9 Alfred Lord Tennyson

Dr. Beena Agarwal

• Learning Outcomes
• Introduction
• Tennyson : Biographical Sketch and Literary Career
• Critical opinions on Tennyson
• The Lotos Eaters : An Introduction
• The Lotos Eaters : A Critical Summary
• The Lotos Eaters : Critical Appreciation
• Extracts from The Lotos Eaters
• In Defence of Lucknow : An Introduction
• In Defence of Lucknow : A Critical Summary
• In Defence of Lucknow : Critical Appreciation
• Extracts from The poem In Defence of Lucknow
• In Memoriam : An Introduction
• In Memoriam : A Critical Summary
• In Memoriam : Critical Appreciation
• Extracts from In Memoriam
• Self Assessment : Explain the Extracts
• Know More : Bibliography for Further Reading

Learning Outcomes

In this module, the students will go through the contents on Alfred Lord Tennyson and his three important poems The Lotos Eaters, In Defence of Lucknow and In Memoriam. It will provide them detailed information about the general nature, poetic qualities and philosophy of Tennyson presented in these poems. Critical summary and critical appreciation of each poem will give detailed critical analysis of the poems including thought content, structures, poetic qualities and the vision of Tennyson. Exercises in the form of multiple choice questions and long question will help them to make an assessment of their knowledge. Bibliography will further provide links to know more about the poetic achievements of Tennyson.

Introduction

The later part of Nineteen Century is called Victorian age and Tennyson is a representative voice of this age. The literature of this period represent the gross realities of emerging Industrial expansion. In the background of prosperity, scientific development and Industrialization, there was a dreadful exposure to doubts, despair, loss of faith, loss of relationship and divided values. Common masses were in the grip of disease, dirt and darkness. Creative writers were inspired to take up the issues related to human suffering of common masses resisting the flourishing class struggle. Lylle’s Principles of Geology, Darwin’s Origin of Species revolutioned the established patterns of human imagination. The paradigms of artistic appreciations and the application of rational scientific vision created doubts about existing faiths and divine shelter. Matthew Arnold, Tennyson, Robert Browning, Charles Dickins, Thomas Hardy and others presented the different aspects of Victorian life and sensibility. Tennyson in his poetry presented a fine blending of contradictory elements of Romanticism and Classicism, Reality and Imagination, doubt and faith, religion and rationalism. T.S. Eliot appreciates him for his abundance, variety, and competence.

Tennyson : Biographical Sketch and Literary Career

In the realm of Victorian poetry, Tennyson was hailed as the representative poet of Victorian age. He was born in August 1809 in Lincolnshire. At the age of seven he was sent to a Grammar School Louth. In 1828, with this Brother Charles, he went to Cambridge University. At Cambridge, he won Chancellor’s Gold Medal for the poem Timbucktoo. He formulated his literary career and intellectual stature under the inspiration of his friend Arthur Hallam. His first collection of poems appeared in 1830 under the title Poems Chiefly Lyrics. His relationship with Hallam could not continue for long. After Hallam’s death his poetic creed took a serious and sublime turn. Ulysses was published in 1842. Tennyson’s life and poetry was governed by the qualities of self imposed discipline, consummate skill and intellectual force. In 1842, two major volumes of poetry appeared.

His interest in Arthurian legend is expressed in the poems The Lady of Shalott, Morte d’Arthur and Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere. The poem Lotos Eaters was published in the volume of 1832 but Tennyson subsequently revised it and added to the volume 1842. The poems of this volume are remarkable for lyrical sweep, musical cadence, craftsmanship, catholic spirit and uncompromising humanity. His patriotic impulse coupled with political zeal is reflected in the poems Locksley Hall, The Two Voices, The Palace of Art and The Vision of Sin. The poems of 1842 after a pause of ten years reflect the maturity of Tennyson in though and metrical skills.

After 1842, Tennyson published his long narrative masterpieces like The Princess (1849), In Memoriam (1850), Maud (1853), Idylls of King (1859). The poem The Princess that came out in 1847 represents Tennyson’s vision of New Woman Movement. He exposes the educational revolt on the part of women. Princess Ida was “All wild to find a University, For Maidens”. The poem is a mixture of modern thinking and medieval romance. In Memoriam is a personal elegy written in memory of his friend Hallam who died in 1833. He composed this poem at the time when he was going through the troubles of life. The mystery of death and the quest for life after death are the main themes. It is not composed as a compact whole. It is collection of loose songs with one Prologue and Epilogue. It is composed in stanza form suitable to his mood and purpose, “The slow movement of the verse suits the brooding thoughts.” It is remarkable for the sincerety and sublimity of thought with the undertone of philosophical realization of human conditions. The contemplations on soul prepared the ground for Maud. In Maud, Tennyson presents the story of the anguished soul of a man. Regarding the unconventional nature of this poem, Tennyson comments, “The peculiarity of Maud is that different phases of passion in one person takes the place of different characters.” Tennyson’s vision to explore King Arthur legend is found in Morte d’ Arthur and Idylls of the King. The Idylls are composed in allegorical mode. They are the examples of Tennyson’s use of blank verse. The first four Idylls were published in 1859. The twelve Idylls were composed in 1885. The idea of Idylls is borrowed from medieval legends but Tennyson has presented them in modern light.

