A.S. Byatt's novel Possession intricately weaves the lives of two modern-day academic researchers, Roland Michell and Maud Bailey, with the passionate entanglement of two Victorian poets, Randolph Henry Ash and Christabel La Motte. Byatt's inspiration for this work stemmed from her interactions with a Coleridge scholar and her fascination with the love affair between Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett. Through a blend of narrative and epistolary forms, Byatt explores themes of possession, obsession, and the intertwining of intellectual and romantic pursuits across different eras.

Inspiration and Creation

The genesis of Possession is rooted in two distinct experiences A.S. Byatt encountered. Her first spark of inspiration was a conversation in the British Museum's basement with a scholar deeply engrossed in the works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge. This interaction left Byatt pondering whether the scholar was metaphorically "possessed" by Coleridge, dedicating much of her life to his studies. The second inspiration arose from Byatt's tenure teaching Robert Browning's courses at University College in London, where she became captivated by the compelling romantic narrative of Browning's relationship with Elizabeth Barrett. Although initially deterred by the legal challenges of writing about real historical figures, Byatt's desire to craft a literary romance persisted, leading to the creation of her fictional Victorian poets.

Characters and Literary Influences

Byatt's characters are carefully crafted composites of various Victorian poets. Randolph Henry Ash evokes the styles and themes of literary giants such as William Wordsworth, Coleridge, and John Keats. His wife, Ellen Best Ash, embodies the domesticity of Dorothy Wordsworth and the introspective nature of Emily Dickinson. Meanwhile, Christabel La Motte, Ash's lover, draws parallels to writers like Christina Rossetti and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Through these characters, Byatt paints a complex tapestry of literary homage and originality.

Themes of Possession

Central to the novel is the exploration of "possession"—a multifaceted concept encompassing desire, obsession, and ownership. The narrative examines how these forces drive otherwise rational individuals to irrational acts. For instance, Mortimer Cropper, an American scholar of Ash, becomes fixated on acquiring every relic associated with his idol, resorting to unethical means to achieve his ends. This subplot injects urgency into the storyline, as Roland Michell and Maud Bailey strive to conceal their discoveries from Cropper's acquisitive reach.

Obsession in Relationships

Byatt delves into the intricate dynamics of obsession within personal relationships, both past and present. The novel presents sexual possession not only in its physical form but also through intellectual and emotional bonds. Characters like Fergus Wolff and Leonora Stern exemplify the spectrum of sexual voracity, while James Blackadder, having sublimated his sexuality into academia, seeks to possess truths about Ash's life through exhaustive research. Byatt suggests that this vicarious possession through literature can be as consuming as romantic love.

A Love Story Across Time

The intertwining narratives demonstrate how the fascination with a historical romance can influence modern relationships. Roland and Maud initially share a mutual disdain for physical intimacy, preferring a connection grounded in intellectual and spiritual pursuits. However, as they delve deeper into the passionate exchanges between Ash and La Motte, they find themselves increasingly drawn towards one another. Their journey from detached researchers to lovers is subtly orchestrated by their shared exploration of the past—a testimony to the power of vicarious experience and intellectual synergy in fostering real-life connections.

In Possession, Byatt crafts a narrative that is both a celebration and critique of the ways in which individuals seek to possess knowledge, love, and legacy. Through this exploration, readers are invited to ponder the delicate balance between the pursuit of academic inquiry and the raw, unpredictable nature of human emotion, bridging the gap between the past and present.