Porphyrias Lover Flashcards
Who wrote porphyria’s lover
Robert browning
What type of poetry is Browning renowned for?
Dramatic monologues often containing dark male personas
What collection includes the poem mentioned in the context?
‘Madhouse Cells’
How many poems are in the collection ‘Madhouse Cells’?
Two poems
What is a key theme in Browning’s dramatic monologues?
Dark male personas
True or False: Browning’s work is influenced by romantic poets.
True
Fill in the blank: Browning admired the _______ poets.
romantic
What characterizes the second poem in the collection ‘Madhouse Cells’?
It also features a disturbed man
What is the main theme of the poem?
Dramatic monologue about the fatal meeting of two young lovers
The poem explores themes of secret love, longing, pain, death, and control.
What does the male speaker decide to do before his lover arrives?
Preserve the moment forever by killing her
This act signifies his mental instability and desire for control.
How does the speaker spend the night after killing his lover?
Sits with her dead body
This illustrates his inability to let go and the extreme nature of his love.
What does the name ‘Porphyria’ signify in the context of the poem?
A disease that can result in madness
The name ironically reflects the speaker’s mental state even though it is attributed to his lover.
What implication does the term ‘lover’ have in the poem?
Hints at an illicit affair
This suggests that Porphyria may feel guilt regarding their relationship.
What social dynamic is suggested between Porphyria and her lover?
Porphyria has a higher social status than her lover
This creates a power imbalance in their relationship.
Which of the following themes is NOT present in the poem?
A) Control
B) Joy
C) Death
D) Longing
B) Joy
The poem focuses on darker themes such as pain and death.
Fill in the blank: The poem deals with themes of ______, longing, pain, death, and control.
Secret love
What form is the poem written in?
Dramatic monologue
A dramatic monologue is a type of poem in which a single speaker addresses a silent listener, revealing their thoughts and feelings.
What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?
Asymmetrical ABABB
An asymmetrical rhyme scheme means that the pattern of rhymes does not follow a consistent or repeating structure.
How does enjambment function in the poem?
It reflects the unstable nature of the speaker
Enjambment occurs when a sentence or phrase runs over from one line to the next without a pause, creating a sense of continuity and instability.
What does the regular rhythm in the poem signify?
The speaker’s sense of calm
A regular rhythm can create a feeling of stability, contrasting with the chaotic events described in the poem.
What is the juxtaposition present in the poem?
The horror of the events vs. the speaker’s calmness
Juxtaposition is a literary device that places contrasting ideas close together to highlight their differences.
Who is the active persona in the first half of the poem?
Porphyria
Porphyria is the character who takes initiative and drives the action in the beginning of the poem.
What role does the speaker take on after the first half of the poem?
Active in killing Porphyria
This shift indicates a reversal of roles where the speaker moves from a passive to an active role.
Fill in the blank: The poem uses an asymmetrical _______ scheme.
ABABB
True or False: The speaker remains active throughout the entire poem.
False
The speaker starts as passive and becomes active later in the poem.
What literary device is used to set the tone with natural imagery?
Pathetic fallacy
Pathetic fallacy attributes human emotions to nature, enhancing the mood of the narrative.
What elements are present in the imagery used to foreshadow later events?
‘Rain’ and ‘sullen wind’ full of ‘spite’
These elements of nature convey a sense of impending doom or conflict.
What themes does the speaker combine in the poem?
Love and violence
The juxtaposition of tender emotions and destructive actions creates a complex emotional landscape.
Which phrase in the poem suggests emotional turmoil?
‘heart fit to break’
This phrase indicates deep emotional pain and longing.
What does the phrase ‘burning kiss’ imply?
Intense passion
The phrase suggests a mixture of desire and danger.
What shocking action does the speaker commit in the poem?
Strangled her
This act represents the culmination of the poem’s themes of possession and violence.
What technique is used to reveal the shock of the murder?
Anastrophe
Anastrophe involves the inversion of the usual order of words, which can create surprise or emphasis.
What overarching theme is present from the poem’s title?
Language of possession
The desire for control over the beloved is a significant motif throughout the poem.
Fill in the blank: The speaker wishes for his lover to belong to him ‘_______’.
