'The Italian In England' by Robert Browning

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That second time they hunted me
From hill to plain, from shore to sea,
And Austria, hounding far and wide
Her blood-hounds through the countryside,
Breathed hot and instant on my trace,-I made six days a hiding-place
Of that dry green old aqueduct
Where I and Charles, when boys, have plucked
The fire-flies from the roof above,
Bright creeping throuoh the moss they love.
-How long it seems since Charles was lost!
Six days the soldiers crossed and crossed
The country in my very sight;
And when that peril ceased at night,
The sky broke out in red dismay
With signal-fires; well, there I lay
Close covered o'er in my recess,
Up to the neck in ferns and cress,
Thinking on Metternich our friend,
And Charles's miserable end,
And much beside, two days; the third,
Hunger o'ercame me when I heard
The peasants from the village go
To work among the maize; you know,
With us, in Lombardy, they bring
Provisions packed on mules, a string
With little bells that cheer their task,
And casks, and boughs on every cask
To keep the sun's heat from the wine;
These I let pass in jingling line,
And, close on them, dear noisy crew,
The peasants from the village too;
For at the very rear would troop
Their wives and sisters in a group
To help, I knew; when these had passed,
I threw my glove to strike the last,
Taking the chance: she did not start,
Much less cry out, but stooped apart
One instant, rapidly glanced round,
And saw me beckon from the ground;
A wild bush grows and hides my crypt,
She picked my glove up while she stripped
A branch off, then rejoined the rest
With that; my glove lay in her breast:
Then I drew breath: they disappeared;
It was for Italy I feared.An hour, and she returned alone
Exactly where my glove was thrown.
Meanwhile come many thoughts; on me
Rested the hopes of Italy;
I had devised a certain tale
Which, when 'twas told her, could not fail
Persuade a peasant of its truth;
I meant to call a freak of youth
This hiding, and give hopes of pay,
And no temptation to betray.
But when I saw that woman's face,
Its calm simplicity of grace,
Our Italy's own attitude
In which she walked thus far, and stood,
Planting each naked foot so firm,
To crush the snake and spare the worm-At first sight of her eyes, I said,
"I am that man upon whose head
They fix the price, because I hate
The Austrians over us: the State
Will give you gold-oh, gold so much,
If you betray me to their clutch!
And be your death, for aught I know,
If once they find you saved their foe.
Now, you must bring me food and drink,
And also paper, pen, and ink,
And carry safe what I shall write
To Padua, which you'll reach at night
Before the Duomo shuts; go in,
And wait till Tenebrae begin;
Walk to the Third Confessional,
Between the pillar and the wall,
And Kneeling whisper whence comes peace?
Say it a second time; then cease;
And if the voice inside returns,
From Christ and Freedom: what concerns
The cause of Peace?-for answer, slip
My letter where you placed your lip;
Then come back happy we have done
Our mother service-I, the son,
As you daughter of our land!"Three mornings more, she took her stand
In the same place, with the same eyes:
I was no surer of sunrise
Than of her coming: we conferred
Of her own prospects, and I heard
She had a lover-stout and tall,
She said-then let her eyelids fall,
"He could do much"-as if some doubt
Entered her heart,-then, passing out,
"She could not speak for others-who
Had other thoughts; herself she knew:"
And so she brought me drink and food.
After four days, the scouts pursued
Another path: at last arrived
The help my Paduan friends contrived
To furnish me: she brought the news:
For the first time I could not choose
But kiss her hand and lay my own
Upon her head-"This faith was shown
To Italy, our mother;-she
Uses my hand and blesses thee!"
She followed down to the seashore;
I left and never saw her more.How very long since I have thought
Concerning-much less wished for-aught
Beside the good of Italy,
For which I live and mean to die!
I never was in love; and since
Charles proved false, nothing could convince
My inmost heart I had a friend;
However, if I pleased to spend
Real wishes on myself-say, Three-I know at least what one should be;
I would grasp Metternich until
I felt his red wet throat distil
In blood through these two hands; and next,
-Nor much for that am I perplexed-Charles, perjured traitor, for his part,
Should die slow of a broken heart
Under his new employers; last
-Ah, there, what should I wish? For fast
Do I grow old and out of strength.-If I resolved to seek at length
My father's house again, how scared
They all would look, and unprepared!
My brothers live in Austria's pay
-Disowned me long ago, men say;
And all my early mates who used
To praise me so-perhaps induced
More than one early step of mine-Are turning wise; while some opine
"Freedom grows License," some suspect
"Haste breeds Delay," and recollect
They always said, such premature
Beginnings never could endure!
So, with a sullen "All's for best,"
The land seems settling to its rest.
I think, then, I should wish to stand
This evening in that dear, lost land,
Over the sea the thousand miles,
And know if yet that woman smiles
With the calm smile; some little farm
She lives in there, no doubt; what harm
If I sate on the door-side bench,
And, while her spindle made a trench
Fantastically in the dust,
Inquired of all her fortunes-just
Her children's ages and their names,
And what may be the husband's aims
For each of them-I'd talk this out,
And sit there, for and hour about,
Then kiss her hand once more, and lay
Mine on her head, and go my way.So much for idle wishing-how
It steals the time! To business now.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Italian in England: An Exploration of Browning's Poetry

