Among the arts that have found their way into British literature, letter writing enjoys a pride of place. Of course, well before emails and text messages were invented, letters were one of the major ways people communicated with each other, for often mundane news and at times deep feelings. These letters, exchanged by some of the greatest British writers, stand in memory not only of the private life of the authors but also of beautifully rendered prose left to the world. The formality, intimacy, and grace with which these writers have penned their letters continue to inspire us today that with the right approach, a letter can transcend mere communication to become a work of art.
1. John Keats and Fanny Brawne: Letters of Love and Longing
Few correspondences carry as much weight in British literary history as those between John Keats and Fanny Brawne. Keats-the Romantic poet with his sensual and evocative verse-penned a number of letters to Brawne during the course of their early-19th-century courtship. In his letters, passion, longing, and vulnerability share an equal place: bequeathing insight into both his love for Brawne and a fragile emotional state.
Keats’ letters to Brawne were written while he was suffering from tuberculosis and express both his deep affection and frustration at being separated from her. His language is poetic, yet deeply personal, often blurring the line separating his poetry from his prose. “I have been astonished that men could die martyrs for religion—I have shuddered at it. I shudder no more,” Keats writes in one letter. “I might be martyred for my religion—Love is my religion—I could die for that. I could die for you.”
This letter reveals the poet’s turmoil from inside and his intense emotional connection, hence is considered one of the most beautiful and poignant examples of letter writing in British literature.
2. Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West: A Literary Love Affair
One of the most important modernist writers of the 20th century was Virginia Woolf, who left behind her treasure of correspondence, most importantly with her friend and lover, Vita Sackville-West. Not only are their letters romantic, but they are also intellectual exchanges-the letters from Woolf often speak about her current writing, ideas, and thoughts about the world.
In one of the most famous letters, Woolf writes to Sackville-West: “I am reduced to a thing that wants Virginia. You have broken down my defences. And I don’t really resent it.” The closeness and passion in their letters reflect the affection between them both; what comes through, however, is the intellectual connection that they had through their letters-they challenged and inspired each other.
Letters by Woolf are lyric, with a fine combination of her literary flair and deep emotion. The letters of Woolf and Sackville-West bear testimony to the intensity of emotional and intellectual rapport that can be established through the medium of letter writing.
3. Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning: The Browning Love Letters
The most iconic exchanges in British literary history come from the letters exchanged between Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning. In 1845, her letters began when Robert Browning wrote to Elizabeth Barrett to express his admiration for her poetry. This marked the beginning of an extraordinary love affair, which unfolded largely through their letters.
With the Brownings, for example, one might say that a fellow playwright-an invalid who hardly ever left her house-finding emotional and spiritual support in a partner was nothing out of the ordinary. The letters are replete with intellectual debates, musings on poetry, and deep affection. Elizabeth’s letters reveal her vulnerability and a gradual opening of herself to Browning’s love. Robert’s letters are expressions of his admiration and devotion to her.
One of Elizabeth’s most famous lines from these letters is, “I love your verses with all my heart, dear Miss Barrett, ” which initiated their correspondence. Their letters culminated in a secret marriage and a move to Italy where they lived happily until Elizabeth’s death. These letters, so full of emotion and intellect, are often considered some of the best examples of romantic correspondence to be found in literature.
Writing Beautiful Correspondence Letters: An Eternal Art
Whether the art of letter writing has really faded away due to the digital world, there is still a beauty and magic in writing a thoughtful, handwritten letter. To write a beautiful correspondence letter, one must balance formality with personal expression. Here are a few tips to help you write letters as elegant as those from the great authors of British literature:
Watch your wording: A letter is only as powerful as its words. Pay attention to a word choice in each sentence and use the most appropriate language-one that effectively yet tastefully communicates what you mean to say.
Consider the recipient: Your letter needs to be addressed to that particular recipient only. A close friend’s letter would be personal and warm, while that to a colleague or an acquaintance would still maintain some degree of formality.
Be considerate of the structure: Take the more traditional structure of a letter, with a salutation, body, and closing. A formal letter format might begin with “Dear [Name],” followed by the content, closed with “Yours sincerely” or “Best regards.”
Write with heart: As Woolf’s letters show, sincerity is key. Whether writing to express love, appreciation, or simply sharing news, the writing should be done in truth with emotion.
Make your content personal. Remember, there are no generic statements in a letter, just as great authors always personalized their letters to reflect their unique relationships with their correspondents.
Conclusion
The most beautiful examples in the correspondence of British literary history are those letter exchanges between Keats and Brawne, Woolf and Sackville-West, and the Brownings. Reading these letters, one feels the power of written words, epistolary words that reflect complex emotions, intellectual ideas, and deep personal connections. While times may change, the art of letter writing is timeless, one to which example from these giants will help us all aspire.
