Rossetti interpretations

Gilbert and Gubar

 “Rossetti's poetry is limited in scope”  “Aesthetics of renunciation” and "the failure to embrace social engagement" in feminist literary criticism.

Leighton

 “Rossetti subverts the idea of emotional expression” in favor of static, idealized images.

McGann

“alternative, uncorrupted mode of social relation-the love of sisters” that defies traditional male narratives.

Queer theory

 Does the work critique or celebrate heterosexist values” and explores non-normative sexualities.