In Tennyson’s closing years came the volumes Ballads and Other Poems (1880), Locksley Hall, Sixty Years After (1886), Demeter (1889), The Death of Oemon (1892). Tennyson also wrote plays – Harold, Queen Mary and Becket. After a promising career, Tennyson died on 6th October 1892. He anticipated his death in his famous Crossing the Bar which remains his final legacy to the literary world.

Critical Opinions on Tennyson

(a)   “If his philosophy of life is not great and inspiring one, yet it has place in the scheme of things; and we may supplement its message by the more tonic teaching of Browning and Meredith; while of Tennyson’s work asliterary artist and painter of English life, no lover of beautiful verse could speak so highly.” (Aurthur Comptom Rickett)

(b)  “Tennyson’s poetry with its clearness of conception and noble simplicity of expression, its discernment of the beautiful and its power of revealing and sharing it with mingled strength and harmony, has become an integral part of the literature of the world and so long as purity and loftiness of thought expressed in perfect form have power to charm, will remain a possession forever.” (Rowe and Webb)

(c)   “Tennyson is a great poet for the reasons that are perfectly clear. He has three qualities which are seldom found together except in the greatest poets abundance, variety and complete competence.”

(d)  “Tennyson saw nature as the setting for performances and spectacles as intimate as a transitory as the emotions which sweep across the mind; sometimes they seem to echo human feelings but sometimes seem indifferent to them and irrelevant. He was fascinated by these manifestations and recorded them with novel precision; but they pass and he passes from them to the somber and intricate processes of mind itself.” (K.W. Gransden)

The Lotos Eaters : Introduction

The Lotos Eaters, a representative poem of Victorian age composed by Alfred Lord Tennyson published in 1832. The description of The Lotos Eaters is to be found in Homer’s Odyssey. Lotos was a kind of sweet juicy fruit. When Ulysses and partners arrive at the island of Lotos, they take the fruits and under the impact of them, they prefer to lead a lethargic life devoid of the will to toil and trouble. Ulysses in his adventures in search of knowledge and adventures arrives of Lotos Island. Tennyson presents a poetic account of this incident to expose the mood of weariness to assert the truth that death is the ultimate end of life and, therefore, it is useless to make relentless struggle. It is said, “In TheLotos Eaters Tennyson gives dramatic expression to the mood of weary disgust in which doubts will force themselves on the mind whether life has any praise to offer worth the toil and trouble of winning.”

The Lotos Eaters : A Critical Summary

The poem The Lotos Eaters consists of two sections. The first section is a poetic rendering of the experience of the Lotos Eaters consisting of 45 lines. The second section entitled “Choric song” consists of Eight stanza exposing Tennyson’s philosophy of life.

In the first section, it is seen that wandering sailors with Ulysses come to the land of Lotos. It exposes the atmosphere of dreaminess and dullness. Even the objects of nature are in sleeping mode. The leaves etc. are in falling movement. Even the streams are flowing slowly. The brooks are rolling a lazy sheet of elbow. The mountain tops are covered with bathed in the rosy light of setting sun. The sun is setting in a very slow motion. The hills are covered with yellow flowers. There is no possibility of change in the atmosphere. The sailors are greeted by melancholic or sad Lotos eaters. They offered the Lotos fruits to the sailors coming on the island. As soon as they ate Lotos, they started feeling drowsy and inactive. They had no enthusiasm and their voices were weak and feeble. In this state of drowsiness, they started dreaming of the haunting memories of their native islands, their wives and children. In their reflective mode, they express their longing not to turn back to their homeland. They declare, “Our island home, is far beyond the wave, we will not longer roam.” The collective impression of slow moving streams, falling leaves, feeble voices, setting sun and snow covered hills prepare a suggestive atmosphere of lethargy, withdrawal and weariness.

In the Choric Song, Tennyson presents his views on sailor’s sensibility. They find that the music of the island is soothing to their turmoiled soul. There are heart of poppy and ivy plants growing on the hill sides (Lines 46-56). Theyreflect that it is useless to waste their life in worries and misfortunes. It is useless to lament on the conditions of life while all others are busy in enjoying it. Man is the best creature of God yet he has to toil endlessly (57-69). The idea moves in the direction of generalization on the conditions of life. It is a principle of life that each object grows, gets maturity and ultimately dies. The leaves grow and ultimately, begin to decay and drop. Similarly, apple grows and drops silently. It is a cycle and there is no place for weariness and trouble in this process, “None of these has to face any worries.” (Lines 70-83) The Marines come to the conclusion that death is the ultimate end of life and, therefore, it is useless to make futile efforts. It is fruitless to wage a war against the prevalent evil in the world. When every person has to take rest, they should also lead a life of peace and comfort (Lines 84-98). The Marines find it suitable to enjoy life in the island eating Lotos and forgetting all their worries. They dream of passing their time in the Island eating Lotos. Watching the slow moving waves of ocean and surrendering their spirits to peace, withdrawal and tranquility. They want to enjoy the memories of their dear departed friends (99-110). They express their desires and are not ready to return home. They feel that on their return, they will only disturb the peace of their wives and children. With their stooping energy, there will not be to restore peace and order (114-132). They ultimately reflect on their conditions. They have spend sufficient time in doing hardships.

