7.26.F - Lesson: Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning Questions

Which of the following lines from "The Fugitive Slave" is an example of irony?

"And this land is the free America: / And this mark on my wrist... (I prove what I say) / Ropes tied me up here to the flogging-place"

How does "The Fugitive Slave" prove that politics and poetry can be an effective mix?

"The Fugitive Slave" proves that politics and poetry can be an effective mix by cultivating empathy in the readers. Even though her point of view might have not been correct, she still brought people to think about how slaves should be treated, and the problems that it causes.

Which of the following lines implies that the Duke may have had the Duchess killed?

"This grew; I gave commands / Then all smiles stopped together"

In "The Cry of the Children," who is little Alice?

A child who died before her time

How do critics describe Robert Browning's style?

Energetic

After Elizabeth Barrett Browning's death, Robert Browning faded into obscurity.

False

What do you infer (conclude) about the Duke's character from his dramatic monologue? What does he care about? What are his fears? Use examples from the text in your answer.

I infer that the Duke's character from his dramatic monologue is that he is not one to argue with. The Duke cares about being control and fears not being in control. The Duke might have had his last wife killed because he could not control her. In lines 13-22, "Are you to turn and ask thus. Sir, 'twas not/ Her husband's presence only, called that spot/ Of joy into the Duchess' cheek: perhaps/ Frà Pandolf chanced to say, "Her mantle laps/ Over my lady's wrist too much," or "Paint/ Must never hope to reproduce the faint/ Half-flush that dies along her throat": such stuff/ Was courtesy, she thought, and cause enough/ For calling up that spot of joy. She had/ A heart - how shall I say? - too soon made glad." This quote shows how the Duke had control over the painting, and just glimpses into how controlling he would have been towards his wife.

Describe one of the following conflicts in "The Fugitive Slave": Individual vs. Individual Individual vs. Deity Individual vs. Self What is the conflict? How does it play out? How does it affect the speaker?

One of the following conflicts in "The Fugitive Slave" is individual vs. self. The conflict individual vs. self is the internal struggles that the speaker has. This conflict plays out by the speakers feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. The speakers love was killed, and she was raped, and forced to carry the baby. She killed the baby so that it would not be scorned its whole life for being white and black. Later, the speaker herself dies, so that she can reconcile the horrible things that she has done in her life.

In "My Last Duchess," what is the speaker's criticism of the Duchess?

She was too friendly and open with everyone.

In what way is the painting of the Duchess different from the way the Duke describes her?

The Duke controls the painting, but he could not control the Duchess.

Which, to you, was the most powerful argument in "The Cry of the Children": the rational, emotional, or spiritual argument? Explain your choice and support it with a few examples from the text.

The most powerful argument in "The Cry of the Children" was the spiritual argument. The children doubt God's love because he is allowing them to suffer. The children think that he does not listen to them or hear them when they cry out. In lines 125-132, "'But, no!' say the children, weeping faster,/ 'He is as speechless as a stone:/ And they tell us, of His image is the master/ Who commands us to work on./ Go to!' say the children, -'up in heaven,/ Dark, wheel-like, turning clouds are all we find./ Do not mock us; grief has made us unbelieving:/ We look up for God, but tears have made us blind.'" This quote shows how the children have lost faith in God, and how they feel alone and unloved. The children have been taught about God, yet they choose not to believe because of their situation, and because they think that they should be delivered from their work.

In "The Cry of the Children," how do the children see God?

They doubt his love because of their suffering.

Why does the speaker of "The Fugitive Slave" commit infanticide?

To save the infant from the curse of being half-white and half-black.

"The Fugitive Slave" was originally published in an abolitionist pamphlet.

True

One of the defining qualities of Barrett Browning's poems is their moral sensibility.

True

Barrett Browning remained in her childhood home until what event?

She eloped.