A Helpmeet for Him Flashcards
What is ‘A Helpmeet for Him’ about? (2 points)
The poem explores women’s varying roles in relation to men: submissive, poweful, supportive, caring and steadfast
The title is derived from Genesis 2 18:
“And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an helpmeet for him.”
What is the form and structure of ‘A Helpmeet for Him’? (3 points)
The poem is a roundel - comprises three stanzas, the first and third containing a refrain
The rhyme scheme in Rossetti’s poem is ABAR BAB ABAR, where R is the refrain
This stylised structure facilitates distinct contrasts of the subject or aspects of it in the three sections - varying roles of women in this case
What are the language and devices used in ‘A Helpmeet for Him’? (4 points)
The voice is that of a third-person narrator -reflects what are probably the nuanced and changing views of the poet
The tone is thoughtful and the presentation is clipped and precise
Each stanza presents a summary of a viewpoint with no words wasted
Opposites used to reflect the distinct gender roles; day and night, strength and weakness, ruddy and white
What other poems does ‘A Helpmeet for Him’ link to?
Some Ladies Dress in Muslin Full and White
Maude Clare
What is the relevant context for ‘A Helpmeet for Him’? (4 points)
Teenage Rossetti veered towards feminism and toyed with the idea of supporting women’s votes and even women serving as Members of Parliament
Irrespective of the label ‘feminism’, Rossetti had deep sympathy for women and their powerlessness in society; women who:
+ Had low social status due to being unmarried
+ Were poor and lived lives of drudgery
+ Had their own resources but had to legally relinquish them to their husband when married
+ Abused/neglected and had no legal redress
Rossetti volunteered in rescue schemes for ‘fallen women’, prostitutes who lived dangerous and exploited lives
Later in life, her religious faith grew more intense and, based on her interpretation of the Bible, she saw the roles of women and men as separate and distinct - caused her to move further away from proto-feminism
