Encyclopedia, Difference between revisions of "Christina Rossetti" - New World
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[[Image:Christina Rossetti 3.jpg|thumb|220px|Christina Rossetti]] | [[Image:Christina Rossetti 3.jpg|thumb|220px|Christina Rossetti]] | ||
| − | '''Christina Georgina Rossetti''' (December 5, 1830 – December 29, 1894) was a [[Victorian Literature|Victorian]] era [[England|English]] [[poet]]. Her family was artistically talented and the four siblings included brothers, [[Dante Gabriel Rossetti]] an [[artist]], and the [[critic]] and [[writer]] [[William Michael Rossetti]]. The two brothers were among the founding members of the [[Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood]]. | + | '''Christina Georgina Rossetti''' (December 5, 1830 – December 29, 1894) was a [[Victorian Literature|Victorian]] era [[England|English]] [[poet]]. Her family was artistically talented and the four siblings included brothers, [[Dante Gabriel Rossetti]] an [[artist]], and the [[critic]] and [[writer]], [[William Michael Rossetti]]. The two brothers were among the founding members of the [[Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood]]. |
Although Rossetti's poetry was largely overlooked in the wake of [[modernism]], feminists in recent years have taken a new look at her body of work. In her time, she was considered one of Britain's greatest living poets next to [[Alfred Lord Tennyson]] and [[Gerard Manley Hopkins]], who was a great admirer of her work. Although she was sometimes considered a children's poet, many poems, particularly her later [[sonnet|sonnets]] and [[devotionals]] reflect religious themes and sentiments. | Although Rossetti's poetry was largely overlooked in the wake of [[modernism]], feminists in recent years have taken a new look at her body of work. In her time, she was considered one of Britain's greatest living poets next to [[Alfred Lord Tennyson]] and [[Gerard Manley Hopkins]], who was a great admirer of her work. Although she was sometimes considered a children's poet, many poems, particularly her later [[sonnet|sonnets]] and [[devotionals]] reflect religious themes and sentiments. | ||
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In the 1840s the deterioration of her father's physical and mental health forced him to resign from his position at [[King's College]]. Consequently, all of the children needed to find work in order to contribute to the family's dire financial circumstances. Christina, the youngest and having the frailest health out of the four children, wrote [[encyclopedia]] articles. Her earliest poems were published, with her brother's help, in the literary journal, ''The Athenaeum''. She also published several poems in the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood's magazine, ''The Germ''. | In the 1840s the deterioration of her father's physical and mental health forced him to resign from his position at [[King's College]]. Consequently, all of the children needed to find work in order to contribute to the family's dire financial circumstances. Christina, the youngest and having the frailest health out of the four children, wrote [[encyclopedia]] articles. Her earliest poems were published, with her brother's help, in the literary journal, ''The Athenaeum''. She also published several poems in the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood's magazine, ''The Germ''. | ||
| − | When she was 14, Rossetti purportedly suffered through a period of depression and related physical illness. During this time she, her mother, and her sister became followers of the [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] movement that was part of the [[Church of England]]. This religious devotion would play a major role in Rossetti's personal life | + | When she was 14, Rossetti purportedly suffered through a period of depression and related physical illness. During this time she, her mother, and her sister became followers of the [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] movement that was part of the [[Church of England]]. This religious devotion would play a major role in Rossetti's personal life. In her late teens she became engaged to the Pre-Raphaelite painter [[James Collinson]]; however, their engagement ended because of his [[conversion]] to [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholicism]]. Later she became engaged to the linguist [[Charles Cayley]] who is best known for translating [[Dante]] and the [[Greek]] [[classics]]. Although they remained friends throughout her life, she ultimately refused to marry him, also for religious reasons. These two broken engagements are reflected in her poems whose themes suggest regret and lost love. This motif is especially apparent in the the [[sonnet]] sequence ''Monna Innominata. |
[[Image:Rossetti-golden head.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Illustration for the cover of Christina Rossetti's ''[[Goblin Market]] and Other Poems'' (1862), by her brother [[Dante Gabriel Rossetti]].]] | [[Image:Rossetti-golden head.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Illustration for the cover of Christina Rossetti's ''[[Goblin Market]] and Other Poems'' (1862), by her brother [[Dante Gabriel Rossetti]].]] | ||
===Poetry=== | ===Poetry=== | ||
| + | [[Image:Christina Rossetti 2.jpg|left|220px|Portrait of Christina Rossetti, by her brother [[Dante Gabriel Rossetti]].]] | ||
Rossetti began writing at an early age but she was 31 before her first work was published — ''[[Goblin Market and Other Poems]]'' (1862). The collection garnered critical praise and "[[Elizabeth Barrett Browning]]'s death two months later led to Rossetti being hailed as her natural successor as 'female laureate' of Britain." | Rossetti began writing at an early age but she was 31 before her first work was published — ''[[Goblin Market and Other Poems]]'' (1862). The collection garnered critical praise and "[[Elizabeth Barrett Browning]]'s death two months later led to Rossetti being hailed as her natural successor as 'female laureate' of Britain." | ||
