Rossetti poems overview Flashcards

Question

Up-Hill: form and structure

Answer 1

- Q+A format = expresses doubt, common form in devotional writing - Regular structure could reflect the monotony + laborious nature of the journey through life towards salvation. The journey is relentless - number 4 has strong associations with Christianity - the cross has 4 points = religion shapes the poem

Answer 2

- road wind up-hill = symbolises the journey the speaker takes, not straight - long + difficult, no direct way - everyone must find their own way (different interpretations of the road: literal- a long walk to an unseen destination / metaphorical- representing the path that life takes / symbolic- the way to live spoken of in the Bible) - all the way = no relief - inn = represents security, Biblical connotations - Mary and Joseph - door = judgement, purgatory - beds = rest, comfort - from morn to night = metaphor from birth to death - my friend = welcoming language, religious reference, what Jesus called his disciples - resting-place = rest, depression - dark + darkness = never-ending struggles of life - will not = imperative - sore + weak = struggles of life's journey. When without God, you're 'weak', but faith gives a source of strength - yea = sounds archaic, highlights the religious nature of the poem

Answer 3

- the journey of life - life and death - the influence of religion on our existence - struggle vs comfort - questioning and reassurance

Answer 4

- idea of struggle could link to Rossetti's mental health problems + failed relationships - 'I stand at the door and knock' = Revelation 3:20 - 'My Father's house has many rooms' = John 14:2 - Mary giving birth when there was no room at the inn = Luke 2:7 - 'Knock and the door will be opened to you' = Luke 11:9-10

Answer 5

- The poem symbolises the journey from birth to death. The darkening sky foreshadows the end of life and the inn represents the final resting place, which could be seen as heaven. - The road represents the journey of life. The traveller wonders if life grows easier as she grows older. However, the guide tells her that the road that remains is up-hill and difficult. It's possible that the inn could represent death, which also provides an opportunity for rest at the end of the road. - The journey could represent Christian purgatory, where the inn would represent heaven. Although, this reading seems less likely because of Rossetti's religious views.

Answer 6

About a girl who puts blossoms in her hair and walks along the road with an empty basket, being mocked by others will baskets full of apples

Answer 7

The speaker plucks the blossoms before the apples grow - fallen woman who has lost her virginity before the appropriate time. Women who have been promiscuous are isolated from society.

Answer 8

First person, makes it personal, highlights the suffering endured by the speaker / makes it close to readers - this could happen to them/this happens to ordinary people, we should be kinder about it. The speaker could be based on a woman that Rossetti worked with at the St. Mary Magdalene Penitentiary or it could just be an ordinary woman, reflecting that any woman in society could have their whole lives wrecked by one poorly thought-out action.

Answer 9

Regular structure - 7 stanzas of 4 lines with an ABAB rhyme scheme. This rigid structure could reflect the rigid expectations demanded of women in Victorian society. 7 is odd, could possibly reflect that the woman's life will never be perfect and simple again and may be incomplete, for men and friends would not want her.

Answer 10

- plucked = didn't come off naturally, not ready = lost virginity too soon - plucked pink blossoms = plosive sounds - bitterness/regret/anger - wore them all evening = no shame / regret - dangling = it's empty, could suggest disappointment - mocked = fallen woman, outcast - neighbours = it's society as a collective making her feel isolated - empty-handed + heaped-up = in contrast - Lilian and Lilia = lilies are symbols of purity - teased = childish, showing how young they are - plump = maybe she didn't seem as desirable as other girls, but she has actually won - stronger hand = image of a husband, path is laid out / could this be the influence of God? - rhetorical question = she questions him + herself, idea of anger/regret/sadness - stooped = he's lowering himself to talk to her - could suggest she's lower class - exclamation could suggest anger rather than regret - chill = she's left out in the cold + rejected by society. She is an outcast. Could also suggest loss of feeling and uncertainty. - dews / Fell fast = could be metaphorical for the narrator herself - loitered = she doesn't know how to make things better. Idea that she can't move forwards

Answer 11

- Loss of innocence and virginity - Isolation and neglect - Societal expectations and gender roles

Answer 12

This poem was written at a time when Rossetti had lost her first love, James Collinson after he became a Catholic. This poem looks at the Victorian idea of the 'fallen woman', where if a woman has sex before marriage, she is considered to be disgraceful and 'fallen'. There could be links here to Rossetti's work at the St. Mary Magdalene's penitentiary.

Answer 13

A woman rejects a man. At the end of the text, she offers him friendship, but makes it clear she wants nothing more than this.

Answer 14

The text explores gender dynamics and societal expectations. The speaker defies the societal expectation of a woman in Victorian society, through her blunt refusal of his love.

Answer 15

First person, personal to her, highlights empathy felt by the reader, as you can see the effect it has had on her / takes the point of view of a woman and explores her experience of society

Answer 16

The poem has 8 quatrains with a regular rhyme scheme = shows how relentless he is being and how repetitive her rejection of his love is. She has to resist him over and over again.