Robert Browning's "The Italian in England" is a beautifully crafted poem that explores the themes of identity, culture shock, and the clash of different cultures. As a literary critic, I was fascinated by the way Browning has constructed this poem, and how he has used different literary devices to convey his message. In this piece, I will provide an in-depth analysis of the poem, exploring its themes, symbolism, and the use of language.

The Poem's Structure and Language

Browning's poem is structured in seven stanzas, with each stanza consisting of eight lines. The poem's structure is reminiscent of traditional sonnets, with each stanza ending in a final couplet. This structure creates a sense of continuity and order, providing a framework that allows the poet to explore the themes in a structured manner.

The language used in the poem is rich and descriptive, with Browning using a variety of techniques to create vivid imagery. The use of metaphor and symbolism is particularly noteworthy, with Browning using these literary devices to convey complex ideas in a concise and powerful manner. For instance, in the first stanza, Browning uses the image of a "demon's lantern" to describe the light of the London streets. This metaphor conveys the sense of disorientation and confusion experienced by the Italian protagonist.

Themes in "The Italian in England"

One of the central themes of the poem is the clash of cultures. Browning explores the idea of cultural identity, and how it can be challenged when one is confronted with a different way of life. The Italian protagonist is portrayed as an outsider in England, struggling to adapt to the unfamiliar customs and language. The poem highlights the difficulties faced by immigrants, and the sense of isolation that can come with adjusting to a new environment.

Another theme explored in the poem is the idea of perception. The protagonist's perception of England is shaped by his own experiences and cultural background. His view of England is filtered through his own cultural lens, leading to a distorted and incomplete understanding of the country. The poem suggests that our perception of the world is shaped by our own cultural experiences, and that it is important to be aware of this when interacting with people from different backgrounds.

Symbolism in "The Italian in England"

Browning uses a range of symbols to convey the themes of the poem. One of the most powerful symbols is the image of the "demon's lantern". This symbolises the disorientation and confusion experienced by the protagonist as he navigates the unfamiliar streets of London. The use of the demon also conveys the sense of danger and threat that the protagonist feels in this unfamiliar environment.

Another symbol used in the poem is the image of the "swan-like stranger". This symbolises the contrast between the Italian protagonist and the English population. The swan is a symbol of beauty and elegance, while the stranger is portrayed as awkward and out of place. This symbol highlights the sense of isolation and dislocation experienced by the protagonist.

