remember

Question 1

key themes

Answer 1

death and afterlife
love and memory

Question 2

key context

Answer 2

Victorians had strict rules for grief there were specific rules that had to be followed/ certain outfits that needed to be worn. Death was a key part of life, especially with infant death and mortality, when the camera was invented the only photo that a person would have, would be one of a dead person.

Question 3

key ideas.

Answer 3

The sonnet can be seen as a partner to the poem song, despite the belief in the afterlife this does not limit one’s need to grieve. This poem is from the perspective of the dying, rather than the one that is left behind.
There is a reference to “silent”, which may relate to soul sleep?
There us the boundary of life/death with “gone away”
There is an echo of the Greek myth Orpheus “yet turning stay” as he tried to rescue his wife from the underworld, but be turned around which later doomed him.
The volta- the speaker grants forgiveness for the listener moving on- “do not grieve”
There is a benediction a wish for her lover’s future happiness event at the expense of her own memory. “forget and smile”

Question 4

what is the significance of the structure and form?

Answer 4

sonnet- connotations of love and petrachan sonnet
change in idea- the tone becomes more tentative throughout the poem as Rossetti shifts from imperative to remember.
rhyme- the disruption of the sestet suggests the emotion of the speaker.
Iambic pentameter- highlights important words

Question 5

what are key critical interpretations?

Answer 5

Bowra- Christian was in love twice with Collision and Cayley, the paradoxical character of Rossetti is evident.