SHUT OUT

Question 1

what is the key context/points about this poem?

Answer 1

AO3- the garden of eden
This poem highlights how the natural world is different to the divine world
It was difficult for people to believe in religion at this time, with figures such as Darwin.
There was the belief that the true home is with God
Same structure that was used in Tennysons work- the envelope structure it was expected that the readers of Rossetti was know as such.
Milton books 9/10

Question 2

what are 5 key quotes and their significance?

Answer 2

“all flowers bedewed and green”- link to fertility
Relate to the world and its falleness- grief. Repetition is a key device that is used within the work of Rossetti, yet in this poem she uses repetition but with a difference- the repeated reference to the “spirt”, sense that she wants comfort
“and dear, they are but not so dear”- this may reflect a sense of unease.

Question 3

key context of the poem?

Answer 3

Rossetti’s religious beliefs and life
family and romantic experiences
role of women in Victorian society
the original sub-title while writing was “what happened to me”

Question 4

what were examples of key interpretation and analysis?

Answer 4

“the door was shut.”- the use of caesura and blunt line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, can be interpreted as a religious allegory or commentary on female life.
the possessive repetition of “my garden, mine “ which is emphasised by the rhythm shows us how melancholy the speaker is about the loss of its also a tone of anger.
“shadowless spirit” creates a tone of mystery
the spirit could be interpreted as God

Question 5

the significance of structure and form?

Answer 5

the iambic pentameter reflects the monotony of the speakers life
The inversion of the iambic pentameter on the 2nd line of stanzas 3.5 and 6 covey the difficulty of the speaker.