Up-hill Flashcards
What is Up-hill about? (4 points)
The poem deals with the subject of life in terms of a difficult journey
Imagines a conversation between two people that we may think of as a traveller and a guide
One convincing interpretation is that, because the responder addresses the traveller as ‘my friend’, this un-named guide could be Jesus
However, the poem is suitably vague as to what the journey involves, who is undertaking it, the nature of the responder and the nature of the destination
What is the structure of Up-hill? (3 points)
The poem consists of four verses with four lines each, known as quatrains
There are two perspectives of two distinct narrators, one who asks questions, and one who provides answers
These are distinguished from each other by the ABAB interlocking rhyme structure, where line ‘A’ is a question spoken by one narrator, and ‘B’ is an answer by the responder
What is the language and imagery of Up-hill? (3 points)
The language is conversational and accessible, and flows easily, despite the somewhat erratic syllable count for each verse — a typical Rossetti characteristic
The metrical rhythm is very loosely iambic, alternating between pentameters and tetrameters - varied to increase pace and provide emphasis
By basing ‘Up-hill’ on a question and answer format, Rossetti achieves a conversational yet deeply religious tone, that contemporary readers would have related to
What other poems can Up-hill be linked to?
Devotional Poems:
A Birthday
A Christmas Carol
A Froth on the Face of the Deep
Memory
Twice
What Would I Give
What is the relevant context for Up-hill? (2 points)
Christina Rossetti faced challenges and struggles, notably two difficult romantic relationships, ill-health and family tragedy
The question-and-answer format is used in religious teaching, forming a catechism - the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, with which Rossetti would have been familiar, contains several catechisms
