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New Readings of Selected Works by Dante Gabriel Rossetti in the Context of Swedenborgian-Spiritualism

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Conjugial Love and the Afterlife: New Readings of Selected Works by Dante Gabriel Rossetti in the Context of Swedenborgian-Spiritualism Anna Francesca Maddison BA (Hons), MA A thesis submitted to the Department of English and History Edge Hill University for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy November 2013 Abstract This thesis re-examines selected works by Dante Gabriel Rossetti in the light of a specific engagement with Victorian spiritualism, which is characterised by an interest in the esoteric writings of the eighteenth-century mystic Emanuel Swedenborg. It locates Rossetti’s use of Swedenborgian imagery and ideas in his written and artistic work, contextualising it within his engagement with spiritualism, and with reference to his interest in a visionary tradition of literature. The thesis therefore furthers what has begun in embryo in both Rossetti and Victorian scholarship; drawing together two hitherto separate areas of research, to formulate new and detailed inter-disciplinary readings of Rossetti’s poetry, fine art and design. The critical approach is twofold, combining historical scholarship with textual analysis. A cultural context is re-established which uncovers a network of Swedenborgian and spiritualist circles, and through original research, Rossetti’s connections to these are revealed. The specific approach of these groups, which this thesis calls ‘Swedenborgian-spiritualism’ (thereby naming a new term), is characterised by an intellectual, literary interest in Swedenborg, coupled with a practical engagement with spiritualism, and a fascination with the mesmeric trance state. In addressing three major works, ‘The Blessed Damozel’ (1850), Beata Beatrix (c.1863-71) and The House of Life (1881), the thesis traces Rossetti’s engagement with Swedenborgian-spiritualism through three distinct phases in his career, the result of which facilitates a greater understanding of the development of his poetics and artistry. In addition, the thesis returns to earlier critical sources, which show a response to Rossetti in this light, and questions long rooted assumptions which persist in Rossetti scholarship. Thus, it adds to the body of critical literature on Rossetti by re- establishing context and readings which are needed in order to fully understand his work, and reinstating a critical engagement with Rossetti that has become sidelined, or forgotten. Table of Contents Declaration Acknowledgments List of Abbreviations Introduction 1 Part One: Background 8 Chapter 1: Literature Review 9 Chapter 2: Context 36 Part Two: The Dead Beloved 79 Chapter 3: The Blessed Damozel 80 Chapter 4: Beata Beatrix 127 Part Three: The House of Life 161 Chapter 5: The House of Life, 1 162 Chapter 6: The House of Life, 2 209 Conclusion 246 Bibliography 260 Illustrations 277 Declaration This thesis is entirely my own work and has not been submitted in any form for the award of a Higher Degree at any other educational institution. Acknowledgements “Would God I knew there were a God to thank, When thanks rise in me!” – Dante Gabriel Rossetti, notebook fragment I am indebted to the kindness and support of many people in the production of this thesis. First and foremost I must thank the two people who, without their unrivalled and constant emotional support, I could not have achieved this piece of work. They are my husband Andy and my mum Sheila. Their selfless love and belief in myself and my work has sustained me through what has been a long and, at times, stressful experience. They are closely followed by my dad Tom and brother John, who have also kept me going with their constant love and encouragement. Two friends in particular have been exceptional in their love and support. My best friend Jo Young has kept me going with her kindness, humour, sincerity and unswerving friendship, whilst my dear friend Jo Jones’ unwavering belief in me has been invaluable. Whilst on this personal note I want also to thank my sister-in-law Claire for her kindness and understanding and for sustaining me through trips to the gym and runs round Southport! I also thank, with sadness, my mother-in-law Wendy, who passed away last year. She was incredibly supportive of me and a lovely woman. To my succession of supervisors, I also give thanks! Firstly, I would like to acknowledge Professor George Talbot, who, since becoming my supervisor and seeing me through the final stages of writing up, has been excellent. His calm professionalism, kind demeanour and thorough feedback on my written work have been essential in getting this work to completion. Thanks also to Professor Linden Peach, and Dr. Gill Davies, who helped me through the difficult middle years, and were both enthusiastic and encouraging about