Tennyson's Shadow Imagery

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the use of metaphors of light, darkness and shadows in Tennyson's work. The use of these images are paralleled with grief, death and loss of a loved one. The paper shows how the shadow imagery not only embodies the depths of Tennyson's emotional response to unspeakable grief, but aids in revealing the consolation Tennyson finds in his belief in spiritual communion, reincarnation and immortality.

From the Paper:

"The first use of the word shadow does not appear until section XVI. The word shade, however, occurs in the Prologue. Since the poem was written over a nearly twenty year period and not originally intended to be brought together as one entity, it is probable that the Prologue, known to be written in 1849, was intended to help unite the poem thematically. With the use of the word shade here Tennyson initiates the light/dark contrast. When he says "Thine are these orbs of light and shade;" he is contrasting not only life and death, but also bright shining faith in the "immortal Love" of the "Strong Son of God," with dark despairing doubt. His prominent use of light and shade here at the start is meant to give notice to the reader that these images are to be significant to the work as a whole. He is stating that it is by "faith alone" that we trust that we are not "made to die." Much of Tennyson's dark doubt comes from the fact that he must believe that this is a "just" God, the giver of life and the reaper of death who has his foot on the very human skulls that he created."

More papers on Tennyson's Shadow Imagery:

• Analytical Essay # 50986 : "Tennyson's "The Lady of Shalott"
• Analytical Essay # 7613 : "Characterization in Tennyson's 'Ulysses'"
• Analytical Essay # 140218 : "The Innovative Aspects of Tennyson's "Maud"

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