Cousin Kate -- Christina Rossetti

Context

victorian era poet

devoutly religious when she was depressive so her poems have themes of christianity and women’s roles in society.

19th century — women were expected to conform to moral standards. Sex out of wedlock was frowned upon, women that did this were known as ‘fallen women’

Synopsis

a cottage maid is seduced by a rich lord causing her to lose her innocent reputation and become rejected by society

she compares Kate’s happy life to her own misery

she feels betrayed by Kate and claims she wouldn’t have done the same if the roles were reversed.

‘why did a great lord find me out and praise my flaxen hair?’

Rhetorical question — gives impression poem is not going to end well. the narrator is complaining and questioning why it is her that the Lord had to find.

‘He lured me to his palace home

woes me for joy thereof’

‘luring’ makes lord sound sinister and predatory

‘joy’ — she is lamenting over the pleasure she experienced during the act.

‘to lead a shameless shameful life, his plaything and his love’

oxymoron — is judged by society but she doesn’t feel personal guilt

sibilance / alliteration of ‘sh’ — suggests secrecy or harsh judgement from others (almost like shes being spat on)

‘plaything’ shows objectification of women being used for pleasure.

“so now i moan an unclean thing”

society now sees her as unclean (like the fallen women)

“who might have been a dove”

religious connotations — the dove is a symbol of peace and innocence

‘the neighbours call you good and pure, call me an outcast thing’

she is turned away by society.

‘thing’ dehumanises women

‘neighbours’ are a metaphor for the victorian society.