On+the+idle+hill+of+summer

The Victorian Era and //On the idle hill of summer//

__Victorian Era__
 * Started when Queen Victoria took power 1832 and lasted until 1901
 * Usually characterized as a long period of peace
 * Industry was increasing at a fast rate leading to middle class civilians gaining political power
 * Kirchoff wrote "Artistic styles, literary schools, also social, political, and religious movements flourished"
 * Science was advancing at a fast pace, leading many to question their beliefs
 * citizens and poets were very concerned with morals and respect
 * The development of communication links and new transportation means was an important part of the era
 * Railways were built all over the place and increased the trade of goods
 * clocks in Britain were set to "railway time"
 * the postage stamp was also introduced during this time period, unifying mail travel
 * Sadly though the Victorian era is famous for employing young children in mines and as chimney sweeps
 * many poets had a pessimistic view towards the way society functioned

__On the Idle hill of Summer__

On the idle hill of summer, Sleepy with the flow of streams, Far I hear the steady drummer Drumming like a noise in dreams. Far and near and low and louder On the roads of earth go by, Dear to friends and food for powder, Soldiers marching, all to die.

East and west on fields forgotten Bleach the bones of comrades slain, Lovely lads and dead and rotten; None that go return again. Far the calling bugles hollo, High the screaming fife replies, Gay the files of scarlet follow: Woman bore me, I will rise.


 * very pessimistic
 * "none that go return again"
 * personal life throughout
 * "Woman bore me, I will rise"
 * reality of life and death
 * "soldiers marching, all to die"

__Relationships/Summary__

The Victorian era was all about peace, prosperity, and great technological advances. This lead to many authors becoming pessimistic and questioning the beliefs of others and their morals. Housman was very pessimistic when he said "none that go return again". Life and death, along with references to a higher power were also very common. when "soldiers marching, all to die" was said, he showed how death was look at. Because of the relatively peaceful time period, many authors added personal things such as when Housman said "woman bore me, I will rise. Overall, //On the idle hill of summer// is a fascinating poem portraying many victorian literature reflecting many aspects of the time period.

Works cited

Kirchoff, Nick A. "Victorian England." Shelbycs.org.ShelbyvilleCentralSchools, 30 Aug. 2008. Web. 28 Apr. 2011.

Minton, Clark. "A. E. Housman Biography." Famous Poets and Poems - Read and Enjoy Poetry. Famous Poets and Poems, 2007. Web. 05 May 2011.

Leonard, Cohen. A E Housman. Digital image. A.E.Housman on Toads and Unicorns. Heck of a Guy, 18 Mar. 2009. Web. 22 May 2011