The Age of Tennyson

"The Age of Tennyson" by Hugh Walker is a historical account of English literature during the Victorian era, specifically from 1830 to 1870. The book delves into the literary landscape shaped by iconic figures such as Alfred Lord Tennyson and Robert Browning, exploring the broader cultural and social changes that influenced their work. It highlights how the period marks a transition from romanticism to a more critical exploration of truth and societal issues in literature. The opening of the text provides essential background on the historical context of the literary age, emphasizing the ramifications of the Napoleonic Wars and the subsequent societal shifts towards democracy and education. Walker discusses the challenges faced by writers of the time, including the literary implications of expanding readerships and the tension between emotional expression and logical discourse in writing. He characterizes the era as one in which literature began to grapple more seriously with social issues, setting the stage for a deeper analysis of both major poets and their contemporaries in the subsequent chapters of the book.