Characters in Maude Clare.

Christina Rossetti uses a variety of ways and techniques to write, create and tell the reader about the characters in Maude Clare.

One of the most effective ways in which Rossetti presents the characters to the reader is through the title of the poem, “Maude Clare”. This is effective as the title immediately places a focus upon the character Maude Clare as it presents her as a dominant character and centre of attention. It also suggests that Maude Clare is the main character and active party in the poem.  Additionally, the use of a female characters name in the title suggests that the female characters hold the power and are strong in this poem compared to males.

Furthermore, the final two words of the poem are “Maude Clare” and is said by her rival Nell , this suggests further that Maude Clare is a dominant character who has a commanding presence. However, it also allows the reader to reflect upon and consider the character of Maude Clare as  it presents the idea of conflict and suggests that Maude Clare isn’t as powerful as first thought as the reader is left to wonder if Maude Clare triumphed over Nell or vice versa.  

Another effective way/technique in which Rossetti creates characters in the poem is through speech/dialogue, for example, there is only one male character in the poem “Son Thomas” and he only speaks once and stutters whilst doing so, “Lady” “-Maude Clare” before hiding “his face”. This presents him as a weak character and suggests that males are weak in comparison to females, despite trying to be as strong and powerful “strove to match her scorn with scorn”.    

Additionally, Maude Clare has the most speech in the poem and therefore presents further that she is a dominating power, especially since she has stolen the show and the attention from Nell on her wedding day. Maude Clare also appears dominant and powerful  when she declares that she “washes my hands thereof” showing that she cannot be controlled by a man and shows that despite being rejected first she has gained control once more.

However, it also creates a whole new side to the character, “have brought my gift…to bless the marriage bed” presents Maude Clare as quite a vicious and mocking character that is overall quite bitter to the rejection she has faced. Furthermore, Maude Clare appears quite spiteful and arrogant as she has interrupted Nell’s wedding day to announce that she had an affair with Thomas and expects sympathy.

The character of Nell is also created and evolved through speech. She is the last character to speak in the poem despite it being her wedding day. Nell’s lack of speech in the poem until the end presents her as a less dominating and powerful woman. However, when Nell declares that whatever Maude Clare “leaves” she will “take” shows that despite the embarrassment and disgrace she has received on her wedding day she is a strong character in her own right as she will fight for man unlike Maude Clare who has “washed her hands thereof”. Additionally, Nell is presented as a resilient and almost admirable character because she complements Maude Clare “Yea though you’re taller by the head…more wise” even when Maude Clare has ruined her day.

Finally, it is Nell who ends the poem with “Maude Clare” showing that she is a strong character in a way as she has tried to gain some victory on Maude Clare and she has shined through in the end.

Another slightly less effective way in which Rossetti creates characters in Maude Clare is through chronology. Maude Clare is the first character to speak suggesting that she is of great importance whereas the other woman, Nell, is the last character to speak which suggests that she is not as important as Maude Clare. However, allowing Nell to speak last in the poem allows Rossetti to help create her character as it presents Nell as the innocent character who deserves the reader’s sympathy, as opposed to Maude Clare.

Finally, another effective way in which Rossetti creates and tells the reader about characters in Maude Clare is through comparisons and contrasts. The character Nell appears to be overshadowed by Maude Clare “his bride was like a village maiden…Maude Clare was like a queen” which helps create the characters as it shows how dominant Maude Clare is as she has stolen the attention off of the bride. (It also creates a sense of foreshadowing as the wrong comparison allows the reader to know something is wrong.) Additionally, the mention of how Nell was “pale with pride” whereas the bride groom was “pale with inward strife” helps create characters as it suggests the man is not overjoyed and in love with his new wife and suggests he has a fickle heart and isn't strong enough to stand up for what he wants.

Note: Females always have the voice in the poem. Even when the man speaks, he talks about women. Rossetti also uses very little, if not any, physical descriptions of the characters – therefore suggests the physical aspects and appearances of the characters are unimportant compared to their personalities. (Far-fetched) but Rossetti could be implying that Maude Clare’s dominance and want of attention drove the male away, even though he still loves her.