Thomas Gray and Robert Burns
Hello everyone, this blog is based on a thinking activity task assigned by Prakruti Ma’am. Which is related to Transitional Poets of The Neo-classical Age.
#What do you understand by the term transitional? How do the poets and writers of the later half of the 18th century represent the transition from the sensibility of one literary age to that of another? What were some of the significant characteristics of their works?
The middle of the 18th century was a period of transitional and experimental. It was called The Age of Transition because the 18th century bridged the gap between the Neoclassical Age (often called the Augustan Age) and the Romantic Era.
Wyatt says, “Even while the fame of classical poetry was at its height, the way was being prepared for its overthrow.”
The Neoclassical poets, such as Alexander Pope, "prized order, clarity, economic wording, logic, refinement, and decorum. Theirs was an age of rationalism, wit, and satire." This contrasts the ideal of Romanticism, which "was an artistic revolt against the conventions of the fashionable formal, civilized, and refined Neoclassicism of the eighteenth century." Poets such as William, "swept away conventional poetic diction and forms in favor of freer forms and bolder language. They preached a return to nature, elevated sincere feeling over dry intellect, and often shared in the revolutionary fervor of the late eighteenth century." Poets wanted to be able to express emotion again. They wanted the city to be far behind and travel back to the simple countryside with rustic, humble men and women as their subjects. These poets William Blake, Thomas Gray, and Robert Burns were caught between the neoclassical writing of the old times and the Romantic Age, so it is aptly termed Transitional poets.
*Characteristics of the transitional:
Focus on nature:- Nature formed a central part- not as an activity framework but a motivational, emotive, and spiritual wellspring. For example,
James Thomson's The Seasons dwelt at length upon the graceful beauty and force of nature. From here alone did themes urban-centric fade from the firmament as it polished its easy diaphaneity in light of more compelling natural lights.
Thomas Gray's Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard reflects a sort of meditative view of rural life and the natural world.
Critique of Neoclassicism:- Neoclassical poetry is often characterized by strict rules, formal poetic diction, and heroic couplets. Transitional poets often reacted against all these dominant features of Neoclassical poetry. Even though a few poets still abided by the structured forms, they initiated themes and stylistic innovations that anticipated Romanticism.
Humble Setting:- The daily life and experiences of common man began to become great and high through the transitional poets. This is very well supported by Robert Burns in his Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect. He showed greatness in the celebration of Scottish rural life and vernacular speech. They include their involvement, discussing rustic life and everyday life.
Gothic and Sublime:- These poets examined the mysterious awe-inspiring aspects of existence. That is also when the Gothic genre was born. It has been said that emotion and the imagination are at its best here, such as in Thomas Percy's Reliques of Ancient English Poetry, or the Ossianic poems of James Macpherson.
Subjectivism:- Subjectivism is the central idea of this group of poets. In neoclassical literature the subject is absent, Thomas Gray is a first person who writes in subjective.
#“And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave, Awaits alike th' inevitable hour.” From which work are these lines taken? What do they signify?
These lines from : “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” by Thomas Gray.
In this line, Gray propounds universal destiny, an inescapable phenomenon of death. Gray insists that no matter how beautiful and affluent or successful a person is, all shall meet the same end: mortality. That side resonates with the elegiac tone of the poem, which mused about life, death, and the transience of worldly gains.
Gray's poem laments the anonymity and forgotten lives of ordinary rural people who lie buried in the churchyard, but it also maintains that all human beings are equal in death. Such an amalgam of philosophical ponderings on mortality influenced both the transitional era and later Romantic verse deeply.
#Discuss why Robert Burns is also considered the National Poet of Scotland.
Robert Burns was often called the national poet of scotland. Because he represents Scottish culture in his work. He deeply influenced the culture and language of Scotland and people who identified with it. His work in poetry and song spoke to the rural life of Scotland but spoke more about its traditions, struggles, and vernacular, which the people of his time really felt a connection to and yet also feels today.
He wrote in both the languages Scottish and English. He celebrated themes of love, satire and ability to capture the spirit of common people. His Famous work ‘Auld lang Syne’, ‘Tam o’shanter’ have made him an iconic figure in the world of literature.
*He Considered as ‘The National Poet of Scotland’.
1) Celebration of Scottish Culture and Identity:-
He was such a prolific writer in the Scots language that he also remained a preserver and an exponent for the dialect as a literary form. His works, such as "To a Mouse" and "A Red, Red Rose," reflect the everyday experiences, humor, and resiliency of Scottish people.
He did glorify rural life in Scotland, all its customs and traditions at a time when the literature hardly ever spoke of common folks.
2) Political and Social Themes:-
Burns was a supporter of equality, liberty, and democracy his ideology was revolutionary. His work also focused on strongly criticizing the strata and hypocrisies of the aristocracy in "Is There for Honest Poverty" (usually known as "A Man's a Man for A' That"), the notion of universal equality is acclaimed.
These themes resonated well with the Scots, who could see in his works a reflection of their own values of justice and independence.
3)Mastery of Song and Lyric:-
He was a sharp participant in preserving and making Scottish folk music live again. Since, in fact, most of his poems were tuned into traditional ones, a possibility of survival for Scottish folk melodies and themes became prevalent.
His Collected Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect" (1786) and contributions to The Scots Musical Museum and A Select Collection of Original Scottish Airs established him as one of Scotland's greatest lyric poets.
4)Universality of Themes:-
He is deeply rooted in Scottish life, the issues of love, nature, humanity, and mortality are characteristic of Burns but yet universally appealing. They span and cross geographic as well as cultural boundaries and therefore appeal to people in every part of the world.
For example, poems such as "Auld Lang Syne" have become international symbols of friendship and nostalgia.
5)Connection with the Common Folk:-
Burns himself belonged to a lower background and most of his life was passed as an agricultural laborer and farmer. His poems portray his personal sufferings and thus he was associated with the common people of Scotland. He wrote for their happiness, miseries, and hopes and that is why he gained the title of "People's Poet." Burns's work gave a sense of nationalistic feeling among the Scots also because he described their unique cultural activities. Many of his compositions praised Scotland's natural scenery, like "My Heart's in the Highlands," and alluded to relevant historical events and leaders, such as William Wallace in "Scots Wha Hae." Today, January 25th, being this poet's birthday, is celebrated around the globe as Burns Night. The celebration commonly entails readings of Burns's poems, traditional Scottish feasts (like haggis), and commending his role in Scotland's history. This observance, then, reinforces his identity as a symbol of Scottish pride.
Burns, in a manner that hardly any other writers or poets could do, still stands for the voice of Scotland. He could retain the language, music, and popular culture of the Scots people while actually preaching for universal values such as equality and justice. For that, his works are causes of pride and solidarity for the Scots up to today, making him an established figure in the nation's cultural identity.
Burns's poetry and songs reflect the dignity, wits, and warmth of the character of Scotland, thereby preserving his legacy as Scotland's National Poet.
References :-
“transitional poets.pdf - Sub: ENGLISH Class : B.A. Part-I Hons. Paper-I Topic: THE TRANSITIONAL POETS By: Dr. Prabhat Ranjan Karn Assoc. Prof. Dept. of.” Course Hero, https://www.coursehero.com/file/96246238/transitional-poetspdf/ . Accessed 15 November 2024.
Pathak, Niyati, and Syed Amanuddin. “The Transitional Poets.” English Literature, 6 September 2017, https://literarism.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-transitional-poets.html . Accessed 15 November 2024.
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