The Life and Legacy of Christina Rossetti

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.