How does Rossetti use character and
other poetic techniques to comment on Victorian society in ‘MC’ and ‘NTYJ’?
In both of the poems written by
Christina Rossetti, ‘Maude Clare’ and ‘No, thank you, John’ She uses different
poetic techniques and characterisation to portray society in the 1830’s and
also to make the point that in the 1830’s society, if you didn’t have money,
there would be nothing you could do, such as marry the person you love.
Rossetti belittles men in both of
the poems, in ‘No, Thank you, John’ she says “Use your common sense” This makes
John seem pathetic and powerless. In ‘Maude Clare’ ‘The Lord’ is only ever referred to as ‘The
Lord’ he is more of a title not a character. This shows his status is
aristocratic, on the other hand, this shows his lack of power in the situation.
Rossetti swaps the social ‘norm’ so that the women seem more powerful than the men and to make them look desperate and pathetic.
Both of the poems have a simple
rhyme scheme of every other line rhyming, in ‘No, thank you, John’, the seconds
and fourth line rhyme, and the same for ‘Maude Clare’ and example of this from ‘Maude
Clare’ is “My Lord is pale... and Nell was pale with pride; My Lord gazed... Or
ever he kissed the bride” The effect of the rhyming pattern is that it gives a
very clear 4:3 metre, meaning it has more of a rhythm and easier to follow.
The 4:3 metre also emphasises
certain words in the line, for example in ‘Maude Clare’, “His bride was like a
village maid” the emphasis on “maid” brings it to the reader’s attention that
this was unacceptable in the 1830’s that you should marry anyone of a lower
class.
Overall in both poems, love and unrequited
love are strong themes expressed. By using different poetic techniques,
Rossetti puts her own point across as well as the society’s point in the 1830’s.
