Joanna Baillie: Early foundations, Romantic poetry, and poetics.

Joanna Baillie (1762--1851) is a seminal figure in the Romantic movement, whose poetry, and poetics warrants re-examination. She is one of many women who have faded away since their period of fame. This study examines Baillie\u27s Prefaces, her poetry, and songs as a collective contribution to the early Romantic movement. Her verse, and songs remain virtually unconsidered by critics since their conception. Her poetics is considered in an era of changing literary taste. Baillie\u27s prose, and poetry express her belief in sympathetic curiosity, and natural representation in language. Her literary life, and its influence upon the evolution of her Romantic ideals is examined. She is a precursory figure who anticipated Wordsworth, offering her readers a theoretical framework that celebrates the subtleties and shadings of the human heart, and human psyche. Additionally, she was a member of Britain\u27s literary circle, and her friendship with Sir Walter Scott provided a reciprocal and critical literary relationship. Baillie\u27s career is critiqued by the Quarterly Review LXVII (1841); their commentary on Baillie\u27s Fugitive Verses is analysed for inaccuracy and bias, followed by a review of Night Scenes of Other Times, Fragment of a Poem, Thunder, and A Mother to her Waking Infant. The final chapters of this study looks at Baillie as the songstress of Scotland; and Lines to Agnes Baillie is considered as a Romantic anthem, defining Baillie\u27s poetics. Joanna Baillie enjoyed a dynamic literary career as a playwright, poet, editor, critic, lyricist, and prolific correspondent. She warrants a place in a restored literary canon.Dept. of English Language, Literature, and Creative Writing. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis1998 .W45. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 39-02, page: 0359. Adviser: Katherine Quinsey. Thesis (M.A.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1998