figure in Victorian literature. Dickens's novel "A Christmas Carol" is a classic example of his use of animals to convey themes of morality, kindness, and redemption. In the novel, Scrooge, a bitter and miserly character, is visited by three spirits who teach him the value of compassion and generosity. The spirits are represented by a ghostly dog, a ghostly cat, and a ghostly bird, each of which plays a significant role in Scrooge's transformation.

Essay 5:
Charlotte Brontë was another notable Victorian poet. Brontë's poem "The Young Woman's Guide" is a feminist text that encourages young women to assert their independence and pursue their own goals. In the poem, the speaker describes how women should be independent and self-reliant, and how they should not be limited by societal expectations or gender roles.

Essay 6:
William Wordsworth was another important poet of the Victorian era. Wordsworth's poem "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" is a beautiful and introspective poem that explores the themes of nature, beauty, and the human experience. In the poem, the speaker describes how he wanders through the countryside, observing the beauty of nature and feeling a sense of connection to the natural world.

Essay 7:
John Keats was another celebrated poet of the Victorian era. Keats's poem "Ode to a Nightingale" is a beautiful and romantic poem that celebrates the beauty of nature and the power of poetry to capture its essence. In the poem, the speaker describes how he hears a nightingale singing in the woods and is filled with a sense of joy and wonder.

Essay 8:
In conclusion, Victorian Pets and Poetry is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the literature and culture of the Victorian era. By exploring the rich tradition of poetry about pets, this book offers new insights into the complex relationships between humans and animals in the Victorian era. It also highlights the importance of considering the role.

Weight: 456g
Dimension: 158 x 235 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367768805