The Birthday by Bhristina Rossetti
This poem is a more traditional choice by Christina Rossetti. "A Birthday" suggests the incredible joy of finding the one that you love. It could even be appropriate for those who are marrying on their birthday, something which has always been popular. In the poem she uses two images to suggest her joy. In the first verse she compares her heart to a number of bright and colourful things that are full of life.In the second verse she asks that preparations be made to receive her love, suggesting opulent surroundings decorated with sensual materials. Although she is thought of as a somewhat melancholy poet, and indeed much of her writing can be sad, or even morbid by today's standards, she can also express the lighter side of life. Her poem A Birthday is a rapturous expression of delight in loveChristina Georgina Rossetti was one of the most important women poets writing in nineteenth-century England. She led a very retiring life, interrupted by a recurring illness. In this poem Rossetti describes the effects of love on her feelings and a general outlook. She tries to convey a happy feeling and it is worth noting the use of beautiful images for Nature: the singing bird; the apple tree in full fruit; and
Rather than the reflective, rhetorical nature of the previous lines she now addresses us, the reader. The birds, the apple tree and the rain which fell all represent the wonders and beauty of the natural world but so powerful is her love that, for her, it outshines all of these. The beauty of the plumage of the peacock's together with the grapes picked out in gold and silver bring a richness to the scene. Rossetti leaves the reason for her exalted feelings hidden from us until the 8th line. Note the richness of feelings and the background together with the rich colours and materials and dyes. The language of the poem is very sensual. Perhaps we have asked her why she looks so well and feels so good. Rossetti may be trying to put into words the emotions that she feels at this glorious time, a time when she is completely in love. Verse two is very exotic, written as if she feels truly wonderful, almost in a dream-like state. Remember that so many of the Romantic poets were interested in trying to explain and capture moments of extreme emotion. The dais is further enriched by the doves of peace and further exotic fruit like the pomegranate. A "dais" is a raised platform at the end of the room, especially at the end of the dining hall. The words "my heart" are repeated four times, presumably to bring about emphasis and also to show how important the feelings within her heart are when the one that she most loves is near to her. The shift of emphasis is also worth noting in line 10.
Common topics in this essay:
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Rossetti Birthday,
Remember Romantic,
,
apple tree,
sea verse,
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poem rossetti,
singing bird,
worth noting,
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