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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The Life and Legacy of Christina Rossetti

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

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______ ______ ______, a notable poet, was born on ______ ______, ______, in ______.

Christina Georgina Rossetti

December 5

1830

London

Her brother, ______ ______ ______, played a significant role in the ______-______ movement.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Pre-Raphaelite

Tractarian Movement's impact on Rossetti

Shaped her religious views, emphasizing Church of England's Catholic traditions.

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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.

The Life and Legacy of Christina Rossetti

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The Life and Legacy of Christina Rossetti