Cousin Kate and Fallen Women.

The lesson before last we were studying the idea of a 'Fallen Woman' and how it keys into another poem by Christina Rossetti - Cousin Kate. 

The first idea that sprung to mind about a 'Fallen Woman' was of a woman who had fallen into a trap or a life of immoral/evil. This is true to a slight extent as a 'Fallen Woman' is someone who has been cast aside by society and rejected, either because she has slept around or been abused by men. 

The idea of a 'Fallen Women' appears to link directly to Christina Rossetti's poem, 'Cousin Kate' - I personally preferred this poem to 'The Goblin Market' as I felt it was more significant and in many ways still applied to situations occurring in modern day times. 

Anyway, the poem 'Cousin Kate' is about a 'cottage maiden' who has been plucked from her life of innocence and normality into one of sin and shame as she slept with the Lord out of marriage. She was then dumped and cast aside by the Lord for her cousin Kate whom he saw 'along the lane' and thus leaves the speaker to be rejected by society as she is seen as an 'outcast thing' who is full of sin because she had sex out of marriage. However, despite being rejected, the speaker soon reveals that she has a 'gift' cousin Kate does not have and  shows that despite losing her innocence and acceptance in society she is no longer bitter but hopeful and grateful for the son she has and almost gloats in Kate's face as it appears a child is one gift that Kate can't take away from the speaker.

After reading the poem we were asked to consider the person speaking and who she is addressing. It appeared obvious that the speaker of the poem was a woman who had been scorned and 'fallen' and that she was addressing her cousin Kate.

We were then asked to build the persona and character of Kate and the Lord through phrases used. One of the most notable phrases used which helped build these characters persona's was 'writ in the sand' as it suggests that the Lord and Kate are fickle and that their love is not true but just a temporary thing. 

The final stanza is also useful in helping create Kate's persona as it makes her appear as materialistic as she only wants the 'wedding ring' and the status of being the wife of a Lord. 

We were then asked to consider the points of view, not just of the speaker but of others as well. The point of view of the speaker seems to change as we progress through the poem, at the start she appears to be bitter and regretful yet by the end of the poem she is proud and happy with the situation she has been presented with. (She also appears to be resilient and strong as she doesn't let other people affect her, she is in control now of her destiny, not the Lord.)

We then looked into the point of views of others in the poem, and the main point of view that came across was one from society. They saw the speaker as 'unclean thing' whereas Kate is 'good and pure' because she waited for the Lord to put a ring on her finger before having sex. 

Finally I feel the poem 'Cousin Kate' is an interesting poem to analyse as it appears to break boundaries and show new concepts and shows what is and was wrong with society.  

But quick note, I personally feel one of the most pivotal lines in the poem is ' to lead a shameless shameful life' as it shows how despite being left with nothing and being rejected by society she still saw nothing wrong in what she did and in a way shows how she isn't bitter because it suggests that without this life of shame she wouldn't have the child she has now. 

Anyway, hope it's alright and along the right lines.

'The Goblin Market' Interpretations - Erotic, Feminist, Marxist and Moral.

A few lessons ago, my class and I looked at several other interpretations of 'The Goblin Market.' I briefly mentioned the four other interpretations in my last blog, but I didn't go into any further detail as I was more focused upon redemption. However, in this blog I'm going to write a little bit about the other interpretations.

Erotic
It is said that Christina Rossetti meant for the poem 'The Goblin Market' to be for children, however, it appears the poem seems to contain many aspects of eroticism, even from the very start. Christina Rossetti's use of fruit can be perceived as erotic, especially 'unpecked cherries' which could symbolise a woman's virginity or temptation. Furthermore, line 126 'cutting her golden locks' appears to be symbolising prostitution as the character is selling part of herself, additionally the form of cutting could also represent the character cutting her chastity belt.

Another link to the theme of eroticism is through the symbolisation of rape. The way in which Rossetti describes how the Goblin Men 'held her hands and squeezed their fruits' creates the illusion of force and violence and therefore appears to be symbolic about rape. However, as mentioned earlier, despite the links to eroticism, the fact that the poem was intentionally for children appears to counter argue that the poem is erotic as it would be inappropriate.

