1. Maude Clare Christina Rossetti NOTE:
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Maude Clare
Christina Rossetti

2. Learning Question:
What ideas about the archetype of the ‘fallen woman’ does Rossetti present in ‘Maude Clare’?

3. Maude Clare
In this poem Maude Clare interrupts Sir Thomas and Nell’s wedding day.
As we read the poem, consider the structure of the poem, the rhyme, and consider the tone of the narration.

4. NOTE:
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5. Maude Clare: The technical Analyses
Structure
Rhyme and Tone
Ballad
12 Quatrains each with alternating iambic tetrameter and trimeter lines
Rhyme scheme ABCB – differs from traditional ballads.
The rhyme scheme is awkward at times paralleling the uncomfortable situation in which the characters are torn between expressing their true emotions and maintaining proper social behaviour.
The constant battle between restraint and free-expression is a recurring theme throughout the poem

6. Out of the church she followed them With a lofty step and mien:
His bride was like a village maid,
Maude Clare was like a queen.
What are the differences between Maude Clare and Nell?
Nell – innocence, like a peasant – sweet and simple.
Maude Clare – Queen, regal, poise.

7. What does this stanza tell us about Nell and societal expectations?
“Son Thomas, ” his lady mother said,
With smiles, almost with tears:
“May Nell and you but live as true
As we have done for years;
Get the impression his Mum was like Nell before she wed, and that her husband faced the same dilemma – marry the sweet innocent one like society wants, or the one you fancy!

8. What is the significance of this line?
“Your father thirty years ago
Had just your tale to tell;
But he was not so pale as you,
Nor I so pale as Nell.”
His mum is trying to be comforting but instead their faces just become worryingly pale.
‘Tale to tell’ – secrecy – a hint but doesn’t reveal much to the reader.
‘pale’ – the pale complexions of Thomas and Nell and MC are outward symbols of the difficulties that each of them must battle with.

9. My lord was pale with inward strife, And Nell was pale with pride;
My lord gazed long on pale Maude Clare
Or ever he kissed the bride.
Why are they all so pale?
‘pale’ – the pale complexions of Thomas and Nell and MC are outward symbols of the difficulties that each of them must battle with.

10. “Lo, I have brought my gift, my lord,
Have brought my gift, ” she said:
To bless the hearth, to bless the board,
To bless the marriage-bed.
What is the significance of the blessings that Maude Clare gives Sir Thomas and Nell?
Maude Clare embodies the Victorian archetype of a scorned woman whose wrath cannot be assuaged.
‘Hearth’ = fireplace, centre of Victorian home, symbolic of well-being and health.
‘board’ = In the Victorian home it’s perceived to be the place where communion and generosity can be found. Traditionally, the idea of blessing the board would be providing food the family to enjoy. By saying that her gift will bless their board Maude places herself at the heart of their domestic life and thus stands in the way of happy communication they might enjoy.
‘To bless’ – By saying these blessings MC ironically comments on the negativity her presence brings. Instead of blessing it with warmth, she proposes to bless it with coldness which is unnecessary and detrimental to the health of the couple. This could account for the pale faces of Nell and Thomas.
‘To bless the marriage-bed’ = Maude Clare inserts herself between the intimacy that should exist between Nell and Thomas. A bed should be a place of rest but now she threatens to disturb their sleep, their love and well-being of any kids they might have.
What impression do we get of Maude Clare here?

11. What is the significance of MC giving back her half of the chain?
“Here’s my half of the golden chain
You wore about your neck,
That day we waded ankle-deep
For lilies in the beck:
Why, contextually is this line significant and what does it tell us about MC?
‘golden chain’ – by giving her half back she is suggesting that she no longer wants to retain any part of him. It is the final breaking of the bond that she felt was tying her to him.
‘ankle-deep’ – she compromised her virtue when she spent intimate moments with Sir Thomas barefoot in lily field- shocking behaviour for a Victorian lady.
Lilies – symbol of purity, also a symbol of death (graves). It’s also a wedding flower.
What could the lilies symbolise?

