Summary
Summary Rossetti What Would I Give Analysis
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In-depth analysis of Rossetti's language, structure, form and meaning
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Rossetti – What Would I GiveInitial Responses Development of ideas and interpretations
(red)
Meaning / Ideas / Themes constructed and explored Meaning / Ideas / Themes constructed and
by the poet explored by the poet
- multiple interpretations of the poem- mildly - the speakers emotionally damaged and
ambiguous depressed state of mind
- self-loathing and despair- poem for - lack of internal or externalwarmth and a
love/depression/faith desire for catharsis
- idea of feeling alone, as if her faith is imperfect - an - loss, pain, faith, struggle, redemption
abject state of misery
- speakers psyche= complex and the reader
- a crisis of faith- idea that sge cannot communicate cannot know what has led her to this state
with God/ idea of being unworthy of God’s love
- first tercet- established her yearning and
- ‘my spirit has fallen dumb’- spirit =soul, happiness, unhappiness, second tercet introduces a
connection w god, isolation religious theme, final tercet conveys a
sense of guilt and self-hatred
- the speaker doesnt have answers- she is in a state of
flux- open and ambiguous state - speaker appears distant and vulnerable-
purgation imagery= suggestive of religious
- paradoxical- poem describes and lack of feeling and devotion
connection but simultaneously vividly describes
feelings
Use of form Use of form
- iambic hexameter (aka alexandrine) -
- 3 X tercets and use of triples in the poem- idea of the
holy trinity, or idea of the cyclical nature of
depression
- regular rhyme scheme AAB but third line= internally
rhymed
Use of structural devices (include key terms) Use of structural devices
- refrain/ anaphora- what would i give’ - answers the - refrain/ anaphora brings a rhythmic
question of the title, creates an imploring tone- the emphasis to the poem
speaker would give anything
- internal masculine rhyme ‘small’ ‘all’-
- ‘hard and cold and small. of all hearts the worst of simple structure juxtaposes the
all’- syndetic lisinting, triadic structure and complexity of ehr emotions
monosyllabic- idea of a heaviness, unable to love
- ‘to wash the stain ingrain, and to make me clean
again’- internal rhyme- reinforcing the idea that this
stain (sin) is engrained in the fabric of her being
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