Poem-cousin Kate

Question 1

What are the themes?

Answer 1

Love
Social expectations of women
Social hierarchy
Fallen women
Povity
Beauty
Class

Question 2

What classes are the characters in?

Answer 2

Women (main character) - lower class

Man - upper class

Cousin Kate - lower class

Question 3

What is the message behind cousin Kate

Answer 3

The unfair social expectations of women when it comes to sex and gender

Question 4

What is the primary theme of the poem ‘Cousin Kate’?

Answer 4

The primary theme is the exploration of social class and betrayal in romantic relationships.

Question 5

Who is the speaker in ‘Cousin Kate’?

Answer 5

The speaker is a woman who feels betrayed by her cousin and the man who chose her cousin over her.

Question 6

True or False: The speaker in ‘Cousin Kate’ feels empowered by her situation.

Answer 6

False

Question 7

What does the speaker’s cousin represent in the poem?

Answer 7

The cousin represents societal ideals of beauty and desirability.

Question 8

Fill in the blank: The speaker describes herself as being ______ by the man who chose her cousin.

Answer 8

abandoned

Question 9

What emotional tone does the speaker convey throughout the poem?

Answer 9

The tone is one of bitterness and regret.

Question 10

In ‘Cousin Kate’, what does the term ‘fallen’ imply about the speaker?

Answer 10

It implies that she has lost her social standing and purity due to her romantic situation.

Question 11

Multiple Choice: What does the speaker resent the most about her cousin? A) Her wealth B) Her beauty C) Her happiness D) Her intelligence

Answer 11

B) Her beauty

Question 12

What societal issue does ‘Cousin Kate’ highlight?

Answer 12

It highlights issues of class disparity and the treatment of women.

Question 13

True or False: The poem suggests that love is depicted as a positive force.

Answer 13

False

Question 14

What is the significance of the phrase ‘he lifted you from the dust’?

Answer 14

It signifies the man’s choice to elevate the cousin while degrading the speaker.

Question 15

Fill in the blank: The speaker claims her cousin has become the ______ of the man.

Answer 15

mistress

Question 16

What does the speaker imply about her future at the end of the poem?

Answer 16

She implies a sense of hopelessness and despair regarding her future.

Question 17

What literary device is predominantly used in ‘Cousin Kate’?

Answer 17

The poem uses irony to contrast the fates of the speaker and her cousin.

Question 18

Multiple Choice: What does the man in the poem symbolize? A) True love B) Betrayal C) Wealth D) Power

Answer 18

B) Betrayal

Question 19

True or False: The speaker feels sympathy for her cousin.

Answer 19

False

Question 20

What does the speaker suggest about her own beauty compared to her cousin’s?

Answer 20

She suggests that her beauty is overlooked and undervalued.

Question 21

Fill in the blank: The speaker feels that her cousin has taken her ______.

Answer 21

place

Question 22

What is the impact of the speaker’s tone on the reader?

Answer 22

It evokes feelings of empathy and understanding for her plight.

Question 23

What role does social class play in the poem ‘Cousin Kate’?

Answer 23

Social class affects the relationships and perceptions between the characters.

Question 24

Multiple Choice: How does the speaker view the man who chose her cousin? A) As a hero B) As a villain C) As indifferent D) As a friend

Answer 24

B) As a villain

Question 25

What does the speaker's relationship with her cousin reveal about female relationships in the poem?

Answer 25

It reveals a competitive and adversarial nature shaped by societal expectations.

Question 26

True or False: The poem ends on a note of reconciliation between the speaker and her cousin.

Answer 26

False

Question 27

What does the speaker imply about the nature of the man's affection for her cousin?

Answer 27

She implies that it is superficial and tied to her cousin's beauty.

Answer 28

“Yet I’ve a gift”

Question 29

“I was a cotton-maiden”

Answer 29

The noun “ maiden” has connotations of innocence and virginity

Question 30

“Contented with my cottage-mates”

Answer 30

Suggest she is not thinking about men or prospects or marriage sets the speaker up as innocent to try and get to the reader to simplify with her and view the man as a predatory

Question 31

“Why did a great lord find me out

Answer 31

Lord shows he is in higher class than her. She repeats this line to place emphasis on it and suggest how confusing is by the situation.

Question 32

“To lead a shameful shameless life”

Answer 32

She had sex outside of marriage and did stuff that is shameful for a women outside of marriage

Question 33

“His plaything and his love”

Answer 33

“Plaything” suggests a meaning less relation ship and his toy “Love” suggests that she fort it was a serious relationship but he did care that much for her

Question 34

“Glove”

Answer 34

No value and has connotations of disguise and secrecy which reflects the relationship

Question 35

“Who might have been a dove”

Answer 35

Connotations of innocence and purity suggest that the nobleman has ruined her by taking her virginity away

Question 36

“To sit with him on high”

Answer 36

Suggest that Kate was able to ascend the social ladder as a result of her marriage

Question 37

“O lady Kate my cousin Kate”

Answer 37

Being bitter and sarcastic in her tone

Question 38

“Because you were so good and pure”

Answer 38

Relate to the concept of virginity and innocence. Saying also that she had sex so no one wants to marry her because she’s not pure but cousin Kate is desirable to men as she still is pure

Question 39

“Call me an outcast thing”

Answer 39

Suggest that women are only defined in Victorian society by their status in society

Question 40

“Nor bought me with his land”

Answer 40

Cousin Kate only choosing to marry the noble man for the associated status which comes with marriage

Question 41

“Yet I’ve a gift you have not got”

Answer 41

Considers “gift” his her having a son

Question 42

“And seem not like to get”

Answer 42

Cousin Kate can’t have children which was also frowned upon in Victorian era

Question 43

“ my fair head son my shame my pride”

Answer 43

“Shame” as it was frowned upon in society to have a child outside of marriage “My pride” she doesn’t care and still loves her son

Question 44

What is the meaning behind the poem,”cousin Kate”

Answer 44

Rossetti's concern with the inequality between women and men can be seen in 'Cousin Kate': The speaker is an outcast, because she has had a child outside of marriage. The nobleman who ruined her life suffers no consequences. The speaker lacks the power to confront the man, and instead attacks her cousin