Feminism and Romanticism in "Mariana" Emily Ashenden 12th Grade

‘Mariana’ is a poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson which was published in 1830. This was an early stage of the Victorian era, a time when there was a plethora of social upheavals in England and Europe. As a composition, 'Mariana' is a beautiful yet ominous lyrical narrative, featuring themes of loneliness, isolation and rejection. It is compliant with the social context of its time, where women lost their marriage potential after offending society’s predilection of perfection. Mariana becomes a silhouette of her former self, calling and yearning for Angelico. However, examining this with a modern stance raises critical questions. The central principles of feminism dictate that the affiliation between women and men has almost always been unequal and tyrannical. Moreover, all major institutions have been characterised by male dominance, such as the economy, political system, family and religion. The issue at hand, in light of these concerns, is twofold. The first part enquires whether Mariana is conforming to convention and upsetting the values of feminism. The second concerns intention; namely, did Tennyson intend this violation of feminist doctrines in order to enlighten society?

To a great extent, the speaker in 'Mariana' is a victim...