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Cousin Kate - Christina Rosetti (Context (The poem was written in the 19th…
Cousin Kate - Christina Rosetti
Context
The poem was written in the 19th century when women were expected to adhere to strict moral standards and those who strayed away from them by having sex outside of marriage were shunned by society.
Christina Rossetti spent time volunteering in a church organisation set up to help 'fallen women'.
Language
"He lured me"
The use of passive language (the Lord is the subject and the women are the objects) shows the dynamic in power between them.
This supports the context of the time, because they lived in a patriarchal society and women had to be subordinate to men.
"my shame, my pride"
The use of oxymoronic language contrasts what those around her thought of her son and what he meant to her.
This conveys that while she still struggles to be accepted, she is satisfied knowing that she has something which Kate will never have.
Themes
"I sit and howl in dust"
The theme of anger is prevalent in the poem, towards both for the Lord and for Kate, because they landed her in this situation.
This emphasises the state of poverty that she is now in and contrasts with "You sit in gold and sing".
"The neighbours call you good and pure"
This shows the theme of conflict in society, because based on the speakers virginal status she has now been outcast by those in her community.
The neighbour seems doubtful of Kate being 'good and pure' because the way she treated the speaker suggests otherwise. This shows conflict between what morals are considered important.
Structure
"He lured me" // "He wore me" // "He changed me"
The use of anaphora describes in the second stanza how the lord seduced and abandoned the speaker.
This is similarly used in the third stanza to describe how he treated Kate, but there is a contrast in the outcomes.
"Why did a great lord find me out" // "Yet I've a gift you have not got"
The is a shift in tone between the first stanza when she is full of pity and sorrow to in the final stanza when she has a bittersweet sense of satisfaction.
The shift in tone shows the growth that she has had and the realisation that her happiness isn't limited by societal expectations.