"Pippa Passes" is a beautifully written and thought-provoking play by Robert Browning. The story follows Pippa, a young girl who unknowingly influences the lives of those around her as she walks through the town on New Year's Day. The characters she encounters each have their own struggles and desires, and Pippa's innocence and pure heart seem to bring about change in their lives.
Browning's poetic language stands out in this work, creating vivid images and emotions that draw the reader in. The themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the power of small actions are explored throughout the play, making it a timeless and relatable piece of literature.
Overall, "Pippa Passes" is a gripping and moving work that delves into the complexities of human nature and the ways in which our actions can impact others. It is a must-read for fans of classic literature and those who appreciate rich storytelling and complex characters.
Book Description:
Pippa Passes was a dramatic piece, as much play as poetry, by Robert Browning published in 1841 as the first volume of his Bells and Pomegranates series.
The author described the work as the first of a series of dramatic pieces. His original idea was of a young, innocent girl, moving unblemished through the crime-ridden neighbourhoods of Asolo. The work caused outrage when it was first published, due to the matter-of-fact portrayals of many of the area’s more disreputable characters – notably the adulterous Ottima – and for its frankness on sexual matters. Perhaps the most famous passage is below:
The year’s at the spring,
And day’s at the morn;
Morning’s at seven;
The hill-side’s dew-pearled;
The lark’s on the wing;
The snail’s on the thorn;
God’s in his Heaven -
All’s right with the world!