Shut Out

Rhyme

ABBA - ‘a’ encloses ‘b’. Restricted access and control

Metre

Monotony and strict rules

Rhyme

ABBA - ‘a’ encloses ‘b’. Restricted access and control

Metre

Monotony and strict rules

Caersuras

• Punctuation/pauses

• Disruption between speaker and God or earthly pleasures

Enjambment

Other side of garden/door are not restricted

“One small twig from shrub or tree”

Biblical symbolism. Dove and olive branch

“Lark”

Biblical symbolism. Energy, life and hope. All worthy and beautiful but nothing compared to paradise and heaven

“It’s iron bars”

Biblical symbolism. Only connection to garden of God is through sight

“Build a wall”

Biblical symbolism. Allusion to their inability to see truth of their sins

“Blinded with tear”

Biblical symbolism. Acknowledgment of their sins

The “violets”

Faithfulness and loyalty

Religious faith

Ophelia

Context

• Victorian era was a period of industrialisation and progress in science - doubt in religion

• Rossetti had religious doubt

• Shut Out could be a reflection of her own questioning of forgiveness and mercy