Remember Flashcards
What are the themes of this poem?
Patriarchy, Death and Mental Health
When was the poem written and published? What significant life event happened to Rossetti before it was published?
It was written in 1849, her father died in 1854 and it was published in 1962.
What is the form of the poem? What does this show?
It is written as a petrarchan sonnet. 14 lined poem in 2 stanzas, an octave and a sestet with a volta in between them. In the octave, there is an ABBA ABBA rhyme scheme. Petrarchan snnets were for very skilled poets and it emulates a male writer. Shows dominance.
How can we tell that maybe the speaker is nervous about death?
“Remember me when I am gone away… gone far away into the silent land” - euphemism - she’s scared of death
How does the speaker reminisce? What does this tell us about the speaker and her situation?
“When you can no longer hold me by the hand” - the hand signifies male control. Maybe the female speaker wants to leave her male lover because she feels controlled but her religion doesn’t allow her to leave. She has to wait, but she’s preparing.
How can we tell that the speaker’s spouse is quite controlling and dominating in the relationship? Who could this link to in Rossetti’s life?
“You tell me of our future you plann’d” - the male lover is in control of the speaker’s life. Could link to James Collinson or her father, the fact that she could no longer be with her father.
How can we tell the speaker is taking control now?
“And afterwards remember, do not grieve” - instructions are now being given. Similarly to song, the speaker is now dominating their life and telling the Spouse what to do.
How can we tell that the speaker is suffering in life? How does this link to Rossetti’s own experience?
“For if the darkness and corruption leave A vestige of the thoughts I once had” - Psychological/mental suffering? Rossetti suffered from mental health problems such as nervous breakdowns and depression but believed that this was her toll because life was meant to be endured not enjoyed.
How can we see the selflessness of the speaker at the end of the poem?
“Better by far you should forget and smile than that you should remember and be sad” - female selflessness. Abandons their own wishes for the benefit of those still alive. Reflects the deviation from strict mourning traditions = atypical.
What are the 2 perspectives through which this poem can be understood?
- A female speaker talking to her alive male spouse
- Rossetti’s father before he dies.