Answer 17

- title = idea of female ownership - addresses him as John = blunt + purposeful - day by day = he is persistently asking - never = certainty + repetition. She is adamant and asserts herself - face as wan = image linking John to the moon, he's constantly orbiting her (also the moon is a feminine symbol, so puts John in the position of the woman, as also suggested by the way he is addressed at the start) - pray = not even God can make me love you - use your own common sense = patronising, empowering, almost puts him in the place of a child - owed not to be true = he says she has been leading him on, growing sense of frustration - she hasn't - days of youth = talks about the passage of time / indication that life is too short to spend arguing and bearing a grudge - wink at your untruth = mocking, assertive, she has the power / she seems to tire of arguing - strike + treaty = like they're making a business deal - do + pray = he commands her, but she won't accept it

Answer 18

- unrequited love - gender roles in relationships - societal expectations - relationships vs friendships - power

Answer 19

The idea of the 'woman question' is explored in this text. This was the term Victorians used to refer to debates around the role and nature of women in society. Many people began to question the traditional and restrictive roles defined for women that assigned them value and meaning only in association with men.

Answer 20

The stories of 3 women in love are told. The first is a 'fallen' woman, the second is a young woman who sought for love but was simply used for display, and the third was facing a lack of love.

Answer 21

Rossetti explores the dilemma of Victorian women who struggled to find happiness and fulfilment in a restrictive society. Even though they all had different experiences with love, the final line suggests that it doesn't really matter, for the restraints were so great on women, that they were never really allowed to live in the first place.

Answer 22

3rd person narrator, they can see as an outsider that women are unhappy = must be quite clear, not specific to an individual perspective which could suggest that this is a universal problem and we need to change our attitude towards the place of women in society.

Answer 23

Sonnet = used in love poetry - although, it's a masculine form = men dictate the happiness of women in society. Regular rhyme scheme = repeated, this unsatisfaction of women in the Victorian era was universal. No identifiable volta = could suggest a lack of hope, it will always be like this, they will never get fulfilled lives = sense of tragedy and sadness.

Answer 24

- sang of love = they may all have differing circumstances, but share the desire for finding sincere love - crimson = traditionally the colour of prostitution - flushed = sexualisation + idea she can't control herself - at a show = objectification of women, husband only wanted her for display - harpstring snapped = all 3 have already failed in the search for love? - burden = may have a double-meaning as it is also the chorus of a song. The burden is repetitive, which could suggest that the harpist is playing this unfulfilling part endlessly. - temperately = means 'with restraint' = appropriate for a Victorian woman - grew gross = lost her attractiveness - soulless love = lack of relationship - sibilance in line 10 = suggests the unhappiness they are describing - won him after strife = personification of death as 'him' could suggest that instead of men, they had death for husbands. - yet all short of life = they were close to achieving their aspirations but didn't, sense of tragedy at the sad existence of many women - bee = bees die when they sting - women set themselves up for death after having sex? (bee could be a metaphor for women having sex?)

Answer 25

- worth - the treatment of women - unfulfillment - realism - gender roles in society - living vs existing

Answer 26

- Hints at the ideas of prostitution + fallen women - The objectification of women + male gaze - Harps associated with love?

Answer 27

Maude Clare disturbs the wedding of Lord Thomas and Nell. She follows them out of the church and presents them with a gift.

Answer 28

Maude Clare is an empowered female who is unashamed of her past and the relationship she had with Lord Thomas, in which it could be interpreted that he took her virginity. Maude is proud of her actions and feels that her femininity has not been lessened as a result.

Answer 29

- could be another Maude who was in her position and understands what Lord Thomas is like - could be women seen through the male gaze - referring to Lord Thomas as 'my lord' could suggest this is a servant's perspective

Answer 30

12 quatrains with an a consistent and almost perfect ABCB rhyme scheme. The consistency and rigid nature of this could reflect the rigid societal expectations women were expected to follow at the time, but where the rhyme scheme is broken, it could reflect those who don't conform to the stereotypes, such as Maude Clare.

