Introduction to 'Remember' by Christina Rossetti

Welcome! In this chapter, we are diving into one of the most famous Victorian poems ever written: "Remember" by Christina Rossetti. This poem is a cornerstone of the Unit 4 Section B: Pre-1900 Poetry syllabus. It deals with the universal themes of death, love, and the complex human desire to be remembered—or forgotten.

Don't worry if you find Victorian poetry a bit formal at first. Rossetti’s writing is known for being clear and deeply emotional. By the end of these notes, you will understand how she uses the sonnet form to explore a selfless kind of love that transcends the grave.

Note: For other poems in this section, such as Rossetti's 'Echo' or 'A Birthday', see the respective chapters in this guide.

The Big Picture: What Happens in the Poem?

The poem is a direct address from a speaker to a lover. The speaker is imagining their own death and giving instructions to the person left behind. At first, the speaker asks the lover to keep their memory alive, but by the end, there is a surprising "twist"—the speaker decides it is better for the lover to be happy and forget them than to be sad and remember them.

AO2: Form, Structure, and Language

Rossetti uses specific technical tools to shape the meaning of the poem. For your exam, you need to be able to identify these and explain why she uses them.

1. The Petrarchan Sonnet

The poem is a Petrarchan Sonnet. This means it has 14 lines divided into two main parts:

  • The Octave (The first 8 lines): Here, the speaker focuses on themselves and their fear of being forgotten. They use the word "Remember" repeatedly as a command.
  • The Sestet (The final 6 lines): This part offers a resolution. The tone changes from a bit possessive to completely selfless.

The Volta: This is the "turning point" of the poem. It happens at line 9 with the word "Yet." It signals a shift in the speaker's thinking, moving from the desire for memory to the acceptance of being forgotten for the lover's sake.

2. Euphemisms for Death

Rossetti doesn't use the harsh word "death." Instead, she uses euphemisms (gentler ways of saying something unpleasant) like:

  • A journey to a "silent land."
  • Being "gone far away."

This suggests a Victorian view of the afterlife as a peaceful, quiet place of rest, but also emphasizes the physical distance that death creates.

3. Rhythm and Meter

The poem is written in iambic pentameter. This is a rhythm that sounds like a steady heartbeat: \(\text{da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM}\). This steady rhythm reflects the speaker's calm and controlled tone, even though they are talking about a very emotional subject.

Quick Review: The poem shifts from a "me-centered" octave to a "you-centered" sestet. The volta is the bridge between these two mindsets.

AO3: The Victorian Context

To get top marks, you must understand the world Rossetti lived in. Context isn't just history; it’s what influenced the poet's choices.

1. The Victorian "Cult of Death"

In the 19th century, mortality rates were high, and people were very focused on "the good death." There were strict rules for mourning: wearing black clothes for years and keeping photographs or locks of hair of the deceased. Rossetti’s poem actually challenges this; she suggests that maybe moving on is healthier than staying trapped in grief.

2. Religion and Faith

Rossetti was a devout High Anglican. For her, death was not the end but a transition. However, notice how she doesn't mention God or Heaven in this poem. This makes the poem feel more universal—it’s about the human relationship rather than religious doctrine.

3. Pre-Raphaelite Influence

Christina's brother, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, was a leader of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. This artistic movement valued simplicity, deep emotion, and symbolic detail. We see this in the poem's clear, repetitive language and its focus on a single, powerful feeling.

Did you know? Rossetti wrote this poem when she was only 19 years old! Despite her youth, she captured a very mature and complex view of love.

AO5: Different Interpretations

In your exam, you are encouraged to explore different ways the poem can be read. There is no single "right" answer!

Interpretation 1: The Selfless Lover

Most readers see the poem as a beautiful example of altruistic love. The speaker loves their partner so much that they are willing to give up their only chance at immortality (being remembered) to ensure the partner isn't unhappy.

Interpretation 2: A Poem of Control

Some critics argue that the speaker is actually quite controlling in the first half. By repeating the command "Remember," they are trying to direct the lover’s thoughts from beyond the grave. The shift at the end might be seen as the speaker realizing they cannot control the living.

Interpretation 3: Victorian Anxiety

Another view is that the poem reflects a deep anxiety about being forgotten. The speaker has to remind the lover to remember them, suggesting they fear their influence will fade quickly once they are in the "silent land."

Summary of Key Points

  • Form: Petrarchan Sonnet (Octave + Sestet).
  • Key Device: The Volta at line 9 (the shift from "Remember" to "Forget and smile").
  • Language: Use of euphemisms for death and simple, repetitive vocabulary.
  • Context: Victorian mourning rituals and the Pre-Raphaelite focus on emotion.
  • Key Takeaway: The poem concludes that the happiness of the living is more important than the memory of the dead.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Thinking the poem is depressing. While it's about death, the ending is actually quite hopeful and kind. It’s a poem about love, not just loss.

Mistake 2: Ignoring the "Volta." If you only talk about the first 8 lines, you miss the whole point of the poem! Always discuss how the meaning changes after line 9.

Mistake 3: Over-quoting. Remember the rules for this exam—paraphrase where possible. For example, instead of quoting the last line, explain that the speaker prefers their lover to forget and be happy than to remember and be miserable.