SOME LADIES DRESS IN MUSLIN FULL WHITE
OCTAVE: REPRESENTATIVE OF CLASS
§ “Some ladies dress in muslin full and white, / Some gentlemen in cloth succinct and black”. Immediate
impression of the upper class, as it was what the rich wore, makes the upper class distinct immediately
but also shows separation in gender. High class emphasised by the immediate formal tone
§ Continued indications of class with references to how “some patronise a dog-cart, some a hack, / some
think a painted Clarence is only right” each of these are representative of types of cart, whether they be
for hire or owned. The tone of adopted snobbery in reference to the Clarence highlights the view of
the upper class and that they are better than these other types. Anaphora emphasises these divides
already in place, with the rigid structure reflecting the rigid nature of the social divides
§ After consideration of those within society, we see judgement of those without it such as “a man with
tassels on his back.” Here the judgements of Victorian society are clear, we see what is shunned, the
man judged for being outside the social norm. with this possibly reflecting the shunning of the idea of
excess. Continues learn of “A woman in a great coat-like a sack / Towering above her sex with horrid
height.” Not only could this reflect judgement of physical differences in society, but ‘above her gender’
could also be a reference to feminism. Reflects the comparison experienced by women and the
judgement.
§ Context: crisis of masculinity and how that impacted how women were viewed
SESTET
§ Shift at the volta. “If all the world were fit to drown, / There are some whom you would not teach how
to swim/ Rather enjoying if you saw them sink” This is an immediate shift in tone, contrasting the
previous images of grandeur and philosophy with black humour. Context of written in 7 minutes to be
performed. Ironic, playful tone would have been especially funny in performance: deliberately shocking
to entertain.
§ Talks of “Certain old ladies dressed in girlish pink, with roses and geraniums on their gown” Contrasting
ideas could be mocking, as geraniums representing youth and roses representing femininity: trying to
hold onto their youth, mocking them for that. Another interpretation is could be criticising the Angel in
the house, as she is now being judged but she is a development of the ‘Angel in the House”
§ Final line of “Go to the Bason, poke them o’er the rim” leaves the poem on a comical note, with a
reference to the location of St James’ Park. Also, a biblical illusion to Noah’s Ark, giving a sense of how
this is looking at humanity as a whole.
, REMEMBER
DESPAIRING OPENING
§ Indications of a longing for the life she would have. “Gone far away into the silent land; / when you
can no more hold me by the hand, nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.’ Highlights despair as it is
reflecting upon what she would be missing
§ Contrasts the sensory with the transcendent, permanence of death indicating the longing she has for
life. Further indicated “You tell me of our future that you plann’d”. furthers the idea of the longing for
the future. Iambic pentameter is somewhat like a heartbeat, reflecting the idea of a dying message.
§ Context: Written when her engagement to James Collinson would have been. Idea of romance
indicated with form of a Petrarchan sonnet
§ ‘Remember me when I am gone away’ starts as her initial focus is a fear of being forgotten, indicating
a sense of despair once she is gone. Repetition of ‘remember’ could indicate a sense of insecurity
(further indicating sadness)
SHIFT TOWARDS A HOPEFUL TONE
§ Shift in tone at the volta towards one of greater hope. Indicated when states “if the darkness and
corruption leave / a vestige of the thoughts that once I had.” This conveys the mix between hope and
despair that she feels, with beauty being taken from the frightening image of the body’s decay &
eternal presence despite the ephemeral nature of earth, reflecting religious faith
§ Wishes for/ accepts being forgotten with “better by far you should forget and smile / than you should
remember and be sad.” The use of the comparative, ultimately comparing the considerations she has
of life and death allow us to see the conflict between the hope that she feels in being peacefully
forgotten, and the despair she feels at what she will miss with her lover.
§ Sense of acceptance due to religion “it will be late to counsel then or pray.” Surrendering somewhat
to God’s will, and highlights the religious trust that she has in the hope that she will go to heaven.
Nevertheless, remains conflicted with “gone far away into the silent land.” While there is a certain
peace, which would imply hope for once she is dead, there is a despairing undertone at the through
of the permanent separation and lack of communication once she dies.
§ Context: She was a devout Christian, moving from Evangelicalism to High Anglicanism. Gives hope in
God.
, THE WORLD
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE TEMPTATION
§ “By day she woos me, soft, exceeding, fair / But all night as the moon so changeth she; / Loathsome
and foul with hideous leprosy” We see the two sides are shown, semantic field of horror is explored
that continue with “Subtle serpents gliding in her hair” use of sibilance reflects this the snakes.
Context of the biblical illusions and references to medusa emphasise this. This highlights the
difference between appearances verses the truth, highlighted through the contrasting semantic
fields. Highlights the issue of deceiving appearances and manipulation and temptation
§ “By day she woos me to the outer air, / Ripe fruits, sweet flowers, and full satiety;” highlights the idea
of with imagery of the tree of life. Highlights the temptation present in society. Conveys the initial
satisfying nature of it but there are ultimate consequences (tree of knowledge). Also reflects how
women are blamed for ‘tempting men’ (fallen women)
§ “But through the night, a beast she grins at me, / A very monster void of love and prayer” Highlights
the un-godly nature of such temptation, highlighting the religious aspect as the sin is related to
religion.
IMPACT OF PROBLEMS OF SOCIETY ON SPEAKER
§ “By day she stands a lie by night she stands / in all the naked horror of the truth / with pushing horns
and clawed and clutching hands” poly syndetic list builds up the horror of this, with the monstrous
imagery reflecting the sin. The recognition of the issues and the contrasts highlights the issue of the
negligence he is committing by going along with this and allows us to understand the nature of the
temptation
§ “I should sell / my soul to her, give her my life and youth, / till my feet, cloven too, take hold on hell?”
Highlights the struggle of earthly temptation verses religion, but also highlights the negligence of the
speaker for being able to recognise this issue but ultimately not addressing it.
§ Context: Rosetti’s religious devotion
