Song: When I am dead, my dearest Flashcards
What are the themes in the poem?
Death and Patriarchy
What is the opening line to the poem? Analyse it.
“When I am dead, my dearest, sing no sad songs for me” - it is very blunt, it shows a sense of acceptance and the fact she is now desensitised. The addressing of ‘my dearest’ signifies it is someone close. The fact she says to sing no sad songs shows that death was not seen as a bad thing - religiously.
What does the speaker tell the reader not to do?
“Plant thou no roses at my head, nor, shady cypress tree”
What does the speaker tell the reader to do?
“Be the green grass above me with showers and dew drops wet”
Why is the imperative used in the poem atypical? What does it show?
The imperative of “Plant” or “Be” shows that the female speaker is taking control. She finally has some say in what is going on and from the grave, she is now instructing the patriarchy on what to do.
How can we tell the speaker does not care about what happens to her memory after she’s dead?
“And if thou wilt, remember, and if thou wilt, forget” - she doesn’t give one anymore. Not bothered. She’s giving him a choice, which is the epitome of female selflesness.s
Why is the speaker so accepting of death? What is the symbolism and context?
“I shall not see the shadows, I shall not feel the rain, I shall not hear the nightingale sing on as if in pain.” - The speaker is content that they will no longer experience the oppression of life, especially from the patriarchy. The nightingale is a symbol of lament. It could also be that the speaker will no longer be suffering with mental health/physical pain and death is a symbol of peace
How can we tell the speaker is at peace?
“And dreaming through the twilight that doth not rise nor set” - gives the sense that she is eternally floating. She views the afterlife in a positive way. Very similar to sleeping and it gives her a sense of peace. Soul-sleeping.
How can we tell the speaker is happy about death? Why would Rossetti be happy about her death?
“Haply I may remember, and haply may forget” - sounds like happily. There is a sense of freedom. People weren’t allowed to commit suicide because of their religion. It was against the Bible to take away your life because that’s what God gave you. Rossetti also believed that life was meant to be endured not enjoy and so to take away your life was like the easy way out.
