LETTER–To Percy Bysshe Shelley

In a letter addressed to Percy Bysshe Shelley, the author reflects on Shelley’s indifference to public opinion during his life and his minimal concern for posthumous reputation. Despite Shelley’s fears that his works would be condemned by future generations, the verdict has been overwhelmingly positive, awarding him immortality of fame, with some dissenters’ voices expected to diminish over time. The author mentions critiques that favored Shelley’s prose over his poetry and describes Shelley’s unique poetic contribution as irreplaceable and beyond the realm of ordinary human experience.

Shelley’s revolutionary spirit and desire for societal reform are noted, yet the modern world remains largely unchanged from Shelley’s time, with continued political and social issues. The author acknowledges reforms that have been enacted, such as emancipation in Ireland and the extension of voting rights to poorer citizens, yet suggests that Shelley’s hopes for a transformed society have not been fully realized. Furthermore, the controversies and debates among Shelley’s biographers and commentators are highlighted, emphasizing the trivial and often misguided focus on his personal life rather than his literary legacy.

A critical portrayal of a biographer who maligns Shelley’s character is briefly described, serving as a critique of efforts to diminish Shelley’s achievements through personal attacks. The letter concludes with a somber reflection on humanity’s future, foreseeing a bleak end but imagining a scenario where Shelley’s work endures until the last moments of human existence.

Throughout, the letter maintains a tone of admiration for Shelley’s work while providing a critical perspective on the reception of his works and the unchanging nature of the world he sought to reform. The author’s engaging style encapsulates an eloquent tribute to Shelley’s enduring legacy amid an unappreciative and stagnant society.