Summary "Remember" by Christina Rossetti Analysis

Remember by Christina Rosetti- Analysis
Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you plann'd:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.

Octave

 "Remember me when I am gone away,": The poem begins with a
direct imperative, establishing the theme of remembrance.
 "Gone far away into the silent land": The speaker acknowledges
their impending death, emphasizing the distance and finality of their
departure.
 "When you can no more hold me by the hand,": The speaker
refers to the physical intimacy lost in death.
 "Nor look upon me with the loving eyes": Further emphasizing the
loss of physical connection.
 "That used to light the world for me of old,": Nostalgia and
longing are evident in the reference to past happiness.
 "Remember me then as I am now,": The speaker requests to be
remembered in their present form, not as a fading memory.
 "Young and unchanged, and full of hopeful hours": The speaker
wants to be remembered in the prime of life, full of potential.