Pre-Victorian elements in
 Rabbi Ben Ezra by Robert Browning

“Rabbi Ben Ezra” (1864) by Robert Browning reflects philosophical and literary ideas that were common long before the Victorian age. Although the poem was written during the Victorian period, its themes and approach feel closer to earlier traditions. In this blog, I explore the pre-Victorian elements in Rabbi Ben Ezra and how Browning uses them to express his ideas about the relationship between God and the individual.

The poem can be considered pre-Victorian in spirit because it focuses less on social issues and more on personal reflection. One of its strongest themes is ageing and mortality. Instead of fearing old age or death, Browning presents them as meaningful stages of life. The speaker accepts growing older with calmness and even hope, believing that life’s later years bring spiritual growth and a deeper connection with God. This positive view of ageing reflects earlier philosophical beliefs that saw life as a gradual preparation for the soul’s union with the divine.

Religion plays an important role in the poem, especially through biblical references and spiritual imagery. Browning uses these elements to explore how human life fits into God’s larger plan. The poem suggests that struggles, failures, and unanswered questions are not meaningless but are part of a purposeful journey. Through this idea, Browning highlights the complex relationship between God and humanity.

What makes Rabbi Ben Ezra especially reflective of pre-Victorian sensibilities is its focus on the individual's inner life. The speaker openly confronts fears, doubts, and uncertainties, making the poem deeply personal and introspective. Rather than following social conventions or moral expectations, the poem concentrates on understanding life’s purpose from a spiritual and philosophical point of view.

Overall, the pre-Victorian elements in Rabbi Ben Ezra give the poem a unique character. While Victorian literature often emphasised social reform, morality, and sentiment, Browning’s poem looks inward, celebrating personal growth, faith, and the lifelong search for meaning. This blend of philosophy and reflection is what makes Rabbi Ben Ezra both thoughtful and timeless.

When the Sun Took a Day Off

After a week of bright, sunny days and yesterday’s heat that almost made us feel as if summer was on its way, everything changed this morning. Dark clouds roamed across the sky, and strong winds blew relentlessly. The moment I stepped outside, I felt a sudden shiver run through me. Soon after, a light drizzle began, as though the weather had been waiting for the perfect moment to surprise us.

As I walked along the road, I noticed that most people were not using umbrellas. Walking with my bright blue umbrella made me feel strange and a little out of place. There were moments when I thought of folding it and keeping it in my bag, but the cold raindrops changed my mind. I was afraid of falling sick, which would be especially unpleasant during winter.

Everyone seemed to be waiting for the sky to clear. Usually, after around 9 a.m., the sun slowly peeps out and warms the day. In rooms where artificial lights are normally unnecessary, sunlight provides all the brightness needed. Today, however, since the sun seemed to be on leave, the bulbs had to take over and use their own energy. Even though the sun refused to appear, the sky gradually became brighter. The rain stopped, but the roads were filled with puddles, reflecting the grey sky above.

The park was wet and muddy, so children could not play outside, which was surely disappointing for them. The day felt unusual, neither completely gloomy nor cheerful, caught somewhere between winter’s chill and the promise of warmer days. It was a gentle reminder that nature often changes its mood without warning.

Winter's slow awakening

Saturday morning usually makes one feel extremely lazy. But today, even the weather looks gloomier than an upset child. A chilly and harsh morning is generally followed by a bright, sunny afternoon to balance the day. However, today, a thick layer of fog spread across the sky, and the barely visible roads made the situation much worse. It felt as though the weather was waiting for schools to reopen, only to become colder. The roads were invisible as layers of cloud descended to the ground. Clouds are not only seen from flights; they are clearly visible on Delhi roads during winter.

The only visible lights came from the headlights of vehicles desperately rushing to their workplaces. It was troublesome wearing too many clothes, which felt suffocating, while wearing too few could make one sick. Covering the hands and face was necessary, or they would turn numb. Just five minutes away from home, my legs seemed to stop working, making it difficult to move forward. My eyes burned, my nose turned red, and my palms froze. The cold was far from pleasant, as warming up became essential. Even with shoes and socks on, my toes remained icy, causing pain.

Winters may be beautiful, but they can also be painful. This might be the reason why many poets associate winter with sorrow. Waiting for the sun to rise in such cold weather surely brings hope. People stand in the sunlight to absorb warmth, a sight quite different from summer, when everyone tries to hide from the heat. As noon approached, the sun peeked out from its hiding place, offering slight relief on this chilly day. Thus, the day moved on, marked by the contrast between the freezing morning and the warmth of the afternoon.

A Pleasant Detour 

I set out to visit one place, but along the way, I got distracted, adding new places to my list of must-visit spots. Standing in the metro for a long time felt congested due to the heavy rush during peak working hours. After exiting the station, I decided to walk instead.

As I walked, I noticed a unique restaurant that instantly caught my attention, and I made a mental note to visit it later as the assigned task needs to be completed first. A little further ahead, I came across a small park with a pond at its centre, which felt calm and inviting.

