Theme of Insanity in Lover for Domesticity- myassignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about theTheme of Insanity In Porphyria Loverfor Domesticity. Answer: The subject of insanity is the unique theme of Brownings collection of dramatic monologues called Madhouse Cells and Porphyrias Lover is one of his genius. All the dramatic monologues of this particular collection has similarities in them because all the speakers of these monologues are not in the right state of mind (Hunter). With many other issues, most of the scholars have recorded the theme of madness in Porphyrias Lover and the action that drives the entire poem from beginning to climax is an effect of insanity of the lover. The lover is overwhelmed with jealousy that ultimately drives him mad. The Victorian age chronicles many changes especially changes in the domesticity ideology. This poem by Robert Browning sheds light of the theme of sexual violence which was a burning issue of that period. A dramatic monologue instead of a detailed novel more accurately demonstrates the rapid emotional changes in the mind of the speaker. The speaker narrates the entire tale in a calm and steady tone that makes him apparently normal like other lovers. In the beginning of the monologue, the readers have no clue that this man is a perfect evil to kill Porphyria out of possessiveness (Faas). The romantic feeling that dominates the entire poem suddenly vanishes when the insane lover strangles Porphyria with her own hair. There is no doubt that the speaker is the murderer because he himself has surrendered it. In addition to this he has described all the possible circumstances after his action but shows no remorse for what he did. The speaker is a literal as well as figurative in the opening of the poem with no control over the actions of the poem. It is Porphyria who enters the scene and takes control. She places his heads on her shoulder which represents reversal of norms of the accepted gender roles. Knotholes the situation culminates when Porphyria complains about the issues of pride and vanity, preventing her to get absorbed in love completely (Bush). This is the moment where the natural flow of incident gets reversed and the speaker decides to freeze this moment of love. The calm tone for the most violent act reveals his absurdity (Bailey). The speaker exposes his longing to possess Porphyria not to indicate his passionate instability. He interprets Porphyrias loving gesture by placing his head against her bare white shoulder as her care and love for the lover. Porphyria is an ideal Victorian lady who has come to meet the speaker in their secluded dwelling. He knows that Porphyria is pure at heart and good in character. Nothings can alter her love for him. All these thoughts that emerges in the mind of the lover are his own belief and judgements as an insane lover. He knows that she worships him and this thought made him supremely satisfied. On other hand it creates a feeling of suspicion in the mind of the lover that he might lose her. Hence he acts according to his impractical mind (Komorowski). In the course of the poem the speer continues to reveal his real nature. He is extremely possessive with his lady love. He is not concerned with the feelings and senses of Porphyria. He goes on exaggerating the extreme romantic feelings that originated from the unbelievable love for his lady. The insane lover keeps on suggesting that Porphyria is too weak to suppress her love for him and it is the prime fault of her nature. The moment she expresses her uncontrollable love for him, the speaker decides to murder her so that her thoughts cannot be alters by any external or internal forces. His irrational mind keeps in instigating him to see the physical beauty of Porphyria even after her death. About her neck; her cheek once more Blushed bright beneath my burning kiss: (Poetryfoundation.org) Despite the fact that it is difficult for the readers to find male hypocrisy in this poem because the apparent lines of this dramatic monologues tries to reduce the responsibility of the lover as an evil murderer. These lines particularly suggest the theme of possessiveness in the mind of the speaker who wants to have Porphyria all to himself. He wants to keep her purity and goodness intact (Tarr). This perfect example of possessiveness intensifies with the explanation of his insanity that ignites with the feelings of intense obsession as well as male control over the female body and mind. The theme of female objectification is prevalent in the literature of the Victorian age is quite frequent. It was the decency, care and civility which distinguished the women behaviour. The maintenance of strict social as well as moral codes were expected. The fascination about the long hair, uniquely suited for conveying symbolic meanings in the physicality of the women (Rafiq, Tahmina, and Faiza). In addition to this, the men had all types of control over the women. Here the sexual objectification is explained more vividly where the speaker treats the body of the lady love as object. In the entire poem the speaker does not state anything about the personality or dignity of Porphyria but continues to detail her physical beauty even after death (Afsari, Nasim, and Elham). She has been treated as an object or inferior to human being whose value of life completely depends upon the speakers desire. He trades the body to show power alteration and states that for the first time he bore he r head on her shoulder. I propped her head up as before, Only, this time my shoulder bore It does not bear the same sense of care and love that the similar act by Porphyria does but reveals the satisfaction of success. The speaker is finally able to freeze the moment of love. He is sure that Porphyrias love is so strong and pure that she does not feel pain The speaker is sure that nobody will be able to separate them. Therefore, it can be concluded that jealousy followed love can drive anyone to impossible acts. References: Afsari, Nasim, and Elham Omrani. "Demon Lovers versus Damsels in Distress: An Archetypal Reading of Robert Brownings My Last Duchess and Porphyrias Lover."International Letters of Social and Humanistic Sciences64 (2015): 10-16. Bailey, Suzanne. "Robert Browning."Victorian Poetry55.3 (2017): 349-372. Bush, Kaitlyn. "Porphyria and the Lady: Perfecting Femininity."Volume 30 Spring 201530 (2015). Faas, Ekbert.Retreat into the Mind: Victorian Poetry and the Rise of Psychiatry. Princeton University Press, 2014. Hunter, Hannah.Beyond Marriage and Motherhood: The Motifs nvolved in the Portrayal of Women in Literature. Diss. Coastal Carolina University, 2014. Komorowski, Jennifer. "Exposing the Monsters Behind Victorian Domestic Abuse." (2014). Poetryfoundation.org. "Porphyria's Lover By Robert Browning."Poetry Foundation. N.p., 2018. Web. 16 Mar. 2018. Rafiq, Tahmina, and Faiza Noureen. "Representation of the character of men and women in PoetryA Critical Discourse Analysis of Robert Browning's Poems."International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications(2015). Tarr, Clayton Carlyle. "Pleasurable Suspension: Erotic Asphyxiation in the Nineteenth Century."Nineteenth-Century Contexts38.1 (2016): 55-68.