From Pan to Arras: Eleanor Farjeon and Edwardian Poetry
Eleanor Farjeon’s poetry for adults is notable for reflecting some of the changes taking place in the literary and cultural life of Britain during the Edwardian period. Her early work relates to a range of cultural phenomena that extended from the Victorian into the Edwardian period. These include t...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Sciendo
2025-06-01
|
| Series: | American, British and Canadian Studies Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.2478/abcsj-2025-0002 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849707398715932672 |
|---|---|
| author | Middleton Rowan |
| author_facet | Middleton Rowan |
| author_sort | Middleton Rowan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Eleanor Farjeon’s poetry for adults is notable for reflecting some of the changes taking place in the literary and cultural life of Britain during the Edwardian period. Her early work relates to a range of cultural phenomena that extended from the Victorian into the Edwardian period. These include the figure of Pan, Symbolism, and anxiety about the modern metropolis. A number of developments occurred after she met Edward Thomas. Features that demonstrate his influence include detailed descriptions of the natural world and depictions of real people. Elements of Robert Frost’s ideas about the sound of sense can also be detected. The interest in the spiritual that forms an important element in Farjeon’s early work does not disappear but emerges transformed in poems such as “Easter Monday,” which was written in response to Thomas’ death in France in 1917. Extending the Edwardian period to include the First World War enables Farjeon to be seen as a participant in some of the broader developments taking place in English poetry during this period. Despite Farjeon’s later reputation as a children’s author, most of the poems discussed are aimed at adults, although some could be read by adults and children. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-33a16576c4fc4f36bdecf042fa2e3a82 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1841-964X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Sciendo |
| record_format | Article |
| series | American, British and Canadian Studies Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-33a16576c4fc4f36bdecf042fa2e3a822025-08-20T03:15:55ZengSciendoAmerican, British and Canadian Studies Journal1841-964X2025-06-0144172410.2478/abcsj-2025-0002From Pan to Arras: Eleanor Farjeon and Edwardian PoetryMiddleton Rowan01University of Gloucestershire, UKEleanor Farjeon’s poetry for adults is notable for reflecting some of the changes taking place in the literary and cultural life of Britain during the Edwardian period. Her early work relates to a range of cultural phenomena that extended from the Victorian into the Edwardian period. These include the figure of Pan, Symbolism, and anxiety about the modern metropolis. A number of developments occurred after she met Edward Thomas. Features that demonstrate his influence include detailed descriptions of the natural world and depictions of real people. Elements of Robert Frost’s ideas about the sound of sense can also be detected. The interest in the spiritual that forms an important element in Farjeon’s early work does not disappear but emerges transformed in poems such as “Easter Monday,” which was written in response to Thomas’ death in France in 1917. Extending the Edwardian period to include the First World War enables Farjeon to be seen as a participant in some of the broader developments taking place in English poetry during this period. Despite Farjeon’s later reputation as a children’s author, most of the poems discussed are aimed at adults, although some could be read by adults and children.https://doi.org/10.2478/abcsj-2025-0002eleanor farjeonedward thomasedwardianspiritualpoetryfirst world warpanlondonpoetic developmentpoetic influencedymock poets |
| spellingShingle | Middleton Rowan From Pan to Arras: Eleanor Farjeon and Edwardian Poetry American, British and Canadian Studies Journal eleanor farjeon edward thomas edwardian spiritual poetry first world war pan london poetic development poetic influence dymock poets |
| title | From Pan to Arras: Eleanor Farjeon and Edwardian Poetry |
| title_full | From Pan to Arras: Eleanor Farjeon and Edwardian Poetry |
| title_fullStr | From Pan to Arras: Eleanor Farjeon and Edwardian Poetry |
| title_full_unstemmed | From Pan to Arras: Eleanor Farjeon and Edwardian Poetry |
| title_short | From Pan to Arras: Eleanor Farjeon and Edwardian Poetry |
| title_sort | from pan to arras eleanor farjeon and edwardian poetry |
| topic | eleanor farjeon edward thomas edwardian spiritual poetry first world war pan london poetic development poetic influence dymock poets |
| url | https://doi.org/10.2478/abcsj-2025-0002 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT middletonrowan frompantoarraseleanorfarjeonandedwardianpoetry |