This document covers the poem: 'A Christmas Carol' by Christina Rossetti. I studied this poem for my A Level, Edexcel English Literature Exam as part of the poetry module.
By constructing these summarises and notes these provided me with ideas and themes which I could for my essays and thesis. ...
• Poem addresses the cultural members of the catholic church. Poem revolves around the themes
of love for a child and the spiritual devotion to Christ or a god like figure
• ‘Carol’ the poet tries to start the poem with a joyous note. Seen that the female heart is both, a
natural and supernatural gift.
• Idea of naming the poem ‘Christmas carol’ extenuates Rossetti's intention for this to be
developed into a song.
• ‘Christmas’ itself portrays the idea of the biblical story, relation to Jesus
• ‘Carol’ often sung in choirs. In this way suggestion of society coming together for such a
celebration
• ‘A’ creates the idea of the recuing presence of this story. Although in different shapes and forms
they all define the importance of spirituality and forming a relationship with a God-like figure
• Poem was not created as a song, but Rossetti perhaps suggesting that she wanted it to be
• Carols are popular hymns, stressing accessibility and enjoyment. And can thus safely incorporate
religious folk traditions, including events not necessity depicted in the bible
Language
• Rossetti narrates a modern adaptation of the nativity scene and conveys her appreciation and
wonder towards God. Describes the attributes of winter. Winter is the season when Christian
celebrates Christmas, the day when Jesus Christ was born. Poem depicts a scene of Christ being
born in a manger during winter.
• In the poem ‘A Christmas Carol’ Christina Rossetti uses the elements of character and setting to
express her belief in humility during worship and appreciation of the unpretentious aspects of
Christianity. The character of the impoverished narrator and the presence of farm animals
demonstrates Jesus’ comfort amongst eh lower class members of society and the simple setting
of a stable exemplifies Rossetti’s message of the value of meekness
• Rossetti describing the winter conditions within nature with pessimistic connotations; the first
stanza beginnings with ‘bleak mid-winter'. Adjective bleak has connotations of misery and cold.
Depictions of winter as a metaphor for pre-Christian paganism and desolation, to Jesus birth in
the second stanza. ‘midwinter’ being symbolic of the unredeemed humankind.
• Pathetic fallacy ‘in the bleak mid-winter'. Rossetti's cynical description of nature places stress on
how bare and corrupted the world was before the presence and actions of Jesus
• Personification of ‘frosty wind made moan’. Two of the essential elements of life- water and
earth- are compared in simile form to hard and unyielding iron and stone. No mention is made
of the other two elements, fire and air’. Seem both be part of this comfortless world
• Similia ‘water like a stone’ portrays the harshness of the surroundings. Extenuates further the
idea of punishment and redeemability of humans before God exited. Inability to lead a
purposeful like due to their own human sins. Could allude to the idea of the original sin in the
belief that humans were corrupted due to human pursuits such as their desire for temptation
and sexuality.
, • Seamlessly unending nature on ‘snow on snow’ permeates a feeling of loss of hope for
humanity. Equally becomes metaphorical to highlight the inescapability of humanity to
overcome the sins that they have psychologically manifested
• The fact that Rossetti repeats ‘in the bleak mid-winter' in the palmitate line of the first stanza
expresses a feeling of claustrophobia. Society is stuck in this endless cycle of corruption which
they are inevitably unable to break free from. Yet, the fact that this is not the last line of the first
stanza expresses a theme of hope for society. Suggestion that this occurred ‘long ago’ brings to
light the tone of appreciation. Suggestion of the change of this past life to present day that
allows for the contemporary and modern reader to now reach a relationship with God.
Suggestion that the foreshadowed birth of Jesus was the turning point for society to allow them
to redeem their sins
• Hyperbolic statement ‘heaven cannot hold him’. Rossetti emphasises the greatness of God as he
is too good of the paradise of heaven. Hyperbolic statement representative of the birth of
Christ, Christ must be born on earth, live and die as a human.
• Second stanza begins by provoking a universal nature. Permeates ‘our God’. By doing this the
personal pronoun ‘our’ extenuates an appreciative tone, juxtaposing the miserable and dreary
atmosphere created at the beginning.
• ‘Heaven cannot hold Him/ nor earth sustain’. Metaphorically expresses the liminal boundary
between the Transcience God and his omnipotence in humanity. Expresses a theme of awe and
wonder not only at the capacity and ability of God to make changes in society, but in the
suggestion that he would want to forgive those in society for their own condemnation.
• Second stanza is juxtaposed with the first as Rossetti describes the magnificence of God in
contrast to the harsh and hare nature. ‘Heaven cannot hold Him/ nor earth sustain’. Rossetti
conveys how the world was ‘bleak’ before Christ, she places emphasis on Christ's influence. Use
of masculine pronouns ‘him’ permeates a sense of masculine authority expressing the
omnipotence and transcendence of Gods ability, and Christ's ability to save humanity
• ‘Heaven and earth shall flee away’. Rossetti's use of the metaphor and adverb ‘flee’ implies that
Gods Transcience and omnipotence against humanity. Due to their sins, they are currently
unable to reach him. Yet, the suggestion of Gods assertion over humanity highlights as sense of
awe at his capabilities to have divine and supreme control over humanity.
• Rossetti repeats for the last time ‘in the bleak midwinter’. Implication that as a result of Gods
supreme abilities he used this to heal humanity. The fact that this is the last time the refrain
appears in the poem highlights the transition of society from the condemnable and dreary place.
Turning point for society due to the omnibenevolent nature of God who used his powers and
attentions to concentrate on redefining the corrupted society
• ‘a stable place sufficed’ where the persona introduces Jesus Christ and his human incarnation to
the reader. The adjective ‘stable’ is ambiguous. Both representing God's ability to fix and sustain
the goodness and purity balanced in earth. Yet, equally this could allude to the biblical story of
Jesus who came down to heaven to redeem society as a gift from God. Provides a tone of hope
for the redemption of society
• Third stanza highlights how modest and humble Christ is with ‘enough for him’ and later
imitates his nature and modesty when she comes to an epiphany and ‘gives her heart’ in the
final stanza. Scarifies her heart which is needed to survive, as a gift, similar to Jesus sacrificing
his life for mankind’s sin. Unique value of human love
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