Rossetti poems

• What can you find in this guide for each poem?

  The poem, context, annotations, and analysis
• Why is this guide primarily for AS-Level students?

  It focuses on assessment criteria for AS-Level
• What themes does Rossetti's poetry explore according to the guide?

  Women's rights, sexuality, and religious conviction
• What does the guide suggest about Rossetti's writing style?

  It is complex and often ambiguous
• How long has the author been teaching English Literature?

  More than six years
• What is the main theme of the poem "Echo"?

  Longing and despair after a loved one's death
• What does the repeated imperative "come" signify in "Echo"?

  A plea for the return of a loved one
• How does the imagery in "Echo" reflect the speaker's emotions?

  It conveys deep longing and sorrow
• What does the phrase "speaking silence" imply in the poem "Echo"?

  A dreamlike communication without words
• What mythological figure is referenced in "Echo"?

  Echo, the nymph from Greek mythology
• How does Rossetti's personal life influence her poetry?

  Her experiences with love and family shape themes
• What does the guide suggest about the relationship between poetry and suffering?

  Poetry often arises from deep feelings and suffering
• What does the guide imply about the nature of Rossetti's religious poetry?

  It is often explicit and clear in meaning
• What is the significance of the pomegranate in Rossetti's work?

  Symbolizes fertility and abundance
• How does the guide suggest readers interpret Rossetti's use of nature imagery?

  As a reflection of emotional states and themes
• What does the guide say about the relationship between art and love in Rossetti's poetry?

  Art memorializes love's fleeting nature
• What is the overall tone of the poem "Birthday"?

  Joyful and celebratory
• What does the guide suggest about the complexity of Rossetti's themes?

  They require deep exploration and interpretation
• How does the guide recommend students approach their essays on Rossetti's poetry?

  By articulating informed and creative responses
• What is the significance of the "fleur-de-lys" in the poem?

  Symbolizes royalty and purity
• How does the guide suggest the reader view Rossetti's exploration of love?

  As multifaceted and complex
• What does the guide imply about the relationship between Rossetti's poetry and her historical context?

  Her context deeply influences her themes and ideas
• What is the theme of the poem "Lysis"?

  Longing and despair after a loved one's death
• How does the speaker express their desire in "Lysis"?

  Through repeated pleas for the loved one to return
• What does the phrase "speaking silence" suggest in the poem?

  Communication without words in dreams
• What does the "love of finished years" imply about the loved one?

  The loved one may have passed away
• What does the triadic structure of "memory, hope, love" signify?

  It encapsulates the speaker's desires
• How does the imagery of "soft rounded cheeks" contribute to the poem?

  It suggests innocence and youthfulness
• What role does sound play in "Lysis"?

  It emphasizes the poem's emotional tone
• What does the line "Whose wakening should have been in Paradise" imply?

  The speaker longs for a reunion in heaven
• How does the imagery of the "slow door" function in the poem?

  It symbolizes the finality of death
• What does the phrase "pulse for pulse, breath for breath" suggest?

  A deep physical connection between lovers
• What are the key structural elements of "Lysis"?

  • Lyric poem focusing on emotion
  • Use of repetition (anaphora, alliteration, sibilance)
  • ababcc rhyme scheme
  • Trochees convey urgency
  • Motif of water signifies mourning
• What is the rhyme scheme of "Lysis"?

  ababcc
• How does Rossetti's use of repetition enhance the poem?

  It emphasizes key emotions and themes
• What does the motif of water represent in "Lysis"?

  It symbolizes mourning and loss
• What is the main critique expressed in "From the Antique"?

  The despair of a woman's existence
• How does the speaker in "From the Antique" feel about her existence?

  She feels it is weary and meaningless
• What does the repetition of "I wish" signify in "From the Antique"?

  It highlights the futility of her desires
• What does the phrase "doubly blank in a woman's lot" suggest?

  Women experience a profound emptiness