my work. Last, but not least, thanks go to Professor John Simons, my first supervisor, whose enthusiasm for my initial idea set the ball rolling! A big thank you goes to Julie Proud in the Graduate School, who has been the only unchanging point of contact at the University since I began my research, and has been nothing short of excellent in answering the many queries I have sent her way over the years. Thanks also go to Richard Lines, Secretary of the Swedenborg Society, for his belief in this thesis, and for his excellent research on Swedenborgianism amongst the nineteenth-century literati. Abbreviations CL Emanuel Swedenborg, Conjugial Love, trans. by John Chadwick (London: Swedenborg Society, 1996) Correspondence The Correspondence of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, ed. by William E. Fredeman, 9 vols (Cambridge: Brewer, 2004-2010) [Number of volume accessed given in reference details] CPP Dante Gabriel Rossetti: Collected Poetry and Prose, ed. by Jerome McGann (New Haven and London, 2003) CW Dante Gabriel Rossetti: Collected Writings, ed. by Jan Marsh (London: J.M. Dent, 1999) DLW Emanuel Swedenborg, Divine Love and Wisdom, trans. by Clifford Harley and Doris H. Harley (London: Swedenborg Society, 1969; repr. 1987) HH Emanuel Swedenborg, Heaven and its Wonders and Hell, trans. by James Robson Rendell (London: Swedenborg Society, 1905) HH2 Emanuel Swedenborg, Heaven and Hell, trans. by K.C. Ryder (London: Swedenborg Society, 2010) List of Books William Michael Rossetti, A list of books belonging to D.G. Rossetti [c.1866] compiled 1905. Oxford, Bodleian Library, MS. Facs. d. 269 d (fols. 145-7) ODNB Oxford Dictionary of National Biography [Information regarding individual entries given in reference details] PRB Journal The P.R.B. Journal: William Michael Rossetti’s Diary of the Pre- Raphaelite Brotherhood 1849-1853, ed. by William E. Fredeman (Oxford: Clarendon press, 1975) RP Rossetti Papers 1862-1870, ed. by William Michael Rossetti (London: Sands, 1903; repr. New York: AMS, 1870) Rossetti Archive The Complete Writings and Pictures of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, ed. by Jerome J. McGann (A Hypermedia Archive) [http://www.rossettiarchive.org/index.html] [Information regarding specific entries given in reference details] SD William Michael Rossetti, Séance Diary (1865–8). Oxford, Bodleian Library, Angeli–Dennis Collection, Films 1676/3, Microfilm 3, Series A.1.3. Introduction This thesis re-examines the work of Dante Gabriel Rossetti within the context of a particular engagement with Victorian spiritualism. This context is characterised by an interest in the eighteenth-century mystic Emanuel Swedenborg, whose writings about the immortality of the soul and the nature of love and (reunion in) the afterlife enjoyed a revival in the mid-late nineteenth century in spiritualist circles. The early, and influential, histories of spiritualism, such as Frank Podmore’s Modern Spiritualism: A History and Criticism (1902) and The History of Spiritualism (1926) by Arthur Conan Doyle, begin by establishing the importance of Swedenborg and his visionary writings upon the growth of the movement. The casting of Swedenborg as ‘the first and greatest of modern mediums’ emphasises the nature of his influence:1 The idea of intercourse with distinctively human spirits, if not actually introduced by Swedenborg, at least established itself first in the popular consciousness through his teaching. Emanuel Swedenborg is therefore deservedly ranked as the first Spiritualist […]. His special contribution to the Spiritualist belief consists in his conception of a future life.2 It is this aspect of Swedenborg that influenced Rossetti and those of his immediate circle, rather than the beliefs of New Church Swedenborgians, who formed a religion from his writings, and had little interest in the association with Swedenborg in the development of Victorian spiritualism. Swedenborg’s ideas were also taken up by those interested in the literary and artistic traditions of esotericism. This was often also accompanied by an interest in mesmerism, in so far as it related to spiritualism in its connection to the idea of clairvoyant trance.3 This particular engagement with spiritualism has recently begun to be recognised in embryo, but not named, by a few recent revisionist writers on Victorian spiritualism, who identify a group of intellectual, literary Swedenborgians 1 Arthur Conan Doyle, The History of Spiritualism, 2 vols (London: Cassell and Company Ltd., 1926), 1, p. 12. 2 Frank Podmore, Modern Spiritualism: A History and Criticism, 2 vols (London: Methuen, 1902), 1, p. 15. 3 Mesmerism is seen as an essential aspect of the development of Victorian spiritualism. Most histories of the phenomenon include discussion of its importance. See for example Podmore, 1, chapters IV, VII and VIII; pp. 51-66, 92-131. 1 who engaged
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