AO5- Rossetti as a Poet '
AO5: Christina Rossetti as a Poet — Femininity & Religion
Femininity / Role of Women
● Rossetti gives a vibrant voice to female experience (Mold).
● She is considered among the “singers of renunciation” of her era, exploring female
sacrifice and loss (Gilbert & Gubar).
● Rossetti believed that fallen women should not be forever social outcasts
(D’Amico), showing compassion for marginalized women.
● Her poetry predominantly expresses emotional love rather than sexualized love
(Bocher).
● She was thoughtfully aware of the plight of fallen women, critiquing society’s
harsh treatment of them (Christensen, c20).
● In the 19th century, women who did not marry were often seen as a “problem” (W.R.
Greg, 1862), a societal issue Rossetti engages with critically.
Religion
● Rossetti’s poetry is full of spiritual presence and Christian faith (Landow).
● Virginia Woolf (1919) describes her poetry as subservient to Christian doctrine,
reflecting her devout faith.
● God is always present in Rossetti’s work, driving its themes and tone (Bocher).
● Her poetry is inspired by a deep desire for Christ and spiritual fulfilment
(Harrison).
● All her work carries a resonating religious and spiritual drive, often expressing
conflict, longing, and hope.
● Biographer Jan Marsh notes Rossetti experienced “religious mania,” highlighting
her intense religious devotion.
AO5: Christina Rossetti as a Poet — Femininity & Religion
Femininity / Role of Women
● Rossetti gives a vibrant voice to female experience (Mold).
● She is considered among the “singers of renunciation” of her era, exploring female
sacrifice and loss (Gilbert & Gubar).
● Rossetti believed that fallen women should not be forever social outcasts
(D’Amico), showing compassion for marginalized women.
● Her poetry predominantly expresses emotional love rather than sexualized love
(Bocher).
● She was thoughtfully aware of the plight of fallen women, critiquing society’s
harsh treatment of them (Christensen, c20).
● In the 19th century, women who did not marry were often seen as a “problem” (W.R.
Greg, 1862), a societal issue Rossetti engages with critically.
Religion
● Rossetti’s poetry is full of spiritual presence and Christian faith (Landow).
● Virginia Woolf (1919) describes her poetry as subservient to Christian doctrine,
reflecting her devout faith.
● God is always present in Rossetti’s work, driving its themes and tone (Bocher).
● Her poetry is inspired by a deep desire for Christ and spiritual fulfilment
(Harrison).
● All her work carries a resonating religious and spiritual drive, often expressing
conflict, longing, and hope.
● Biographer Jan Marsh notes Rossetti experienced “religious mania,” highlighting
her intense religious devotion.
