III.
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Bishop’s Life. Cf. Ideal of Critic (ll. 49-143, 230-240, 749-805). Cf. A Grammarian’s Funeral, Dîs Aliter Visum, Rabbi Ben Ezra, etc.
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IV.
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How far schemes of life reconcilable—Difficulties of consistency in either (ll. 144-212).
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V.
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Positions compared—Advantages of belief (ll. 213-431).
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VI.
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Is life divorced from faith possible? (ll. 432-554.)
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VII.
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Recognition of value of enthusiasm result of faith (ll. 555-646).
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VIII.
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Is “pure faith” possible? (ll. 647-748.)
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IX.
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Deeper thoughts suggested:
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Faith increased through conflict with Doubt.
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Truth essential to Life.
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Mystical element of Blougram’s faith.
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LECTURE IV
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CHRISTMAS EVE AND EASTER DAY (i)
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Special interest of poems, common and individual.
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Christmas Eve. Faith corporate.
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I.
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Realism in Art, I-IV—Zion Chapel and Methodism—Soliloquist at first capable of criticism only—Inspiration of Love wanting (ll. 117-118, 139-184).
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II.
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Truth absolute, IV-IX—God revealed in Nature as Power and Love—Knowledge finite, Love infinite.
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The Vision (ll. 373-520)—Essentials of worship, spirit and truth.
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III.
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Rome, St. Peter’s, X-XII. Symbolism or materialism in worship?
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IV.
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German University, XIII-XVIII—Historic criticism by Lecturer of Christian creed—Treatment of criticism by soliloquist.
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V.
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Mental attitude, result of night’s experience, XIX-XXI.
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|
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(i) Easy tolerance, succeeded by (ii) realization of necessity of individual acceptance of creed.
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VI.
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Return to Zion Chapel and ultimate choice of creed, XXII. Reasons for choice.
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LECTURE V
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CHRISTMAS EVE AND EASTER DAY (ii)
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Easter Day. Faith individual.
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Part I,
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Sections I-XII. Discussion between First Speaker, struggling with difficulties involved in practical acceptance of Christianity, and Second Speaker, who would hold the Faith without question.
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First Speaker, I (ll. 1-12, 15-17, 21-28), III, V, VII (ll. 171-203), VIII, X, XII.
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Second Speaker, I (ll. 13, 14, 18-20), II, IV, VI, VII (ll. 204-226), IX, XI.
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Part II.
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The Vision. Sections XIII-XXXIII.
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Introductory, XIII, XIV.
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The Judgment, XV-XXII; Character of.
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Results. Freedom in complete possession of Earth. No satisfaction derivative therefrom in (a) Nature, XXIII, XXIV; (b) Art, XXV, XXVI; (c) Intellectual attainment, XXVII, XXVIII; (d) Love—sought as final refuge, XXIX-XXX (l. 969).
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Argument in favour of credibility of Gospel story, XXX (ll. 969-990).
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Ultimate results of Vision—Acceptance of existing uncertainty rather than of satiety within temporal limitations, XXXI-XXXIII.
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LECTURE VI
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CHRISTMAS EVE AND EASTER DAY (iii)
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General character of poems. How far dramatic?
|
Expression of Browning’s personal opinions under dramatic guise on
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I.
|
Doctrine of the Incarnation.
|
II.
|
Faith and Life temporal.
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III.
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Judgment and Future Punishment.
|
Dramatic element stronger in references to
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IV.
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Roman Catholicism.
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V.
|
Nonconformity of “Zion Chapel.”
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VI.
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Asceticism.
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LECTURE VII
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LA SAISIAZ
|
Peculiar interest attaching as direct expression of Browning’s thought.
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General character of poem. Cf. Prospice.
|
Prologue outcome of conclusions of poem.
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Circumstances giving rise to La Saisiaz.
|
Death of Miss Egerton-Smith, 1877.
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Analysis of Poem.
|
A.
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Prelude (ll. 1-404).
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