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VOL. 10, ISSUE 12 (2023)
Beyond the illusion of feminism: An analysis of select poems of Alfred Lord Tennsyon
Authors
Noirrita Priyadarshini
Abstract
The paper examines the
representation of women in select poems of Alfred Lord Tennsyon and evaluates
the degree to which his heroines challenge the Victorian gender norms, while
being constrained by the patriarchal rigidity. Although the protagonists carry
emotional depth and psychological complexity, their lives are characterized
mostly by isolation, suffering, emotional deprivation and finally submission. With
their voices filtered through a masculine perspective, their identity hardly
exists outside of a male-centric world. The paper highlights that it is the
poet who speaks for them, rather than allowing the women to speak for
themselves. The use of enclosed landscapes, symbolic imagery and male-dominated
narrative structures reflect the constraints imposed on women by the Victorian
society. The paper argues that despite the illusion of freedom and autonomy, Victorian
ideology shape and dictate the lives of his heroines. Thus, even though they
may appear empowered, but are ultimately subordinated.
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Pages:84-89
How to cite this article:
Noirrita Priyadarshini "Beyond the illusion of feminism: An analysis of select poems of Alfred Lord Tennsyon". International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development, Vol 10, Issue 12, 2023, Pages 84-89
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