Answer 31

- lofty step and mien = confidence - his bride = Nell is defined by her relationship with Lord Thomas, she isn't even named - maid + queen = juxtaposition. Ironic, because usually on her wedding day, the bride would be the 'queenly' woman, yet this title is given to Maude. - almost with tears = faked? - Son Thomas = lack of affection between Thomas + his mother - inward strife = inner conflict, who does he love? - gazed = could suggest longing - my lord = formality / mocking - golden chain = could suggest ideas of a noose / a dog collar. It's a chain and not a ring - could show ideas of affection as opposed to commitment. By giving back her half, she is suggesting that she no longer wants to retain any portion of him + it shows the final breaking of the bond she felt was tying her to him. - we plucked = she is saying that he is a part of this - lilies are budding now = could suggest pregnancy? (she is pregnant with his child) - the dashes show that Thomas is stuttering and has no voice - the only voice he has is referencing Maude Clare, that's how much power she has over him - take = imperative, shows her taking control - pale = doubt introduced - I wash my hands thereof = moving on from him - heath = symbolises warmth and comfort. It is the centre of the house - Maude Clare inserts herself into the middle of the relationship. Instead of blessing it with warmth, she proposes to bless it with a coldness - this could account for the paleness in the faces of both Thomas and Nell. - hid his face = childish gesture - addressing Nell as 'my lady' = could be a sign of respect or sarcasm - flowers + fruit = should have a romantic, joyful impact, but they're diminished by the comment that 'the blooms were gone'. All Maude Clare has to offer is old, withered and dying. - leave + take = Nell's use of these words could suggest that she knows others might see her as a second choice, but her love for Thomas means she doesn't care.

Answer 32

- conforming to and challenging gender roles - intrusion - love - marriage - worth

Answer 33

- this poem looks at the expectations of women in Victorian society. Women were expected to remain quiet and a virgin until marriage and, as Maude Clare defies both of these, there is a sense of female empowerment here. - there is the suggestion that, because Maude Clare has 'fallen', she is not worthy of marriage, which is why she can only observe rather than experience this for herself. - men and women were also viewed very differently for doing the same thing - Lord Thomas gets a chance at marriage, but Maude Clare cannot. This is similar to 'An Apple-Gathering', in that men are not judged, but women are.

Answer 34

- feminists may say that it is empowering. In Victorian society, promiscuous women were meant to feel ashamed, but Maude being proud of her actions could be viewed as very inspiring for women and the breaking of such traditional stereotypes.

Answer 35

An artist creates portraits of the same model in different positions. She is his motivation.

Answer 36

This poem explores the objectification of women / the model is presented as being without a voice or emotions, reflecting the treatment of women in Victorian society

Answer 37

First person 'we' = personal, even though the objectification isn't happening to the speaker, it is a topic close to them and happening all around them, highlighting the universality and personal nature of the topic and that this must be changed.

Answer 38

Sonnet = associated with love. By making the poem a sonnet, the traditional style of love poems, Rossetti ironically exposes the twisted perception of relationships during the Victorian period. Regular ABBA rhyme scheme = she can't escape and is trapped, this is something continuous that she can't break free from

Answer 39

- 'nameless girl', 'selfsame figure' and the anaphora of 'one' all add to the idea that she is just another female to be added to his collection of portraits - the model's personality + character are stripped away and replaced by vague titles, such as 'queen', 'saint' and 'angel' - 'he feeds upon her face day and night' = artist seen as a predator or parasite, the artist has this woman as his motivation - she is his 'food' for his paintings and the one that drives him to paint all the time, the model's humanity becomes more extracted from the poem as the artist is simply using her as a way to fulfil his fantasies - 'mirror gave back all her loveliness' = just as the mirror can only reflect the model's appearance, the artist is incapable of moving beyond the muse's surface level beauty and seeing the deeper side of the woman - mirror = could suggest that the woman is not viewed as a person in her own right, but is merely a reflection of what the man wants to find - hidden = almost like she's a secret - he feeds = this is a necessity for him - he needs her to live - night = sucking the life out of her - moon = symbol of chastity + 'wan' - she's frozen in time here, not changing like the moon changes, he's able to preserve her. Could show how, because she can no longer keep the attributes of the moon, her chastity is being stripped away by the man - he has the power + is controlling. - he shapes the woman to frame his desire = establishes objectification

Answer 40

- quite intimate + creepy - not one particular artist, creates the idea this isn't something unusual - focuses on him, could suggest he is more important than her being objectified

Answer 41

- the objectification of women - external display vs internal emotions - gender roles in society

Answer 42

- Rossetti's brother, Dante Gabriel, was a painter - 'opal' and 'ruby' have contextual links. In 19th century art and literature, there was a tendency for men to depict women as either virgins or whores. (Opal = white, associations with innocence + purity, ruby = red, associations with prostitution) - canvases are white, white is associated with purity - he's painting onto them, so is destroying her purity and innocence

Answer 43

Rossetti suggests that death is sweeter than life. The speaker believes that we should accept our fate. Life cycle of flowers compared to humans.

Answer 44

An analogy of flowers is used to suggest that death is sweeter than life. Rossetti describes how flowers must die and return to the earth, nourishing it and making it richer for re-growth in the following year. This is comparable to the life cycle of humans; young, beautiful people also die, their bodies return to earth, but their souls go to heaven and, therefore, are spiritually reborn. Fertility, beauty and youth defines women, but it doesn't actually matter, because we'll be accepted by God regardless.

