The Politics of Canonisation Among Women Poets of the Romantic Era

Abstract

The Romantic period (late 18th to mid-19th century) is traditionally defined by the works of male poets such as William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Lord Byron, while the contributions of women poets were marginalized or erased through the canonization process. This paper examines the socio-political and cultural factors that influenced the exclusion of women poets from the Romantic canon, focusing on the roles played by male-dominated literary societies, critics, and editors. By scrutinizing the works prominent women poets like Anna Laetitia Barbauld, Charlotte Smith, and Mary Robinson, the analysis highlights the gendered assumptions about literary value that led to the devaluation of their works. Feminist literary criticism and modern re-evaluations of Romanticism have led to the recovery of these poets, expanding the understanding of the Romantic period. Despite these efforts, challenges remain in fully integrating women poets into the established canon. The research paper concludes with recommendations for further investigation into the politics of canon formation, advocating for a more inclusive approach to literary history.