The Lotos Eaters : Critical Appreciation

The poem The Lotos Eaters is composed on the basis of the suggestion given in a passage in Homer’s Odyssey. It conveys the message of contented and peaceful life against the turmoil of modern world. Ulysses and his fellow travellers come on a lonely island where they indulge in sleeping atmosphere. It represents the mood of melancholy and withdrawal. It conveys the message, “Why should we only toil, the root and crown of all things.” They are lost in the dreams of home without any burden of the worries of life. For a while they nurture the dream to ignore all their social responsibility. Under the impact of lotos, they look forward to pure beauty, the beauty of nature and art. The poem on the whole arises on the mood of contentment. In this mood of indolence, all the powers of reasoning are engaged in defense of their mood. He gives the suggestion that man is the crown of things, yet he is condemned to a life of toil. For them the world is full of miseries and they have no remedy.

In the realm of Victorian poetry, The Lotos Eaters has a distinctive place for the atmosphere of langour and indolence. The lotos land is described to create an atmosphere to drowsiness. It is defined as “A land of streams, rolling a slumberous sheet of foam below.” The languid atmosphere induces pleasure and forgetfulness. They nurture the dream:

“How sweet it were…

with half shut eyes ever to seem

Falling asleep in half dream.”

The poem The Lotos Eaters, abounds in suggestive vivid pictures drawn from the spectacle of nature. The images correspond to the mood and idea to be projected in the poem. Tennyson has added the pictures of nature based on his own experience. There are suggestive pictures of the yellow dawn covered with palm and night dew. Besides of Nature’s pictures, there are pictures of Olympian gods taking malicious pleasure. The sorrowful state of human suffering is presented in the following description:

“Belight and famine, plague and earthquake

roary deep and fiery sands,

Changing fights and flaming towns and

sinking ships and praying hands.”

In The Lotos Eaters, Tennyson employs the device of descriptive venture. He uses repetitions and alterations to produce musical effect. In the following phase, we can appreciate the repetition of ‘S’ sound, “These silence pinnacles of aged snow stood sunset flushed…”. The soothing manipulation of alteration and assonance contribute to produce soothing rhyme exposing the sleeping sensibility of marines. The first forty lines are written in Spansarian stanza. the choric song is written in a short but starting metre ending in the long. The musical quality of the poem is superb.

Extracts from The Lotos Eaters

(a)

“Why are we weighed upon with heaviness

And utterly consumed with sharp distress

While all things have rest from weariness?

All things have rest; Why should we toil alone.

We only toil, we are the first of things.

And make perpetual man.”

(b)

“What pleasure can we have

To war with evil? Is there any place

In ever climbing up, the climbing wave?

All things have rest and ripe toward the grave.

In silence – ripen, face, and cease.

Give us long rest or death, dark death or dreadful ease.

In Defense of Lucknow : An Introduction

The poem In Defense of Lucknow is based on a real incident of mutiny during the war of independence occurred in the city of Lucknow. In this poems Tennyson endeavours to expose the anguish and suffering of the British soldiers and their uncompromising faith in the glory of the British flag. Tennyson borrowed the idea of the poem from Outram’s account and that of colonel Inglis. Inglis presented the detailed account of the incident in The Defense of Lucknow by a staff officer and Tennyson used to have a copy of this book in his office. He was requested by Jowett to compose a suggestive poem in memory of the soldiers who died in India. Tennyson, in this poem, presents a suggestive account of the feeling of loss and pain in the heart of British soldiers and their families trapped in India. The poem is composed from the point of view of British soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the process of revolt. In the process of the presentation of their struggle, Tennyson maintains exceptional vehemence appropriate to maintain their position with bravery and patriotism.

At the back of the poem In Defense of Lucknow is an exposure on a major incident of Indian history. The state of Awadh has annexed by East India Company and the Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was exiled to Calcutta. Coverley Jackson was appointed the first British Commissioner to the state. he proved a failure and Sir Henry Lawrence took the charge of state. Lawrence with his skilled administrative abilities took the rebellions mood of the Indian troops. He decided to transfer certain troops to other provinces. Lawrence began fortifying residency to curve down the rebellion of Indian troops. The rebellion broke out from Meerut and spread to Lucknow and from Lucknow to Sitapur and Faizabad. Within a span of ten days, British authority of Oudh vanished resulting in the torment of British soldiers. Lawrence took personal responsibility to organize the expedition. Soldiers were commanded to work sincerely even if they had to bear the crisis of water and food. The rebel exhausted the energy of Lawrence’s sepoys but in the process of retreat, some died of heat stroke and such other fatal sufferings. However some British soldiers even at the risk of their life, tried to save their wounded men who were cut to pieces by rebellions Indian soldiers. However on July 16, Major General Henry Havelock recaptured the state of Cawnpur and made further efforts for the release of Lucknow. Havelock marched to gain Unno and ultimately defeated rebel force at Bithur. Havelock’s retreat caused the rebellion in Oudh and it subsequently took the form of a national revolt.

