Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Alfred Tennyson, "Locksley Hall Sixty Years After," published in 1886, Poet Laureate of Great Britain and Ireland from 1850 to 1892.

Context:

 "Locksley Hall Sixty Years After" is a sequel to Tennyson's earlier poem, "Locksley Hall," which was published in 1842. The sequel was published in 1886, sixty-four years after the original, and reflects on the changes that have occurred in England and the world since the time of the first poem. The mid to late Victorian era was a time of great social, political, and technological change, and Tennyson's poetry reflects these transformations.

Content: 

"Locksley Hall Sixty Years After" is a reflection on the changes that have occurred in England and the world since the time of the original "Locksley Hall." The speaker of the poem, who is the grandson of the original speaker, reflects on the advances of science and technology, the decline of traditional values, and the state of the world in the late Victorian era. Despite the changes, however, the speaker still holds onto the hope that humanity will continue to progress and create a better future.

Form:

 "Locksley Hall Sixty Years After" is written in the same meter and rhyme scheme as the original "Locksley Hall." It consists of four-line stanzas, with a rhyme scheme of abcb. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, with four stressed syllables per line. The repetition of the same meter and rhyme scheme from the original poem creates a sense of continuity and connection between the two works.

Poetic Elements: 

Tennyson uses a variety of poetic techniques in "Locksley Hall Sixty Years After" to convey his message. He employs vivid imagery to describe the changes in the world, such as "the waste of waters" and "the shatter'd blocks/From the haunts of the seagull and the sword-fish" to represent the destruction caused by industrialization and modernization. Tennyson also uses allusion to reference historical events, such as the "Crusade of the Nineteenth Century," which refers to the movement for women's suffrage. The use of these poetic elements helps to convey the complexity of the changes that have occurred since the time of the original poem.

Summary: 

"Locksley Hall Sixty Years After" is a well-crafted poem that reflects on the changes and challenges of the Victorian era. Tennyson's use of vivid imagery and allusion help to convey the complex nature of these changes, and his message of hope for the future provides a sense of optimism in the face of uncertainty. Overall, the poem is a powerful reflection on the human experience and the inevitability of change.

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