Modern British Poetry

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26785

Title

Modern British Poetry

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This anthology captures the evolution of British poetry from 1870 to 1920, showcasing the transition from Victorian sentimentality to the rugged realism of the Georgian movement. Featuring luminaries like Hardy, Yeats, and Sassoon, it presents a diverse collection of lyrics, narratives, and war poems that reflect the era's shifting cultural and emotional landscapes.

Summary up to 500 words

Edited by Louis Untermeyer, *Modern British Poetry* serves as a comprehensive companion to *Modern American Poetry*, offering a detailed examination of British verse during a transformative era spanning roughly 1870 to 1920. The volume traces the evolution of English literature through seven distinct literary movements, beginning with the decay of Victorianism and the rise of Aestheticism, followed by the muscular influence of William Ernest Henley and the Celtic Revival in Ireland. The collection highlights the ascendancy of Rudyard Kipling, who glorified the material world and machinery, and the return of rhymed narrative through the work of John Masefield, who revitalized poetry with a mixture of beauty and brutality reminiscent of Chaucer. A significant portion of the anthology is dedicated to 'The Georgians,' a loose group of younger poets who rejected artificiality in favor of natural speech and ordinary life. This shift marked a move away from parochial romanticism toward a mature art form deeply connected to modern realities. The book documents the profound impact of World War I, featuring the fatalistic dramas of Thomas Hardy, the war poetry of Siegfried Sassoon and John McCrae, and the introspective nature of A.E. Housman. It also captures the mystical visions of W.B. Yeats and the Irish Literary Revival through works by J.M. Synge and James Stephens. By including poets from diverse backgrounds and styles, the anthology illustrates how English poetry adapted to new influences while maintaining its rich traditions. The text reveals that while American verse of the period was often sharp and experimental, English poetry was smoother and more mature, formulated and precise yet true to its past. Ultimately, the collection demonstrates how modern British poetry swung between various tendencies without losing its strength or nobility, bridging the gap between the old masters and the latest apostles of vigor.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Poetry