Elizabeth Barrett Browning Analysis

Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a highly accomplished poet, and this in a time period in which heavy sexism made it almost impossible to do so. Browning was truly an eloquent writer, and in her 1857 letter to Napoleon III, tried to persuade him to pardon the recently exiled Victor Hugo. While Browning never actually mailed the letter, she takes a variety of standpoints during it, although, a reserved yet mocking tone remains throughout. Browning acknowledges sexism and panders to Napoleon so that the idea of pardoning Hugo will seem more appealing. Barrett Browning takes on the perspective of Napoleon III through self-deprecation in a climate of sexism. At that time it was clear that there was widespread sexism throughout many parts of the world; many women could not vote, few women worked, and far fewer women received higher education. However, it was still
Browning, being an expressive writer, was able to work vivid imagery into a letter with a specific purpose. This imagery brings a deeper meaning to the claim which she is making, and in some cases even threw mocking jabs at the president. She begins her use of color by telling Napoleon to, “Let no tear of an admirer of [Hugo’s] poetry drop upon your purple,” (Line 54). Purple, a color which signifies luxury, royalty, and nobility is used to downplay Napoleon as a great leader. This is done through the knowledge that Napoleon's poor subjects, many of whom loved Hugo, are in sorrow while he is going on with his life as normal without a care. This represents Napoleon not caring for the wellbeing of his people in the way in which Browning thinks he should. While Napoleon may have been a powerful leader, he, like most leaders of his time, lived a life of luxury, while most of the people were poor, and the use of such a noble color represents how Napoleon may not treat his people as well as he