Literary Views on London and Nature's Influence

Literary Perceptions of London and Venice

London was viewed by some authors in contrasting ways: Coleridge saw it as a prison, Jane Austen as the center of moral corruption, Wordsworth as a spectacle (as noted in "Upon Westminster Bridge," September 1803), and Horace Smith as a ruin. It was also contrasted with the Venice of the past (Republic of Venice).

Byron established a comparison between the Venice of the past and the Venice of the present. He evoked the image of the Republic of Venice because he considered this new system a political success, a good political experiment. London, in contrast, was seen as an industrial center dehumanizing souls, people, and minds at the expense of money. It was a corruptive and tempting city that only recovered delight when industries and businesses were closed.

Coleridge's Poetic Exploration of Mind and Nature

Coleridge's The Eolian Harp explains the relationship between the mind and nature through the symbol of the Eolian Harp. For Coleridge, this representation gives the mind an active role; the mind must understand the language of nature but also deal with the poet's emotions.

Another poem highlighting nature is Coleridge's Dejection: An Ode. The speaker laments the lack of effect nature has on him due to his malaise; the poet is unable to understand nature's language because of his unhappiness (emotions).

Finally, William Wordsworth's The Prelude is also concerned with nature. The author based his poetry on the idea that it should be written in a natural language that speaks to and reflects common human emotions.

Analysis of Coleridge's "Kubla Khan"

This poem belongs to Coleridge's Kubla Khan, one of the author's most famous and enduring works. In this poem, the speaker describes the "stately pleasure-dome" built in Xanadu. The poem begins with a description of the surrounding scene.

George Orwell's Critique of Charles Dickens's Politics

George Orwell expressed dislike for Dickens's "populist" rhetorical and incoherent literary strategies.

• He denied the legend that Hard Times is a socialist novel.
• Orwell stated that Dickens is only partially socially concerned. He is concerned with child suffering but not with child labor.
• Importance was placed on awareness and education to deal with the mental cruelty of children by means of care and love.
• Dickens represents the limited worldview and interests of his social class: Since he does not have political responsibility, he can blame everyone.
• Orwell noted Dickens's snobbish attitude toward the poor and aversion to criminals.