This document covers the poem: 'Some Ladies Dress in Full and Muslim White'. I studied this poem for my A Level, Edexcel English Literature Exam for the poetry module.
By constructing these summaries and notes I was able to use my ideas and themes to help formulate my thesis and essays. It is t...
• Lack of title could symbolise the lack of power and identity females had during the Victorian era.
Lack of title could also symbolise the continuous uncertainty that occurs in society
• Idea of ‘some’ is instantly critical of particularly the women in society who are not following
these archetypal views and gender roles of society
• Focus on ‘dress in muslin full and white’ immediately highlights women's materialism in society
to condemn them for their focus on vanity and portraying their wealth rather than in building
their relationship with God
• First line of the poem, Rossetti appears especially critical of women in the poem for rejecting
their archetypal role
Language:
• Poem begins with the use of the anaphora ‘some’ a repeated refrain
• ‘Ladies dress in muslin full and white’ suggesting flattering feminism. The suggestions that
multiple layers of this fabric world have to be worn so it looked full perhaps is used by Rossetti
to transparently expose the vanity of women, a concept Rossetti greatly warned about in her
poetry. While the adjective ‘white’ ironically connotes a sense of purity, it is suggested that
these women in fact represent the opposite in society, and are sinful so allowing their
materialism to get between their devotion to God.
• ‘Succinct and black’ suggests the gentlemen's self-conscious attention to image and potentially
dandyism. Idea of the adjective ‘succinct’ suggests the gentlemen are cleanly dressed, with all
parts of their clothes properly tucked and arranged. Rossetti's frustration at the hypocrisy of
society in placing their importance on their reputation when really, they reputation they should
only be shaping and forming to build a relationship further with God.
• Voice is that of a third narrator person. Subject reflecting Rossetti's stance and beliefs on
feminisms. Tone is didactic and satirical. Pace is fact, the language concise and clipped.
• Fussing over the ‘right’ sort of carriage or a single rider with a horse represents Rosset is
criticisms towards materialism, with both ‘hack’ and ‘clarence; being styles of horse-drawn
carriages and becomes symbols of wealth used by Rossetti. Potentially this becomes critical of
the wealthy especially and the superficiality that places a higher importance on objects and
reputation rather than their relationship with God. In this sense Rossetti judges their belief that
they need these fancy vehicles to be able to travel perhaps suggests that this is rejecting the
human means to humans which were granted by God.
• Final mode of transportation which she refers to is a ‘clarence’. One of the most expensive
examples. The fact that it is ‘painted’ further increases its worth. Yet, in this sense it represents
the, materialism of the upper classes which Rossetti criticises, suggesting they are too focused
on representing their wealth which takes away from them maintaining them reputation with
God.
• ‘Youth is not always such a pleasing sight’ perhaps highlighting Rossetti's criticisms of the youth.
Issues in them indulgent, gluttonous and vain attitudes and behaviours. By representing the
rebellious nature of the ‘youth’ in society as Rossetti's poem itself would have been deemed
‘rebellious’ by Victorian standards. The idea of observance examined in the dynamic verb ‘sight’
, expresses the lack of disapproval as they are viewing these different groups of people. Rossetti
critical of these changes in society to the increase of materialism suggesting that with the new
youth coming into society comes new generations that a devoid of the importance of God.
Equally the following dynamic verb ‘witness’ continues this idea of sight to Rossetti's criticisms
towards the growing material, superficiality and gluttony on the streets
• Opposition against ‘a man with tassels on his back’. Gentlemen would dress like this, perhaps in
a uniform, for a special occasion. Could be a wedding, funeral or any other ceremony. Imagery is
equally comical and hence is used by Rossetti to suggests that this form of clothing opposes the
typified nature of the modest and business-like man in society. Criticises the lack of respect to
these archetypal beliefs around gender.
• Rossetti's use of the similes ‘a great coat like a sack’. Reference to a long probably heavy
overcoat. Not clear why Rossetti has an issue with this coat. Could be because of the way it
emphasizes the woman’s height, making her less the feminine object of admiration that society
usually deems appropriate. The idea of the military like coat suggests the assertion of ‘women’
in society. Criticised by Rossetti who believed in the archetypal viewpoints towards genders.
• ‘Towering above her sex with horrid height’. The dynamic verb ‘towering’ criticises the assertion
of this women with the adjective ‘horrid’ highlighting Rossetti's disapproval. The belief that
women should remain submissive in society is hence used by Rossetti to contradict these
deviating women.
• Exclaims that ‘water fit to drown’ represents the idea of the world being made of ‘water fit to
drown’. Reminiscent of the flood in the Noah’s Ark story, Genesis where the sinners were
drowned and the righteous saved by God. Without obfuscation she says the it would be better
for them to drown then continue living. Equally the dynamic verb ‘drown’ is violent and
rebellious idea of wanting to drown people for not following the laws of society.
• ‘You would not teach to swim’. The dynamic verb ‘teaches’ expressing the idea that Rossetti
would rather not help those she believes to be sinning in society. Idea that they are almost
unsavable and that they would metaphorically and physically ‘drown’ based off their own sins as
they are unable to help themselves
• Cruelty expressed in ‘rather enjoying if you saw them sink’. Use of the pronoun ‘you’ is vague
and could be pushing her viewpoints onto the reader. In this case forcing them to imagine this
grim and graphic sight next to the abstract noun ‘enjoying’ could highlight the malicious intent.
• Critical of the ‘certain old ladies’ attempting to recapture their youth, but signifying instead
stupidity and undignified, empty-headed, frivolity. The fact that they are ‘dressed in girlish pink,
with roses and geraniums on their gown’ exposes a sense of irony in the theme of age. These old
women are attempting to retain their youth. However, the adjective ‘girlish’ representing
Rossetti's portrayal of this ridiculous imagery. While the symbol of ‘roses’ could portray this idea
of corruption. The romanticised nature of the elderly women is viewed as stupid by Rossetti
suggesting that they should be attempting to sexualise themselves to attract young men and
play the part of the damsel when they are old enough to know that their actions have
consequences.
• ‘Bason’ is capitalised, giving ironic and humorous weight to this universal washing-up bowl. Old
fashioned alternate spelling of basin, is usually used within the Church of England. This increases
the possibility that all these different people she is observing are in the same place, in church, or
on the way to church. Idea for symbol of cleansing for the importance of the lesson of humanity
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