Christina Rossetti - Urban Life and the Impact of Industrialisation

Rossetti Context Slides - Urban Life and the Impact of Industrialisation

Where did Rossetti live?

London.

What were the living conditions in London like?

There was lots of poverty as well as fog, soot, huge buildings and muddy streets.

How would Rossetti have been impacted by industrialisation?

Living in London, she would have been affected by the growth of the cities, as more and more people moved away from the countryside and found jobs in the commercial and financial sector.

Where did the Rossetti’s go on frequent trips to?

Her grandfather’s house in Buckinghamshire where they were surrounded by orchards and the opportunity to appreciate nature, hence why some of her poems contain natural imagery.

What are some examples of Rossetti’s poems that contain natural imagery?

Shut Out, A Birthday, Maude Clare and Goblin Market.

Why were her poems on nature often tinged with sadness?

She recognised that childhood is a time when an awareness of death first develops.

How much did the population rise between Rossetti’s birth and death?

From around 12 million at the time of Rossetti's birth, to around 30 million at the time of her death.

How did the rail network impact Rossetti?

The rail network, begun in the 1830s and largely completed by the 1870s, had a great effect not only on the accessibility of travel and speed of movement, but also on the appearance of the countryside. It also brought many visitors to London on day-trips.

How successful was Britain in the industrialisation period?

British manufacturing became dominant in the world so trade and the financial sector also grew significantly and British influence overseas expanded.

What was there rising pressure to abolish?

The Atlantic slave trade.