UpHill Flashcards
what is the context of this poem?
The poem presents life as a difficult journey, reflecting Rossetti’s personal struggles with ill-health, failed relationships, and family tragedy.
Written in 1861, it is the final poem in Goblin Market and Other Poems.
Influenced by her volunteer work at St. Mary Magdalene Penitentiary, which helped “fallen women” (women who lost their virginity outside marriage).
The highly religious setting of her work likely influenced the poem, especially the biblical allusions in the last two stanzas.
The Anglo-Catholic faith and Victorian society’s strong Christian values shape the poem’s themes.
Possible controversy: the last quatrain’s message of universal acceptance (“all who come”) contrasts with Victorian moral judgment on sin.
what is the speaker? and what is the language like/implying?
Question-and-answer format mirrors religious teachings (catechism).
The responder calls the traveler “my friend,” possibly referencing Jesus (John 15:14-15).
Ambiguous journey—the traveler, the responder, and the destination remain undefined, making the poem universal and open to interpretation.
Conversational but deeply religious tone, familiar to Rossetti’s Victorian readers.
Longer questions, shorter answers emphasize life’s uncertainty vs. the certainty of faith.
what is the rhyme/form?
Four quatrains (4-line stanzas)
Two distinct voices (traveler & responder)
ABAB rhyme scheme (A = question, B = answer)
Flows easily despite varied syllable count—a typical Rossetti trait.
Ballad-like structure but lacks enjambment, creating a sense of finality and certainty in the answers.
what are the themes?
Life as a difficult journey
Inevitability of death and restfulness in the afterlife
Religious faith, commitment, and acceptance
Worries of life and spiritual uncertainty
Light vs. darkness (hope vs. doubt)
what poems could this be compared to?
piteous my rhyme is, twice, a Christmas carol, a birthday
“Does the road wind up-hill all the way?”
“Road” = life’s journey, from birth to death.
“All” emphasizes endless struggle, suggesting life is tiring and difficult.
The mix of soft and hard sounds reflects life’s ups and downs.
“Yes, to the very end.”
Short, direct answer with a full stop = certainty.
Still ambiguous—what is “the end”? Death? Salvation?
“Will the day’s journey take the whole long day?” / “From morn to night, my friend.”
Journey = entire lifespan, ending in death.
“Whole long day” = life feels slow and exhausting.
“Morn” (shortened morning) keeps the structure brief—suggesting some answers in life are simple but hard to find.
“But is there for the night a resting-place?” / “A roof for when the slow dark hours begin.”
“Night” symbolizes death, and “roof” suggests safety in the afterlife.
Doubt enters with “But,” as the traveler fears uncertainty.
“Slow dark hours” = struggles before death.
Biblical allusion: “inn” recalls the nativity story, linking to Jesus as a source of shelter and salvation.
“May not the darkness hide it from my face?” / “You cannot miss that inn.”
“Darkness” = sin, doubt, or suffering, which might prevent reaching heaven.
Fear of being unworthy for salvation, possibly reflecting Rossetti’s own religious struggles.
Reassuring response: heaven cannot be missed.
Biblical reference: “Seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you” (Matthew 7:7).
“That door” implies other doors exist—perhaps leading to hell?
“Shall I meet other wayfarers at night?” / “Those who have gone before.”
Death makes everyone equal—we all take this journey.
“Wayfarers” = souls who have died.
Sharing life’s struggles with others provides comfort.
“Then must I knock, or call when just in sight?” / “They will not keep you standing at that door.”
Fear of being denied entry to heaven.
Caesura (comma) in the question emphasizes uncertainty.
“They” is ambiguous—God? Angels? The dead?
Allusion to Matthew 7:7 (“knock and it shall be opened”)—heaven is open to all who seek it.
“Shall I find comfort, travel-sore and weak?” / “Of labour you shall find the sum.”
The traveler longs for reassurance—will their suffering be rewarded?
“Sum of labour” = judgment based on life’s work.
Choice between punishment and reward, like St. Paul’s teachings.
“Will there be beds for me and all who seek?” / “Yea, beds for all who come.”
“Beds” = peace in heaven.
Unconditional acceptance—controversial in Victorian times?
Final comma creates a pause, emphasizing certainty and hope.
Echoes Rossetti’s personal religious crisis—is she worthy of salvation?
Universal message: faith and seeking are enough for entry into heaven.
