Twice - Christina Rossetti

• Who is the speaker in the poem "Twice"?


  The speaker is a female character.
• What does the speaker offer to her male lover at the beginning of "Twice"?


  She offers her heart.
• How does the male lover respond to the speaker's offer in "Twice"?


  He rejects her, claiming she is not ready for love.
• What does the speaker do after feeling her heart breaking in "Twice"?


  She approaches God and asks Him to judge her honestly.
• What does the speaker feel after approaching God in "Twice"?


  She feels a renewed sense of optimism.
• How can "Twice" be interpreted in terms of the speaker's relationships?

  • Depiction of a fallen woman
  • Rejected by a man
  • Turns to God for acceptance
• How many stanzas does "Twice" consist of?


  Six regular octaves.
• What does the regular structure of "Twice" suggest about the speaker's relationship with God?


  It mirrors a reassuring and consistent relationship.
• How does the rhyme scheme in "Twice" reflect the speaker's emotional state?


  The consistent rhyme scheme suggests an attempt to control her broken heart.
• What happens to the rhyme scheme in stanza four of "Twice"?


  It changes to ABA, CA, BA, D.
• What does the shift in rhyme scheme in stanza four emphasize?


  It emphasizes the importance of faith and God.
• How does the use of a 'masculine' rhyme scheme affect the interpretation of the poem?


  It suggests the speaker is trapped in a patriarchal society.
• What type of meter is used in the poem "Twice"?

  Iambic meter with an anapest in the first line.
• How does the meter contribute to the poem's overall tone?


  It creates a fast and dramatic pace reflecting the speaker's desperation.
• When was "Twice" written and published?

  Written in June 1864 and published in 1866.
• What was the title of the collection that included "Twice"?

  "The Prince's Progress and Other Poems".
• How did critics respond to "The Prince's Progress and Other Poems" compared to "Goblin Market and Other Poems"?


  It received less critical acclaim than "Goblin Market and Other Poems".
• What themes are emphasized in other poems within "The Prince's Progress and Other Poems"?


  • Life and earthly love are transient
  • Love is passing and unreliable
• What does the title "Twice" suggest about the speaker's offers of love?


  It suggests she offers her love to both a male lover and God.
• How does Rossetti associate religion with romantic love in "Twice"?


  By suggesting the speaker offers her love to God as intensely as to her lover.
• What does the personal pronoun "I" signify in the poem?


  It suggests the poem is personal and emotional.
• What does the metaphor of the heart represent in "Twice"?


  It represents the act of offering love and emotional vulnerability.
• How does the alliteration of "h" in "heart" and "hand" contribute to the poem?


  It highlights the theme of romantic love.
• What does the repetition of "O my love" signify in the poem?


  It emphasizes the intensity of the speaker's emotion.
• How does the phrase "Let me" reflect the speaker's character?


  It highlights her intense and willing passivity.
• What does the juxtaposition of "live" and "die" suggest about the speaker's feelings?


  It highlights the overwhelming intensity of her love.
• What does the use of caesura in "Let me" signify?


  It emphasizes the speaker's broken thoughts due to her intense love.
• How does Rossetti portray the speaker's devotion in "Twice"?


  As obedient and devoted, reflecting Victorian expectations.
• What does the rejection by the lover in stanza 2 signify?


  It emphasizes the speaker's status as a fallen woman.
• What does the phrase "a woman's words are weak" suggest about societal views?


  It reflects the traditional view of women's inferiority.
• How does Rossetti subvert the idea of women's silence in "Twice"?


  By contrasting the speaker's strong emotions with the idea of weakness.
• What does the line "You should speak, not I" reveal about the speaker's relationship with her lover?


  It shows her passivity and lack of agency.
• How does the phrase "You took my heart in your hand" reflect power dynamics?


  It emphasizes the lover's control over the speaker's vulnerability.
• What does the adjective "friendly" suggest about the lover's demeanor?


  It may suggest a façade, contrasting with the speaker's intensity.
• How does the phrase "critical eye you scanned" characterize the lover's examination of the speaker?


  It suggests a detached and invasive manner.
• What does the phrase "set it down" imply about the lover's treatment of the speaker's heart?


  It suggests inconsideration and lack of care.
• What does the phrase "It is still unripe" symbolize in the context of the poem?


  It symbolizes the speaker's heart being unprepared for love.
• How does the imagery of "the corn grows brown" relate to the theme of love?


  It contrasts prosperity with decay, suggesting postponed love.
• What does the phrase "set it down it broke" signify about the speaker's heart?


  It signifies the pain and suffering from rejection.
• How does the repetition of "broke" affect the reader's perception of the speaker's pain?


  It emphasizes the violence and intensity of her heartbreak.