In Defense of Lucknow : A Critical Summary

The poem In Defence of Lucknow is based on the incident of the siege of Lucknow. It was a terrible and significant event of the so-called Indian Sipahi Mutiny. It covers a struggle of about 87 days and came to an end after action undertaken by General Campbell on Nov. 6, 1857. The poem is divided into seven sections and written as free expressions.

Para I : In the first para of the poem Tennyson celebrating the immense glory of British Empire. The speaker defends how British soldiers sacrificed themselves to protect the pride of British flag during the Revolt of 1857 at Lucknow. The speaker makes a confession, “Never with mightier glory than when we had reared thee on high, flying at top of the roofs in the ghostly siege of Lucknow.”

Para II : In this section, Tennyson presents the horrible condition of people who were trapped in British residences. In this mutiny, Henry Lawrence, the representative of British armed force, inspire his soldiers not to surrender in cowardice but fight bravely for the respect of British empire. There were all pervasive impact of death and wound. Still he implored them to protect fellow soldiers with their best efforts. In this passage also, there is an assertion and affirmation of uncompromising pride of British Empire.

Para III : In this passage, Tennyson exposes the crisis of water and heat stroke that increased the possibilities of the death of British soldiers. There were the apprehensions of attack on Redan – the storage unit of water. Its destruction must have been the cause of flood and chaos. Still the speaker advices to sustain the British flag safe. He comments, “Flying and foiled at last by the handful. They could not subdue and ever upon the topmost roof our banner of England blew.” The facts are presented with the union of force echoing the situation of mutiny.

Para IV : In this passage, the speaker tries to inculcate the spirit o “self preservation” in the stooping spirit of soldiers. He tries to make them aware of their pride and power. They were trained to “command, to obey, to endure.” The patriotism reflects when he exhorts that it is better to die in the hands of their own men, than that of being ruined in the hands of enemy. He encourages them to muster the physical and mental strength, “true is your heart, but be sure that your hand is as true?

Para V : In this passage there is a detailed account of the killing of British men by Indians. It resulted in the terrible death of innumerable Britishers. However, the British instead of being subdued, gather their strength to retaliate. It made Indian soldiers to run away. The passage ends with a feeling of consolation, “Fought with the bravest among us and drove them, and smote them and slow.”

Para VI : In this passage, Tennyson with a pathetic Irony tries to reveal the sensibility of soldiers. They have scarified their lives in Lucknow. The revolt will be remembered but no body will care for the struggle and suffering of these soldiers. They were limited in number still they tried their best to save the honour of their nation. People will count their deaths but will ignore their struggle and sensibility. They were forced to hide rotten corpses. Women nursed the sick and wounded. They invested their lives only in the hope of the days of good news. The re-establishment of their own authority in Lucknow with a deep felt pain, speaker admits, “Men will forget what we suffer and not what we do. We can fight but to be soldier all day be sentinal all through the night.”

Para VII : In this passage, there is a description of the victory of British flag. Outram and Havelock came to inform them of the victory of the British over Indian rebels. The news stirred joy, excitement and delight. They were requested to fight for fifteen days but they survived for eighty seven days.

In Defence of Lucknow : Critical Appreciation

Alfred Lord Tennyson, a representative voice of Victorian era, with his versatile genius represented the different phases and aspects of Victorian life and sensibility. In Defence of Lucknow, is an unconventional poem based on a major incident of Victorian History. During the reign of Queen Victoria, the soldiers for England underwent different experiences. They inflicted tortures on Indians but during the shadows of war underwent different experience of pair, violence and disorder. Even against these odds, they tried their best to sustain the glory and pride of English flag and English tradition. It is based on the terrible incident of the siege of Lucknow. It was a terrible event of Indian mutiny. This struggle continued for 87 days and it was ultimately relieved by General Campbell.

The poem The Defence of Lucknow is divided in seven sections. They are separate but they collectively contribute to a common enthusiastic spirit of British soldiers who make struggle with the dream “And even upon the topmost roof our banner of England blew.” The thoughts in the poem develops in the background of delight, enthusiasm and uncompromising passion for national dignity. The poem is constructed in the form of monologue where the speaker addresses the fighting soldiers and tries to make them realize their duty for their national flag. There is an exceptional vehemence in his call, “Never surrender, I charge you.” In the first lines of second section, there is forceful address to death that vitalizes the phenomenon of death. The all pervasive phenomenon is evident in the declaration.

