Analysis (ai): This didactic poem, likely written during the Victorian era, promotes kindness towards all creatures. The author's intent is to instill compassion and empathy in the reader. The poem's simplicity and repetitive structure make it accessible to readers of all ages.

Unlike Rossetti's other works, which often explore complex themes and emotions, this poem focuses on a single message. It lacks the depth and emotional resonance found in her other pieces. However, it aligns with the Victorian emphasis on morality and the interconnectedness of all living things.

The poem's tone is gentle and persuasive, with the author pleading with the reader to refrain from harming any creature, no matter how small or insignificant. By personifying the insects and giving them human-like qualities, the poet creates a sense of empathy and connection between the reader and the natural world. (hide)

Analysis (ai): This poem, by Christina Georgina Rossetti, explores themes of remembrance and the inevitability of death. It is written in the first person, with the speaker addressing an unnamed person, asking them to remember them after they have died. The poem is simple and direct, with clear and concise language. It is written in iambic pentameter, which gives it a steady and rhythmic flow.

The poem begins with the speaker asking the unnamed person to remember them when they are gone, "gone far away into the silent land." The speaker then goes on to describe how they will no longer be able to hold the person's hand or turn to them. The speaker then asks the person to remember them even when they are no longer there to tell them of their plans for the future. The speaker then tells the person that it will be too late to counsel or pray for them once they are gone.

The speaker then goes on to say that it is better for the person to forget them for a while and then remember them, rather than to remember them and be sad. This suggests that the speaker does not want the person to be burdened by their grief. The poem ends with the speaker saying that if the darkness and corruption of death leave a vestige of their thoughts, it is better for the person to forget them and smile than to remember them and be sad.

This poem is similar to other poems by Rossetti in its exploration of themes of death and remembrance. It is also similar to other poems of the Victorian era in its use of simple and direct language and its focus on the emotions of the speaker. (hide)

Analysis (ai): The speaker's heartbrims with joy and exuberance as their love arrives on their birthday. They compare their happiness to natural beauty, likening their heart to a singing bird, an apple-tree laden with fruit, and a rainbow shell. This imagery creates a vivid tapestry of joy and celebration.

Compared to Rossetti's other works, this poem captures a more vibrant and joyful tone. While her other poems often explore themes of love, loss, and longing, "A Birthday" revels in the pure joy of a love fulfilled.

In the context of its time period, the poem reflects the Victorian era's emphasis on elaborate ornamentation and celebration. The description of the dais adorned with rich fabrics, carvings, and jewels evokes the lavishness and extravagance of the time.

The poem's brevity and simple language belie its emotional depth, highlighting the transformative power of love, which fills the speaker's heart with a joy that surpasses all else. (hide)