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Summary ‘An Apple Gathering’, by Christina Rossetti Notes
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Notes on ‘An Apple Gathering’ by Rosetti containing analysis and summary .
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RossettiAn Apple Gathering
Meaning:
In this poem, Rossetti’s use of characterisation and the symbolism of the apple
tree allow her to create a double-entendre as to the meaning. Moreover, in many
ways ‘An apple gathering’ could be interpreted as being primarily about loss of
love or rejection; which, in an autobiographical sense, could link back to
Rossetti’s own experience, as she rejected the proposal of James Collinson in
1850 (7 years previous to the writing of Apple Gathering) , a man whom she
cared a lot for but whose difference in religion was too much of a prevailing
issue. On the other hand, it could be said that Rossetti writes about the Victorian
trope of the ‘Fallen woman’ and looks more upon a loss of innocence, as opposed
to love. In any case there is a certain reflective and melancholy tone to this
poem, which suggests a feeling of isolation from society, which a Woman would
commonly experience if she were to have sex before marriage in the Victorian
era. In some ways, Rossetti could be said to be exploring the double standards
for men and women at this time. Contextually, this would be relevant to
Rossetti’s work at the ‘Mary Magdalene house for fallen women’ which perhaps
proves the poet’s concern with the treatment of these women in their rejection
from society.
Form and Structure:
The ballad form is commonly used by a poet in order to depict a moral purpose
and to some extent Rossetti follows this trend as she presents the moral issue of
female promiscuity and perhaps the way in which women are treated if they are
found to be ‘fallen’. Indeed, Rossetti uses the first person speaker which all the
more adds to the characterisation of this isolated female, thereby allowing the
reader to resonate with the sorrow of the situation. Equally, the use of dramatic
monologue further adds to this deep expressive story, in which the poet seems
to create a work of fiction and fantasy, not unlike her famous poem ‘Goblin
Market’.
There is a use of sibilance in the line ‘A stronger hand than hers helped it along’
in which the poet’s use of the ‘s’ sound is made to seem almost like a bitter
hissing. This emphasises the speaker’s jealousy towards those who are more
fortunate to be pregnant or to be innocent ‘Sweet-voiced they sang beneath the
sunset sky’
Language:
There is a prevalent use of natural imagery in symbolism used, as in many of
Rossetti’s poems. In particular there is this embodying symbol of the apple-tree
which takes on the double-entendre which creates ambiguity within the poem.
Indeed, in one way the apple-tree could be directly associated with fertility and
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