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Summary A Level Christina Rossetti Key Symbolism Poster
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This poster contains in-depth analysis of all of the key symbolism that appears in Christina Rossetti's poems.
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FLOWERS- In ‘An Apple Gathering’, “pink blossoms” are
symbolic of vanity and preoccupation with
aesthetics. The “pink blossoms” are intended
to attract suitors, so also symbolise
temptation and desire.
- In ‘Twice’, “corn-flowers” are a symbol of
unrequited love and the narrator’s rejection
of them represents a rejection of earthly
love.
EYES
- In ‘Echo’, “eyes as bright as sunlight” are
FRUIT
symbolic of youth and purity, the memory of - The fruit in Rossetti’s poems can be
which gives the narrator respite from the grief of
interpreted as a religious symbol of forbidden
ageing and loss. Later in the poem, eyes are
fruit and the tree of knowledge. In this way,
described as “thirsting, longing”, which evokes
fruit can also represent female sin as it is Eve
imagery of temptation and desire.
- who first ate the forbidden fruit.
Eyes can represent a gateway into the soul, - In ‘Goblin Market’ an unnatural abundance
therefore symbolising truth and honesty. This is
of ripe fruit is symbolic of temptation and
evident in the narrators “clear eyes” in ‘Memory’,
erotic delights. When Laura indulges in the
that demonstrates the clarity and transparency
fruit is it suggested that she is engaging in
of their decision.
- pre-marital sex and as a result she begins to
Eyes are also used to symbolise omniscience,
decline.
specifically of God. In ‘A Birthday’, Rossetti - In ‘An Apple Gathering’, apples come to
describes “peacocks with a hundred eyes” in
represent societal success and the fruits of
reference to a Greek myth. Here, the “eyes” may
marriage. The lack of fruit come harvest
be religious symbol intended to honour God,
could imply infertility.
who Rossetti likely believed to be all seeing and - In ‘The World’, “Ripe fruits” are symbolic of
all knowing.
sexual gratification, and therefore represent
the temporal delights that distract from
COLOURS religion.
- In ‘A Birthday’, “purple” is used to symbolise LILIES
royalty and grandeur as historically “purple dyes” - The lily is the Roman Catholic symbol of the
were only available to the monarchy. Virgin Mary. Thus, it is a symbol of motherhood
- The colour pink often symbolises innocence and , chastity and purity. In ‘Goblin Market’, Laura is
passion. In “An Apple Gathering”, the narrator described as being “like a lily”, implying that her
wears “pink blossoms”, therefore symbolising her innocence and virginity are at stake.
desire and naivety. - Lilies are heraldic symbols, often associated
- In “Maude Clare”, both Nell and Maude Clare with the French monarchy. In this way, the lily
are described as “pale”. In the Victorian era, imagery in ‘A Birthday’ contributes to a
being pale was a status symbol as it semantic field of royalty, arguably alluding to
demonstrated that the individual did not have to Christ the king.
work outside. - The three petals of each lily are used to
represent the Holy Trinity.
- In ‘Maude Clare’, the “lilies in the beck” have
SEASONS connotations of marriage as Victorians often
- Autumn is symbolic of both harvest and used lilies as wedding flowers. There is the
abundance, and decay and decline. This is the suggestion that Maude Clare engaged in
case in “Memory”, wherein “autumn weather” premarital relations and –as “the lilies are
at once symbolises a theme of decay and the budding now”- is pregnant.
- In ‘Memory’, “the bloodless lily” is also used to
narrator being ripe and ready for Paradise.
“Winter” and “summer” are also mentioned in symbolise a marriage but in this case it is a
‘Memory’, but spring is absent. Perhaps this spiritual one free from worldly desires. ,
symbolises a lack of rebirth or new beginnings,
and instead an ending.
- The “summer weather” in ‘Goblin Market’ is
symbolic of sexual maturity.
BIRDS
- Birds are often seen as symbols of freedom. In ‘A MATERIALS
Birthday’, the “singing bird” is symbolic of spring - In a religious sense, gold is symbolic of divinity
and new life. The mention of “doves” alludes to and power. In ‘A Birthday’, the speaker demands
the dove that appears to Noah as a sign that the “gold and silver grapes” to honour the love of her
flood was receding in the story of Noah’s Ark. life, who is implied to be Christ. “Vair” and
Therefore, “doves” are a religious symbol, “down” also symbolise luxury and royalty.
representing God’s love for humanity. - In ‘Goblin Market’, a lack “copper” and “silver”
- In ‘Twice’, the “singing bird” that the narrator coins symbolise a lack of wealth and status. In
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