Romanticism, Nature, and Society: Analyzing Coleridge's 'Kubla Khan'

This essay provides a comprehensive analysis of Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem, 'Kubla Khan,' focusing on its portrayal of nature, its critique of society, and its reflection of the Romantic period. The essay examines the poem's imaginative and fragmented structure, highlighting Coleridge's use of metaphors and his commentary on societal issues. It explores the themes of leisure, the influence of opium, and the contrasting depictions of the pleasure dome and Xanadu, which symbolize the disparities between the aristocracy and the working class. The essay also discusses the poem's reflection of social norms, the interruption of the dream, and the poem's overall significance in depicting 19th-century English society. The essay references various critical sources to support its arguments and offers insights into the poem's enduring relevance.

Running head: ENGLISH
English
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Samuel Taylor Coleridge is one of the most prominent poets of the romantic period for
portraying the features of the period. One of his most famous poems are ‘Kubla Khan’. In this
poem, the fragmented imaginations of the poet are the basic pillars of writing this poem. In this
poem, the poet has implemented several metaphors through which the he has also made wide
criticism of the contemporary society as well (Watson: 26). The imaginative and creative
viewpoints have made way for the vivid descriptions of the society and presenting nature as a
dangerous aspect.
Thesis statement: The portrayal of nature as something dangerous represents the chaotic
features and Coleridge criticizes the society.
Throughout the poem, it has been shown that Coleridge was very much conscious while
writing this poem. The use of the word ‘reverie’ has been found in the narratives of Coleridge
himself. This represents the critique of the society since most people in the society used to spend
their days in leisure and reverie. It has been admitted by Coleridge that he wrote this poem under
opium influence. This is why it is quite true that the first and second stanzas of the poem have
very little connections between them (Watson: 26). The beginning of the poem is through the
description of the pleasure dome built for Kubla Khan.
According to the critics, this pleasure dome represents the palace like houses of the
aristocrats and rich people. Therefore, they have not seen the class struggle of the poor people
after the industrial revolution in England. In the poem, the poet Coleridge goes on to create an
imaginative world which is only by the wish of Kubla Khan himself. Coleridge aimed at
exposing the stark realities of the world (Coleridge: 20). All the harsh things in the original life

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have been set apart in the description of that dome. This poem had been published in the year
1816 and Kubla Khan wished to lead a luxurious life.
In this poem, Kubla Khan has been shown as the king and he possesses all the resources
of the world. He is able to avail all the luxuries that exist in society. On the contrary, it is also his
role to protect all his subjects and provide them with the necessary things that would assist them
to sustain their lives (Perry: 145). As a king, Kubla Khan does not abide by these things and he
just goes on to enjoy hi luxuries like all other monarchs in the empires. The main essence of
romantic poetry lies in the depiction of nature and various natural objects.
He has explained all the natural objects like streams, rivers, flowers and forests in an
extraordinary way (Khan: 59). Thus, the presentation remains wonderful in his attempt of
creating the dome. The dome is full of pleasure and defines the residing place of Kubla Khan.
Thus, it presents the luxuries that aristocrat people enjoy in the society. The artistic talent has
been shown in the poem by the poet Coleridge. The depiction of the dark forest in the poem
signifies the poor condition of the laborers in the society (Perry: 145).
According to the critics, all the social norms and conventions of the 19th century England
have been discussed. The use of opium and drifting away from the mainstream issues of the
society has also been presented by the poet in this poem. Therefore, this poem stands like an
important matter for the overall description of the society (Paxton: 666). The societal norm of
taking opium has also been reflected here. However, opium is not freely available in the modern
society because of its adverse impacts on the society.
The depiction of Xanadu is presented as a stark contrast to the pleasure dome. This is
similar to the economic gap between the aristocrats and poor laborers within the society. The

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tumultuous and violent aspects of the contemporary times have been revealed in this poem as
well. The mention of ‘damsel with a dulcimer’ has presented the society (Tindol: 18). The
interruption by the visitor in the poem is the end of the dream and coming out of the reverie.
Thus, it is similar to the situation that romanticism of nature has been interrupted by the harsh
realities of life.
In the concluding part, it should be mentioned that the poem Kubla Khan is one of the
most popular poems by Coleridge and it has reflected the overall stature of the society of
England in the 19th century through several contradictions. These contradictions have helped the
readers immensely to note the aim of the poet.

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References List
Coleridge, Samuel Taylor. Kubla Khan, Or, A Vision in a Dream: A Fragment. Xanadu Press,
2015.
Khan, Jalal Uddin. Perspectives: Romantic, Victorian, and Modern Literature. Cambridge
Scholars Publishing, 2015.
Paxton, Amanda. "Romantic Flashbacks: Coleridge, De Quincey, and Duration." European
Romantic Review 26.5 (2015): 659-677.
Perry, Seamus. "Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Kubla Khan, The Ancient Mariner and Christabel." A
Companion to Romanticism (2017): 141-153.
Tindol, Robert. "Hybridization in Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “Kubla Khan”." Comparative
Literature: East & West 25.1 (2016): 10-29.
Watson, George. Coleridge the poet. Routledge, 2016.