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.