In the round tower at Jhansi

Question 1

narrative begins

Answer 1

“in media res”

in the middle of action

Question 2

hyperbolic language

Answer 2

emphasises the drama

“gained and gained and gained” - urgency, reinforces the situation

Question 3

form

Answer 3

ballad

Question 4

rhyme scheme

Answer 4

A
B
A
B

rapidly occuring events

shows their control over their fates

Question 5

enjambement in stanza 1

Answer 5

adds to the pace

Question 6

insects

Answer 6

“swarming” - animalist/insect reference

implies vast numbers

Question 7

animalistic depiction

Answer 7

of the “howling wretches”

savages or pity- post-colonial view

Question 8

“wretches”

Answer 8

suggests the narrator favours the English

patronism

Question 9

race

Answer 9

“his pale” wife

superior?

Question 10

possessive

Answer 10

“his” young wife

objectify

Question 11

reluctance to die

Answer 11

“is the time come?’ - “ shown by the pause

introduction of dialogue allows an emotional connection with the reader

Question 12

bitter tone

Answer 12

“so full of life”

creates a sense of loss

Question 13

anaphora

Answer 13

of “close”, repeated 3 times, in third stanza

adds to building suspense and tension

Question 14

Christian values

Answer 14

“God forgive them this”

sin to commit suicide- forbidden by ten commandments

Question 15

contrasting

Answer 15

temperatures - “close the pistol to her brow” - interrupts the intimacy

Question 16

4th stanza dialogue

Answer 16

is unattributed, perhaps suggesting that social roles have little consequence in the situation and maybe in general

clipped dialogue suggests desperation

Question 17

selfless

Answer 17

“I wish I could bear the pang alone”

wish to protect each other- shows loving relationship

Question 18

kiss

Answer 18

repetition of “kiss” four times in final stanza

shows their intimacy

Question 19

shakespeare

Answer 19

“thus to kiss and die” - romeo and Juliet

as it’s a poem about the tragic ending of love

Question 20

delaying death

Answer 20

“one kiss more. - “ again they’re are delaying their death

Question 21

“good-bye”

Answer 21

shows their dignity and highlights their courage

Question 22

role of women

Answer 22

here, although shown as a possession earlier on, her dignity in the face of death shows her equality to her husband in terms of bravery

Question 23

not historically accurate

Answer 23

purpose is emotional rather than functional as Rossetti acknowledges that it isn’t “historically accurate”

Question 24

Captain Skene

Answer 24

upper class- this poem could be implying that power doesn’t ensure safety and that class does not define you