Porphyrias Lover

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

  A man strangles his lover in despair
• How does the speaker feel about Porphyria when she is dead?

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

  The speaker's emotional turmoil and conflict
• What does Porphyria do when she enters the speaker's cottage?

  She removes her damp clothing
• What does Porphyria express to the speaker?

  Her love for him
• What does the speaker decide to do after learning of Porphyria's love?

  He strangles her with her hair
• How does the speaker justify his actions after strangling Porphyria?

  He insists she felt no pain
• What does the speaker do with Porphyria's body after her death?

  He lies with her all night
• What does the speaker mean when he says "God hasn’t stopped him"?

  He feels justified in his actions
• What literary device is used to describe the weather at the beginning of the poem?

  Pathetic fallacy
• How does the speaker view Porphyria when she enters the cottage?

  As a source of warmth and joy
• What does the use of the word "glided" imply about Porphyria?

  She is viewed as supernatural or otherworldly
• What does the speaker's silence signify when Porphyria calls him?

  His inability to connect with her
• How does the speaker's view of Porphyria change after he kills her?

  He sees her as pure and perfect
• What does the phrase "smooth white" suggest about Porphyria?

  Her innocence and vulnerability
• What does the speaker mean by "vainer ties"?

  Porphyria's connections to wealth or another lover
• What does the speaker's use of "little" imply about Porphyria?

  It infantilizes her and emphasizes vulnerability
• How does the speaker feel about his actions at the end of the poem?

  He feels at peace and justified
• What does the speaker's reference to "playing God" suggest about his character?

  He desires control over life and death
• What is the perspective of the poem?

  First person
• How does Browning portray masculinity in the poem?

  Through the speaker's controlling and repressed traits
• What is the significance of the poem's ending regarding the speaker's actions?

  It highlights his sociopathic nature and lack of remorse
• What does the speaker's use of "we" at the end signify?

  Their union only in death
• How does the poem reflect Victorian societal norms?

  By showcasing extreme masculine traits and femicide
• What does the title "Porphyria's Lover" suggest about the relationship?

  It indicates possession and control
• What literary device does Browning use to reflect the speaker's emotional state?

  Pathetic fallacy
• What does the speaker's obsession with Porphyria's hair symbolize?

  His possessiveness and control over her
• How does the poem's structure contribute to its themes?

  It reflects the speaker's chaotic thoughts and emotions
• What pronoun is used to suggest unity after death in the poem?

  ‘We’
• How does the speaker's control manifest after Porphyria's death?

  He takes full control of both characters
• What perspective is the poem written from?

  First person
• What traits characterize the speaker in the poem?

  Controlling and emotionally repressed
• What does Browning illustrate through the speaker's traits in contemporary literature?

  Extreme results of masculine traits
• What shocking theme does Browning address in the poem?

  Femicide
• How does Browning enhance the reader's understanding of the speaker's error?

  By ending with an example of blasphemy
• What weather conditions are described in the opening stanza?

  Rain and a sullen wind
• What literary device does Browning use to set an ominous tone?

  Pathetic fallacy
• How does the entrance of Porphyria contrast with the weather description?

  It shatters the ominous tone
• What narrative structure does the poem follow?

  Chronological order
• What does the lack of stanzas in the poem suggest?

  Passive unfurling of events