WHAT THE POETRY FOUNDATION SAYS ABOUT GEORGE ELIOT

POETRY FOUNDATION on GEORGE ELIOT's POETRY 

A literary biography here, one of the things I found fascinating about George, is her beginnings as a devout Christian which she eventually removed herself from.

Excerpt:  In 1841, Eliot came in contact with a group of philosophical thinkers, and her passionate commitment to Christianity began to find new directions  By early 1842 Eliot questioned the historical foundations of Christianity so much that she both abandoned her faith and stopped attending church services, a move that led to strenuous conflict with her father.  Eliot eventually resumed church attendance but did not return to active faith.

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If you're interested in women who were also writers and poets, who were also Mistresses or Courtesans, you might want to look into posts in my archives  for VERONICA FRANCO -February 2015 , CAROLE MALLORY June 2019 (Mistress of Norman Mailer), and PEARL KAZIN (Literary Editor of poet Dylan Thomas).

ABOUT SIR JOHN BETJEMAN THE POET - WHAT DID SHE SEE IN HIM? AND WHAT DID HE HAVE IN HER?

While Lady Elizabeth Cavendish said nothing about her relationship with Sir John Betjeman, he was, before his recognition and as a poet laureate from 1972 until his death, a public figure. To clarify, a poet laureate is defined as a poet appointed for life as a member of the British royal household or one who honorarily represents a particular country. He was extremely popular. The honor came from Queen Elizabeth II. Born in 1906 he was not a young man when he was given this honor.

An only child who was a bit alone and didn't enjoy sports, he recognized poetry as his profession young and hated school as a boy. College at Oxford turned out to be much better as at least there were some literary people there he could relate to. He left there in 1928 without a degree but within a few years he published his first book of poetry.

POETRY FOUNDATION - John Betjeman

INTERESTING LITERATURE ; 10 GREAT BETJEMAN POEMS EVERYONE SHOULD READ

He was introduced on a country weekend to Penelope, his wife, who was from an upper class family that thought she could do better. He was considered to be a middle class man of Dutch heritage, not their kind.

World War II he, his wife, and his first child went to Ireland as an attaché to represent Britain. At one point the IRA wanted to assassinate him. It didn't help that being from a Dutch heritage he was at time taunted that he was the enemy - a German. He was suspected of being a spy.

He loved architecture, especially churches. He became known for architectural preservation of London churches. He was Knighted in 1969.

Betjemen had a sense of humor as well as the keen observer's view point. A number of thematic films for television were made that were popular among the British. These films were designed to showcase a series of poems. As someone who observed and commented on ordinary life, it's my idea that people from all walks of life could relate to his work.

In a YouTube video, called The Real John Betjeman, a documentary of 45 minutes or so, various people who knew the man give their opinions on what he was up to with a wife and mistress. I was glad to find this video which includes a bit about Lady Elizabeth Cavendish.

YOUTUBE VIDEO : THE REAL JOHN BETJEMEN Poster is Aaron Marchant - Poetry and Verse. Source is UK Channel 4 and it appeared in 2000. 

It's suggested that the big crisis in his marriage was when Penelope converted to Roman Catholicism while he remained Anglican. It's suggested that the couple loved each other but were incompatible. (It's not lost on me that Catholics were not to be divorced but Anglicans were able and that he wrote poetry about churches and was involved in preserving some. Am I the only one who sees her move as a Big Rebellion against her husband?)  At around 33 minutes into this documentary, an "expert" who is not identified says "What John needed was a sort of a Victorian wife who would minister to him - almost a nursemaid."  Another expert says he thinks it would have been impossible for him to go on if he had not met Lady Elizabeth!  He says John and Elizabeth always lived in separate houses and that was the arrangement. (Yes there are some photos of her and the two together.) So at least there was an acknowledgement of her, unlike many an obituary; even the New York Times focused on the poetry and avoided his personal life.

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WRITE YOUR OWN LOVE POETRY - POETRY FOUNDATION ADVICE!

POETRY FOUNDATION : HOW TO WRITE A LOVE POEM 

You don't want it too sticky sweet.  You may not want to promise the world.

How do you write a love poem to the current Love of Your Life?

In this article there's a few poets taking their turns at giving advice.

Get that beautiful paper and a flowing pen out!

Excerpt: But as always, this Valentine's Day will prompt reams of gushy, heartfelt doggerel, reminding us that the greeting card industry relies on mass consumption of singsong rhymes to accompany the roses and chocolate-covered cherries.