Initial assessment

Discuss Rossetti's portrayal of relationships between men and women.


Rossetti uses specific language in the poem, 'No, thankyou, John!' To portray the relationship between men and women. Firstly, Rossetti instantly suggests a change in the roles of men and women from her title. The title is significant because of the fact that the speaker of the poem is rejecting male affection. This suggests that Rossetti perceives woman as strong and powerful. This is a very modern view on the roles of men and women from the 19th century; empowered women were not the 'norm'.

Rossetti's humorous style also suggests Rossetti's modern view of the roles of men and women. Rossetti's comedic undertone is suggested from the second stanza when the speaker 'jokes' about John's face as being '...as wan as an hour old ghost'. This phrase gives the impression that Rossetti thinks that women should take on a more masculine attitude. This point is further illustrated in the seventh stanza when Rossetti goes on to write, 'let us strike hands as hearty friends.' Rossetti's writing style consistently gives a masculine tone or attitude. This portrays the men and women's relationship in the poem as very one-sided and that a man should work for the woman's approval. Also, that women are powerful and outspoken.

The point that men should term for female affection is also suggested through Rossetti's use of imagery. Specifically in the second stands a where Rossetti says, 'Will you haunt me with a face as wan as an hour old ghost?'. This use of literal expression portrays an image that the male in the poem is trying to pursue the famed speaker and is reaching out for her gratitude but the speaker, being an empowered woman,isn't impressed by the efforts. This entails a complete role change between the relationship of men and women because typically in 1860's England, women didn't have a voice to speak their opinion but Rossetti is showing a different side to that. 

In addition, Rossetti's verse form is specifically important in the over all tone of the poem. Rossetti's efforts to keep the poem very comedic and light are shown through her consistent but repetitive verse form. (8 stanzas, 4 lines each) The reason for this could be to keep the poem from being too controversial because the way Rossetti has perceived the male and female roles in her poem are very different to the reality of the19th century. 

Notes on Christina Rossetti's Round Tower at Jhansi

Rossetti used an element of anxiety through the dialogue and direct speech between Skene and his wife which portrays their relationship as very equal. The question,'will it hurt much?' Is desperately posed before both characters die which suggests a very intimate and personal relationship between Skene and his wife. This open display of anxiety and vulnerability suggests a bond between between the lovers, which is contrary to the loveless, arranged Victorian marriages of the time. Many Victorian marriages were considered a business deal, not often founded on love. Therefore this description of a passionate and melodramatic story seems to be very modern yet quite controversial for Rossetti.

~Whole poem is a ballad, June 8th 1857. Indian mutany.

~Very dramatic: feeding Victorian appetite for melodrama. 'The swarming howling wretches below.' 

~Speech is ambivalent: could be masculine or feminine. (2nd stanza)

~Foreshadowing of death in the narrative/characterisation of 'Skene looked at his pale young wife:'

~Also, shows possession through infantilised description of his wife. However, he loves her enough to want to bear the pain for her.

~Contrast of anxiety and declarative. 'Is the time come?'-'The time is come!'

~Present tense continuous in 3rd stanza.

~Sensuality: 'Close her cheek to his...'

~Terse description: 'Kiss and kiss:'


The relationship between men and women.
1. Sensuality of the 3rd stanza present tense continuous, modern relationship, not just for reproduction.
2. Characterisation of women. Rossetti still remaining not too controversial by keeping the Victorian consensus of infantilisation. "his pale young wife."
3. Repetition of "gained and gained.." creates melodrama.
4. Ambivalent voices of characters, role reversal? who is in control?
5. Anxiety of the question; "will it hurt much?" Suggests a personal, intimate relationship where both lovers feel they can open up to each other and reveal their true feelings. Role reversal? No formality. 

Notes on Christina Rossetti's Goblin Market

Critical Positon

Rossetti uses the character of Lizzie and Laura to represent halves of ones self by: 

~Mirroring in the names 'L'

~'Looked together in one-nest'-this metaphor could represent a sense of self and the way multiple selves can co-exist or be 'locked' in one identity. 

 

Lizzie represents: moral authority; public self of Victorian femininity; infantilised repression

Laura represents: private transgressive self of Victorian femininity. 

Laura and Lizzie could represent the struggles that Rossetti is dealing within herself. The expectation that Rossetti should devote her life or sacrifice her freedom to be a 'modest maiden' is represented through the character of Lizzie whom has an 'open heart' to the patriarchal society of the Victorian are. Rossetti often opposes thus bland destiny of domestic duties with her description of nature throughout many of her poems. Additionally, Rossetti expresses this in Goblin Market through the character of Laura which represents Rossetti's rebellion to the patriotic society and her expected duties. Laura yearns and desires for the 'orchard fruits' that the Goblins 'cry' about. Throughout Laura's character, Rossetti could be expressing her desire for the luxuries of life which women weren't allowed in such a male-dominated society.