“Death in the glimpse of finger

from over the breath of street,

Death from the heights of the mosque and

the palace, and death in the ground.”

The speed and force is remarkable in the second section. There is an alarm of alertness, “Keep the revolver in your hand, you can hear him, the murdrous motif.” Tennyson continues to maintain anxiety, and impassioned action of mutiny even in third section of the poem. There is an urgent call to save Redan water reservoir to save from ruin and annihilation. Tennyson dexterously captures the spirit of enthusiasm, fearlessness and national pride to expose the character of British soldiers. It sustains the atmosphere of war and the desired effect suitable for the exposition of war climate. The self of soldiers help to strengthen the stooping spirit of dying soldiers. The rhetorial force in the following declaration is remarkable :

“Kill or be killed, live or die they must know

we are soldiers and me!

Ready take aim at their leaders – their masses

are grouped with our group.”

From the force of mutiny, Tennyson shifts the vehemence on the quest for self preservation, the life saving instinct. The commander advice the soldiers to keep faith in the strength of hand. The poem moves in the direct of peaceful affirmation for the survival. The soldiers in spite of being in miserable position are sure of their purpose and probability. He asserts his position:

“Handful of men we were

We were English in heart and limb

Strong with the strength of the race to

command, to obey, to endure.”

Poet admits of no possibility of compromise and that of middle course. The force of resistance continues, “Fought with the bravest among us, and drove them, and smooth them and slew.” However the last section of the poem marks a contrast to the central theme occurred in the first six section. The idea of boldness and national pride get coupled with self pity. Soldier intends to make them realize their own meeting in this process. Tennyson exposes the horrors and pride of the existence of the fighting soldiers.

In In Defence of Lucknow, there are exquisite illustrations of Tennyson’s craftsmanship in making a balance of thought and content. The passion and intensity of emotions have successfully been projected by the appropriate use of fight of pieces and the manipulation of poetic devices. In the earlier stanza, the force is constructed to expose the emotional force mounting on the sensibility of soldiers. In the second section, he purposely drops the links and conjectures to stir motivation in the trialing conditions of audience. The repetition of the word Death in the following lines vitalizes pictorial image of the looming shadows of death :

“Death from their rifle bullets, and death

from their canon balls

Death in our innermost chamber, and death

on our slight barricade.”

Besides the phrases like ‘death for dying’, ‘wounds to be pounded’ are remarkable for their epic like force as often to be traced in Milton’s The Paradise Lost. The use of similes can be appreciated in the expression:

“Backward they read like the wave, like the

wave flinging forward again.” (Section III)

“Dark through the smoke and sulphur like so many

fiends in the hell -.” (Section III)

It is remarkable that in the texture of the poem, Tennyson makes exensive use of exclamations, interrogations, dashes to sustain the force of passion. The addition of the phrase by the end of each section, “And even upon the topmost roof our banner of England blew”, extends the impression of integration and wholeness. It also helps to sustain a balance of the heat of emotions. The poem begins on horrible and gloomy shadows of horror but ends in a calm acceptnace of the conditions, “Saved by the valour of Havelock, saved by the blessing of Heaven!” The poem is composed as in the form of an address, addressed to “Banner of England”. It concludes with a scope of fulfillment.

Extracts from the Poem In Defence of Lucknow

               Handful of men as we were, we were English

in heart and in limb strong with the strength

of race to command, to obey, to endun.

             Thoughts of the breezes

of May blowing over an English Fieed.

Cholera, scurvy,m and fever the wound that

will not be healed.

Looping away of limb by the pitiful pitilss knife – Trouble

and Trouble in vain – for it could never us a life.

 Hold it for fifteen day! We have held it for eighty seven.

And ever aloft on the palace roof the old

banner of England blew.

In Memoriam : An Introduction

In Memoriam is a chain of loosely connected elegies conveying variety of moods and thoughts. The first edition of the poem was entitled as “Fragments of an Elegy” consisting of 129 sections. Two sections were included later on in 1857 and 1871 respectively. It is subtitled as “The way of the Soul.” In Memoriam is designed as an elegy in which Tennyson moves the death of his friend Arthur Hallam who died in 1833 at the age of 22. It contains several incidents from his personal life related to his relationship to Hallam. Simultaneously In Memoriam is an authentic poem representing the spirit of Victorian age including the issues of social discontent and spiritual unrest.

The poem In Memoriam is a collection of 131 lyrics. Its plan is conceived on epic scale. R.C. Bradley in his critical study of the poem has classified in four cycles to expose the shift of ideas. The part one consists of section I to XXII. It deals poets controllable grief on the loss of his friend. The second group consists of section XXVIII to LXXVII. In this section, the poem takes a speculative turn expressing Tennyson’s faith in immortality. The third part consists of section LXXVIII to section CIII. In this section, Tennyson retrospects his own memories. In the part four, poem moves in the direction of generalization. The dead friend is regarded as an emblem of noble, humanity to come. The Prologue was added to the poem in 1849. In Prologue, Tennyson expresses his Apology for his early doubts and seeks the possibilities of affirmation of his ultimate faith that God is love. The Epilogue was composed on the marriage of poet’s sister Cecilia. In it, poet looks at the marriage as a symbol of some new start in life.

