No, Thank You, John Flashcards
what are the contextual themes of this poem?
roles of women, especially with regards to marriage
Women’s agency
opinions of love
what is the form and structure of the poem?
There is a repeated rhythmic structure, tedious at having to mention the same topics.
enjambment of the final two stanzas, this may allow to appease friendship.
regular rhyme- this highlights her bluntness
dramatic monolgue- this is a way to clearly address Johh.
Typical that Rossetti would write in a pattern that she can disrupt.
what is the key context for this poem?
this poem is in direct response to John Brett, he joined the Pre-Raphallite Brotherhood in 1856, its likely that he met R in 1957- this meeting inspired her happy poem The Birthday.
Rossetti refused to an engagement, it was Christina’s brother who would later acknowledge that Brett was indeed her lover.
what is this poem about- key critic views?
Olivia R- this poem is fundamentally about a women who goes against a man who thinks he is entitled to her love. The friendship that is offered at the end is a perfect symbol of that.
what is the key literary and historical context of this poem?
This was published with Goblin Market and represented a patriarchal view of society and how that affects women.
The Victorian referred to matters dealing with women as the “woman question”- this was at a time when women had few rights. Frank discussion of one’s body was viewed as taboo, sexual relationships out of wedlock were not approved of.
Though, the feminist legacy of Rossetti is complicated. On the one hand, she did write poems that can be read in a female way, yet she herself did not submit to the cause, as she did not fully support the female suffrage movement, this would be supported by the views of christianity at the time.
This poem can be read against, being lady-like with quotes such as “I never said I loved you john”
what are 5 key quotes from the poem and their significance?
“I never said I loved you, John”- this is repeated at the beginning of the second stanza, making it public how the speaker views John- the use of the PN, a powerful female voice- may compare to the duchess.
“I dare say Meg or Moll”- females being repressed- link to the old lady and Bosola.
“I’d rather answer “no” to fifty John”- female agency
There is the message that Rossetti is above love, as she states that she will “rive above”- the religious connotations and sense that she is not limited by the superficial structure of society.
“here’s friendship for you if you like, but love, No. thank you John” this is a clear message that Rossetti is above love.
