Porphyria's lover

• What is the main theme of "Porphyria's Lover"?

  A man strangles his lover in despair
• How does the speaker feel about Porphyria after her death?

  He feels more in love with her
• What weather is described at the beginning of the poem?

  Violently foul weather
• What does Porphyria do when she enters the speaker's cottage?

  She removes her damp clothing
• What does the speaker's silence indicate about his character?

  His inability to cope with emotions
• What does the speaker do with Porphyria's hair?

  He strangles her with it
• What does the speaker insist about Porphyria's death?

  She felt no pain
• How does the speaker feel after killing Porphyria?

  He feels proud and unrepentant
• What does the use of "pathetic fallacy" suggest in the poem?

  Nature reflects the speaker's disturbed mind
• What does the term "sullen wind" imply about the atmosphere?

  The atmosphere is gloomy and oppressive
• What does Porphyria do to warm the cottage?

  She makes the grate blaze up
• What does the speaker mean by "cheerless grate"?

  It symbolizes his empty heart
• How does the speaker view Porphyria when she is alive?

  As an object of desire and control
• What does the speaker's use of "glided" suggest about Porphyria?

  He sees her as supernatural or otherworldly
• What does the speaker do after strangling Porphyria?

  He lies with her body all night
• What does the speaker's claim that "God hasn't stopped him" imply?

  He feels justified in his actions
• How does Browning use enjambment in the poem?

  To reflect the speaker's stream of consciousness
• What does the phrase "perfectly pure and good" suggest about Porphyria?

  She is seen as innocent by the speaker
• What does the speaker's use of the word "little" imply about Porphyria?

  It infantilizes her and emphasizes vulnerability
• How does the poem's ending reflect the speaker's mindset?

  He feels at peace after committing murder
• What does the speaker's reference to "playing God" suggest?

  He believes he has ultimate control over life
• What literary device is used in "the rain set early in to-night"?

  Imagery of weather
• What does the speaker's perspective reveal about masculinity?

  It shows extreme controlling and repressed traits
• How does Browning's use of blasphemy affect the poem's impact?

  It shocks the contemporary audience
• What does the speaker's use of "we" at the end signify?

  They are united in death
• What is the significance of Porphyria's name?

  It refers to a rare blood disease
• How does the poem reflect Victorian societal norms?

  It critiques controlling masculinity and femicide
• What does the speaker's lack of emotive language indicate?

  He is remorseless about his actions
• What does the speaker's view of Porphyria as an object suggest?

  He sees her as a possession
• What does the speaker do to Porphyria's body after her death?

  He props her head up
• How does the poem's structure contribute to its meaning?

  It reflects the speaker's chaotic thoughts
• What does the speaker's claim that "God has not said a word" imply?

  He feels unchallenged in his actions
• What does the poem suggest about the relationship between love and violence?

  Love can lead to destructive actions
• What is the tone established at the beginning of the poem?

  Dark and disturbed
• How does the speaker's perception of Porphyria change throughout the poem?

  He sees her as both a lover and an object

  
• What does the imagery of nature in the poem symbolize?

  It reflects the speaker's inner turmoil
• What does the speaker's final reflection on their union suggest?

  He believes they are united in death
• What literary technique is used in "the smiling rosy little head"?

  Imagery of innocence
• How does the poem challenge traditional gender roles?

  It portrays the consequences of toxic masculinity
• What does the speaker's view of Porphyria as "mine" reveal?

  His possessive and controlling nature