Answer 45

First person, personal experience, they were just an ordinary person who observed this and had a realisation towards the themes explored, in that death is sweeter than life.

Answer 46

3 stanzas with 8 lines each. 3 is associated with religion, because of beliefs around the Trinity - religion plays a part in shaping the poem. Complex rhyme scheme which is the same in each stanza = life is entrapping and away from God, death is therefore preferable, for you can be with him?

Answer 47

- sweetest blossoms = associated with life, ironic when Rossetti juxtaposes them with dying - Church + praise + pray = introduces the semantic field of religion, could show how religious Rossetti was. Also, this is in 3rd line - 3 has religious significance - graves + leaves contrast = graves relate to death, but leaves suggest growth and regeneration - the sky = it is hinted that this represents heaven, the destination of dead souls - perfume = similar to the souls of people in that it is unable to be touched (intangible) and so, the reference of the perfume rising up to the sky reminds the reader that souls do the same - sweet + sweeter = polyptoton emphasises the positivity of the theme, despite it being concerned with death - sweeter death = an oxymoron - 3rd stanza has a strong semantic field of religion - rhetorical questions = these express that we shouldn't be afraid of death - so be it = Volta - why should we shrink from our full harvest? = acceptance that death is a part of life - graves + flowers = death is inevitable. 'Flowers' = symbols of fertility + the circle of life, a key theme in this text - first stanza = focus on beauty, second stanza = focus on youth, third stanza = focus on God

Answer 48

- life - death - nature - religion - renewal / rebirth - afterlife

Answer 49

There is a reference to the Old Testament Book of Ruth, which is unexpected and has a disturbing effect for it is out of place with the rest of the poem. The aspect of Ruth's story relevant here is the fact that the Biblical character suffered hardship and she worked in the fields to survive, so the reference to 'glean' here relates to the positive 'harvest' that ended Ruth's story. Rossetti is saying that Ruth's trials (her gleaning) are less preferable than the 'full harvest', which is that of union with God. Ruth was a woman who, after being widowed, remains with her husband's mother. Ruth is a symbol of loyalty and devotion.

Answer 50

Rossetti juxtaposes the joys of love with the sadness of life that gets in the way of this joy

Answer 51

Everything pleasurable has sadness in it and she looks forward to dying, which is an idea that dominates much of her poetry. This poem deals with two abstract ideas: a life with love is full of pleasure and a life without love is burdensome. Time 'which should be flying', as it does when one is happy and loved, drags when one is unhappy and loveless. Death is longed for when one is unhappy.

Answer 52

The first stanza has no voice, but the second stanza has the 1st person plural 'we'. This could suggest that she has experienced the longing, but not necessarily the love. Rossetti could have intended for the meaning to be universal, as presented by 'we' on the last line.

Answer 53

2 stanzas of 5 lines each, which are very similar in their appearance and structure and both share the same ABABB rhyme scheme. This could suggest that just as life has pleasant aspects, there is equally a great amount of sadness. This could be argued as suggesting that death is more desirable to life, because you cannot experience this large amount of pain and sadness when you are dead. Also, 5 is odd, which could suggest that you can never feel truly complete, for there will always be other things getting in the way of joy. The number 2 symbolises dualities - which in this case, is love and longing and how they exist together, showing how with pleasure, there must always be sadness, which is why death may be viewed as preferable, for you won't experience these negative emotions.

Answer 54

- line 1 = no verb, speaker seems not to have the time. They are thankful that they only need to spend a short amount of time away from them when they're asleep - brings such pleasure = never boring, gives joy + happiness - harmless = could suggest there is nothing wrong with sex. Could also reference Platonic love (this is also suggested in the night normally being associated with sex, but she looks forward to the day). This could suggest that she's not hiding her love, it's in broad daylight + she's not ashamed. 'Harmless' further suggests peace + safety that comes from being in love. - sweet love-making = could be symbolic as this was written in Victorian times. The 'harmless sport' could suggest that this love affair was happy and innocent - treasure = repeated, emphasis on how rare and beautiful love really is - without measure = describes love, it's limitless and cannot be bound by earthly restrictions - love = anaphora, 'love' is the subject, which is an abstract idea that, in the poet's view and probably the view of the reader, is key to life - juxtaposed opening lines of stanzas - being in love vs being without it - long = repetition, life drags on slowly, speaker unhappy - when the speaker is single, they take note of the time passing, because there is no one to spend it with - time lags + dying = life feels so tiresome and empty and the thought of death sounds appealing without love - we live who would be dying = those who are unhappy continue to live, despite longing for death - we = reader is drawn in + the assumption is that we share the speaker's grief at lost love

Answer 55

- joy vs sadness - love - the passage of time - longing for death

Answer 56

- Rossetti was engaged to be married twice, although, she never married. This sadness could be reflected in the poem - She was very religious, but her experiences of life were often disappointing. Therefore, she longed death where she could be at peace with God, and this idea of longing for death can be seen in this text.

