Up-Hill - "Of Labour you shall find the sum..."

• In 'Up-Hill', the quote "Of labour you shall find the sum. Will there be beds for me and all who seek? Yea, beds for all who come", the use of Repetition emphasises the universal accessibility of spiritual rest - This repetition functions as an inclusive gesture, affirming that no one is excluded from divine reward if they persevere - It reinforces Rossetti’s theological message of unconditional grace for all who undertake life’s laborious journey
• In 'Up-Hill', the quote "Of labour you shall find the sum. Will there be beds for me and all who seek? Yea, beds for all who come", the use of Repetition offers emotional reassurance - It soothes existential doubt by affirming a stable, tangible reward awaiting at the journey’s end - The echo of the word reflects the comforting certainty of spiritual rest, even when the path is wearying
• In 'Up-Hill', the quote "Of labour you shall find the sum. Will there be beds for me and all who seek? Yea, beds for all who come", the use of Repetition creates a soothing, almost lullaby-like cadence, mirroring the peaceful resolution that “beds” metaphorically represent - This rhythm functions as a structural closure, rounding off the poem with a sense of completion and symmetry - The calm, echoed phrasing mimics the stillness and finality of rest after labour
• In 'Up-Hill', the quote "Of labour you shall find the sum. Will there be beds for me and all who seek? Yea, beds for all who come", the use of Repetition reflects the deep human desire for rest, belonging, and assurance - core needs intensified by the struggle of life’s “up-hill” path - By echoing the image, Rossetti taps into a universal emotional longing, suggesting the speaker’s question is not merely logistical but profoundly spiritual - Repetition thus mirrors the intensity of that yearning for peace
• In 'Up-Hill', the quote "Of labour you shall find the sum. Will there be beds for me and all who seek? Yea, beds for all who come", the use of Repetition reflects a rigid moral structure, suggesting that the outcome of one’s journey is predetermined by divine order - The unwavering phrasing implies that there is no deviation from the path’s end, reinforcing a worldview in which justice and rest are meted out with unflinching consistency - Rossetti’s use of repetition here conveys the inflexibility of spiritual law, where the reward is fixed, not negotiated
• In 'Up-Hill', the quote "Of labour you shall find the sum. Will there be beds for me and all who seek? Yea, beds for all who come", the use of Sibilance creates a hushed, calming effect, mirroring the tranquillity associated with rest or death - This soft soundscape reflects Rossetti’s desire to demystify and soothe the fear of the afterlife, framing it as a peaceful closure rather than something fearsome - It gently carries the reader toward the poem’s spiritual resolution
• In 'Up-Hill', the quote "Of labour you shall find the sum. Will there be beds for me and all who seek? Yea, beds for all who come", the use of Sibilance mimics the tone of a whisper, lending the voice a sense of intimacy and compassion - This technique reflects the speaker’s desire for reassurance during an anxious moment, as if the guide’s answers are meant to soothe fear with quiet certainty - It humanises the duologue, suggesting emotional warmth
• In 'Up-Hill', the quote "Of labour you shall find the sum. Will there be beds for me and all who seek? Yea, beds for all who come", the use of Sibilance evoke a sense of sacred silence - a spiritual hush that often accompanies awe or reverence - This links to the poem’s religious undercurrent, suggesting the speaker is nearing a holy destination - Sibilance, then, becomes an auditory representation of divine stillness or solemnity
• In 'Up-Hill', the quote "Of labour you shall find the sum. Will there be beds for me and all who seek? Yea, beds for all who come", the use of Sibilance provides phonetic cohesion, helping to bind the ideas of labour, seeking, and arrival into a unified conclusion - The sonic pattern mirrors the logical certainty of the answer: effort leads to rest - This tight structure emphasises Rossetti’s didactic purpose - reward follows faithfulness
• In 'Up-Hill', the quote "Of labour you shall find the sum. Will there be beds for me and all who seek? Yea, beds for all who come", the use of Sibilance mirrors the ongoing, rhythmic passage of time - like a gentle, unceasing breeze or a quiet stream that carries one forward - This sound mimics the continuity of life’s journey, where the repeated "s" sounds echo the gradual movement toward the ultimate destination, reinforcing the idea that time, like the sibilance, flows imperceptibly but inevitably - The serenity of the sibilance suggests that the spiritual journey, while challenging, is always in motion, and the promise of rest at the end is both certain and endlessly available for those who persevere
• In 'Up-Hill', the quote "Of labour you shall find the sum. Will there be beds for me and all who seek? Yea, beds for all who come", the use of Metaphor ("Beds") symbolises rest and peace after the laborious journey of life - Just as a bed is where one seeks rest after physical exertion, so too is the "bed" in this context a spiritual resting place for those who endure the challenges of life - It suggests that the reward for suffering and effort is a return to peace, where one can find solace and recuperation after the struggles of existence
• In 'Up-Hill', the quote "Of labour you shall find the sum. Will there be beds for me and all who seek? Yea, beds for all who come", the use of Metaphor ("Beds") could be interpreted as a metaphor for death, representing the final rest for the soul after life’s exhausting journey - Just as one lies down to sleep, so too does one rest eternally after the trials of life - In this way, the metaphor positions death as an inevitable yet peaceful closure, comforting the reader with the idea that rest awaits after the toil and turmoil of life
• In 'Up-Hill', the quote "Of labour you shall find the sum. Will there be beds for me and all who seek? Yea, beds for all who come", the use of Metaphor ("Beds") could be seen as a symbol of divine grace or salvation, where one who has struggled and suffered is welcomed into the safety and warmth of God’s care - This metaphor underscores the Christian understanding that salvation is a place of rest, free from suffering - The bed, as a metaphor for salvation, becomes a sanctuary for the soul, promising divine reward for those who persevere in faith
• In 'Up-Hill', the quote "Of labour you shall find the sum. Will there be beds for me and all who seek? Yea, beds for all who come", the use of Metaphor ("Beds") represents comfort and reassurance at the end of a long, weary journey - The speaker’s questions about beds reveal a fear of being denied shelter or rest, but the affirmative answers signal that comfort and protection are guaranteed - The metaphor reassures the reader that, despite life’s hardships, there is a guaranteed place of consolation and security at the end
• In 'Up-Hill', the quote "Of labour you shall find the sum. Will there be beds for me and all who seek? Yea, beds for all who come", the use of Metaphor ("Beds") links to Matthew 7:7-8 – "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened" - This passage directly addresses the concept of seeking and finding, similar to how the poem’s speaker asks if there will be beds for all who seek - In this biblical passage, seeking is promised to lead to finding - echoing the assurance in Rossetti's poem that all who seek rest (whether spiritual or literal) will find it