Porphyria's Lover Flashcards
Who wrote the poem?
Robert Browning
When was the poet alive?
1812-1889
When was the poem published?
1836
What is Porphyria? How is this significant?
At the time, Porphyria was an illness. This could suggest he may be twisting the story, Porphyria may have resisted, or the story may never have happened.
How is the title significant?
Porphyria is the main subject, rather than the man which was unusual at the time. This could suggest her higher status or importance in the poem.
What is the poem about?
The poem is from the narrative of a man, who originally talks about his love for his girlfriend. His language becomes increasingly negative until he decides to strangle her with her own hair. He stays with her for the rest of the night.
Describe the form of the poem.
A dramatic monologue in an asymmetrical ABABB rhythm.
Describe the use of language about possession.
The initial suggestion of possession is when he says “Give herself to me for ever.” This language increases after he has killed her, when he uses possessive words such as “it” showing she is an object he possesses and “we” showing that she has become part of him/his property.
Describe the mixture of language about violence and love.
The switching between the two could highlight the writer’s insanity, as his emotions are changing unpredictably.
How is pathetic fallacy used in the poem?
When Porphyria arrives, it is storming outside. “The rain set in early to-night”…“It tore the elm tops down for spite”.
How is Porphyria’s motion described? Why?
On arrival, she “glided in”. This could be because at this point, the writer supposedly worships her and loves her.
What do Porphyria’s actions suggest about her?
That she is very graceful and admirable. She “shuts out the cold” which creates a powerful contrast between her and the storm.
How is enjambment used in the poem?
The flow of speech through the lines could highlight the writer’s insanity, as his thoughts are simply flowing out of him with no structure or reasoning.
What does the word “fall” suggest when Porphyria takes her hair down?
This could suggest that in the society of that time, she is acting irresponsibly and even sinfully. This could also link to the term ‘fallen woman’, which is a woman who has been rejected from society.
What is the significance of the repetition of the word ‘and’?
This could suggest his calmness as he chronologically recounts the events of the night, which contrasts to his attitude later in the poem, showing his instability.