Feminist
Another way in which 'The Goblin Market' can be interpreted as is a feminist poem - personally I feel this is the strongest of all the interpretations I've studied. The theme of feminism is presented by the extremities of the opposing sexes. Laura and Lizzie are the only female characters presented to the reader in the poem, as are the Goblin Men the only males. Rossetti's use of  the Goblin Men and Laura and Lizzie being the only characters to represent  males and females could be so the reader can't compare the characters and therefore means that they are symbolic of their sexes, (therefore men are seen as violent and harsh through the representation of the Goblin Men whereas women are presented and seen as pure and regal due to the description of Laura and Lizzie.)

Furthermore, the poem suggests a complete intimacy between the two women. This could be perceived as a feminist theme as it presents the idea that women have a relationship and a bond that can never be broken, not even by men and/or their temptation. It also suggests that the relationship between men and women is entirely different.

Finally, Rossetti's describes the Goblin Men as vicious and evil through likening them to animals, 'whisked a tail' whereas Laura and Lizzie are portrayed as beautiful and angelic, 'golden hair' etc.

However, the idea of feminism can be counter argued, the line 'men sell not such in any town' undermines the whole argument , as it suggests that the men aren't real and therefore the women are not vulnerable or strong but foolish.

Marxist
The weakest interpretation in my opinion was the theme of Marxist. Marxist means consumerism and greed, this theme is presented through the Goblin Men and their determination to sell fruit. Rossetti's use of the Goblin Men could be used to symbolise business men, 'sly brother with sly brother' and therefore suggests the idea of trickery.

Additionally, the theme of marxist is presented through Laura 'cutting' a golden lock as she is selling herself. This presents the idea of consumerism and greed, as Laura isn't satisfied with what she has, she wants and craves more.

However, 'The Goblin Market' may not be marxist after all as the Goblin Men refuse the offer of money at one point.

Moral

The final and last interpretation is morality. Unlike many poems, 'The Goblin Market' seems to present many different morals. One of the strongest morals throughout the poem is consequences. Rossetti first describes Laura as angelic and beautiful with 'gleaming neck' and 'golden hair' but after she has fallen to the temptation of the Goblin Men, her appearance is more depressed and vulnerable. It also suggests that her beauty is gone, as her mouth is 'faded' and her hair 'greying' and therefore suggests that there is consequences fore every action you take, some worse than others - such as prostitution. This moral also suggests that consequences don't just affect you but other people, this is presented through Lizzie sacrificing herself to save her sister.

Another moral which is present throughout the poem is hypocrisy. Once more, this moral is presented through the character Laura. When the Goblin Men are first mentioned in the poem, Laura is the character that warns her sister Lizzie and the reader of the Goblin Men and their temptation, yet she is the character who succumbs to their temptation.

I know the final interpretation is brief but hopefully everything is along the right tracks.

Interpretation - Redemption.

Today's English Literature lesson was based on/around interpretation. The text in which we were interpreting was 'The Goblin Market' by Christina Rossetti. There were five categories for interpretation, these were: 

- Erotic

- Feminist

- Marxist

- Redemptive

- Moral

The category I received was redemptive. Redemptive can be defined in several ways, one was the act of being redeemed and another definition was the act of saving someone from error or evil. Both these definitions seem very apt for the poem 'The Goblin Market.'

At first, the main guess about redemptive/redemption in the 'Goblin Market' was Lizzie forgiving Laura for being tempted by the Goblin Men and their fruit and for leaving her and therefore Laura trying to redeem herself.

Which additionally led to the question/idea, what does she need to be redeemed for? The first thought that came to mind was the fact that she needed to be redeemed for giving into temptation and becoming hooked on the Goblin Men's fruit but, with further analysis, it was found that Laura was being redeemed for leaving/deserting her sister. 

As my group and I continued we started considering the moment of redemption in the poem. We found several point which show the character of Laura trying to redeem herself and of Lizzie being redemptive. For example, one of the points we believed to be about the moment of redemption was, 

'Is it death or is it life?'

