Oh Hello Again!

You know dearies, I had one last thought I wanted to share with you. Let me know what you think.
As I made my way though Tennyson's In Memoriam A.H.H I understood that he felt great loss over his friends death. I truly pity him, although I do wonder if maybe he dwelled on it for a bit too long. There needs to be room for grief, but there also needs to be room for moving on and appreciating the every day miracles in life ( See, I feel I can say this as I have been through deaths of dearly loved ones). Anyways, I wondered if his feels of loss could be applied to simply missing someone. Do you know what I mean? Tennyson mourned the death of his friend, but could these same feels apply to missing someone who has been away? I think I felt some of these feelings when Oliver was gone- I was so troubled and worry-stricken. I missed that poor boy and I did not question my God or think of the finality of the situations, but I did worry that might never see him again. I did think understand Tennyson when he felt others were judging him as he mourned, " ' Loss is common to the race'-/ and comming is the commonplace,/ and vacant chaff well meant for grain" ( lyric 6, lines 1-4). Others say I knew Oliver for so short a time and loss is common, I had no need to spend my precious thoughts worrying over him and missing him. I believe that this is hogwosh! I loved that dear boy with my whole heart and I sure did miss him, no matter what others said. I felt great loss and could think of nothing else as this poor Tennyson could not either

A note from Mrs. Bedwin

Hello Dearies,

I'm writing today to deeply aplogize for my lack of posts and comments on our blog. I know I commited to doing this literature group with you, but it seems that my old, silly self tried to bite off more than she could chew. Silly me, I always seem to be doing that. Why, just the other day I told Mr. Brownlow, when he was upset about his dying flower boxes, that I would work my magic and get the flowers to bloom again. Oh dear, what was I thinking? This has proven to be quite the difficult task( those finicky flowers!) on top of the normal household chores and try to keep with the young boy.

Anyways, back to the readings. I have tried my best to keep up with the actual reading- it would be doing myself a diservice, you know, not to be reading. It's such a gift that I am able to get the material and have the ability to read that I need to make sure I am taking advantage of that. I have made sure to get up extra early in the morning, before Mr. Brownlow needs me in the kitchen, to read under the rising sun. Oh, it was so comforting to hear about the dreams of young Aurora Leigh; I'm so glad that she made it through the death of her parents and time with her cruel aunt. Poor thing. I really do need to share this story with Oliver so he knows he has a future and someone to look up to.

Now, Tennyson.... I had a wee bit of a hard time wrapping my head around what he had to say. The poor things lost a friend close to him, but I wonder sometimes what he is trying to say ( I guess some of the words are a little fancy for my understanding) and why it has taken him to long to say it. But, oh well, somethings are not for me to understand. I just tried to dwell on and imagein the images in his poem- this A.H.H must have been quite the special man, it would have been an honor to have met him.

Alright Dearies, this is all I can post for early morning. I must attend to Mr. Browning and get Oliver up out of bed. And this dirty house won't clean itself and the breakfast won't cook itself!


Friends, do know that I meant to get to these posts everyday, but time escaped me. I hope you can understand

Rose's thoughts on Elizabeth Browning's poem "Aurora Leigh Book Two"

Oh Aurora stay strong. After reading this book of the poem it's hard not to notice the strength this young girl has. Such a role model for me being but years younger than the twenty year old. What courage she has to ignore her aunt's wishes and turn Romney's marriage proposal down and cease from taking his money. In a world where anyone would give anything to be rich and well taken care of, Aurora finds a more natural meaning of life and seems to stand by her decisions and trust in herself. She definitely deserves more in life than a man who doesn't believe in her or her passions. How lucky am I that I have found a man who loves me, tends to me when those awful fevers return, has given up his political aspirations up for my reputation alone, and does good as often as he can- just like me. I think I shall let Nancy read this book when I am through.

Rose Maylie's thoughts about Robert Browning's "The Bishop Orders His Tomb at Saint Praxed’s Church"

Oh this poem makes me think. Will I be remembered when I'm gone? A poor orphan in London doesn't seem important enough to remember anyways. I do hope if I die though, my beloved Harry and others that care for me will remember me for the good I've done and tried to do. I don't need a fancy tomb to be laid in like the Bishop in this poem, all I need are my friends and what is left of my family, the only family I've ever know, around. But I don't want to think about death right now, I'm too young. For now I'll focus on the good I can do. Speaking of good, I need to get back to nursing Oliver. Poor boy fell into the wrong crowd and done got himself shot. Poor boy.

Rose's View on Robert Browning's Poem "My Last Duchess"

I don't understand what would please this Duke. I mean, throughout this poem the late duchess is basically being slandered, when she is not even there to defend herself, by her huband, who explains that she flirted with every man she saw and didn't appreciate him. He mentions that she was happy until he put and end to her behavior and "the smiles stopped." Now I am not one to condone stepping out on a spouse, but I see nothing here that mentions infidelity; I find nothing wrong in the actions written about in this poem. I feel that the Duke is a jealous, insecure man, too engulfed with his 900 years old name to realize that women need tenderness, love, and attention. Now he's marrying another woman, after what seems like such a small amount of time after the death of his previous wife. If I didn't know any better, I'd say this late-duchess's death might not have been an accident/natural by any means- if you catch my drift.

Rose's Thoughts on Elizabeth Browning's poem Aurora Leigh Book One

Poor Aurora. Growing up under the wing of people who aren't your own parents is hard; I know first hand- thank God for Mrs. Maylie. From the beginning of this first book it seems as though Aurora's parents were amazing and loving. Even her father was a nurturing man. Kinda makes me wish I knew my parents when they were alive. But I love how Browning portrays her throughout the book. A young girl who loses both parents at such a young age and still becomes enlightened, goes to school and learns so much, and has a aspiration to become a poet. Aurora has become almost like a role model for me after reading this. I know her struggles and in turn I feel as though I should be doing great things as she is. She is a strong female in a male dominant world (and that Romney doesn't seem to let her forget it) trying to make her mark. I have such respect and admiration for her thus far.

Nancy Thinks About Tennyson's In Memoriam (1)

"But who shall so forecast the years
And find in loss a gain to match?
Or reach a hand through time to catch
The far-off interest of tears"

Tennyson was a very smart man, indeed! He's saying that that you can't see past the death and devastation. He was a beautiful writer and poet, but he was a business man as well. He was educated in investments.

He loved Hallam; I love Sikes.

Is my love for Sikes, my investment in him worth it? Can it be that one day I will mourn Sikes just as Tennyson mourns Hallam? He does do terrible things, but I do love him so. But how terrible he is to the poor boys and to Oliver as well.

I don't know. I have invested much in him - but is it worth it?