‘for ever’
This reflects the speaker’s obsessive desire for eternal possession.
What literary device is exemplified by ‘the rain set early in to-night’?
Pathetic fallacy
Pathetic fallacy attributes human emotions to nature, reflecting the speaker’s emotional state.
What does the phrase ‘the sullen wind was soon awake’ convey?
An ominous atmosphere
The description creates a threatening mood, enhancing the emotional tension in the poem.
What action does the wind take in the poem?
It tore the elm-tops down for spite
This action personifies the wind, suggesting malice and adding to the foreboding atmosphere.
What is Porphyria’s role in the poem?
She appears dominant and active
Her actions contrast with the speaker’s initial passivity, indicating a shift in dynamics.
What effect do caesura and end-stops have in the poem?
They disrupt the rhythm
This disruption reflects the disturbed mind of the speaker and adds emotional weight to the poem.
What does Porphyria do when she enters?
She shuts the cold out and the storm
This action symbolizes her attempt to create warmth and safety, contrasting with the external chaos.
What does Porphyria’s behavior suggest about her character?
Reference to ‘fallen women’ of the Victorian era
Her flirtatious actions imply societal views on women and suggest an illicit relationship.
What does the phrase ‘Blaze up, and all the cottage warm’ signify?
Creation of warmth and comfort
This line contrasts the earlier ominous atmosphere, highlighting the emotional complexity of the scene.
How does Porphyria’s action of removing her clothing affect the speaker?
Highlights his passivity
The speaker remains passive, indicating his emotional state and contrasting with Porphyria’s assertiveness.
What does Porphyria do when no voice replies to her?
She put my arm about her waist
This action indicates intimacy and her desire for connection, further complicating the speaker’s emotional response.
Fill in the blank: The speaker’s heart is described as fit to _______.
break
What literary device is reflected in the repetition of ‘and’?
It reflects the calm
The repetition creates a sense of continuity and tranquility in the narrative.
What does the phrase ‘smooth white shoulder bare’ suggest?
It suggests intimacy and vulnerability
This imagery emphasizes the closeness between the characters.
What is indicated by the description of ‘yellow hair displaced’?
It indicates a disruption in normalcy
This can symbolize emotional turmoil or a pivotal moment in their relationship.
What does the speaker’s action of ‘stooping’ imply?
It implies submission and a desire for closeness
This gesture suggests vulnerability and a longing for connection.
What does ‘murmuring how she loved me’ convey about their relationship?
It conveys an intimate yet troubled connection
The act of murmuring suggests secrecy or a private moment amidst chaos.
Fill in the blank: ‘Too weak, for all her heart’s _______’.
endeavour
This indicates her struggle to express her feelings.
What does ‘struggling passion free from pride’ suggest?
It suggests a conflict between love and social expectations
This reflects the tension between personal desires and societal norms.
What is the significance of the phrase ‘give herself to me for ever’?
It signifies a longing for commitment and total surrender
This highlights the depth of the speaker’s feelings despite the obstacles.
True or False: The speaker believes that passion can sometimes prevail over societal constraints.
True
This suggests an inner conflict where love is pitted against societal expectations.
What does ‘a sudden thought of one so pale’ indicate?
It indicates a moment of reflection or concern for the loved one
The pallor may symbolize vulnerability or emotional distress.
What does the phrase ‘love of her, and all in vain’ imply?
It implies unrequited love or hopelessness
This reflects the speaker’s despair regarding their relationship.
What is suggested by her coming ‘through wind and rain’?
It suggests determination and sacrifice
This imagery emphasizes her commitment to being with the speaker despite challenges.
What does the obsession with ‘yellow hair’ foreshadow?
It foreshadows a potential act of violence
The repeated focus on the hair highlights its significance in the narrative.
What societal factor is hinted at regarding the couple’s relationship?
Society’s disapproval
This reflects the challenges they face due to their social standings.
What does leaving ‘some party’ to be with him signify?
It signifies her desire to prioritize their relationship
This act contrasts her social obligations with her personal desires.
What does the speaker feel about having power over Porphyria?
The speaker likes the idea of having power over her
This reflects a possessive nature and a sense of control.
What emotions does the speaker experience when he realizes Porphyria worships him?