12. What can we infer regarding Maude Clare’s feelings now?
“Here’s my half of the faded leaves
We plucked from the budding bough,
With feet amongst the lily leaves, -
The lilies are budding now.”
On his wedding day she gives back her half of the leaves that they plucked while the lilies were in bloom.
By reminding Thomas that the ‘lilies are budding now’ she offers both an ironic comment on his marriage to Nell and recalls the hope she once had regarding getting married herself.

13. What is the effect of the Caesura here?
He strove to match her scorn with scorn,
He faltered in his place:
“Lady, ” he said, - “Maude Clare, ” he said, -
“Maude Clare, ” – and hid his face.
Why does Thomas hide his face?
Caesura – The Caesurae that breaks up the lines, created by the dashes, reflect Thomas’ sense of confusion and apprehension. By not knowing how to address her he demonstrates his anxiety about their relationship. By remaining silent he gives her freedom to address Nell with what seems like a pre-prepared speech.
‘hid his face’ = feeble attempt to avoid responding to her insults? In trying to hide his face from MC, Thomas acknowledges the problems of the past which have come back to haunt him.

14. What is the significance of the imagery of the bloom, dew and flowers?
She turned to Nell: “My Lady Nell,
I have a gift for you;
Though, were it fruit, the blooms were gone,
Or, were it flowers, the dew.
Whilst bloom and dew indicate life and growth MC suggests that she comes to bring destruction. She hints that the gift she wants to give back is his ‘fickle heart’ spoken of ironically as a gift she presents it more as a burden – a shame she wants to rid of. Rather than symbolising love she considers that his heart is a symbol of unfaithfulness and indecisiveness.

15. What does MC think of Sir Thomas here?
“Take my share of a fickle heart,
Mine of a paltry love:
Take it or leave it as you will,
I wash my hands thereof.”
She hints that the gift she wants to give back is his ‘fickle heart’ spoken of ironically as a gift she presents it more as a burden – a shame she wants to rid of. Rather than symbolising love she considers that his heart is a symbol of unfaithfulness and indecisiveness.

16. “And what you leave, ” said Nell, “I’ll take,
How is Nell presented here? How would a Victorian person perceive her and how does that differ to how we perceive her?
“And what you leave, ” said Nell, “I’ll take,
And what you spurn, I’ll wear;
For he’s my lord for better and worse,
And him I love Maude Clare.
Nell is a paragon of womanly virtue.
She has come directly from church and is reiterating her vows.

17. “Yea, though you’re taller by the head, More wise and much more fair:
What can we conclude about the hearts of Nell, Sir Thomas and Maude Clare?
“Yea, though you’re taller by the head,
More wise and much more fair:
I’ll love him till he loves me best,
Me best of all Maude Clare.
‘till’ = suggests that despite marrying her, Thomas does not love her better than he does Maude Clare.
Nell’s courage increases and she expresses pride in her new husband.
‘Me best of all’ – she’s acknowledging the struggle she experiences in presenting herself as an image of security and happiness. The repetition also suggests that she may be trying to convince herself of the belief that Thomas will eventually love her best.

18. Plenary What other poems can you make links to? Fallen woman
In an Artist’s Studio, An Apple Gathering, LEL, Goblin Market, Winter: My Secret, The Covenant Threshold
Social Redemption
Goblin Market, The Covenant Threshold
Sexuality
An Apple Gathering, Goblin Market, Monna Inominata
Desire and longing
An Apple Gathering, In an Artist’s Studio, Winter: My Secret, The Covenant Threshold, Goblin Market.
Love and failed love
In an Artist’s Studio, A Birthday, An Apple-Gathering, Goblin Market, Monna Inominata, LEL, The Covenant Threshold.
What themes are evident in this poem?
The Fallen Woman
Social Redemption
Sexuality
Desire and longing
Love and failed love