Remember

Question 1

Poet

Answer 1

Christina Rosetti

Question 2

Summary

Answer 2

This poem explores the relationship between two lovers, as one faces their impending death, asks her partner to remember her after she dies, but also expresses acceptance if they forget her.

(Death, love and memory)

Question 3

Structure and Form

Answer 3

• A 14 line sonnet

Written in IAMBIC PENTAMETER which could show the memories of her are still alive and present even after her death; the meter representing the soul of a beating heart, as well as it being traditionally used in love poetry, building up to highlight their strong love.

• ABBA rhyme scheme for the first EIGHT lines, then becomes irregular.

The strict structure found in these first lines reflect the speakers strong desire and insistence of being mourned and remembered.

The final SIX lines have a CDDECE rhyme scheme, which is looser and could present her sadness and STOICISM.

Final COUPLET represents her acceptance of being forgotten.

• The disconnect between the A rhymes could reflect the distance the speaker and her beloved will experience once she has died.

Question 4

What’s the address?

Answer 4

Its is written in the FIRST PERSON which makes the voice personal and direct.

It feels like a private poem to a loved one, making it sincere and allowing the reader to EMPATHISE with her vulnerability and acceptance.

Repetition of ‘YOU’ and ‘I’ but not ‘we’ and ‘us’ shows the physical distance and permanent end of a relationship.

Question 5

‘Gone far away into a silent land’

Answer 5

• use of EUPHEMISM, ‘silent land’ conveys the idea of death in a peaceful, non threatening manner, softening the harsh reality of death.
• The use of the gentle language creates a peaceful mood, reflecting the speaker’s acceptance of death.
• It also illustrates HEAVAN IMAGERY, suggesting her yearn for an everlasting connection beyond death.
• Repetition of the VERB ‘gone’ emphasises their separation

Uses the ADVERB ‘far’ to reinforce their physical and emotional distance, expressing it to be an unreachable place, highlighting the PERMANENT disconnection of death,

as well as

showing her to be powerless in face of inevitable death as she accepts her fate.

Question 6

‘Hold me by the hand’

Answer 6

• the ALLITERATION of ‘hold’ and ‘hand’ connects the words which could represent the close physical connection;

repetition of the ASPIRANTS build on the gentle and tender feel.

• CREATES IMAGERY of intimacy and affection, this could symbolise the supportive influence of her lover and the warmth and comfort that comes with her relationship.

This closeness CONTRASTS with the anticipated distance between them after death, having IMAGERY of mortality, conveying a sense of isolation and separation.

Question 7

‘Only remember me’

Answer 7

• This portrays the speaker’s hope of everlasting love that will endure beyond death, having her central request to be remembered, as she fears her partner will not listen to her.

She wants her lover to forget the pain and remember POSITIVE MEMORIES.

• However, the use of the REPETITION of the IMPERATIVE on ‘remember’ illustrates her to be controlling and possessive, suggesting she is STRUGGLING with the idea of being forgotten

Question 8

‘you tell me of our future’

Answer 8

• This suggests her death is UNEXPECTED, the speaker is shown anticipating that her lover will have another future without her.
• She has ANGUISH and ANGER in her voice, adding to the BLEAK TONE, evoking the pain of unexpected loss, having her shared dreams abruptly cut short.

Question 9

‘You should forget and smile than…remember and be sad’

Answer 9

• This presents the idea that grief can be TEMPORAL, the speaker is seen giving permission to her lover to let go of memories that bring sorrow.

This JUXTAPOSTION of conflicting emotions surrounding death, eventually leads the speaker to be able to hold NO RESENTMENT towards their beloved if they forget them; a level of understanding and compassion which HIGHLIGHTS their closeness.

• the SIMPLE RHYME between ‘had’ on the previous line and ‘sad’ gives a feeling of resolution and completeness, suggesting she has now crossed into heaven, ending on a NEGATIVE NOTE.
• PAST TENSE is symbolic that she is the past and no longer his future.
• Remember is repeated without the same strength or intensity, CONNOTING the speaker is beginning to FADE AWAY.

She is shown wanting him to move on, however, the connection between them is no longer strong.

The poem concludes on an accepting note BUT the end of the relationship is painful. She seems assured in her decision, having selflessness and care for her partner. She wants to be remembered, but her love is strong enough to put someone else’s happiness first.