Robert Browning: 'Home thoughts from Abroad' poem analysis

Home Thoughts From Abroad- Robert Browning

Written during his time within Italy, between 1930-40, the poem expresses Browning’s yearning to be among the Biritish countryside as spring approaches. In spite of the message of the poem, Browning was very fond of Italy and he and Elizabeth made their home there after their marriage, although they returned to England for family visits.

As British empire grew, the maintenance of mythical conceptions of England became important for Britons, in order to differentiate their country from the native population.

Supporting romantic conceptions, Browning’s use of intense natural imagery arguably communicates the importance of maintaining the appreciation of natures beauty, as industrialism threatened to undermine its power.

THEMES

·       Longing / yearning

·       Nature

·       Connections / bonds

·       Romanticism

·       Memory

·       Past versus present

·       Reflection

·       Patriotism

TONE

·       Admirative

·       Longing / yearning

·       Excited

·       Saddened / mournful

·       Frustrated

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