Abstract

This study is the investigation of a literary field singularly void of previous contributions. Except for brief remarks here and there is critical works and Miss Dunbar's chapter defining symbolism, I have discovered no material dealing directly with this subject. An exclusive and exhaustive investigation into the subject of religious symbolism has not been made in any period of English literature. That is why the delving into a very short period with the aim of clarifying the subject of symbolism seemed worth while. The basis for this study is the poetry, not including dramatic poetry, of the Catholic poets from Newman to Alice Meynell. The great number of De Vere's and Field's plays prohibited an investigation including these and determined my decision to base my conclusions exclusively on the other poetical contributions of these Catholic poets.