Christabel Flashcards
A03 context
Similar to ancient mariner
Written in parts
Wrote first part 1797 and second in 1800
Never completed additional 3 parts planned
The structural formality contrast with the mystical nature of the poems content
Fact that it remains unfinished has led to further debates about poems possible meaning
Fanfental - women using sexual power
Christabel- Latin for beautiful Christian/follower of Christ
Wordsworth said too controversial
What type of setting is established in the opening sentence and how is described
‘Cold but not dark’
‘Owls’
Full moon - supernatural and madness - female - sexual rates increase on full moon
Spring - new life rebirth
Praying in woods for lover - blasphemous
How is Geraldine first described
White - innocent
Damsel - distress
Victim in fairy tale
What is christabel’s first reaction on meeting Geraldine in lines 69&70 and how does she then act after talking to her
‘Mary mother save me now’ - from lust/scared
‘Comforted’ ‘share your couch with me’ - intimate - cast a spell
Changes
As they enter castle, what signs and descriptive details suggest Geraldine in not the innocent maid she first appeared
‘And moved as if she were not in pain’
‘A tongue of light, a fit of flame’
What happens when women discuss christabels dead mum
Ghost of mum appears
Geraldine pretends to care
How is christabel altered after her encounter with Geraldine
‘Both blue eyes more bright than clear’ - no longer innocent
Part 2 opens with matin bell ringing the morning call to prayer
What significance does it have for christabel’s FAMILT and why do you think part 2 begins this way
Show the blasphemy that occurred
Spirit of mother still there
Bell- warning
Good v evil
How does Sir Leoline react to his daughters entreaty
‘Wrong’d daughter’ - angry
How does Coleridge employ gothic features in this poem
Martin bells
Rosary beads
Women in distress - vulnerable m, virgin, motherless
Setting - castle
Gloom and horror
Supernatural
Mystery and suspense
Visions
7 interpretations of poem
A05
The poem contains many contradictions former friend but judgemental of his both victim and perpetrator; is both forgiving of his daughter. This makes a singular reading of the text impossible
The basic plot of a fairy tale: an innocent girl is tricked by a wicked creature in disguise poem follows and cursed as a consequence
poem was left unfinished as it would be impossible to write
Poem demonstrated how women are always powerless to alter their destinies: Christabel is ultimately the victim of her father who refuses to listen her
The poem is a moral warning again lesbian relationships: after spending the night with Geraldine, christabel realises she had sinned but it still enraptured by her lover
Demonisation of women
Coleridge mocking gothic demonisation
Why is the poem unfinished
Is there another resolution
Is it cuz it’s over sexual
Charles Lamb- conclusion would be disappointing - mystery
Yarlott- poem was too close to coleridges own domestic situations
Harding- narrative completion is irrelevant - poem is examination of a soul caught in a state of praylessbesss
Welch -!father daughter sexual abuse difficult to end
Is Geraldine good I’ll cixtin etc
Dk
She can be compared with Lamia in Keats fairy tale - never entirely clear not meant to be
Seprant in disguise or woman in love
Geraldine interpretation on gender
Rumour she’s a man
Theme
Sexual freedom
‘Shield her well’
‘Her bosom and half her side’
‘Her gentle limbs did she undress, and lay down in her loveliness’
‘They chocked my cries with force and fright’ - rape?
‘Lifted Her up’ - christabel masculine