In Memoriam is an elegy but it is different from pastoral elegy. Besides of the depth of personal loss, it is a rich document of psychological and philosophical thoughts. Poet expresses his faith in the progress of soul. Poet develops the notion that the experiences of body and senses lead to the realization of the real self. The realization of soul is free from the bondages of doubts and defects. Tennyson admits that the power of faith is superior and above all worldly considerations and it leads to real spiritual life. Regarding the structure of In Memoriam, T.S. Eliot comments, “In Memoriam is the whole poem. It is unique. It is a long poem made by putting together lyrics which have only the unity and continuity of a diary, the concentrated diary of a man confessing himself.”

In Memoriam : A Critical Summary

The Prologue of In Memoriam consists of Twelve stanzas where Tennyson dedicates his prayer. He dictates that God can be realized through love and faith and not by logic. God represents both human and divine. There should be an harmony in mind and soul to realize the perfections. With this realization, poet gets an enlightenment and implores that he must be forgiven for his uncontrolled grief and cries on the death of his friend, “Forgive these wild and wandering cries, confusions of a wasted youth.”

In the first five stanza poet promotes the idea that grief and love are closely together and time has the power to modify the emotions.s To seek consolation for his grief, he appreciates stubborn endurance of old yew tree. Sorrow generates the idea of fatalism and makes man weak and helpless. It is therefore poet seeks an opportunity to release this pain in the form of the creation of the poem.

In stanza VI to X, poet presents himself as lover who recalls the house and door of his beloved friend (Hallam). After the death of his friend, he finds no joy and positive thought of life. Poet expresses his grief by addressing to the ship that bears the memories of his friend. With this interrogation poet indulges an ideal dream reflecting on the idea that it is sweeter to be buried in open churchyard.

From the stanza XI, poet goes on appreciating pastoral atmosphere. It brings a soothing effect in the grief stricken soul of the poet. He is agonized but has a faith in the power of time. with the steady part of time, he will be able to forget the painful memories of his dear departed friend. He is lost in the reverie of the returns of his friend who on his return will sympathize with him for his uncompromising mental agony. However, in the stanza XV, in the lap of nature far a while, his calm charges into roughness. The images of storm and wild wind changes his sensibility.

In stanza XVI to XX, poet reflects on the shifting moods after the realization of his pain. Poet realizes that in his grief, he has lost control on his mental state to distinguish old and new, false and true. Still he is sure of the consistency of his grief. He prays God that the ship carrying the mortal remains of his friend must be free from the troubles of mid-ocean. Poet conceives the image that the dead body of his friend lie buried in river why that two has become deep in grief. Poet feels alternative experiences of deeper and lighter grief. The deeper grief in unbearable and everlasting.

In stanza XXI and XXV, the poet recalls the incidents how after a common stay for four years in Cambridge, he was separated from Hallam in the fifth year. Death took him to the strange land where he could not follow him. He personifies the idea of death. Death changed their path of intellectual pursuits. It left the poet lonely and weak. At this stage poet makes a comparative evaluation of past and present i.e. the life with Hallam or without Hallam. In the company of his friend, the journey of life was full of pleasure, delight and confidence.

In stanza XXVI to XXX, Hallam reflects on the power of love and prominence of death. Poet accepts that there is no pleasure of life without freedom without moral law or without love. In absence of his friend there is no need of customary rejoices like the celebration of Christmas. The spirit of dead man dominates even in its absence.

Stanza XXXI to XXXV, Tennyson revives the idea that the dead can be alive again like Lazarus. He also reflects on the question of life after death. He dictates that man must realize that besides of soul, everything in the world is dust and decay. If a man fails to retain his spiritual power, he can’t have a realization of the will of God. it is with the power of love that an individual attain power to enjoy beyond mortal life.

In stanza XXXVI, Tennyson admits that man shares both the divine quality and human quality. It is, therefore, the wisdom of divine truth can be conveyed to human beings in ‘lowest words’ intelligible to all. The poet imposes his own sensibility on the objects of nature. Spring brings no message of joy but inspires only the song of grief. The release of pain in elegy only brings consolation. He reminds the time that he passed in the company of Hallam.

In the stanza XLI poet admits that Hallam has turned out to be a stranger to him. The idea of eternal separation from his friend brings a numbness in his soul. However the faint memories of that friendship continue. In the stanza XLVI, Tennyson philosophizes about the spectacle of death. He admits that life on this earth subject to thorn and flower, grief and joy. He prays that love as a brooding so far extend from this life to the next life. In this section poet rejects the ‘vast’ and ‘vague’ idea that after death individual soul merges in super soul.

