Attempt a Critical appreciation of ‘Prophyria’s Lover’.
‘Porphyria’s
Lover’ is a dramatic monologue by Browning where he speaks of the hypocrisy of
the society and religion through the relationship of two lovers. The decay of
morality and the ebb of man’s interest in religion along with the inflexibility
of set social norms that destroys human relationships is brought to the front.
Prophetic fallacy is evoked with the storm that rages outside the
lover’s cottage as he waits for his mistress. It is rather interesting that it
is the lover waiting for the lady to come to him and not the lady waiting in
her home. This can to some extent indicate the foundation of the relationship
where the lady has more social status than the man. She may be the richer party
of the two.
“I listened
with heart fit to break”, the lines covey a sense of disturbance. It is
not fond anticipation but a sort of despairing worry. This conflict is resolved
immediately almost with the arrival of Porphyria who sails in at once. She does
no pause or seem nervous which in a way makes one believe she is used to such
meetings. They might have been lovers for some time. Porphyria is a sort of
comfort blanket that shuts out the cold. Even though she does so, we later find
that there is a storm being waged within her breast even as she makes the
cottage more cheerful and warm by lighting a fire in the neglected grate.
Thus, the societal image of a woman as nurturing, warm, comforting and
home making is juxtaposed with the image of a mistress, the illicit and sinful
woman that society condemns. Porphyria now undresses and takes off her wet
garments, shedding with them, parts of the ‘mask’ that society dictates. She
lets her golden hair down symbolically letting down her guard.
The lady is
Victorian society’s perfect model for female beauty with blue eyes, rosy lips and
yellow hair. She can almost be Dickens’ angelic ‘Lucy’ from “A Tale of Two
Cities”. After she has discarded the superfluities of her dress she comes to
her lover. Her actions themselves show that she feels safe, her behavior would
be in no way out of place in her dressing room. And yet, this seemingly natural
set of actions must be looked upon as sinful for she is undressing before a
strange man..................................................................................................................................................
Hi. I’m Designer of Blog Magic. I’m CEO/Founder of ThemeXpose. I’m Creative Art Director, Web Designer, UI/UX Designer, Interaction Designer, Industrial Designer, Web Developer, Business Enthusiast, StartUp Enthusiast, Speaker, Writer and Photographer. Inspired to make things looks better.
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.