Chronological Summary of all the texts Flashcards
Porphyrias lover
Introduction:
The poem begins with the speaker describing a stormy night. The setting is dark and bleak, suggesting a sense of isolation and tension.
Porphyria’s Entrance:
Porphyria, the speaker’s lover, arrives at his cottage, and he describes her in a loving, almost worshipful way. She is portrayed as beautiful, strong, and full of life, a contrast to the dreariness of the storm outside.
Porphyria Takes Control:
Porphyria makes a fire and begins to take control of the situation, taking off her wet clothes and speaking to the speaker. She seems to assert dominance, both emotionally and physically, by comforting the speaker and expressing love for him.
The Speaker’s Reaction:
The speaker feels overwhelmed by her affection, but also by the power dynamic. He feels that Porphyria’s love is imperfect and not entirely devoted to him, which stirs up his obsessive desire for control over her.
The Murder:
The speaker, in a moment of madness and possessiveness, decides to kill Porphyria to preserve the perfect moment of their love. He uses her own hair to strangle her, believing this will keep her with him forever in this idealized state of love.
Aftermath:
After strangling Porphyria, the speaker is calm, convinced that he has achieved perfection. He holds her lifeless body, and the storm outside stops, which the speaker interprets as a sign of divine approval.
Final Thought:
The poem ends with the speaker sitting with Porphyria’s corpse, content in the belief that everything is now as it should be. His actions, though horrifying, seem justified in his disturbed mind.
