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18
0
M
Molly Gowar
01/09/2025
English Literature
Essay Plan comparing love in A Doll's House and Rossetti''s Poetry
668
•
1 Sept 2025
•
A Doll's House and Rossetti: Love and Themes - Simple Revision Plan
M
Molly Gowar
@mollygowar
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
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Page 1: Love's Difficulties and Pleasures
Difficulties in Love Relationships Due to Gender Roles
Ibsen and Rossetti both explore how 19th-century gender roles created significant challenges in love relationships.
Rossetti's poetry vividly illustrates the predatory nature of men towards single women. She employs powerful imagery to convey this idea:
Quote: "Goblins = 'cats', 'rats', 'dogs': life, doubly black in a woman's lot" (from "An Antique")
This metaphorical language emphasizes the perceived danger and darkness that men represented to women in Victorian society.
Highlight: The Aggravated Assaults Act of 1853 was introduced to combat violence against women, but its lack of enforcement demonstrates the persistent challenges women faced in abusive relationships.
Rossetti also expresses frustration with gender limitations:
Quote: "I wish and wish I were a man" (from "An Antique")
This line encapsulates the desire for greater freedom and agency that many women felt during this period.
Vocabulary: Simile - A figure of speech that directly compares two different things, usually using "like" or "as."
Example: Rossetti uses a simile likening women's voices to doves, an animal associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of sexual love. This comparison suggests both the beauty and vulnerability of women in love.
Love Relationships Provide Pleasure and Hope
Despite the challenges, both Ibsen and Rossetti acknowledge the pleasures and hope that love can bring. Rossetti's poetry, in particular, celebrates the joy of love:
Quote: "My love is like a singing bird, my love is like a rainbow shell, my love is like an apple tree, because my love is come to me" (from "A Birthday")
This exuberant imagery conveys the transformative power of love and its ability to bring happiness and fulfillment.
Rossetti also emphasizes the strength found in familial love and sisterhood, as exemplified in "Goblin Market":
Quote: "For there is no friend like a sister in calm or stormy weather; To cheer one on the tedious way, to fetch one if one goes astray, to lift one if one totters down, to strengthen whilst one stands"
This passage highlights the comfort and support that sisterly love can provide, offering a different perspective on love beyond romantic relationships.
Highlight: Critics note that Lizzie's self-sacrifice for Laura in "Goblin Market" has Christ-like symbolism, emphasizing the redemptive power of familial love.
The Difficulties and Pleasures of Abstract Love
Both Ibsen and Rossetti explore more abstract forms of love, including religious devotion. Rossetti's faith plays a central role in her understanding of love:
Quote: "O God, O God, how shall I bless thy name?" (from "Twice")
Definition: Agape - A Greek term referring to the highest form of love, often associated with selfless, unconditional love as exemplified by God's love for humanity.
Highlight: Critics such as Aline Downey argue that Rossetti's concept of love is closely aligned with agape, emphasizing self-sacrifice and devotion to her faith.
Rossetti's poetry often grapples with the tension between earthly desires and spiritual devotion:
Quote: "Longing and love, pangs of pleasant pleasure" (from "Soeur Louise")
This line encapsulates the complex emotions associated with abstract forms of love, including both the joy and the challenges of religious devotion.
Love's Complexities in A Doll's House and Rossetti's Poetry
This analysis explores the multifaceted nature of love as portrayed in Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House and Christina Rossetti's poetry. The comparison reveals:
- The impact of 19th-century gender roles on romantic relationships
- The pleasures and comfort found in familial and sisterly love
- The significance of abstract forms of love, including religious devotion
- The hope for freedom and equality in relationships
- The detrimental effects of societal expectations on love
Key themes include the oppression of women in marital homes, the power of familial bonds, and the struggle between personal desires and societal norms. Both Ibsen and Rossetti critique the limitations placed on women while also celebrating the transformative potential of love.
