This document covers the poem: 'Uphill' 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. It was this...
• An uphill battle is a common expression likely informed by the title
• Struggles commonly faced by everyone in life
• Journey could be a metaphor for life and ascension to heaven
• Travel/ journey
• Long-time struggle and difficulties
• Dash, break, uncertainty
• Optimism for the future that they may have
Language:
• First verse persona draws upon common ‘uphill battle’ metaphor to inform the title of the
poem. Questioning persona wonders about the inn they are to find, and whether or not they
will be welcome there.
• ‘The road’ could symbolize the journey the speaker takes. Could suggest it is long and difficult.
Being a road leading up to the hill indicates that plenty of others have already taken the route
that is being contemplated. Speaker will not have to carve or find her own path since it had
already been revealed to her
• However, the imagery of the roading ‘wind’ing suggests the difficulty taking this path. Perhaps
becomes a metaphor for the difficulties that the reader faces in life. However, by suggesting
that there is an ‘end’ reflects that they will have the ability to overcome these obstacles.
Reassuring theme that continues throughout.
• Road can be interpreted literally, as a long walk to an unseen destination, metaphorically- path
that life takes, symbolically- way to live spoken by the bible. Ascent and descent and journey of
faith. Exodus, pilgrims and sojourners
• Could be reflected that is God who is answering the persona. The parataxis ‘yes, to the very
end’. Is unknown whether the persona hears the response or not. The path winding to the ‘end’
suggest the constant difficulty that the persona will experience, however this could equally
implement a sense of hope from the persona for the reward and gratification that will receive
when they reach the end.
• The addition of ‘long’ in ‘whole long day’ so that the line does not match the first in syllables
suggests that the rider is getting increasingly tired. They are anxious to reach the top of the hill.
‘day’ referring to a twenty-four-hour period. Responder's lines are shorter and succinct.
• Second stanza continues to portray the personas anxieties and lack of confidence and fear that
they will not see their destination. Responder is certain that they will be able to find the Inn.
One journey depicted through two opposite viewpoints.
• The idea of ‘day’ represents the worry of time becomes less of a burden. The references to time
create a pessimistic tone to create an uncertain and ominous atmosphere, perhaps this style of
, question and answers links to the time references in an allusion to the uncertainty that is felt
about the afterlife.
• The responder providers comfort in this symbol of a ‘roof’ for when the ‘slow dark hours begin’
creating a relieving atmosphere. The adverb ‘slow’ provides a sense of reassurance for the
persona in that even when times get tough there will be someone looking out for them,
whether in the physical comfort provided by the inn, or the figurative comfort that is provided
by God.
• Verb ‘hide’ highlights the personas anxieties that they will not be able to find the inn. Equally
suggests the personas need to find a level of reassurance due to their conflicting obstacles that
they have been face with
• The common noun ‘inn’ homely and comforting space- wanting to reach a space of salvation.
Equally could represent the liminal space between being alive and dead before they are judged
on their sins. Links to Mary and Jospeh journey to Bethlem in the Christian bible in that it was
place of birth of Jesus optimism and hope occurring for the future.
• ‘Cannot miss that inn’. Stands out in ‘darkness’ so the light it emits is powerful and will not be
overpowered. Metaphorically the ‘inn’ represents security.
• Inn built and constructed with nomads in mind. Speaker equally concerned that they will be
unwelcome, despite assurances from their companion that they will be welcome by ‘other
wayfarers’. Perona hope to find friends in same predicament, and are told that they will.
Anxieties of the initial speaker and the confidence of the second one continues to be the
prominent theme of the work, through identities of both remain concealed.
• Persona asking questions is an attempt to overcome the obstacle, and liken it to trying to walk
uphill for a full day. Responder could be a friend encouraging them along the way, or it could be
another aspect of their own personality, optimism or determination to finish what they have
started.
• Poem is written vague and relatable. Unspecified why the persona is trying to ascend this climb,
but this does not necessarily matter. Second persona to encourage them, assure them and help
them find rest.
• A friend, a family member or an internal voice- to every reader is it something different.
However, it is someone which is what brings about this comforting theme. One is another alone
even if they are physically.
• ‘Gone before’ reassurance in that they without be in.
• ‘They’ collective harmony present in the afterlife. Could be referring to anyone. Therefore, this
personal pronoun forms the third person narrative. Specifically used by the older and wiser
traveller. By having this collective noun suggests that their worries and journeys have been
made before. Implements a sense of resilience in that if others have been able to successfully
complete this before them then they would be able to.
• Constructive noun ‘door’ symbolic of the quick decisions good make in afterlife. Ambiguous as
could suggest that when you are dead if is definitive. Door could reference to the New
Testament with Jesus encouraging people to turn to God with their concerns ‘So I say to you:
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives, those who seek find, and to those who knock, the door will be
opened.’. In the last book of the New Testament, Revelation Jesus is depicted as a friend ready
to share with those who ask for him: ‘Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears
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