| − | The title poem from this book, ''Goblin Market'' is Rossetti's best known work and, although at first glance it may seem merely to be a nursery rhyme about two sisters' misadventures with goblins, the poem is multi-layered, challenging, and complex. Critics have interpreted the piece in a variety of ways: seeing it as an allegory about temptation and salvation; a commentary on | + | The title poem from this book, ''Goblin Market'' is Rossetti's best known work and, although at first glance it may seem merely to be a nursery rhyme about two sisters' misadventures with goblins, the poem is multi-layered, challenging, and complex. Critics have interpreted the piece in a variety of ways: seeing it as an allegory about temptation and salvation; a commentary on Victorian gender roles; and a work about erotic desire and social redemption. Some readers have noted its likeness to [[Samuel Taylor Coleridge|Coleridge's]] "[[Rime of the Ancient Mariner]]" given both poems' religious themes of temptation, sin and redemption through vicarious suffering. |
Her Christmas poem "[[In the Bleak Midwinter]]" became widely known after her death when it was composed as a Christmas carol by English composer [[Gustav Holst]] among others. The easy musicality of this piece makes it accessible to present day readers. An excerpt reads: | Her Christmas poem "[[In the Bleak Midwinter]]" became widely known after her death when it was composed as a Christmas carol by English composer [[Gustav Holst]] among others. The easy musicality of this piece makes it accessible to present day readers. An excerpt reads: | ||
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Two other major volumes published were ''The Prince's Progress and Other Poems (1866) and ''A Paeant and Other Poems'' (1881). | Two other major volumes published were ''The Prince's Progress and Other Poems (1866) and ''A Paeant and Other Poems'' (1881). | ||
| − | + | Rossettie also published a a book of short stories primarily written for children; ''Sing-song A Nursery Rhyme Book ''(1872) and ''Speaking Likenesses'' (1874). The former was illustrated by Pre-Raphaelite illustrator [[Arthur Hughes]] who was especially adept at drawing the small woodland animals that Rossetti loved. | |
| − | == | + | ==End of Life== |
| − | Rossetti continued to write and publish for the rest of her life | + | In 1893 Rossetti developed [[Graves-Basedow disease|Graves' disease]] which affected her both her heath and her beauty. Although she continued to write and publish for the rest of her life she focused primarily on devotional writing and children's poetry. She volunteered for ten years at House of Charity at [[Highgate]], which served unmarried mothers and the homeless. She was ambivalent about [[women's suffrage]], as she viewed it as being in contradiction to Biblical views of a the role of women. |
| − | In 1893 Rossetti developed cancer | + | In 1893 Rossetti developed cancer December 29, 1894. She is buried in [[Highgate Cemetery]]. |
| − | |||
==Legacy== | ==Legacy== | ||
In the early 20th century Rossetti's popularity faded as many respected Victorian writers' reputations suffered from [[Modernism]]'s backlash. Rossetti remained largely unnoticed and unread until the 1970s when feminist scholars began to recover and comment on her work. In the last few decades Rossetti's writing has been rediscovered and she has regained admittance into the Victorian literary canon. | In the early 20th century Rossetti's popularity faded as many respected Victorian writers' reputations suffered from [[Modernism]]'s backlash. Rossetti remained largely unnoticed and unread until the 1970s when feminist scholars began to recover and comment on her work. In the last few decades Rossetti's writing has been rediscovered and she has regained admittance into the Victorian literary canon. | ||
| + | Some scholars have identified [[feminist]] themes in her poetry that point out the conflicting emotions resulting from victorian societal restrictions. It is this tensions, they point out that gives depth to her writing | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 13:28, 9 May 2007
Christina Georgina Rossetti (December 5, 1830 – December 29, 1894) was a Victorian era English poet. Her family was artistically talented and the four siblings included brothers, Dante Gabriel Rossetti an artist, and the critic and writer, William Michael Rossetti. The two brothers were among the founding members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.
Although Rossetti's poetry was largely overlooked in the wake of modernism, feminists in recent years have taken a new look at her body of work. In her time, she was considered one of Britain's greatest living poets next to Alfred Lord Tennyson and Gerard Manley Hopkins, who was a great admirer of her work. Although she was sometimes considered a children's poet, many poems, particularly her later sonnets and devotionals reflect religious themes and sentiments.
Biography
Early Life
Rossetti was born in London and educated at home by her mother Frances Polidori Rossetti, who was the sister of Lord Byron's friend and physician, John William Polidori. Her father, Gabriele Rossetti, was an Italian poet and a political asylum seeker from Naples Italy. In addition to her two highly accomplished brothers, she had a sister, Maria Francesca Rossetti, who also became a published writer and later an Anglican nun.
In the 1840s the deterioration of her father's physical and mental health forced him to resign from his position at King's College. Consequently, all of the children needed to find work in order to contribute to the family's dire financial circumstances. Christina, the youngest and having the frailest health out of the four children, wrote encyclopedia articles. Her earliest poems were published, with her brother's help, in the literary journal, The Athenaeum. She also published several poems in the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood's magazine, The Germ.
