Romantic Longing

Question 1

Poems to Compare:

Answer 1

Sonnet 29: I Think of Thee - Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Letters from Yorkshire - Maura Dooley

Question 2

Relevant Context:

Answer 2

EBB: Robert Browning and her wrote over 500 letters to each other
S29 was meant for Robert
She was isolated before him (health problems)
Known to speak out against social injustices

Question 3

Structure/Form:

Answer 3

S29: Sonnet - the poem of love; LFY: free verse

Enjambment in both, S29: thoughts are continuous; LFY: carries her thoughts through the poem

Question 4

Language:

Answer 4

Call to reduce the distance - S29: “renew thy presence: as a strong tree should”; LFY: “over icy miles”
Their partner is their life - S29 “a new air”; LFY: “souls” are connected
Separated - S29 “my palm-tree” - not seen in Britain; LFY: “Is your life more real[?]”