Happy and proud; his heart swells
This indicates a sense of validation and emotional fulfillment.
What action does the speaker take towards Porphyria?
He strangles her
This shocking act is portrayed as an attempt to capture a moment of love.
What literary device is used when describing Porphyria’s hair?
Anastrophe
This adds to the impact of the shocking climax.
What metaphor is used to describe Porphyria after she is strangled?
A shut bud that holds a bee
This metaphor emphasizes the beauty and innocence that remains despite the act.
What does the speaker believe about Porphyria’s experience during her strangulation?
He believes she felt no pain
This reflects his delusion and possibly his madness.
What does repetition and listing in the text reinforce?
The speaker’s possessive nature and madness
It indicates his desire to capture the moment of love.
What does the speaker want to achieve by strangling Porphyria?
He wants to capture the moment forever
This indicates a desire to preserve a perfect moment in time.
What is the significance of the speaker’s belief that their love will never be more than it is now?
It accentuates his delusion
He believes in the permanence of the moment despite the act of murder.
Fill in the blank: The speaker’s heart swelled with _______ when he realized Porphyria worshipped him.
happy and proud
True or False: The speaker believes that he has committed a sin by killing Porphyria.
False
He believes he has preserved their love.
What type of sounds are described as vivid and exciting?
Plosive sounds
What does the floral imagery in the text highlight?
Flowers droop and die
What does the speaker’s delusion signify in the line ‘Blushed bright beneath my burning kiss’?
This moment too will not last
What is indicated by the reversal of the line ‘I propped her head up as before’?
Speaker in control now
What is the significance of the speaker’s shoulder bearing her head?
She’s passive
What disturbing realization does the reader come to regarding the female character?
She’s been dead all along
What pronoun is used in place of the female character, indicating objectification?
‘it’
What does the phrase ‘So glad it has its utmost will’ imply about the speaker’s perspective?
Justification for his actions
How does the pronoun ‘she’ reflect the speaker’s view of the female character?
She’s just an object to him now
What does the line ‘And thus we sit together now’ suggest about the speaker’s relationship with the female character?
They are together in a static state
What is the significance of ‘And yet God has not said a word’?
Implying divine silence on the speaker’s actions
Fill in the blank: The speaker’s love is described as both _______ and destructive.
[passionate]
What is a dramatic monologue?
A poetic device where a single speaker addresses a silent listener, revealing their thoughts and feelings.
This device often provides insight into the speaker’s character and motivations.
What is a rhyme scheme?
The pattern of rhymes at the end of each line of a poem.
Common rhyme schemes include ABAB, AABB, and ABCB.
Define regular rhythm in poetry.
A consistent pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a poem.
Regular rhythm can enhance the musical quality of the poem.
What is juxtaposition in poetry?
The placement of two contrasting ideas or images side by side to highlight their differences.
This device can create tension or emphasize a particular theme.
Define pathetic fallacy.
Attributing human emotions and traits to nature or inanimate objects.
This device often reflects the emotional state of characters in the poem.
What is anastrophe?
The inversion of the usual order of words for emphasis or poetic effect.
An example is saying ‘Bright is the sun’ instead of ‘The sun is bright.’
What is enjambment?
The continuation of a sentence or clause across a line break without a pause.
This technique can create a sense of movement and urgency in the poem.
Define caesura.
A pause in a line of poetry, often occurring in the middle of a line.
This pause can add dramatic effect or alter the rhythm of the poem.
What are the characteristics of the tone described as ‘active’?
Energetic and dynamic, often conveying strong emotions or actions.
This tone can engage the reader and create a sense of immediacy.
What does ‘sinister’ tone imply?
A dark, menacing, or threatening feeling in the poem.
This tone can evoke fear or foreboding.
What does the term ‘dysfunctional’ refer to in the context of poetry?
Describing relationships or situations that are not working properly or are unhealthy.
This term can highlight themes of conflict and emotional struggle.
Fill in the blank: ‘Farmer’s Bride’ explores themes of _______.
possessive, destructive love.
This theme is central to the conflict portrayed in the poem.
What is ‘Sonnet 29’ about?
Longing and desire.
The poem expresses deep emotional yearning and the complexities of love.