Answer 57

The poem describes a speaker who regards themselves as a 'fool' and that they are isolated in society.

Answer 58

The poem explores the pressures of society regarding the innocence and purity that women have. Rossetti describes a speaker who has sinned through her promiscuity and, as a result, has become isolated and marginalised by society. The idea of a fallen woman and loss of virginity is expressed throughout this text.

Answer 59

First person, the perspective is that of an anonymous woman who feels isolated by society, as a result of having sex before marriage, which was seen as disgraceful at the time the text was written. The voice is that of a sad woman who regrets the fate that has ruined her life. The tone is sad and bitter.

Answer 60

The poem is made up of 3 stanzas of 5 lines each. These numbers are odd, possibly reflecting how the speaker will never be treated in the same way again and always made to feel like an outcast due to her promiscuity. Also, 3 has religious associations (The Trinity), possibly suggesting the strong influence of religious belief on society at the time of writing, including for Rossetti herself. Each stanza has a regular ABAAB rhyme scheme, which adds regularity to the text, possibly suggesting that this treatment from society is a regular occurrence for any 'fallen woman'. This strict structure could mirror the strict rules women had to follow in the Victorian era.

Answer 61

- title = 'a' suggests there are multiple and she is only one of them, therefore, exploring the sin that all women carry. The text explores a speaker who has sinned through her promiscuity and has been marginalised by society. - a fool = this is how the speaker characterises themselves for their past actions - sleep at noon = sex at night? - chilly = could reflect the consequences of her actions. Links to AAG, left out in the cold + isolated by society. - comfortless cold moon = reflects society. We need the moon for existence, suggesting we need society for existence. Not having the approval of society is, therefore, not good for the speaker as it could lead to social death and lack of a fulfilling existence = feeds into feelings of depression etc. The moon also has several associations, such as femininity - the woman doesn't even get support from other females = adds to idea of isolation, this is something Rossetti worked to prevent with her work at the penitentiary. Moon also associated with romance, mystery and madness, all of which can be applicable to the narrative of this text. - rose + lily = metaphors for virginity. Flowers symbolise purity + chastity, so the picking of these suggests promiscuity and that the women has become 'fallen' - I have not kept = neglect to important things - faded and all-forsaken = 'f' alliteration could suggest she is frustrated for doing this - weep + wept = polyptoton emphasises her feelings - summer + winter = reference to summer can be seen as a metaphor for happier, innocent times + winter could be a metaphor for her present grief - slept = obliviousness - waken = pain of reality - sun-warmed sweet = rhythmic, contrasts to 'stripped bare', which gives a harsh effect - no more to laugh, no more to sing = syntactic parallelism, adds emphasis on the pain her actions have brought her and the harsh treatment of society - sit alone with sorrow = emphasis on isolation of promiscuous women and the harsh treatment of society, empathy evoked - no explicit reference to 'autumn' unlike the other seasons. Could suggest that she is what has fallen, not the leaves, she is what has become 'stripped bare' and dehumanised to being on a natural level. (?)

Answer 62

- prostitution and sin - unforgiveness - regret - isolation

Answer 63

It is likely that the subject of this text is inspired by a woman that Rossetti met whilst she volunteered at the St. Mary Magdalene Penitentiary in Highgate for prostitutes and unmarried mothers. Rossetti was a High Church Anglican and one of her aims for her work was to reconcile women having sex outside of marriage with her faith. In addition, this text, much like others she has written, has links to the Pre-Raphaelite movement in that, they believed art should be as similar to the real world as possible, so lots of her language used in this text is also simple and undisguised.

Answer 64

The speaker is reflecting on a memory with their lover and asking them if they can remember it

Answer 65

Natural beauty is explored at the beginning, which develops to a focus more on religion and society. Ideas of loss and love are presented and the fact that they took no notice of time together, but the Church ultimately made them realise time through its chiming could show that religion is more powerful and valuable than the love a man can give.

Answer 66

First person, speaker is talking about their own memory, invites readers in = makes us empathise with her more for her loss, personal, intimate, possibly reflecting the nature of the relationship once shared between the speaker and their lover

Answer 67

- sonnet = powerful, these were traditionally used by men to present the idealisation of women to the point where it becomes unrealistic. Rossetti challenges the idealisation of women and the male gaze - she reworks the masculine form by giving the woman a voice - ABBA rhyme scheme, regular, could reflect the speaker's consistent confusion through the lack of closure they are receiving

