Note on Annotations

Annotations in this anthology are developed over time through ongoing editorial work. Some poems already include extensive annotation layers, while others will continue to gain notes in future semesters.

Overview

This anthology uses Hypothesis to provide contextual notes, interpretive insights, definitions, and editorial commentary directly alongside the poems. These annotations create a layered reading experience, allowing readers to move between the poem and its scholarly apparatus. This page explains how to view, navigate, and use the annotations that appear throughout the anthology.

Where Annotations Come From

Annotations are created by students enrolled in ENGL 4392/5392: Victorian Poetry & Poetics, ENGL 4322: Victorian Poetry, and ENGL 6350: Victorian Poetry at West Texas A&M University. Each note displays its author within the Hypothesis sidebar.

Poems without highlights do not yet have annotations—an expected part of the project’s ongoing development.

Accessing Annotations: Video Tutorial

View this short video tutorial for a step-by-step walkthrough of how to open and use the annotation sidebar. Controls for captions, transcript, and full-screen viewing are available in the video toolbar.

Written instructions are provided below.

Accessing Annotations: Written Instructions

Open the Annotation Sidebar

Locate the Hypothesis toggle on the right-hand side of the screen. It appears as a grey vertical tab labeled “<”:

Click the icon to open the annotation sidebar.

If you do not see the icon, your browser window may be too narrow. Expand the window or zoom out slightly.

Recognize and Read Annotations

• Annotated text appears highlighted within the poem
• Click any highlighted word or line to view its annotation
• Scroll within the sidebar to read multiple notes

Toggle Highlights On or Off

To hide or reveal highlights:

• Open the annotation sidebar
• Click the eye icon

This allows you to switch between annotated and uninterrupted reading.

What You Might See in Annotations

Annotations include a range of scholarly materials, such as:

• Glosses and word definitions

• Historical or cultural context

• Interpretive commentary

• Notes on meter, form, and sound

• Biblical, classical, or literary allusions

• Imperial, gendered, or political framings

• Links to images, maps, audio, or secondary sources

Annotations appear in the sidebar with the author’s name, timestamp, and any tags the editor used.

Tips for Reading Effectively

• Read the poem once without annotations to get your own sense of voice and feeling.

• On a second reading, turn highlights on and explore key annotations.

• Use tags within the sidebar (when present) to jump to categories such as meter, imperial context, or biblical reference.

• If you prefer a clean reading environment, toggle highlights off and open notes only when you want them.