Themes and Moral Complexity

"In The Round Tower At Jhansi" explores several interconnected themes, presenting a morally complex situation that challenges readers to consider the nature of love, sacrifice, and the impact of colonial conflict.

Key themes:

1. Love and sacrifice
2. Gender roles and power dynamics
3. Colonial conflict and cultural clash
4. Morality in extreme circumstances

The theme of love and sacrifice is central to the poem, as exemplified in the following exchange:

"Will it hurt much?" - "No, mine own:
I wish I could bear the pang for both."
"I wish I could bear the pang alone:
Courage, dear, I am not loth."

Quote: "I wish I could bear the pang for both" highlights Skene's desire to protect his wife, even in death.

This dialogue reveals the depth of the characters' love and their willingness to face death together. It also touches on the theme of gender roles, with Skene attempting to shield his wife from pain and fear.

The moral complexity of their situation is evident in the narrator's plea:

Quote: "God forgive them this!"

This line acknowledges the controversial nature of their actions (suicide to avoid capture) while also expressing sympathy for their plight.

The colonial context adds another layer of complexity:

• The poem presents the events from the perspective of the British colonizers
• The attackers are dehumanized, reflecting colonial attitudes
• The conflict raises questions about the morality of colonial rule and resistance

Highlight: The poem's setting during the Indian Rebellion forces readers to confront the human cost of colonial conflicts on both sides.

Rossetti's treatment of these themes invites readers to consider the difficult choices faced by individuals caught in the midst of historical and political upheavals. The poem does not offer simple judgments but instead presents a nuanced exploration of human behavior under extreme duress.

Literary Techniques and Style

Christina Rossetti employs a variety of literary techniques in "In The Round Tower At Jhansi" to create a vivid, emotionally charged narrative. Her style combines elements of dramatic poetry with historical fiction, resulting in a powerful and memorable work.

Key literary techniques:

1. Vivid imagery
2. Repetition
3. Dialogue
4. Symbolism
5. Dramatic structure

Vivid imagery: Rossetti uses strong visual and auditory imagery to bring the scene to life:

Example: "The swarming howling wretches below" creates a visceral image of the attacking forces.

Repetition: The poet employs repetition to emphasize key points and create rhythm:

Highlight: The repetition of "gained" in the first stanza and "close" in a later stanza builds tension and emphasizes the progression of events.

Dialogue: The use of dialogue gives the poem a dramatic, almost theatrical quality:

"Is the time come?" - "The time is come!"

Vocabulary: This technique is reminiscent of a dramatic script, enhancing the poem's emotional impact.

Symbolism: Various elements in the poem carry symbolic weight:

• The round tower represents both protection and isolation
• The pistol symbolizes both threat and salvation

Dramatic structure: The poem follows a structure similar to a tragic play:

• It begins in medias res
• Builds tension through dialogue and action
• Culminates in a climactic moment of sacrifice

Definition: Dramatic irony is present in the poem, as the readers know the historical context and inevitable outcome, while the characters grapple with their immediate situation.

Rossetti's style in this poem reflects influences from various literary traditions:

• Victorian poetry
• Dramatic monologue
• Historical fiction
• Greek tragedy

By combining these elements, Rossetti creates a work that is both historically grounded and emotionally resonant, inviting readers to engage deeply with the characters and their moral dilemma.

Historical Context and Inspiration

Christina Rossetti's poem "In The Round Tower At Jhansi" draws inspiration from the Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny. This historical event marked a significant uprising against British rule in India.

Highlight: The poem is based on the real-life events of the Indian Rebellion of 1857, where Indian soldiers and civilians rebelled against British control.

Key historical facts:

• The rebellion involved Indian soldiers (sepoys) of the British East India Company
• Native Indian soldiers outnumbered their British counterparts 5 to 1
• Causes included poor pay, harsh treatment, and cultural insensitivity from British officers
• The conflict resulted in over 100,000 Indian casualties
• Jhansi, a North Indian city, was a significant site of resistance

Example: Mangal Pandey, an Indian soldier, led an army of Indian troops against the East India Company, becoming a symbol of the rebellion.

Rossetti's inspiration for the poem likely came from her reading of articles and passages about the event. Her personal experiences with death, particularly that of her father, may have influenced her exploration of love and sacrifice in the face of mortality.

Quote: Antony Harrison argues that we "see more contextualisations of Rossetti's art within a variety of interrelated discourses, including those that address issues of gender, science, economics, politics, aesthetics, religion, or class structure."

This quote highlights the complexity and depth of Rossetti's work, suggesting that "In The Round Tower At Jhansi" can be analyzed through multiple lenses, including historical, political, and social contexts.