This question appears to be a point of redemption because it is suggesting several theories. One is that it suggests that the death of her bad self, the one full of sin and temptation has died and she's left it behind to begin a new life, one that is rid of sin and without redemption. 

This theory is backed up by the lines,

'laughed in the innocent old way' and 'life out of death' 

This therefore suggests that the character Laura is her normal self again and shows that she has been redeemed and saved, as well as suggesting that her sinful tempted self must die to allow for her old, sinless self to be reborn. 

Furthermore, the inclusion of the final verse is quite important. The poet could have finished the poem on the line, 'And light danced on her eyes.' as it suggests that Laura has been redeemed and is herself, yet Christina Rossetti chose to include the final verse. 

This could be because of many reasons, but the final verse is useful as it hints and shows that Laura has avoided falling back into a sinful life and has avoided temptation - despite still being slightly addicted and yearning at times - because of her family.

'for there is no friend like a sister' 

This line suggests that she is grateful to her sister for saving her and letting her be able to have her family because without her she would have been nothing. It also shows how sorry the character still is and that she doesn't believe she, herself, has been fully redeemed and is not at one with herself. 

Now, onto the idea of Lizzie being redemptive. One of the definition I found of redemptive was the act of saving someone from evil or error. This definition of redemptive seems perfect to Lizzie as she basically gives her self up to help save her sister (also a link to religion, Jesus sacrificed himself etc.)

And that is about it, hopefully that is along the right track. 

Christina Rossetti.

Yesterday in English Literature, we studied the poem 'The Goblin Market' by Christina Rossetti.  When I first read the poem I wasn't sure what to make of it, I felt it was quite interesting as it was different to any other poems I've read but I found it slightly confusing at some points.

However, I've now read through the poem several times and I'm finding it thoroughly interesting. I also did some research on 'The Goblin Market' and was surprised when I found out that Christina Rossetti had intentionally written 'The Goblin Market' as a children's poem, especially since it appears to contain some sexual imagery.

But anyway, 'The Goblin Market' has to be one of the more interesting poems that I've read. I personally like the fact that this poem is different and has a certain feeling of darkness and an almost gothic feel to it. I also like the irony of the character Laura being the person who warns against the goblin men but is then the first to actually succumb to their temptation. 

Additionally I found the way Christina Rossetti presented the idea/themes of vulnerability and innocence quite interesting, especially when she describes the way in which Lizzie 'shut her eyes and ran' when she didn't want to be tempted by the goblin men, because it's a reaction that is usually associated with children and youth. 

In class we also looked at forms of symbolism in 'The Goblin Market' for example, we talked about how the fruit symbolised temptation and in some ways gluttony and excessiveness 'All ripe together' etc.

Now onto some interesting facts about Christina Rossetti! I'm not sure whether they're very interesting but here we go:

- She was born on December 5th 1830.

- When she was 14 she suffered from a mental breakdown.

- She was engaged to two men but she never married either because of     religious reasons.

- She suffered from Graves Disease.

- Her pen name was Ellen Alleyne.

And that's about it. 

Destination.

In yesterday's lesson we learnt about the destination of a novel. Stupidly I handed my notes in to Mr F, so there may be some mistakes in this blog about destination etc, but I'm going to try my best and edit anything that is wrong when I get my notes back.

So, what is the destination of a novel? The destination of a novel is where/what the novel is leading to. As I'm sure many people know, the destination of a novel, any novel, is different. For example, the destination of Harry Potter will be drastically different to the destination of Atonement.

I'm going to use an example now to explain further about destination. The text or novel that I am going to be using/referring to is Pride and Prejudice. Now, for those of you who are familiar either with Jane Austen or Pride and Prejudice, you will know the famous quote:

'It is a truth universally acknowledged , that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.'

Now, if you are like me, you will have read this line and found it intriguing but thought no further about it until you've gone back and read the story through again. If you're not like that, well then, good for you. But anyway...

