Written 1859

In this poem by Christina Rossetti there is an evident reflection of the class system in the Victorian era. The poem shows this when one of the characters speak, it has a symbolic significance, like in Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales' the character with the higher class speaks first. For example the mother is the first to speak out of the characters, who is the most upper class and aristocratic out of all the characters.

The poem is also very female orientated and shows a female confrontation as well as a class confrontation.

There are a lot of painted images in the poem, representing and reflecting the Pre-Raphaelite movement in which Christina Rossetti was a large part of.

Her character Maude Clare in 'Maude Clare' is not conforming to the class system or the misogyny at that time, shes showing confidence and prosperity. The character represents liberation from the burden of the power of the man.

John accuses her of being heartless, something she denies. As a woman usually she would She defends herself by saying she can't be forced into loving him and it would be unreasonable to expect that. She tells him that she will never love him and would...

Rossetti uses the imagery of berries throiught this piece of writing, suggesting the danger that lies within the berries on the outside they seem sweet and delicious but on the inside contain poison and spite. These berries seem like trickery from the market Goblins the berries seem so ripe and they are either red or blackberries dark seductive colours that are mystical and suspicious.

One perspective on the poem can be that the story is highly biblical and has a Christian allegory the protagonists (Lizzie and Laura) represent Adam and Eve. After being told their whole life not to do something they just can't resist the temptation of the danger and disobey everything they've been taught. This is one very big religious aspect of this poem, this is what influences Rossetti in all her writing. There is also the depiction of Satan woven in this poem, the Goblins seem to represent a satanic tempting being who lures people to evil, which is what the devil does, the devil alludes people, tempts them only for them to betray god.

There is a feminist feel to this poem as it can also represent the sisters breaking free from social convention, breaking their chains and doing what no one else would do contradictory of her poem "Shut Out" which shows women as shut away from everything invluding temptation they break through the gates of shut out and explore. However this is only one sister as the other one is concerned about the consequences and isn't quite as keen as she is scared.

'A writers soul, a single voice was almost miraculously enveloping the stage'

'In a word, this play made it seem possible for a stage to express any and all things and do so beautifully. What Streetcar's first production did was to plan the flag of beauty on the shores of commercial Theatre. The audience, I believe, somehow understood this and was moved by what, in effect, was kind of a tribute to its intelligence and spiritual vitallity