In stanza XLIX, Tennyson admits that the grief in his soul is so deep that neither poetry, nor nature, nor philosophy and theology can eliminate the innate grief existing in his soul. He accepts that only the presence of Hallam can dispel the darkness of his spirit.

In stanza LI, Tennyson glorifies the death because it bestows wisdom on those whom he plays. Death is like all seeing eye of God and no human fault can escape it. The reflections on his own faults, leads the poet to glance it as the situations of evil.

In stanza LV to LX, Tennyson contemplates the issue of immortality, good and evil and the realization of soul. The desire for immortality is the realization of soul. For him nature’s laws are in opposition of divine laws. For him nature’s laws are in ‘red in tooth and claw’. It generates a soothing realization of life. In spite of loss, life is worth living. He even greets sorrows as his lifelong partner.

In stanza LXI, Tennyson pays tribute to the immensity of Hellam’s soul who after his death is dwelling in divine abode. Port considers himself inferior but looks forward to the sympathy of the friend. He seeks consideration in the realization that same moonlight shines into his bedroom and into the church where his friend Hallam lying buried. He conceives the fancy of walking with the departed Hallam. The image has no physical entity but it is reflection of poet’s inward sensibility.

In the stanza LXXIV, Tennyson expresses his gratitude to death because it assured Hallam’s union with great souls. Even the realization of grief improves his wisdom. He feels hurt he been dead the pain of Hallam might have been greater than that of him. In this respect poet draws consolation even in Hallam’s death.

In the stanza LXXXIII, poet points out that death has granted a better position to his friend but it has brought a loss to the poet in the form of separation. In stanza LXXXV, that the spirit of Hallam is providing him strength. Hallam’s intellect strengths the will of his mind. Tennyson believes in immortality and, therefore, he believes that the two souls will be united again. In the stanza LXXXVI, poet expresses his views that Death and doubt to be blown off like clouds from sky because friendship is beyond the traps of Death and Doubt. In the stanza LXXXVII to LXXXIX poet present memory of scenes and sight that he had visited Cambridge in the company of Hallam. In stanza XCII, Tennyson perceives the possibility of the return of his friend but not like a ghost but like as a splendour of the light. He soon comes to the realization that Hallam will never come back in his physical form. In the stanza XCIV, Tennyson concludes that for the spiritual communion with the dead, purity of heart is must. In the stanza Tennyson addresses to his beloved Emily Selwood to testify the power of faith as a foil to doubt.

In the stanza C, poet’s personal grief almost takes a mystic turn and in every object of nature, he finds the reflection of the memories of Hallam. He reminds of the objects of nature, youthful glory, days at Cambridge and the haunting memories of anniversary. In passage CXII poet finds the gesures of his friend Hallam in the imperfections of others. In CXIII and CXIV Tennyson appreciates the extraordinary knowledge and wisdom of Hallam. He wishes that the world must gain knowledge like Hallam.

Again in stanza CXVII, poet conveys the message of reunion with Hallam. Death has the power to elevate human to a state of living higher than that of man. It stirs a new hope and possibility of new life above and beyond the gloom and darkness of this world. He realizes the existence of soul. He advises to keep faith in spiritual power and should not consider himself a beast, ‘a grater ape’. For Tennyson soul is like the Venus which is both the morning star and evening star. Similarly past sorrows and present happiness are the two aspects of soul. It is only in the company of Hallam that poet learns the mystery of life and death. He inspire him to conquer the mystery of death and to realize that the soul is immortal.

In the stanza CXXIII, Tennyson develops the idea that the face of material changes but true friendship remains eternal and secure. All speculations about God are the exercises in darkness but the glimpses of God are to be seen in the soul of man. He gets a realization that Hallam’s spirit would encourage a youth like vitality and he would no longer think of the problems of life and death. In the stanza CXXV, Tennyson admits that the bitterness in his songs is the result of grief born out of the death of Hallam. He expresses his faith in the power of love even after death. The sensibility of stoicism prevails. He realizes

that all is well in the end. In spite of all odds, ultimately truth and justice would prevail. In stanza CXXIII, he makes a confession that the presence of God can settle order amid chaos. Spiritual faith enabled him to evolve hope out of grief. His love for Hallam takes a cosmic dimension. He listens for the voice of Hallam echoing everywhere. He is not ready to lose his friend even after his death. The presence will remain because indifferent soul merges in divine soul. Even when body perishes, the divine soul of man would shine.

In the Epilogue added to In Memoriam, Tennyson celebrates the marriage of Edmund Lysington with his sister Cecilia on 10th October, 1842. It presents a contrast to the theme of death and mourning. Poet’s memory of grief fades away.