        

After finishing my work, I returned to the park to relax and take a walk. Students were seated nearby, feeding the fish and spending time together. Pigeons had gathered on the ground, pecking at the grains scattered around. It surely was a peaceful winter afternoon filled with warmth radiating from the sun.

Soon hunger struck, and a railway-themed restaurant came to my mind. I walked over to it and was fascinated by its design; it looked like a train both inside and out, complete with couches, a pantry-style setup, dim lighting, and soft music that created a pleasant ambience. The restaurant served South Indian food, especially Kerala cuisine, and the signboard was written in Malayalam.

With a full stomach and a happy heart, I walked back to the metro station to catch my ride home, which was about an hour away. This time, I found a seat, leaned back, listened to music, and relaxed with my eyes closed.

 A stressful morning is never how anyone wants to begin a Monday. The chill in the air and the thick blanket of fog hardly promised a pleasant start to the day. The weather seemed to work against everyone, and no one was willing to accept rides on Rapido or Uber. Each rejection added to the growing anxiety as time kept slipping away.

After a few failed attempts, luck finally showed up in an unexpected form. Two riders initially accepted the request, and soon after, we found an auto uncle nearby. When we asked him, he readily agreed without hesitation. The destination was quite far, and the journey took almost an hour. With every passing minute, the fear of being late grew stronger.

Just when I thought I wouldn’t make it at all, the auto uncle surprised me. He drove swiftly along the nearly empty roads, cutting through the fog with confidence. Even though I arrived three minutes late, I was still allowed to enter. That small moment felt like a blessing. I had prepared myself for the worst, and instead, relief washed over me.

After the exam, hunger took over completely. It clouded my thoughts and left me desperately searching for something filling and comforting. I wandered around, hoping to find something delicious, but luck didn’t seem as kind this time. Still, the search itself felt lighter now that the main worry was over.

The journey back was long and exhausting, filled with hours spent on the metro. The cold morning had slowly turned into a sunny afternoon, yet neither the chill nor the warmth brought much comfort. Fatigue settled in, reminding me how draining the day had been.

Yet, as the day came to an end, the stress slowly faded into calm. What began as a tense and uncertain morning concluded on a peaceful note. That is the beauty of unexpected moments, they arrive quietly and remind us that even the most stressful beginnings can lead to gentle endings.

When time slips by

Moments before the ticking clock 

Life keeps us constantly busy. If I am asked what I did this month, everything feels blurred, as time keeps ticking without pause. Mornings slip away at the workplace, and evenings feel so short that before we realise it, it is already time to rest. Perhaps it feels this way during winter, when days are shorter and nights are longer, creating the illusion that time is moving faster than we can catch up with.

Amid this constant rush, it becomes difficult to sit, relax, and have conversations beyond work. I often wonder if it is truly okay to be this busy. The lack of idle time makes me question whether I can still find space for hobbies and reflection, or if it is just a feeling that time itself is shrinking day by day.

As the year slowly draws to a close, it feels like the right moment to pause and look back. Reflecting on the year brings forth memories of joys, blessings, fellowship, companionship, and valuable lessons, almost like flipping through a picture book of the past year. The mistakes we made and the regrets we carried can serve as lessons, guiding us into the coming year with greater wisdom.

While reading through my journal, I felt a sense of comfort and nostalgia. The small details of each day took me back in time, as if I were watching my life unfold once again. So much has happened during the year that I might have forgotten if not for these written memories.

The human brain is truly fascinating. It tends to store only what feels necessary or significant, while smaller details quietly fade away. Yet, these memories resurface when the moment demands it, sometimes triggered by the smallest hint. Life mirrors this process as well, moving through challenges while also celebrating moments of joy.

As this year walks toward its end, it leaves behind experiences, lessons, and memories, while the next year patiently awaits ready to be written, one day at a time.

When Guests Become Family

Guests are always welcome in every Indian household. We live by the saying “Atithi Devo Bhava,” which means that a guest is like God and must be treated with respect. However, at times, the label guest creates a sense of formality and awkwardness. The feeling is completely different when the person is close and treated like family.

A small fellowship or gathering with a comfortable group feels truly special. Sitting together, talking, bonding, and sharing food creates a sense of warmth and belonging. This entire month was centred on sharing, caring, and fellowship. The last two days, in particular, were about two different families coming together and eating as one. Such moments are special because, despite busy schedules, we rarely find time to gather in this way.

The cutlery reserved for guests, hidden away in cupboards, finally comes into use. If it could speak, it would surely shout, “Hurray!” This is followed by a long process of cleaning and arranging, often cleaning an already clean room. Yet, the moment guests arrive, we somehow notice a spot we had missed earlier.

All the effort and tiredness fade away when everyone finally sits together to enjoy a hot meal not just eating, but truly savouring every last grain of rice. In the end, it is not only the guests who leave with happiness; the family that hosts them feels equally blessed and fulfilled.