The Queen of Hearts

Question 1

1. ’ How comes it, Flora, that,’
2. ’ Still hold the Queen of Hearts’

Answer 1

1. Class motif, the queen is a symbol of upper class. Game of chance is a metaphor for life. ‘Flora’- hyperfeminine name.
2. Tone of aggravation at the unfairness in the game.

Question 2

1. “Ive scanned you with a scrutinizing gaze”.
2. “Resolved to fathom these your secret ways”
3. “Your ways are secret still”

Answer 2

1. Male gaze, marriage market and loveless marriages. Judgemental language. Woman pitted against women= lack of sisterhood.
2. Semantic field of distrust and secrecy demonstarted through the female rivalry.
3. Increases speed/ emphasis, speechless.

Question 3

1. “I cut and shuffle; shuffle, cut again;”
   2-3- “proves in vain (enjab) Vain hope, vain forethought too”

Answer 3

1. Inverted repetition adds to futility. Exasperation. Sense of jealousy, she adores Flora’s success. Rhyimg couplets have no deviation- ironic use.
2. Andiplosis.

Question 4

1. “There should be one card more”

Answer 4

Comes accross as condescening and patronising, dramatic monlogue, prepared to sacrifice herself for sabotage.

Question 5

Info

Answer 5

Extended metaphor of gambling.
Rossetti as a ‘contradictory poet’
Marsh Cr ‘ had a lifelong struggle of feminist desires’
Catalectic- short metrical lines.