Aurora Leigh

By Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Aurora Leigh is Elizabeth Barrett Browning's ambitious narrative poem, blending the personal journey of a woman with broader social commentary. Written in blank verse, this novel-in-verse traces the life of Aurora, an orphan raised by her aunt, as she strives to become a poet while challenging societal norms of her time.

Throughout the work, Aurora reflects on the role of poetry and art. In a key passage from Book 5, she declares:

"The artist’s part is both to see and to reproduce — he sees the near thing and the distant, makes both visible alike, as God does."

This insight underscores Aurora's belief in the power of poetry to connect the immediate with the eternal, capturing life in its fullest dimensions.

Originally published in 1856, Aurora Leigh remains a notable work for its exploration of feminism, creativity, and the intersection of personal and political realms.

Title: Aurora Leigh

Author: Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Condition: Very Good

Binding: Bound Green Boards

Publisher: Tauchnitz

Publication Date: 1872