Victorian to Modern

I am very interested in the literature from this particular period. There were so many changes going on in the world. I believe that the artists and authors of this time were the most accurate and true recorders of history. One of the changes that I saw present in this weeks reading versus theose prior came from Thomas Hardy's works. There was a negativity about his poems that was unique. They had a totally different feel than the Romanic period poems. ALthough those still had some negative messages and gloom about them, his works seemed bitter. Particularly in refernce to religion or God. Earlier poems showed a reverence or apreciation for faith. But Hardy's poems, "Channel Firing" and "Hap" almost spoke agianst God or religion in a sardonic way. In "Hap", Hardy talks about a "vengeful god" that brings about pain and sorrow instead of beauty and life. And "Channel Firing" is about dead ministers or preachers that are now looking back on their lives wishing they had spent their time doing something else. Apparently, there is a war going on above where they are fallen. The dead men say that nothing will help, those fighting for a cause are wasting thier time fighting for "Christes". It sounds to me like Hardy had a few bad experience wth religion or God. On a lighter note, I really liked Edwin Arlington Robinson's pieces; particularly "George Crabbe". I thought the rhyme scheme was unique and suiting. After reading Emily Dickinson last week and other peots who write in free verse without rhyming, this poem was refreshing...even given its context. I enjoy A B B A rhyme. (I think I said that right??!!!) The rhymth is more natural when I hear it in my head. Yet, I know from trying myself it is not always that easiest rhythm to make flow. Concluding, I enjoyed Robinson's poems a great deal.