Title - Maude Clare

• The Title 'Maude Clare' immediately draws attention to the central character, suggesting that her identity and actions are the focal point of the poem - Maude Clare is portrayed as a woman who defies the traditional expectations of passive femininity, making her name synonymous with resistance to societal norms, particularly in the context of love and marriage - Her assertion of agency through the gift and confrontation with Nell highlights her refusal to silently accept her romantic displacement, aligning with Proto-Feminism
• The Title 'Maude Clare' may also represent the Victorian ideal of feminine beauty and grace, but in a subversive light - While Maude Clare’s outward appearance and noble demeanour might align with the socially accepted image of an ideal woman, the title suggests a deeper tension - She embodies the archetype of a woman of virtue, yet the poem exposes the complexities beneath that surface, especially in relation to her emotional turmoil and unfulfilled love
• The Title 'Maude Clare' emphasizes the personal nature of the poem’s narrative, focusing on an individual’s emotional journey - 'Maude Clare' could be interpreted as a reflection of the character’s inner conflict, with the name serving as an anchor for her personal story of betrayal, rejection, and pride - The title invites readers to view the poem as a portrayal of a woman’s inner world, emphasizing the individuality of Maude Clare’s struggle, which transcends mere romantic competition
• The Title 'Maude Clare' can also be seen as symbolic of the theme of lost love - Maude Clare’s rejection by her former lover, the male figure who marries another, ties her identity to a past relationship that defines her in the poem - In this sense, the title can be interpreted as an epitaph for a love that could never fully materialize, with the name itself evoking a sense of melancholy and emotional abandonment
• The Title 'Maude Clare' could also be interpreted as a semi-autobiographical reflection of the poet’s own emotional life - "Maude Clare" may serve as a veiled representation of Rossetti’s own emotional conflicts, particularly her frustrations with unfulfilled love and the constraints placed upon women in Victorian society - The title positions Maude Clare as a stand-in for the poet herself, suggesting that her struggle with love and identity is central to the poem’s thematic exploration