Page 1: Analysis of "Remember" by Christina Rossetti
The poem "Remember" by Christina Rossetti delves into the complex themes of death, memory, love, and heaven. This Victorian-era poem addresses a man, likely the speaker's beloved, creating an immediate emotional connection with the reader.
The opening lines serve as a powerful hook, drawing the reader into the speaker's world. Rossetti's use of the phrase "gone away" is a euphemism for death, reflecting the Victorian tendency to approach the subject of mortality with delicacy. The repetition of "Remember" throughout the poem underscores the speaker's desire to be held in memory, even as she faces the inevitability of passing into the "silent land."
Highlight: The poem's structure and language reflect the Victorian culture's approach to death - remembered and feared, but often not directly spoken of.
The sonnet's form allows Rossetti to explore the tension between remembering and forgetting. The first eight lines (octave) focus on the speaker's plea to be remembered, while the final six lines (sestet) introduce a shift in perspective. This volta marks a turning point where the speaker begins to prioritize her loved one's happiness over her own desire to be remembered.
Example: The line "Better by far you should forget and smile / Than that you should remember and be sad" exemplifies this shift in the speaker's mindset.
Rossetti's use of language is particularly noteworthy. The poem employs a high register, giving it a formal tone that befits its serious subject matter. The use of monosyllabic words in certain lines creates a slow, deliberate rhythm that mimics the gravity of the topic.
Vocabulary: Caesura - A pause or break in a line of poetry, often marked by punctuation.
The poem also touches on the Victorian expectations for mourning, particularly the different standards for men and women. While women were expected to mourn extensively, men were often encouraged to move on more quickly.
Quote: "For if the darkness and corruption leave / A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,"
This line alludes to the decomposition of the body and, metaphorically, the fading of memories. It creates a poignant contrast between the physical reality of death and the enduring nature of love and memory.
The structure of the poem, with its simple rhyme scheme and natural pauses, gives a sense of resolution and completeness. However, the final lines leave room for interpretation - does the speaker truly want her love to move on, or is there a hidden desire to be grieved?
Definition: Volta - A turn or shift in thought or argument in a sonnet, typically occurring between the octave and sestet in a Petrarchan sonnet.
In conclusion, "Remember" by Christina Rossetti is a masterful exploration of love, death, and memory, reflecting the complex attitudes of the Victorian era towards mortality and grief. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to capture the universal human experience of loss and the desire to be remembered.
