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An A Level Analysis of Christina Rossetti's poem, 'A Birthday'
This in-depth analysis of Christina Rossetti's poem, 'A Birthday', is perfect for revising for A level English Literature.
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‘A Birthday’ by Christina RossettiWhat does the title reveal about the content of the poem?
The indefinite article “A” suggests that the “Birthday” that the poem focuses on is one of many and
thus demonstrates ageing and the passage of time. Birthdays are associated with celebration and so
the tone of the poem is set to be a joyous one. Furthermore, birthdays are a celebration of the day
of birth and therefore by extension are a symbol of rebirth and development.
Which key themes are explored within this poem?
- Love
- Rebirth
- Nature
- Royalty
- Worship
- Relationships
- Family
What is the narrative of the poem?
In the first stanza, the jubilant first person narrator describes her heart and the intense love that she
is feeling by likening it to a series of natural images. In the second stanza, the narrator then demands
that a luxurious “dais” be constructed. The reasoning for this (“Because the birthday of my life is
come, my love is come to me”), is somewhat ambiguous. She could be referring to a significant
birthday of her own where she was filled with love upon rebirth. Alternatively, it could be
interpreted that the birthday of the love of her life is approaching and that she is expressing her
romantic or religious devotion for her lover.
How is the poem structured?
The poem takes the structure of two octaves that each consist of four enjambed pairs of lines that
are highlighted by indentation of the second line. The second line expands upon the first, although
this is more prominent in the first stanza. Iambic tetrameter is used consistently throughout, with a
rhyme scheme of ABCBDEFE that gives the poem a lyrical, melodic quality that – in conjunction with
Rossetti’s use of biblical imagery - is reminiscent of a hymn. Rossetti’s use of an irregular rhyme
scheme conveys a passion that cannot be contained by a regular rhyme scheme. Each stanza ends
with the refrain “my love is come to me” followed by an end stop that both creates a sense of
finality and fulfilment, and emphasises the most prominent theme of the poem: love. The carefully
controlled structure of this poem exudes a sense of comfort and inner peace and conveys the
narrator’s contentment.
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