In order to answer an essay question on any poem it is vital that you understand what it is about. This section includes:
- The poem in a nutshell
- A “translation” of the poem, section-by-section
- A commentary of each of these sections, outlining George Eliot’s intention and message
“In a London Drawing Room” in a nutshell
“In a London Drawing Room”, written by the Victorian poet George Eliot, examines London’s urbanisation. The speaker’s critical observations on the view outside comment on the joylessness and disconnection between human beings in the absence of nature.
“In a London Drawing Room” breakdown
Line 1
“The sky is cloudy, yellowed by the smoke.”
Translation
- The poem begins describing the speaker’s view from inside their house, specifically from their Drawing Room (living room)
- The speaker describes the sky as cloudy and polluted: “yellowed”
Eliot’s intention
- The first line of Eliot’s poem describes a sky that is unnatural and not clear
- The “yellowed smoke” refers to pollution created by factories
- By beginning the poem this way, Eliot makes it clear the speaker is describing a gloomy, polluted world outside the house
Lines 2–4
“For view there are the houses opposite
Cutting the sky with one long line of wall
Like solid fog: far as the eye can stretch”
Translation
- The speaker tells the reader that the view consists entirely of rows of houses
- The speaker describes the wall of houses as blocking the sky like thick fog
Eliot’s intention
- Eliot expands on the description of the view, using metaphorical language to imply the horizon consists solely of walls:
- The speaker’s comparison of the row of walls to “solid fog” emphasises the gloom
- Eliot alludes to an invisible sky, implying the absence of nature
Lines 5–6
“Monotony of surface & of form
Without a break to hang a guess upon.”
Translation
- The speaker describes the view as monotonous, lacking in colour and variety
- The speaker suggests the uniformity leaves no mysteries to “guess upon”
Eliot’s intention
- Eliot wishes to draw attention to the “sameness” of the view, implying it does not change:
- The poet suggests that this leads to a lack of imagination
- Eliot alludes to the idea that urbanisation undermines the mysteries of life and the natural world
Lines 7–9
“No bird can make a shadow as it flies,
For all is shadow, as in ways o’erhung
By thickest canvass, where the golden rays”
Translation
- The speaker describes the way the buildings block out the sun
- She describes the city covered in a thick material, which the rays of sun cannot penetrate
Eliot’s intention
- Eliot describes urban London as dark and without light or warmth:
- The speaker repeats “shadow” to emphasise the gloom
- The contrast of natural imagery with man-made objects highlights aspects of the natural world that are missing
Lines 10–12
“Are clothed in hemp. No figure lingering
Pauses to feed the hunger of the eye
Or rest a little on the lap of life.”
Translation
- The speaker suggests London is “clothed” in a thick material (“hemp”)
- The speaker observes the absence of people relaxing
- The speaker suggests nobody takes a moment to enjoy life
Eliot’s intention
- Eliot’s metaphorical language alludes to rest as crucial to survival:
- The reference to “feed” and “hunger” implies that relaxation is as vital as eating
- Eliot suggests that, in this new world, human beings do not pause to enjoy life
Lines 13–16
“All hurry on & look upon the ground,
Or glance unmarking at the passers by
The wheels are hurrying too, cabs, carriages
All closed, in multiplied identity.”
Translation
- The speaker describes the people they see from their view
- The individuals are in such a hurry they do not interact with each other
- The reference to “hurrying” vehicles describes the people rushing around the city
- The speaker suggests a lack of individuality in the mass of people
Eliot’s intention
- Eliot draws attention to Victorian industrialisation:
- The repetition of fast transportation implies a negative consequence of this industrialisation, as humans appear to always be in a hurry
- Eliot’s repetition of “All” presents the rush of people as extensive, applying to every person in London:
- This suggests the pervasiveness of urbanisation
- Eliot considers the way human beings have lost their identity as individuals:
- She alludes to the idea that humans have become one “closed” body
Lines 17–19
“The world seems one huge prison-house & court
Where men are punished at the slightest cost,
With lowest rate of colour, warmth & joy.”
Translation
- The speaker describes London as restrictive by comparing it to a “prison-house”
- The speaker concludes that the new urban world lacks compassion and pleasure
- It is suggested that the city punishes its citizens
Eliot’s intention
- Eliot implies that a negative consequence of industrialisation is that human beings (“men”) have become limited :
- Humans are treated harshly and without individuality
- Eliot believes this imprisons people
- Eliot criticises the way the homogenised city lacks humanity and interest (“colour, warmth and joy”)