Maude Clare Flashcards
Form and Rhyme
While the poem takes the form of a ballad, the ABCB rhyme scheme differs from the traditional ABAB rhyme scheme of a ballad, which appears more spontaneous and offers relief from the strict regularity of the meter, however it does appear awkward at times - the parallelism with the uncomfortable situation that takes place in the poem shows that the characters are torn between expressing their true emotions and maintaining proper social conventions. The unconventional rhyme scheme echoes the shattering of traditional marriage as a fulfilled love - marriage formed the structure of a stable Victorian society, but Maude Clare ignores these expectations, allowing Rossetti to express the problems with these social conventions.
Queen
‘His bride was like a village maid, Maude Clare was like a queen’
The direct juxtaposition between the character’s show that women were preferred to be submissive, rather than the ‘Queen’ that Maude Clare takes the form of. While a modern reading might consider the simile of a ‘Queen’ to be more desirable than a ‘maid’, Victorian conventions involved men holding the power - just as Nell is first alluded to being a ‘bride’, showing how her marriage and status of a wife define who she is, Maude Clare appears to have more of an identity, being the title of the poem as if she dominates the play, and the situation - although this does appear criticized by the other character’s, mimicking the views of the Victorian society.
Faltered
‘lofty step’ ‘He faltered in is place….-hid his face’
‘I’ll love him till he loves me best, Me best of all Maude Clare’
However, Rossetti further challenges traditional gender conventions, by using caesura’s when Sir Thomas attempts to speak, showing his unsure nature - this struggle with his emotions, cowering by hiding his face and faltering as he walks up is a contrast to the ‘lofty step’ that Maude Clare walks up with, and a clear criticism of dominant masculinity from Rossetti. It’s left up to Nell to resolve the situation, showing that she isn’t the silent bride that she initially appears to be. The incremental repetition highlighting her intentions allows Nell to acknowledge the struggle experienced with gaining a man’s love, and the repeated attempt needed for a woman to assert herself. Yet, by wrestling back the power from Maude Clare, and eventually asserting herself, this symbolizes the struggle between the different portrayals of women in Victorian society, and the idea that the bride always wins.
Lilies
‘waded ankle-deep for lilies….here’s my half of the faded leaves….the lilies are budding now’
The white lilies could represent purity, and combined with the intimate ‘ankle-deep’ imagery, there is an implication of Maude Clare losing her virginity - the detrimental consequences of this are made apparent, with the ‘faded leaves’ representing the previously white lilies gone, and therefore her virginity, and along with it her value, as gone too. In Victorian society, a woman’s worth was determined by her virginity, and this loss leaves Maude Clare alone, an outcast from society. Rossetti was aware of the destructive consequences of unbridled desire for women outside of marriage, working with fallen women - perhaps this poem is a warning, and even a criticism of social convention at the time. Pointing out that new ‘lilies are budding now’, Maude Clare appears aware that women can be replaced easily, and that the double standards forced upon them by men can’t be prevented.
