First Published in 1960, Critical Essays on the Poetry of Tennyson presents a collection of essays, most of which have been previously published in periodicals and written by renowned critics of Tennyson’s work. The books discusses important themes like Tennyson in temporal contexts; Tennyson in artistic contexts; a study of the Hesperides; study of Demeter and Persephone; Tennyson’s 'Ulysses'; Tennyson’s Maud and Tennyson’s Idylls. This is a must read for scholars of English poetry and English literature.
Preface Introduction: Tennyson, A Review of Modern Criticism John Kilham Part I: Tennyson in Temporal Contexts- The Victorian and the Modern 1. The Age of Tennyson G. M. Young 2. Tennyson as a Modern Poet Arthur J. Carr Part II: Tennyson in Artistic Contexts 3. Tennyson and Picturesque Poetry H. M McLuhan 4. Tennyson and the Romantic Epic H. M. McLuhan Part III: Symbol and Myth- Modes of Indirection 5. Tennyson’s Garden of Art: A Study of the Hesperides G. Robert Stange 6. Symbolism in Tennyson's Minor Poems Elizabeth Hillman Waterston 7. The ‘High-Born Maiden’ Symbol in Tennyson Lionel Stevenson 8. Tennyson’s Mythology: Study of Demeter and Persephone G. Robert Stange Part IV: Various Readings: I Ulysses 9. The Dilemma of Tennyson W. W. Robson 10. Tennyson’s 'Ulysses'- A Reinterpretation E. J. Chiasson II. ‘Tears, Idle Tears’ 11. The Motivation of Tennyson’s Weeper Cleanth Brooks 12. ‘Tears, Idle Tears’ Graham Hough 13. ‘Tears, Idle Tears’ Again Leo Spitzer Part V: In Memoriam 14. In Memoriam T.S. Eliot Part VI: Maud 15. Tennyson’s Maud- The Function of the Imagery John Killham Part VII: Idylls of the King- A Fresh View 16. Tennyson’s Idylls F.E. L. Priestley Index
Biography
John Killham
Reviews of the original publication:
“Mr. Kilham agrees that Tennyson’s poetry deserves and can hold a twentieth century audience. Mr. Kilham’s book is a collection of essays, most of which have been previously published in periodicals, by over a dozen of Tennyson’s recent and sympathetic critics. In the survey of recent criticism with which he prefaces his collection, Mr. Killham argues for yet more sympathy, asking critics to record not just the historical and psychological interest but also the pleasure they find in Tennyson, and reminding them of Wordsworth’s remark that if even one of a poet’s works pleases us, we should return with new expectation to what has before displeased.’’
D. J. G., Victorian Studies, Vol. 4, No. 3 (Mar. 1961),