Answer 68

- title = sense of loss, could suggest struggle/confusion, could be saying have you forgotten me? - sense of distance between speaker and her lover - you = intimate, direct address - one Summer night = importance of one night, etched in memory. Night = could suggest a sense of secrecy established at the start of the poem - together = unity - moon = symbol of femininity/chastity. Could be suggesting that, because the moon doesn't shine on its own and needs something else, women need something else - men. = a view which would not be liked by a feminist! - 'w' alliteration = memory beautiful, sounds musical, sounds like a lullaby, honeymoon phase, too good to be true - sleepy tune = power her memory has to recall this image - praised = respected, celebrated, worshipped (religious connotations) - he could be talking about her directly or referring to the world in general - light = juxtaposition to 'night', reflects both good and bad - darkness = could suggest depression/confusion, relationship hidden? - glare = exposed verb choice, harsh, critical, links to being seen or being watched - noon = he feels exposed - stars = stars are symbols of hope and fate vs night being a symbol of secrecy - You blushed = very female, suggestion that in nature there isn't male power? He is vulnerable + she feminises him. Women are more comfortable in nature, whereas men are more comfortable in society. - wandered = suggests a lack of direction - took no note of time = time is fundamental to society - this relationship only works outside the constraints of society? - till = volta, suggesting something before and something after - of church bells = religion dividing them, this is God's judgement - second chime = measure of time - repetition of questions helps to highlight a sense of confusion she feels

Answer 69

- love - loss - memory - questioning - religion - the passage of time - secrecy - societal expectations + gender

Answer 70

Rossetti broke off two serious relationships for religious reasons - religion is in control of everything and asserts its importance in this text

Answer 71

The relationship between love, youth and spring is discussed. She is saying that violets belong in the spring time.

Answer 72

Violets are a metaphor for love and youth, showing that the speaker feels these belong in the Spring. Love should remain for the youth, for love is riper and more beautiful when you are young. The reference to Ruth could be suggesting that we should be grateful for what little love is granted to us.

Answer 73

3rd person? Not particular to an individual, violets should always belong in the spring, for that is when we are young and most beautiful, not specific to an individual, but the view the speaker holds as true for the whole society

Answer 74

sonnet = associated with love, love is the central theme in this poem, as violets symbolise this. The speaker (and possibly Rossetti herself) could feel that love is what shapes life - links to her context - love + devotion for God etc. There is rhyme, but the rhyme scheme is inconsistent - we should keep this same, regular idea universally that violets belong in the spring and the inconsistency could suggest this is not being done (as reflected by the title) or love is something which cannot be controlled and feelings don't always come about at good points. The inconsistency could also be reflective of the inconsistent love Ruth faced throughout her lifetime, due to her referencing in the last stanza.

Answer 75

- serious, inquisitive tone - violets = an extended metaphor for love - youth = negative connotations, e.g., being related to immaturity and irrationality - 'bloom when worn-out autumn grieves/ Let them lie hid in double shade of leaves' = undertones of denial, love will be repressed if experienced during autumn - keep violets for the spring, and love for youth = reiterates Rossetti's possible belief that love flourishes most during youth - worn-out + grieves + double = focus is entirely gloomy - home birds = introduces the idea of birds migrating, as if love also flees in autumn - the poet associates the changing seasons with the pattern of love and relationships - but when the green world buds to blossoming = plosive 'b's creates a lively, percussive sound - later sadder love = looks at the sadder aspects of life, this could be autobiographical (Rossetti known to have at least 2 broken serious relationships) - grace = means with God's approval. Rossetti could be saying that some relationships which arise later in life should be accepted with their limitations, with no aspirations for more than it can be - a grateful Ruth tho' gleaning scanty corn = Ruth was grateful for whatever happiness and acceptance she could gain in her new life, despite its limitations. Therefore, whatever love can be found, though 'scanty', is precious. Rossetti sees a parallel between Ruth’s situation and the acceptance of the limitations of love in later life.

Answer 76

- love - youth - seasons - nature

Answer 77

Ruth was a biblical character who left her religion to marry her husband, but then his sudden death means she must go back and hope for the mercy of others. She then developed a fond relationship with her mother-in-law. Rossetti may have viewed Ruth's story as a tale of loyalty, and also the limitations of loving completely - this can be alluded to Rossetti's consistent fear of losing a loved one early due to her chronic illness.

Answer 78

An area is described where there is nobody around to do the work

Answer 79

This text could be thought as describing the upper-class world and how these people don't do anything to help the world. This poem takes imagery directly from the Bible, yet instead of showing God's forgiveness, she explores God's vengeance and a world lacking any love and hope. The only hope that Rossetti offers us is in the title, that a new world can be rebuilt.

Answer 80

- 3rd person, Marxist. Rossetti is criticising the class system and that people who benefit from it don't do the work. Narrative voice = they are not in it, so they're criticising it (could have contextual links to Rossetti feeling isolated and alone because of Graves' disease) - the speaker is not directly involved and simply observes what they can see. This could suggest that the people in the area are so clearly not committed to doing work it is obvious even to outsiders. This shows us the general personality traits of upper-class people.