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App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
A Doll's House and Rossetti: Love and Themes - Simple Revision Plan
M
Molly Gowar
@mollygowar
This comprehensive analysis compares themes of love in A Doll's House and Rossetti's poetry, exploring both the difficulties and pleasures associated with romantic relationships, familial bonds, and abstract forms of love. The examination delves into the societal context of... Show more
Page 1: Love's Difficulties and Pleasures
Difficulties in Love Relationships Due to Gender Roles
Ibsen and Rossetti both explore how 19th-century gender roles created significant challenges in love relationships.
Rossetti's poetry vividly illustrates the predatory nature of men towards single women. She employs powerful imagery to convey this idea:
Quote: "Goblins = 'cats', 'rats', 'dogs': life, doubly black in a woman's lot" (from "An Antique")
This metaphorical language emphasizes the perceived danger and darkness that men represented to women in Victorian society.
Highlight: The Aggravated Assaults Act of 1853 was introduced to combat violence against women, but its lack of enforcement demonstrates the persistent challenges women faced in abusive relationships.
Rossetti also expresses frustration with gender limitations:
Quote: "I wish and wish I were a man" (from "An Antique")
This line encapsulates the desire for greater freedom and agency that many women felt during this period.
Vocabulary: Simile - A figure of speech that directly compares two different things, usually using "like" or "as."
Example: Rossetti uses a simile likening women's voices to doves, an animal associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of sexual love. This comparison suggests both the beauty and vulnerability of women in love.
Love Relationships Provide Pleasure and Hope
Despite the challenges, both Ibsen and Rossetti acknowledge the pleasures and hope that love can bring. Rossetti's poetry, in particular, celebrates the joy of love:
Quote: "My love is like a singing bird, my love is like a rainbow shell, my love is like an apple tree, because my love is come to me" (from "A Birthday")
This exuberant imagery conveys the transformative power of love and its ability to bring happiness and fulfillment.
Rossetti also emphasizes the strength found in familial love and sisterhood, as exemplified in "Goblin Market":
Quote: "For there is no friend like a sister in calm or stormy weather; To cheer one on the tedious way, to fetch one if one goes astray, to lift one if one totters down, to strengthen whilst one stands"
This passage highlights the comfort and support that sisterly love can provide, offering a different perspective on love beyond romantic relationships.
Highlight: Critics note that Lizzie's self-sacrifice for Laura in "Goblin Market" has Christ-like symbolism, emphasizing the redemptive power of familial love.
The Difficulties and Pleasures of Abstract Love
Both Ibsen and Rossetti explore more abstract forms of love, including religious devotion. Rossetti's faith plays a central role in her understanding of love:
Quote: "O God, O God, how shall I bless thy name?" (from "Twice")
Definition: Agape - A Greek term referring to the highest form of love, often associated with selfless, unconditional love as exemplified by God's love for humanity.
Highlight: Critics such as Aline Downey argue that Rossetti's concept of love is closely aligned with agape, emphasizing self-sacrifice and devotion to her faith.
Rossetti's poetry often grapples with the tension between earthly desires and spiritual devotion:
Quote: "Longing and love, pangs of pleasant pleasure" (from "Soeur Louise")
This line encapsulates the complex emotions associated with abstract forms of love, including both the joy and the challenges of religious devotion.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Love's Complexities in A Doll's House and Rossetti's Poetry
This analysis explores the multifaceted nature of love as portrayed in Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House and Christina Rossetti's poetry. The comparison reveals:
- The impact of 19th-century gender roles on romantic relationships
- The pleasures and comfort found in familial and sisterly love
- The significance of abstract forms of love, including religious devotion
- The hope for freedom and equality in relationships
- The detrimental effects of societal expectations on love
Key themes include the oppression of women in marital homes, the power of familial bonds, and the struggle between personal desires and societal norms. Both Ibsen and Rossetti critique the limitations placed on women while also celebrating the transformative potential of love.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Mock Exam
Quiz
Flashcards
Essay
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user