The Life and Legacy of Christina Rossetti
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Christina Rossetti, a Victorian poet, is celebrated for her lyrical poetry and association with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. Her works, including 'Goblin Market' and 'Remember', reflect deep religious devotion and explore themes of love, loss, and morality. Rossetti's influence extends beyond literature, impacting feminist criticism and religious poetry.
Summary
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Early Life and Education of Christina Rossetti
Christina Georgina Rossetti, born on December 5, 1830, in London, was the youngest of four children in a family with a rich cultural heritage. Her father, Gabriele Rossetti, was an exiled Italian poet and scholar, and her mother, Frances Polidori, was the sister of Lord Byron's friend and physician, John Polidori. Christina was educated at home by her mother, who instilled in her a love for the classics and religious devotion. Her siblings, Dante Gabriel and William Michael Rossetti, became influential figures in the Pre-Raphaelite movement, and her sister, Maria Francesca Rossetti, was an author. The intellectual environment of her household nurtured Christina's literary talents from a young age.Christina Rossetti's Religious Devotion and Literary Work
Christina Rossetti's life was marked by piety and a deep commitment to her Anglican faith, which was a central theme in her writing. Her religious beliefs were shaped by the Tractarian or Oxford Movement, which emphasized the Church of England's Catholic heritage. Rossetti's poetry often grapples with themes of redemption, sacrifice, and the struggle between earthly desires and spiritual aspirations. Her personal life was also influenced by her faith; she ended her engagements to James Collinson and later to Charles Cayley, partly due to religious incompatibilities. Rossetti's convictions led her to volunteer at the St. Mary Magdalene penitentiary for fallen women, an experience that informed her compassionate worldview.Association with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood
Christina Rossetti's association with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, co-founded by her brother Dante Gabriel Rossetti, was a defining aspect of her artistic milieu. The Brotherhood aimed to reform art by rejecting Mannerist influences and embracing a return to the detail, color, and complexity of Quattrocento Italian art. Christina's contributions to the Brotherhood included her poetry and her role as a model in several Pre-Raphaelite paintings. Her work appeared in the Brotherhood's literary magazine, The Germ, where she published under the pseudonym 'Ellen Alleyne'. The Pre-Raphaelite principles of truth to nature and the integration of moral and spiritual themes resonated in her own literary creations.Christina Rossetti's Poetry and Themes
Christina Rossetti's poetry is distinguished by its lyrical quality, emotional depth, and exploration of themes such as love, loss, and nature. Her narrative poem 'Goblin Market' is a masterpiece of Victorian literature, rich in allegory and symbolism, often interpreted as a commentary on Victorian gender roles and market economics. 'Remember', a sonnet contemplating mortality and remembrance, and 'Up-Hill', which allegorizes life's journey, are exemplary of her contemplative style. 'A Birthday', with its joyful celebration of love, showcases her ability to convey profound emotion. Rossetti's work is notable for its versatility, ranging from simple ballads to complex sonnets, always infused with a deep moral and spiritual sensibility.Legacy and Influence of Christina Rossetti
Christina Rossetti's literary legacy is significant, with her poetry remaining a staple in English literature curricula. Her work has been recognized for its technical mastery, rich imagery, and complex emotional and spiritual depth. Rossetti's influence extends into the musical realm, with many of her poems having been set to music by composers, thereby reaching a wider audience. The Church of England commemorates her on their liturgical calendar on April 27th, acknowledging her contributions to religious poetry. Rossetti's impact on feminist literary criticism has grown in recent decades, as scholars re-evaluate her work in the context of gender and sexuality.Christina Rossetti's Final Years and Death
The latter part of Christina Rossetti's life was marred by declining health. She battled Graves' disease, a thyroid disorder, and in 1893, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, which would ultimately claim her life. Rossetti died on December 29, 1894, at the age of 64. She was buried in Highgate Cemetery in London, in a family tomb. Despite her personal challenges, Rossetti's poetry endures, a testament to her enduring strength of character and her significant contributions to the canon of English literature.
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Early Life and Family
Cultural Heritage
Christina Rossetti was born into a family with a rich cultural heritage, including an exiled Italian poet father and a relative of Lord Byron
Education and Literary Influence
Home Education
Christina Rossetti's mother instilled in her a love for the classics and religious devotion through home education
Siblings' Influence
Christina's siblings, who became influential figures in the Pre-Raphaelite movement, nurtured her literary talents from a young age
Religious Beliefs and Convictions
Christina Rossetti's life and writing were deeply influenced by her Anglican faith and the Tractarian or Oxford Movement
Artistic Milieu and Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood
Association with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood
Christina Rossetti's brother Dante Gabriel Rossetti co-founded the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, which had a significant impact on her artistic milieu
Contributions to the Brotherhood
Poetry
Christina Rossetti's poetry, published under the pseudonym 'Ellen Alleyne', appeared in the Brotherhood's literary magazine, The Germ
Modeling
Christina Rossetti also served as a model for several Pre-Raphaelite paintings
Pre-Raphaelite Principles in Rossetti's Work
The Pre-Raphaelite emphasis on truth to nature and moral and spiritual themes resonated in Christina Rossetti's own literary creations
Themes and Style in Rossetti's Poetry
Religious Themes
Christina Rossetti's poetry often grapples with themes of redemption, sacrifice, and the struggle between earthly desires and spiritual aspirations
Emotional Depth and Lyrical Quality
Christina Rossetti's poetry is distinguished by its emotional depth and lyrical quality
Notable Works
Goblin Market
'Goblin Market' is a masterpiece of Victorian literature, rich in allegory and symbolism, often interpreted as a commentary on Victorian gender roles and market economics
Remember
'Remember' is a sonnet contemplating mortality and remembrance
Up-Hill
'Up-Hill' allegorizes life's journey
A Birthday
'A Birthday' is a joyful celebration of love
Versatility and Enduring Legacy
Christina Rossetti's poetry is notable for its versatility, ranging from simple ballads to complex sonnets, and remains a staple in English literature curricula
Personal Life and Legacy
Health Challenges
Christina Rossetti battled Graves' disease and was diagnosed with breast cancer, which ultimately claimed her life
Burial and Enduring Impact
Christina Rossetti was buried in Highgate Cemetery in London and her poetry endures as a testament to her enduring strength of character and significant contributions to English literature
The Life and Legacy of Christina Rossetti
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______ ______ ______, a notable poet, was born on ______ ______, ______, in ______.
Christina Georgina Rossetti
December 5
1830
London
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Her brother, ______ ______ ______, played a significant role in the ______-______ movement.
Dante Gabriel Rossetti
Pre-Raphaelite
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Tractarian Movement's impact on Rossetti
Shaped her religious views, emphasizing Church of England's Catholic traditions.