Answer 81

- consistent rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDCD. The progression from AB > CD could show that time is progressing and changing, but the inability to break away from the strict rhyme scheme could show that even with time, the upper-class are not changing their behaviour. The fact that there is another CD couplet emphasises this lack of progression and inability to change.

Answer 82

- unripe = could represent naivety of upper-class world / unripe also suggests youth - hath none to reap it = no people to do the work, Marxist criticism of class - unprofitable space = suggests that the outside is no longer valuable, because no-one is there to do the work, so it is not kept in a good state - enjambment at the end of line 3 could suggest danger, there's no-one to keep it from the world - living men and women = connotations of death, idea they could be soulless - there is also the suggestion that people disagree with the upper-class. 'Orbs' = representation of royalty, which is closely followed by 'poles', suggesting that they are not fully supported - line 9 = the upper-class don't do anything to help the world - shades of bodies = lifeless idea - masks = idea of facades, need to do this + cover themselves - Biblical quote at the start

Answer 83

- the upper-class (disparities in wealth) - isolation (the upper-class from the world, the speaker from the text etc) - religion - desolation - vengeance - God

Answer 84

- Bible quote from Isaiah 34:11 is featured at the start of this text. It suggests that destruction should be entire, with nothing left but confusion and emptiness. - the speaker is isolated from the poem, which could reflect the isolation Rossetti faced in suffering with Graves' disease.

Answer 85

The text describes the appearance of flowers and plants and how this changes through the seasons

Answer 86

This is a hopeful poem based on a quote from the Bible found in Zechariah 4:10, which essentially means that those who have despised earthly life will rejoice.

Answer 87

First person, could show the speaker's close connection to religion (could be Rossetti). The flowers described by the speaker could be seen as metaphors for their state of mind, e.g, 'violets' are vibrant and full of life, which could be the state of the speaker or reflect how they feel about being able to rejoice.

Answer 88

This is a lyric poem, which is highly personal and devotional. There are 2 equal stanzas with an ABAB rhyme scheme. This complete, equal structure could reflect the calmness and peace of the speaker, for they know that even if they've despised earthly life, they will be able to rejoice (after death?).

Answer 89

- violets = connote vibrancy and life - I recluse = she closes herself up, brings about ideas of self-denial of the earthly world, echoing the title of the poem - unaccounted rare = describes the daisies, suggests that women who deny all earthly pleasures are such rarities - peaceful sibilance (lines 3/4) = reflects the peace the speaker has found - lowly = image of being below others and less important - still = anaphora = shows dependability of small things in nature - forest trees tower = shows images of power - bleak + bare = reflect how even the big parts of nature aren't always the most important - idea that nature is embracing the summer heat. It's their time to shine as summer flowers - make them fair = nature makes things equal - bloom = suggests new life

Answer 90

- joy + comfort - the passage of time - innocence - nature

Answer 91

Rossetti was very religious so the inspiration for this poem was based off the Bible verse Zechariah 4:10. Rossetti herself may have despised earthly life through her separation from God, difficult romantic relationships and ill-health, so she finds comfort in the idea that she can rejoice beyond earthly life.

Answer 92

A speaker addresses someone who had never loved her, questioning whether they will change their mind and how if the speaker themselves had done things differently, their future would be different.

Answer 93

The disjointed nature, by starting with the speaker answering a question and then stating one could suggest the confusion she feels. The idea of having hope deep down is arguably expressed in this poem. The speaker could be experiencing inner conflict through the conflicting views expressed and brackets and there could be a link to power dynamics within relationships in the Victorian Era, too.

Answer 94

First person, this is personal to the speaker and a look into their thoughts and feelings, makes readers feel a greater sense of empathy, because it clearly has a deep effect on the speaker.

Answer 95

Sonnet - the focus of this poem is love and the speaker's life is so revolved around this that it shapes the poem. ABBAABBACDCEDC rhyme scheme = lack of consistency, could reflect the speaker's confusion / idea of progression shown, they begin to think about what the future could have been and existence after death with 'eternal years'

Answer 96

- because = she is creating her own assumption of what she thinks is going on, she could be forced to come up with her own answer, because there was no closure - dear = idea of desperation, she's still showing signs of affection, idea of false hope - questions reinforce confusion - surely = still questions and has to answer her own questions, reflects no closure - life's dying = oxymoronic, reinforces the confusion. Reminder of how we're all slowly dying, whilst everything else moves on, she's still stuck in the past - lingers still = could show her thoughts are dead weight, but she can't let go of it - shall never = oxymoron, anaphora, the fact she's repeating it could almost reflect why she has to remind herself why she's holding on - had loved = it's in the past, he's moved on, it's final for him, separated with a comma shows she has a different view to him - loving = in the present, she's still loving him, juxtaposes how he has loved and moved on - urged me with the tender plea = it would have taken this man very little to completely win her affection and urge her, sense of desperation, needs to hope on something - our + might = collective pronoun, shows uncertainty of their future together, she knows a future together probably won't happen - brackets reflect her inner conflict, she's almost trying to hide from what she really feels and there's no running from it - eternal years = she's willing to wait all of eternity, eternal years could be a reference to heaven, he has God-like qualities? she is devoted to him like someone is devoted to God? - Time = capitalised, could emphasise that time is what is holding her back, this is what is in the way + this is the obstacle - was possible = past tense, signifies the finality of it - it's not going to happen - natural imagery = links to fertility, female sexuality and gender - almost like the reverse of 'No, Thank You, John'