This single sentence is actually a whole paragraph. It is singled out from the rest of the text on the page, just this one sentence. Now, how could this be important to the destination of the novel? Well, we now know that the destination of the novel is where it is leading too, so from this sentence we now have an inclination as to the thought or idea that the novel's destination could be about marriage and wealth, and maybe even about the relationship between the two and how they link together.

Furthermore, this sentence is actually quite key to the destination of the novel. The sentence presents the reader with a theory or an idea right at the beginning of the novel. No characters or setting has been introduced, just this theory. This is therefore helpful to the destination of the novel as it acts as a clue, and the emphasis on this sentence/paragraph (it's emphasised because it is one sentence on its own, nothing else, nothing more) sort of cements it almost in the readers mind and continuously pops up as a reminder as to the direction the novel could be heading and so the emphasis signify's the importance of the sentence.

Another way in which the destination of the novel is presented, is through the simplicity of there being no setting or description of any kind, until the final paragraph in the chapter. For example, the reader is immedietely introduced to this theory at the very start of the novel, but straight after they are then introduced to three characters. Mr Bingley, Mr Bennet and Mrs Bennet - but there has been no description of either character.

Jane Austen's lack of use is actually quite a clever trick. The fact that there is no description about the characters before the conversation actually causes the reader to focus in and concentrate more on the conversation. To put it simply, the lack of description is used so the reader will focus more on what they're saying/doing than where they are.

Additionally, the lack of description also highlights that this conversation is of great importance and that it is quite significant to the novel and its destination.

Finally, the last paragraph of the chapter acts as a confirmation to any thoughts the reader may have/has had about the destination of the novel. In the final chapter we finally receive a description about Mr and Mrs Bennet, but it is the final line of the chapter that holds the true importance/signifigance. 

'The business of her life was to get her daughters married...'

This final line concludes that the direction of the novel is indeed about marriage and therefore suggests that the novel will be centred around this idea and that it will be key to its continuation.

I think this is right, if it isn't then I'll edit the bits that are wrong. I'm hoping it's good though and sorry I rambled quite a bit. Sorry!

Why is the inclusion of detail of paper on the floor important?

'Mr Francis entered the room. There was a piece of paper on the floor.' - why is the inclusion of detail of paper on the floor important?

A piece of paper lying on the floor most usually seems quite insignificant but can actually prove to be of great importance to a story. How? The simple acknowledgement of a piece of paper on the floor can distract the reader from the main story line. It can cause the reader to contemplete on whether the piece of paper has any true significance to the story and thus causes them to become distracted from maybe more important parts, such as a description of a shadow being seen far off in the distance.

Furthermore, the inclusion of detail is important because it allows the author to build tension and suspense to the scene. The sudden inclusion of detail can build tension and suspense because it can cause a change of pace to the story, such as the fact that it allows the reader to acknowledge over a longer period of time that something isn't quite right. The inclusion of detail of paper on the floor can also act as a catalyst for the plot. For example, the letter could contain information which allows the plot to continue or it could distract the character from other events.

The author also chose to include the detail of the piece of paper because it can help create the characters personality. The simple piece of paper on the floor can represent or show the reader that the character is an unorganised or an untidy person. Also, the sudden inclusion can help create emotions towards the character as it interacts with the detail, for example 'Mr Francis picked up the piece of paper and read the writing scribbled heedlessly onto one side. As he did so his face changed into one of fear before he rushed drastically from the room.' An involvement of detail and character like so, can help create sympathy towards the character. It can also show that the character is dramatic etc.

A final reasons as to why the inclusion of detail of paper on the floor is important is because it can draw the reader in. The inclusion of detail can help the reader picture the scene and therefore causes the actual event to feel more real, which therefore helps create the story right in front of their eyes and prevents it from being boring.

So, to put it quite bluntly, the inclusion of detail of paper on the floor is important because every piece of detail is significant, it has it's own purpose and it's own part to play in the book. Whether it be to create tension or suspense or to make the reader think.

There you go Mr Francis. I hope that's alright for you, and I know it's not very bloggishy but I hope it's ok.