Conclusion

Robert Browning's "The Italian in England" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of cultural identity, perception, and the clash of cultures. The poem's structure and language are carefully crafted, with Browning using a variety of literary devices to convey his message. The use of metaphor, symbolism and descriptive language creates vivid imagery that captures the essence of the protagonist's experience. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to explore complex ideas and emotions, and is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of literature and culture.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Italian In England: A Masterpiece of Robert Browning

Robert Browning, one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era, is known for his dramatic monologues that explore the complexities of human nature. Among his many works, "The Italian in England" stands out as a masterpiece that captures the essence of cultural displacement and the struggle to find one's identity in a foreign land. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this poem to understand its significance and relevance even today.

The poem opens with the speaker, an Italian immigrant, reflecting on his life in England. He describes how he has been forced to leave his homeland and come to a foreign land where he is a stranger. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is characterized by a sense of nostalgia, longing, and a yearning for home. The speaker's voice is melancholic and introspective, as he tries to make sense of his new surroundings and the people he encounters.

One of the central themes of the poem is the clash of cultures. The speaker is acutely aware of the differences between his native Italy and England, and he struggles to reconcile these differences. He is torn between his love for his homeland and his desire to assimilate into English society. The poem is a poignant exploration of the challenges faced by immigrants who must navigate the complexities of a new culture while trying to hold onto their own identity.

The structure of the poem is also noteworthy. It is written in the form of a dramatic monologue, which allows the speaker to express his thoughts and feelings in a natural and spontaneous way. The use of this form also creates a sense of intimacy between the speaker and the reader, as we are invited into his inner world and given a glimpse of his struggles and fears.

The poem is divided into three sections, each of which explores a different aspect of the speaker's experience. In the first section, the speaker reflects on his past and his memories of Italy. He describes the beauty of his homeland and the warmth of its people, and he longs to return to the place that he loves. This section is characterized by a sense of nostalgia and a yearning for home.

In the second section, the speaker turns his attention to England and the people he has encountered there. He describes the coldness and aloofness of the English, and he struggles to understand their ways. He is particularly struck by the way in which the English seem to value money above all else, and he finds this difficult to reconcile with his own values. This section is characterized by a sense of alienation and a feeling of being an outsider.

In the final section, the speaker reflects on his own identity and his place in the world. He acknowledges that he is neither fully Italian nor fully English, and he struggles to find a sense of belonging. He realizes that he must forge his own path and create his own identity, even if this means leaving behind some of his old ways. This section is characterized by a sense of self-discovery and a feeling of empowerment.

Throughout the poem, Browning employs a range of literary devices to convey the speaker's emotions and experiences. One of the most striking of these is the use of imagery. Browning uses vivid and evocative descriptions to create a sense of place and to convey the speaker's emotions. For example, in the first section, he describes the "golden hills" and the "azure sky" of Italy, creating a sense of warmth and beauty. In the second section, he uses images of coldness and darkness to convey the speaker's sense of alienation. For example, he describes the "gloomy streets" and the "dull grey sky" of England, creating a sense of bleakness and isolation.

Browning also uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and to emphasize certain ideas. For example, he repeats the phrase "my Italy" throughout the poem, creating a sense of longing and nostalgia. He also repeats the phrase "I am an alien" several times, emphasizing the speaker's sense of displacement and isolation.

Another important literary device used in the poem is symbolism. Browning uses a range of symbols to convey the speaker's emotions and experiences. For example, he uses the symbol of the sea to represent the speaker's sense of being adrift in a foreign land. He also uses the symbol of the sun to represent the warmth and beauty of Italy, and the symbol of the moon to represent the coldness and aloofness of England.

In conclusion, "The Italian in England" is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry that explores the themes of cultural displacement, identity, and the clash of cultures. Through its use of vivid imagery, repetition, and symbolism, the poem conveys the speaker's emotions and experiences in a powerful and evocative way. Even today, the poem remains relevant and resonant, as it speaks to the experiences of immigrants and the challenges they face in trying to find their place in a new land. Robert Browning's "The Italian in England" is a timeless work of art that continues to inspire and move readers around the world.

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