Poems and Lyrics of the Joy of Earth

"Poems and Lyrics of the Joy of Earth" by George Meredith is a collection of poetry written in the late 19th century. This work encompasses various themes about nature, love, life, and the human experience, showcasing the intricate relationship between individuals and the natural world. Meredith’s lyrical style and rich imagery invite readers into a reflective exploration of joy, interspersed with profound philosophical insights. The beginning of the collection introduces readers to the enchanting "Woods of Westermain," where nature’s beauty is alive with vivid descriptions of its flora and fauna. The speaker beckons those who dare to enter these woods, describing the harmony and magic found within nature while cautioning against the lurking fears that may accompany such exploration. This opening sets the stage for a journey through the poetic landscapes of Meredith's work, establishing a celebratory tone for the joys of life, the complexities of human emotions, and the awe-inspiring elements of the earth. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

George Meredith was an English novelist and poet of the Victorian era. At first, his focus was poetry, influenced by John Keats among others, but Meredith gradually established a reputation as a novelist. The Ordeal of Richard Feverel (1859) briefly scandalised Victorian literary circles. Of his later novels, the most enduring is The Egoist (1879), though in his lifetime his greatest success was Diana of the Crossways (1885). His novels were innovative in their attention to characters' psychology, and also portrayed social change. His style, in both poetry and prose, was noted for its syntactic complexity; Oscar Wilde likened it to "chaos illumined by brilliant flashes of lightning". Meredith was an encourager of other novelists, as well as an influence on them; among those to benefit were Robert Louis Stevenson and George Gissing. Meredith was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature seven times.