1. Maude Clare Christina Rossetti Learning Outcome:
To understand how Rossetti presents character and situation through analysing the poem Maude Clare

2. Arrange these words from the poem under headings of your choice
lofty
maid
smiles
tears
true
pale
strife
pride
kissed
bride
gift
bless
marriage
bed
golden
chain
waded
lilies
budding
scorn
fruit
blooms
flowers
fickle
paltry
spurn
wash
worse
wise
fair
What do you think the poem is going to be about?

3. Read the Poem Who do you think the central protagonists are?
Record the words that relate to:
Love
Relationships
Religion
Feelings
Body parts (!)

4. Discuss these Questions
What do you think the plot of this poem is?
How would you describe the poem’s point of view?
Whose voices are absent in the poem?
What might these voices have to say?

5. Discuss these Questions…
What perspective is this poem told from (1st, 2nd , 3rd person)
What is the effect of labelling ‘her’ and ‘them’?
What comparisons are made between the two women?
What does Maude hint at in lines ?
Who is the victim?
How does Rossetti use nature in this poem?
Is Thomas a strong hero of this story?
What does Maude mean by ‘wash my hands’ line 40?
What does Nell tell Maude in line 43?
In the final stanza what does Nell reveal? How does this make you feel about her and her situation? What does she imply?

6. Structure and Form What is the effect of using dialogue?
What is the pace of this poem? Why do you think this is? Think about the story being told.
Consider any poetic techniques you can find; alliteration, similes, metaphors, onomatopoeia, etc.