Answer 97

- unrequited love - longing - confusion - questioning

Answer 98

Rossetti struggled with love during her lifetime, rejecting 3 possible suitors of James Collinson, Charles Cayley and John Brett

Answer 99

Describes a female speaker who is rejected by an earthly suitor and as such, offers her heart instead to God.

Answer 100

This poem discusses the transition from eros to agape love. There is a strong devotional sense in the poem.

Answer 101

First person, makes it more personal and intimate for we can get a greater understanding of their feelings and how the rejection left them, it also helps to heighten the sense of empathy as a reader.

Answer 102

6 stanzas of 8 lines each, quite a regular rhyme scheme of ABACDBDC, could reflect the prolonged effect this rejection has had on the speaker and the damage it has done to them, with the consistent repetition of this in each stanza possibly suggesting it is non-stop, heightening the empathy felt by the reader.

Answer 103

- hand = moment of exposure / tension - brackets = addressed to lover, but the fact it's in brackets could bring about the question of were they ever truly a part of her? They could also suggest does she have to hide this deep feeling? - let = repeated, could be a reckless throwing off of responsibility - fall or stand + live or die = hyperbolic - speak + weak = does she feel as the woman she is weaker? - you took my heart in your hand = first line is echoed but slightly different from the first stanza, giving the choice and action to her lover. - scanned = quite an objectifying word. Maybe he's looking at her critically + rejects her heart - then set it down = short, simple phrase of its own emphasises her sense of loss and disappointment - unripe = sexualised? Either you're not mature enough, or you're not ready for this - skylarks = larks are symbols of joy and hope for a new beginning. Skylarks sing during the day - is the lover waiting for a moment of joy before marrying? - extended metaphor of her heart being passed around - broke = repeated + carried onto two lines, emphasises the disruption and pain of her broken heart - dash after 'broke' = unexpected interruption, didn't see this coming, creates a pause, prolongs it, her pain is lasting a long time = she is heart-broken - I did not wince = strong, self-contained - judgement = links to stanza 2 with him judging her / Biblical links? - nor questioned since = doesn't have the confidence to go back to her lover again / has more pride than that + doesn't have the confidence to go elsewhere to look for earthly love - nor cared for + nor sung = despite the strength with which she took the rejection, her heart is broken - thou = addresses God / much more intimate form of 'you' = closer to God - my hope was written on sand = has a Biblical connotation of 'those who turn away from you will be written in the dust'. This could question whether she is worthy of being accepted by God, having sought out the earthly love in preference to the heavenly. Also suggests that this can be washed away by the incoming tide. - sand = could be a Biblical reference to the Parable of the Builders who built their house on sand + it was hopeless and blew away - reflects the speaker who built her hopes on something that wasn't going to last. / Sand could also suggest that she understands the imperfect nature of her earthly love. - O my God = repeated, becomes a plead / the speaker turns to God for the love she cannot find on Earth - heart = not mentioned until the 3rd line in the 5th stanza = it's painful for the speaker to talk about the damage felt - refine + purge = language of sin and redemption / purging with fire is a repeated image in the Bible - without = she promises that no-one on Earth will be able to remove her from God's love - hold = could be the hold of a hand / ship - I take my heart in my hand = repeated, was also used at the start of the 4th stanza, could imply the resolution to her experiences and decisions - die = belief in Christianity that eternal life with God requires dying on Earth - all that I have I bring / All that I am I give = echoes of the Christian marriage service, reflects the liturgy of commitment from the marriage ceremony during the exchanging of the rings. This could be viewed as a symbolic marriage to God - she is dedicating herself to him. - shall not question much = this kind of love doesn't need questioning / scanning

Answer 104

- earthly love vs divine love - fulfilment - the role of women in relationships - the nature of marriage - sin + redemption

Answer 105

Rossetti had difficult experiences with earthly love, rejecting 2 serious relationships between herself and James Collinson and Charles Cayley, for they couldn't accept her religious beliefs. Rossetti devoted herself to God and never married, so there are arguably parallels between the speaker in this text and Rossetti herself. There are also Biblical references throughout, such as to sin + redemption, judgement and the Parable of the Builders with the referencing of 'sand'.

Rossetti poems overview Flashcards

(129 cards)