Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "Sonnet to George Sand: 1. A Recognition" is a tribute to the French novelist George Sand, who was known for her unconventional lifestyle and feminist views. The sonnet is a part of a series of sonnets that Barrett Browning wrote in admiration of Sand.

The poem opens with the speaker expressing her admiration for Sand, whom she refers to as "great George Sand." She acknowledges the struggles and hardships that Sand has faced in her life, including "the deep pits of dark despair," and praises her for her resilience and strength in the face of adversity.

Barrett Browning then goes on to describe Sand's writing as a "voice of clearer life and inward grace" that has the power to "shatter all the crystal spheres of thought." The poet suggests that Sand's writing is not just a reflection of her own experiences and ideas, but a force that can transform the world and inspire others to action.

In the final lines of the poem, the speaker expresses her hope that Sand will continue to write and share her ideas with the world, saying that her work is "something evermore about to be" and that she has "a work to do, a world to save."

The poem is written in the form of a sonnet, with fourteen lines and a rhyme scheme of ABBA ABBA CDCDCD. The use of the sonnet form is fitting, as it is often associated with love poetry and admiration, and allows the speaker to express her admiration for Sand in a structured and formal way.

Overall, "Sonnet to George Sand: 1. A Recognition" is a tribute to a powerful and influential woman who defied societal expectations and inspired others with her writing. The poem is a testament to Barrett Browning's own feminist beliefs and her admiration for those who challenged the status quo.

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