Maude Clare - Power

Question 1

Power - Maude Clare

Answer 1

Maude Clare contextualises that her gift is from the day that her and Thomas ‘waded ankle-deep for lilies in the beck.’ - Not only does this insinuate their previous romantic relationship which gives her power in that the pair have history - She later says ‘The lilies are budding now.’ -
Lilies often represent death and thus this may have represented the death of their relationship.

Question 2

Power - Maude Clare

Answer 2

The poem is called ‘Maude Clare,’ and therefore gives importance to MC the fallen woman rather than Thomas or Nell - In more modern views this could be seen as a feminist view.

Question 3

Power - Maude Clare

Answer 3

MC’s gift for Nell she says ‘were it fruit, the bloom were gone, or were it flowers, the dew.’ - Rossetti uses imagery of nature to create a power dynamic between MC and Nell in which MC has the power as the fruit represents Thomas’s love and thus it belongs to MC.

Question 4

Power - Maude Clare

Answer 4

‘Take my share of a fickle heart, Mine of a paltry love,’ - Possessive pronouns - Power of MC

Question 5

Power - Nell

Answer 5

‘For he’s my lord for better and worse… tho’ you’re taller by the head, more wise, and much more fair.’ - AO5 point - Socially Nell is more powerfully as marriage was more of a contractual agreement rather than love based - therefore no matter Maude Clare’s dignity, in reality she was a fallen woman and in Victorian times that meant she had no power.

Question 6

Power - Thomas

Answer 6

It is clear throughout the poem that Thomas lusts for MC and thus him being forced into marriage with Nell presents a lack of power due to having to submiss to the pressure of Victorian societal standards.