Maude Clare - Sexism and Hypocrisy

Question 1

Maude Clare - Tainted

Answer 1

‘Out of the church she followed them,’ - Verb followed implies she is left behind. could be linked to Victorian society condemning women who engaged in sexual relationships outside of marriage whilst men thrived and were able to continue their lives untainted.

Question 2

Thomas - Untainted (AO5)

Answer 2

Thomas’ mother says that ‘Your father thirty years ago had just your tale to tell.’ This is up to the reader whether she knows of his pre-marital relationships - but if she does then this could be Rossetti revealing that it was common in Victorian society for men to get away with things that women were condemned for.

Question 2

Nell - Expectations

Answer 2

‘And what you leave,’ said Nell ‘I’ll take.’ - Victorian societal expectations lead to Nell having to accept that her husband lusts for another woman - however if it was the other way round she would be considered a fallen woman and tainted and would probably be prohibited from marrying Thomas and thus sexist