When she was 14, Rossetti purportedly suffered through a period of depression and related physical illness. During this time she, her mother, and her sister became followers of the Anglican movement that was part of the Church of England. This religious devotion would play a major role in Rossetti's personal life. In her late teens she became engaged to the Pre-Raphaelite painter James Collinson; however, their engagement ended because of his conversion to Catholicism. Later she became engaged to the linguist Charles Cayley who is best known for translating Dante and the Greek classics. Although they remained friends throughout her life, she ultimately refused to marry him, also for religious reasons. These two broken engagements are reflected in her poems whose themes suggest regret and lost love. This motif is especially apparent in the the sonnet sequence Monna Innominata.
Poetry
Rossetti began writing at an early age but she was 31 before her first work was published — Goblin Market and Other Poems (1862). The collection garnered critical praise and "Elizabeth Barrett Browning's death two months later led to Rossetti being hailed as her natural successor as 'female laureate' of Britain."
The title poem from this book, Goblin Market is Rossetti's best known work and, although at first glance it may seem merely to be a nursery rhyme about two sisters' misadventures with goblins, the poem is multi-layered, challenging, and complex. Critics have interpreted the piece in a variety of ways: seeing it as an allegory about temptation and salvation; a commentary on Victorian gender roles; and a work about erotic desire and social redemption. Some readers have noted its likeness to Coleridge's "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" given both poems' religious themes of temptation, sin and redemption through vicarious suffering.
Her Christmas poem "In the Bleak Midwinter" became widely known after her death when it was composed as a Christmas carol by English composer Gustav Holst among others. The easy musicality of this piece makes it accessible to present day readers. An excerpt reads:
- In the bleak mid-winter
- Frosty wind made moan,
- Earth stood hard as iron,
- Water like a stone;
- Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
- Snow on snow
- In the bleak mid winter
- Long ago
- Our God, heaven cannot hold Him,
- Nor earth sustain;
- Heaven and earth shall flee away
- When He comes to reign:
- In the bleak mid-winter
- A stable-placed suffice
- The Lord God Almighty
- Jesus Christ
Two other major volumes published were The Prince's Progress and Other Poems (1866) and A Paeant and Other Poems (1881).
Rossettie also published a a book of short stories primarily written for children; Sing-song A Nursery Rhyme Book (1872) and Speaking Likenesses (1874). The former was illustrated by Pre-Raphaelite illustrator Arthur Hughes who was especially adept at drawing the small woodland animals that Rossetti loved.
End of Life
In 1893 Rossetti developed Graves' disease which affected her both her heath and her beauty. Although she continued to write and publish for the rest of her life she focused primarily on devotional writing and children's poetry. She volunteered for ten years at House of Charity at Highgate, which served unmarried mothers and the homeless. She was ambivalent about women's suffrage, as she viewed it as being in contradiction to Biblical views of a the role of women.
In 1893 Rossetti developed cancer December 29, 1894. She is buried in Highgate Cemetery.
Legacy
In the early 20th century Rossetti's popularity faded as many respected Victorian writers' reputations suffered from Modernism's backlash. Rossetti remained largely unnoticed and unread until the 1970s when feminist scholars began to recover and comment on her work. In the last few decades Rossetti's writing has been rediscovered and she has regained admittance into the Victorian literary canon. Some scholars have identified feminist themes in her poetry that point out the conflicting emotions resulting from victorian societal restrictions. It is this tensions, they point out that gives depth to her writing
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Clifford, David and Roussillon, Laurence. Outsiders Looking In: The Rossettis Then and Now. London: Anthem, 2004. ISBN 1843311054
- Marsh, Jan. Introduction. Poems and Prose. By Christina Rossetti. London: Everyman, 1994. xvii – xxxiii.
- McGowran, Katharine. Selected Poems of Christina Rossetti. Wordsworth Poetry Library, 1995. ISBN 1853264296
Works
- Goblin Market and Other Poems (1862)
- The Prince's Progress and Other Poems (1856)
- Commonplace (1870)
- Sing-Song: a Nursery Rhyme Book (1872, 1893)[1]
- A Pageant and Other Poems (1881)
- Verses (1893)
External links
- Works by Christina Rossetti. Project Gutenberg, Retrieved April 4, 2007.
- "Christina Rossetti's Grave", Poet's Graves, Retrieved April 4, 2007.
- Vanessa Warne, The Literary Encyclopedia, May 17, 2004;"Christina Rossetti", The Literary Encyclopedia, Retrieved April 4, 2007.
- "Biography", Books and Writers, Retrieved April 4, 2007.
- "Christina Rossetti", Retrieved April 4, 2007.
- "Christina Rossetti", Poet Seers, Retrieved April 4, 2007.
- "Christina Rossetti", The Victorian Web, Retrieved April 4, 2007.
- "Christina Georgina Rossetti (133 Poems)", Poetry Archive, Retrieved April 4, 2007.
- "Echo", Reely's Poetry Pages, Retrieved April 4, 2007.
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