In Memoriam : Critical Appreciation

In Memoriam is a collection of 131 lyrics written in reflective mode with elegiac note. In this poem Tennyson expresses his deep felt anguish rising out of the death of his friend Arthur Henry Hallam who was his bosom friend and source of inspiration at Trinity College, Cambridge. In Victorian poetry it is the longest personal elegy representing Tennyson’s philosophy of life with the brilliant craftsmanship. It also represents fears, doubts and uncertainties creeping fast in Victorian age. In this respect, In Memoriam is a fine blending of social and personal, realistic and philosophical. It is a poetic rendering of Tennyson’s idea of God, Nature, Soul and the mystery of age. As an elegy, its distinction lies in that fact that personal loss has been sublimated in his spiritual troubles, exposition of social reality and faithful rendering of hopes and aspirations of the age. It is an elegy directed to the idea of the loss of faith in the era of growing materialism. It also represents Tennyson’s convention of the recollection of science and religion.

The structure and plan of the poem In Memoriam is conceived as a whole. The structure of the poem is designed representing the three stages and mood of the sensibility of the poet – despair, regret and hope. It is united in a single unit

with the addition of one Prologue and one Epilogue. The internal chronology in the poem covers a period of two years and seven months. The shift of seasons represents the odyssey of poet’s own consciousness. It has been appreciated as the pilgrimage of soul. Poet intends to sustain his memories to sustain the grief. He tries to establish that the spirit of dear departed dwells in every object of nature and human sensibility. Stopford A. Brook traces psychic progress in the development of poem. “The first part of the poem is entirely personal to himself and his friend. It records the several phases of sorrow – subtle hopelessness, wild unrest, cold despair, tender tears, the woes of memory and association. Then follows the transition time which interests most those care for intellectual analysis.”

In Memoriam is a living document of Tennyson’s philosophy of life. It reveals his views on God, soul, immortality. He justifies his vision of the continuity of human soul even after death. Human life is only a possibility of separation of individual soul from worldly soul. With death soul merges in another life. After death soul evolves to achieve the state of Divine perfection. The understanding of the mystery of life without the understanding of soul leads to immortality.

We have but faith; we cannot know

For the knowledge of thing, we see.

For his faith in immortality and the mood of melancholy converts the mood of strong intuition. It is therefore, in his sublime realization, he concludes that he has caught, “the deep persuasion of the world” and in that state of realization, he looks into “the life of things.” The worth of personality lies in the negation of self and the awareness of distinctive physical self.

In Memoriam also presents living account of the spectacle of nature reflecting on the variety of moods. There are ample evidences of landscapes like garden full of flowers, sunset, sunrise, far birching trees etc. He emphasizes the spectacle of nature to expose the inner life of things. It corresponds with the emotions of soul. He vitalizes the images of tempests and souls. It shows vigour and strength. He also expresses the suggestive pictures of spring and summer. The sensibility associated with these two seasons reflects poets’s feelings and art. Appreciating its greatness, A.C. Rickett comments, “As a work of art, indeed, it is worth of highest praise. Not only it is a metrical masterpiece, for the movement of the verse suits to perfection to brooding and contemplate manner, but it is rich to overflowing in rhythmic felicities and many of lines have posted into our language and become our common property. Perhaps here and, there, the highly wrought craftsmanship obstacles a shade too much and passes the broadening between art and artificiality; but the lapse are few, and the inevitable expression many.”

Extracts from In Memoriam

 Complete all his work of time The

giant labouring in his youth No

dream of human love and truth

As dying Nature’s earth and lime.

 The love that rose on stronger wings

Unpalsied when he met with death

Is comrade of the lesser faith

That sees the course of human beings.

 No more! A monster than a

dream A discard, Dragons of the prime

That tare each other in the slime Wee mellow

music melted with him.

With faith, that comes of self control

The truth that never can be proved

Until we close with all we loved

And all we flow from soul to soul.

Self Assessment : Explain the Extracts.

Oh! Why should all life labour be? Let

us alone. Time driven onward fast And

in a little while our lips are dumb Let

us alone, what is that will last?

All things are taken from us and

become Portions and Parcles of the

dreadful post Let us alone.

I falter when I firmly trod

And falling with my weight of cares.

Upon the great world’s alter stairs

That slop thro darkness upto God

I stretch lame hands of faith and

hope And greater dust and chafts and

To what I feel is Lord of all. A

faintly trust the larger hope.

Backward they reel like

the wave, like the wave flinging forward

again Flying and foiled at the

last by the handful they

could not subdue; And

ever upon the topmost

roof our banner of

England blew.

Reference

• Alfred Lord Tennyson: A Brief Biography, Glenn Everett, Associate Professor of English, University of Tennessee at Martin
• George Saintsbury. Nineteenth Century Literature, London : Macmillan,1917.
• Grierson,H.J.C. and Smith, J.C. A Critical History of English Poetry, London : Chatt & Windus, 1970.
• H. Tennyson, Alfred Lord Tennyson: A Memoir by His Son, New York, Mac Millan, 1897.
• Pattison, Robert. Tennyson and Tradition. Cambridge: Harvard University Press 1979.
• Walter, Hugh. The Literature of Victorian Era, Indian reprint. New Delhi : S. Chand & Co., 1964.