English Language and Literature ETDs

Publication Date

7-29-1969

Abstract

The history of the reception of The Ring and the Book by the reviewers and critics since its publication in 1868-1869 can be likened to "the world's outcry/ Around the rush and ripple of any fact/Fallen stonewise, plumb on the smooth face of things" (I, 839-841); -a figure used by Browning to image the varied interpretation of the story of Guido and Pompilia by the Roman public. The appearance of this poem upon the horizon of literary sensibility was phenomenal. Although the Victorian readers of serious literature were not unaccustomed, by this time, to Browning's surprises, they were not quite prepared to cope with such a huge work, even one from the pen of Robert Browning. In the shock of its first appearance they crowded over it trying to sound its depth, find its meaning, or, at least, describe its surface contours. Modern critics are no less fascinated by The Ring and the Book. They are not satisfied by the cumulative researches of the Victorians. Being better equipped to tap its hidden resources, they delve in every direction and bring up precious material, but they still cannot exhaust its riches. This is one evidence of its being ranked among the lasting literary works.

Degree Name

English

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

English

First Committee Member (Chair)

Norton Barr Crowell

Second Committee Member

Edith Buchanan

Third Committee Member

Paul Benjamin Davis

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

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