Topic > Christina Rossetti's Attitudes Toward Death in "Song" and "Remember"

In both "Song" and "Remember," Rossetti articulates several different attitudes toward death, avoiding any set approach. In "Song", he uses techniques involving the structure and tone of the poem to convey that he is actually happy to be out of the relationship. However, in the poem 'Remember', Rossetti uses the manifestations in a much more consolatory tone, giving a very different interpretation of death to that of 'Song'. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay In “Song,” one of the main themes was the use of natural vocabulary to create a sense of relief. Rossetti, for example, writes “I will not hear the nightingale singing as if in pain”. This image may suggest that the Nightingale is a metaphor for her relationship, and in death Rossetti has finally escaped her lover, who may not have cared for her as he should have. Another interpretation of this could perhaps be that her lover was not loving towards her and only acted as if he did at her funeral. This would mean that “the Nightingale” was a metaphor for her lover, and she uses the words “as if” to point out that perhaps he is using her grieving state as spectacle. The repetition of the words "I will not" on the three lines before the nightingale metaphor also supports the idea that she sees death as an escape because of the tone it creates; one of hope for the best after death. Some of the themes in "Remember" contrast with those in "Song" due to the meaning behind them. For example, she states, “Just remember me,” which may underline the fact that she expects loyalty from a man she sincerely loves; otherwise, if she hadn't cared, she would most likely have told her "lover" not to bother. However, another interpretation of this line may emerge from the emphasis on the word “Solo”. The emphasis is made evident by the sudden change in meter and is the first break in rhythm in the poem, suggesting to the reader that this is a key line in showing the meaning behind “Remember.” Probably, Rossetti is trying to use this phrase to implore her lover, who has been unfaithful to her, telling him to remember her instead of any other woman he has had relations with. A common theme in both poems is the role of women in relationships within society. In both "Song" and "Remember", Rossetti alludes to men being unfaithful to their lovers, which shows a class division that fits the context of the time in Victorian Britain. For example, in “Song,” there are the obvious connotations that there is no true “love” in the relationship, due to the “Nightingale” metaphor. Additionally, in "Remember", there is a hint of male dominance in the relationship, which is seen when Rossetti comments on the "future you have planned", as if he had no say in what he wanted to do with the rest. of his life. The vocabulary used in the song can also communicate Rossetti's attitude towards death. For example, she uses the image of the “shady cypress,” a traditional symbol of mourning, and orders her lover not to plant one. This could be her way of asking him why he should care for her now that she is dead when he didn't care for her in life. That said, another interpretation could have a completely opposite meaning. She may, in fact, want her lover to keep his memories in his mind, rather than under a “shady cypress”. Something similar happens in 'Remember' as the purpose of using imagery is to soften the blow of his death. to her lover. For example, in.