Poem Analysis for Christina Rossetti’s Uphill
Themes:
Afterlife
Comfort (secure answers)
Biblical
Doubt
Summary:
This poem affirms Rossetti’s beliefs in the afterlife, heavily reliant on the imagery of
the “journey” that leads to a one way to heaven. Unlike much of her poetry which is
flooded with doubt, the speaker seems assured of her place in heaven.
Structure:
The poem is structured into 4 equal stanzas, each following the same pattern of
question and answer. There is also a repetitive rhyme structure of ABAB (1st/ 3 rd
lines are spoken by one narrator- creates a conversational tone), and with all this
continuity, it somewhat subverts the doubt of the speakers. Notably, Up-hill is written
from the perspective of two distinct narrators, one who asks and the other who
embodies knowledge and security.
More A* analysis on page 2!
Imagery:
The poem begins with the speaker’s doubtful question “does the road wind up-hill all
the way?”, which one interpretation suggests this “road” is the way to heaven, in
which the implication it is “up-hill” implies this path is strenuous and difficult- the glory
of heaven must be worked for. There is also the emphasis on “all” which reflects the
speaker’s tiredness. The response given is concise and comforting in that “yes, to
the very end”, implying there does come an end to this journey. If we consider this
journey as towards death, the secondary narrator may be God- the one who is all
knowing. However, Rossetti had intentionally made this poem vague to allow it to be
universal, this journey may equally describe an earthly hardship in which friends and
Themes:
Afterlife
Comfort (secure answers)
Biblical
Doubt
Summary:
This poem affirms Rossetti’s beliefs in the afterlife, heavily reliant on the imagery of
the “journey” that leads to a one way to heaven. Unlike much of her poetry which is
flooded with doubt, the speaker seems assured of her place in heaven.
Structure:
The poem is structured into 4 equal stanzas, each following the same pattern of
question and answer. There is also a repetitive rhyme structure of ABAB (1st/ 3 rd
lines are spoken by one narrator- creates a conversational tone), and with all this
continuity, it somewhat subverts the doubt of the speakers. Notably, Up-hill is written
from the perspective of two distinct narrators, one who asks and the other who
embodies knowledge and security.
More A* analysis on page 2!
Imagery:
The poem begins with the speaker’s doubtful question “does the road wind up-hill all
the way?”, which one interpretation suggests this “road” is the way to heaven, in
which the implication it is “up-hill” implies this path is strenuous and difficult- the glory
of heaven must be worked for. There is also the emphasis on “all” which reflects the
speaker’s tiredness. The response given is concise and comforting in that “yes, to
the very end”, implying there does come an end to this journey. If we consider this
journey as towards death, the secondary narrator may be God- the one who is all
knowing. However, Rossetti had intentionally made this poem vague to allow it to be
universal, this journey may equally describe an earthly hardship in which friends and
