For Education Purpose

1. Patriarchy in
Robert
Browning's Poem

2. Name : Bhavyata Kukadiya
Roll No:- 6
Enrollment No:-4069206420220018
Sem:-1
Paper Number:-104 Paper Code:-22395
Paper Name:-Literature of the victorians
Topic:-Patriarchy in Robert Browning's Poem
Submitted:-Smt S.B Gardi,Department of English,
M.K.B.U.
E-mail:- bhavyatakukadiya@gmail.com

3. Points to Ponder

4. Robert Browning
Browning was born on May 7, 1812 in Camberwell
London.
Browning’s early career has been characterized by Ian
Jack as a search for an appropriate poetic form, and his
first published effort, Pauline: A Fragment of a
Confession (1833), proved in retrospect to be a false
start. Browning’s next poetic production, Paracelsus
(1835), achieved more critical regard and began to move
toward the greater objectivity of the dramatic monologue
form that Browning perfected over the next several years.
Browning also wrote several plays intended for the stage,
along with closet dramas; however, he was not suited to
be a playwright. His chief theatrical patron, William
Macready, was already becoming disillusioned by the
plays’ lack of success and the poet’s persistent
difficulties in creating theatrical plots.

5. Although the early part of Robert Browning’s creative life was spent in
comparative obscurity, he has come to be regarded as one of the most
important English poets of the Victorian period. His dramatic monologues
and the psycho-historical epic The Ring and the Book (1868-1869), a novel
in verse, have established him as a major figure in the history of English
poetry.
Robert Browning’s two poems, “Porphyria’s Lover” and “My Last
Duchess,” have some striking similarities. Both feature men who seem
mentally disturbed; Further, both of these men had relationships with
"strong" women who, despite apparently loving them, they each ended
up killing. And interestingly enough, both men seem to be much happier
after they have committed these murders.
(Archive et al.)
(Saminsky

6. Works of Robert Browning
● “The Bishop Orders His Tomb at Saint
Praxed’s Church”
● “My Last Duchess”
● “The Pied Piper of Hamelin”
● “Porphyria’s Lover”
● “Andrea del Sarto”
● “Meeting at Night”

7. “The Bishop Orders His Tomb at Saint
Praxed’s Church”
In this poem Patriarchy is evident in the way the bishop orders his
tomato be built. He wants it to be grand and impressive
structure,befitting his status as a powerful man in church. The
bishop also want to be Tomb to be a reminder of his power and
authority,even after his death. The poem suggest that the bishop
is a man who is used to getting his way and who expects other to
follow his orders. This is an example of how patriarchy can be
used to control and dominate others. (Browning)

8. “Praise to the Holiest in the Height/And in the Deepest
Hell His Will /Be Done!”
This is a Example of Patriarchy because it is praising the
male God and saying that His will be done ,which shows
that males are in charge (Browning)

9. “My Last Duchess”
This poem is about a duke who is talking
about his last duchess. The duke is clearly
a Patriarch; he is wealthy and powerful
and he dominates the conversation. He is
also very possessive and controlling and
seems to view his wife as a piece of
property. The duke’s action and words
reveal the oppressive and dangerous
nature of patriarchy.
,

10. Works Cited
Archive, Hulton, et al. “Robert Browning.” Poetry Foundation,
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/robert-browning. Accessed 18 October 2022.
Browning, Robert. “The Bishop Orders His Tomb at Saint Praxed's Church Poem Summary and
Analysis.” LitCharts, 1845, https://www.litcharts.com/poetry/robert-browning/the-bishop-
orders-his-tomb-at-saint-praxed-s-church. Accessed 18 October 2022.
Saminsky, Alina. “The Balance of Power Between Men and Women in Robert Browning's
Poems.” Inquiries Journal, 2010, http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/161/the-balance-
of-power-between-men-and-women-in-robert-brownings-poems. Accessed 18 October
2022.

11. Thank You