The Convent Threshold.

OK, I'm going to keep this short because to put it bluntly, I really do not like or get/understand this poem. Anyway...


Last week my English Literature class looked at and studied (slightly) 'The Convent Threshold' by Christina Rossetti. 


The poem appears to be about a couple who have committed a sin/crime and how the woman is trying to repent for her sin and go to heaven whereas the man is content and doesn't believe he has done anything wrong.


There were two possible forms of sin/crime which the couple could have committed, the most logical sin would be that the couple had sex outside of marriage and gave into temptation. However, the line "with scarlet mud " suggests the idea of murder as many people would associate death with soil/mud because of the burial, furthermore "scarlet" could be symbolic of the blood spilled which has dirtied her feet (literally and symbolically.) Additionally, the repetition of blood  appears to suggest murder, however the crime of passion and the sin of temptation seem to be more effective and logical - this is presented/suggested through the line "all gifts we took and gave" as it suggests they gave and took each others virginity and purity. This would be seen as a sin/crime because these were not gifts they should have given because they were not married.


As mentioned before the woman is trying to repent for her sins. She believes that she is tainted and impure, "my lily feet are soiled" and now views earth as her hell and she wants to go to heaven to be free from the prejudice of her pleasurable "pleasant" sin. However, and it is quite ironic, the man does not want to repent for his sins because he doesn't believe he has actually sinned. To him earth is quite heavenly, "milk-white" etc, he believes it is as pure as heaven. He also believes the earth is better than heaven because he has not received the same treatment as the female has for giving in to temptation and pleasure. Furthermore, it is suggested through the line "young men and women come and go" that the man doesn't want to be with the same person for eternity, (whereas the woman does) and he is quite comfortable with not living for eternity. Therefore it is ironic as the man sees earth as heaven yet the women see's earth as her hell but the woman wants to desperately be with the man.  


Notes: 


- Vivid imagery for heaven and earth - both are seen as heavenly at some point in the poem) e.g "Of mansions" and " far off city grand"
- Also heaven = could be symbolic/represent female escapism. 
- Possible interpretation of greed through her wanting eternity and through them taking their pleasurable gifts. 
- Poem shows parallels to the story of Abelard and Heloise. 
- Destination and purpose = nightmare of lost love (could be a link to Rossetti's life) or exploration of the difference between earth and heaven etc.
-Symbols e.g "lily feet soiled with mud" symbolic of how she has become dirtier because she gave up her virginity/purity and "choose the stairs that mount above" are symbolic of the stairway and journey to heaven. 
- Order of scenes helps reflect on the development of the persona's/speakers thoughts and argument. 


That's about all the notes I have. Hope it's OK.