Christina Rossetti poetry

Song: When I am dead, my dearest
1. Imagery, symbolism and themes
  1. Themes
    1. Self-expression and the natural world.
      1. This poem is concerned with natural and spontaneous expression through song or poetry, such as the song of the 'nightingale'. Poetry provides outlet for the Speaker's emotions.
    2. Memory and forgetfulness
      1. Memory is a sustaining force. In Song forgetfulness is the axis upon which the poem is rooted. This hints at the notion that identity is founded upon memory and that self-awareness is constructed by the remembrance of a former self.
    3. Earthly life and 'life after life'
      1. The images of natural growth in Song can be seen to replace the grief that the speaker anticipates her lover will experience after she has died.
  2. Imagery and symbolism
    1. Natural imagery
      1. The Speaker requests that the lover plant 'no roses' on her grave and no 'shady cypress tree' in her memory.
        Whilst roses represent love, the cypress tree traditionally symbolises mourning because cypress branches were carried at funerals.
        By declaring that she has no need of these things, the speaker reassures the lover that she will not be jealous or resentful if the lover continues living his life rather than to mourn for the speaker.
    2. Silence
      1. In the second verse, the speaker claims that once dead she will no longer "hear the nightingale sing on, as if in pain."
        The nightingale was a common symbol in Romantic poetry.
        Keats used it in Ode to a Nightingale to speak of joy, music, self-expression, nature and immortality.
        By suggesting that the nightingale's song is associated with pain, Rossetti denies the idea that the natural world is a place of pure joy.
    3. Twilight
      1. The Speaker looks forward to "dreaming through the twilight that doth not rise or set"
        The notion of resting in a place where the rising and setting of the sun is not necessary comes from the New Testament book, Revelation. There, John describes Heaven as a city where God's light shines so brightly the sun is not needed Revelation 21:23.
2. Synopsis and commentary
  1. The Speaker of Song looks forward to his/her own death and instructs a lover or friend not to mourn or sing 'sad songs' once s/he is gone.
  2. Publication
    1. Rossetti composed Song in 1848. It was first published in Goblin Market and Other Poems. Subsequently, it has appeared in various collections and has been given numerous musical settings.
  3. Language and music
    1. Rossetti's interest in combining language with music becomes apparent when we consider that:
      1. Ten of her poems are entitled Song
      2. Several begin with the word 'Songs'
      3. Many are composed of a song-like structure and rhythm.
  4. Relationships
    1. In Song, the Speaker urges her 'dearest' not to let the memory of the Speaker get in the way of living his own life. She declares that her happiness in death does not depend on anyone else.
    2. The word 'haply' comes from the phrase 'by hap' which means by chance or accident or perhaps. But saying that once dead. She indicates that it matters little whether others remember or forget the speaker. Rather than being a pre-mediated decision, she suggests that remembrance is a matter of chance.
  5. Nature
    1. In Song, Rossetti has her speaker combine the anticipation of death with the ongoing life of nature. She's looks forward to a time when the 'green grass' will grow above her and the 'showers and dewdrops wet' will offer protection and the lover some comfort.
3. Language, tone and structure
  1. Language and tone
    1. Repetition

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Christina Rossetti poetry

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