Tea Tomas

Kolegij: Predrafaelitizam

Nositelj kolegija: dr.sc. Tatjana Jukić

Essay

Sister Maude by Christina Rossetti

Sister Maude recounts the tale of the speaker and her sister, the deceitful Maude, revealing a palpable
lack of affection between them. The narrative unfolds as the speaker engages in a clandestine love affair,
only to be swiftly betrayed by Maude to their parents – an act attributed to envy, according to the
speaker. The intense fury expressed by the speaker, coupled with Maude's apparent cruelty, underscores
the notion that sisterhood is no guarantee of mutual love or support. The poem suggests that sibling
relationships, particularly those between sisters, can be marked by competition, resentment, and even
animosity. In this portrayal, the depth of the speaker's resentment towards Maude is evident,
challenging the conventional expectation of unconditional love between siblings. The poem implies that
their close bond, rather than fostering camaraderie, becomes a breeding ground for contempt.
Sisterhood, rather than serving as a source of solidarity, appears to provide a constant backdrop for
comparison and competition, ultimately paving the way for profound animosity. The indifference
displayed by Maude towards their sisterhood becomes a focal point, with the speaker speculating that
their close relationship may paradoxically enable her to harbor an intense disdain for Maude. This
dynamic suggests that the very nature of sisterhood, by offering continuous opportunities for
comparison and competition, can catalyze the development of profound animosity and discord. In
summary, "Sister Maude" presents a narrative that challenges the assumption of inherent love within
sibling relationships, particularly among sisters. The poem underscores the potential for rivalry,
bitterness, and even hatred to emerge in the intricate dynamics of sisterhood, revealing that familial
bonds do not necessarily guarantee affection or loyalty.

The poem Sister Maude by Christina Rossetti can be analyzed as if it were a Pre-Raphaelite painting, with
its vivid imagery, emotional intensity, and thematic complexity echoing the characteristics of the artistic
movement.

Stanza 1:

"Who told my mother of my shame,

Who told my father of my dear?

Oh who but Maude, my sister Maude,

Who lurked to spy and peer."

In the opening stanza, the atmosphere is charged with familial tension. Imagine a dimly lit Victorian-era
drawing-room, adorned with heavy drapes and antique furniture. The shadows play a crucial role,
emphasizing the secrecy and betrayal within the family. The speaker stands in the foreground, her
expression a mix of bewilderment and anger. Maude, the elusive figure, is suggested rather than
explicitly depicted – a shadow lurking in the periphery. The scene evokes the Pre-Raphaelite fascination
with detailed interiors and the use of chiaroscuro to convey emotional intensity.

Stanza 2:

"Cold he lies, as cold as stone,

With his clotted curls about his face:

The comeliest corpse in all the world

And worthy of a queen’s embrace."

Picture a scene reminiscent of a Pre-Raphaelite painting, where the atmosphere is imbued with an
ethereal quality. The room is softly lit, with a warm, golden glow that accentuates the otherworldly
nature of the setting. The deceased figure lies in repose, arranged as if in a state of serene slumber. The
emphasis is on the tactile details of the deceased, especially with the phrase "Cold he lies, as cold as
stone." This description creates a visual contrast between the warmth of the room and the lifelessness of
the figure, underscoring the theme of mortality. The "clotted curls about his face" adds a touch of
romantic morbidity to the scene, resembling the intricate detailing often found in Pre-Raphaelite
portraiture. The meticulous attention to the deceased's physical attributes elevates him to a status
beyond the ordinary, almost as if he were a subject of divine fascination. The choice of words such as
"comeliest corpse" introduces an element of paradox, blending beauty with mortality. This romanticized
depiction of death aligns with the Pre-Raphaelite fascination with idealized and symbolic
representations. The deceased, in this stanza, becomes a visual masterpiece, transcending the somber
reality of death. Overall, the second stanza creates a visual tableau that captures the essence of
mortality, beauty, and the transcendence of life and death – all expressed with the vividness and
attention to detail reminiscent of Pre-Raphaelite art.

Stanza 3:

"You might have spared his soul, sister,

Have spared my soul, your own soul too:

Though I had not been born at all,

He’d never have looked at you."

The emotional intensity peaks in the third stanza as the speaker implores Maude to spare both the
deceased's soul and her own. Imagine the visual interpretation capturing the interplay of expressions –
the anguish in the speaker's eyes and the remorse etched on Maude's face. This intricate portrayal aligns
with the detailed character studies often found in Pre-Raphaelite paintings. Central to the poem is the
theme of sin and the consequences of betrayal, resonating with the Pre-Raphaelite interest in exploring
complex moral and emotional landscapes. Maude becomes a figure laden with sin, her actions portrayed
as irredeemable. The moral intensity in this stanza is akin to the heightened sense of drama often
depicted in Pre-Raphaelite art.

Stanza 4:

"My father may sleep in Paradise,

My mother at Heaven-gate:

But sister Maude shall get no sleep

Either early or late."

Visualize a cosmic tableau where the narrative expands beyond the earthly realm. Envision a celestial
landscape that contrasts sharply with the tumultuous emotional terrain of the characters. The scene is
split into two contrasting elements.

On one side:

Picture the parents at rest in Paradise, bathed in a soft, celestial light. The imagery suggests a tranquil
afterlife where they peacefully sleep. The father is adorned in a regal golden gown, and the mother,
wearing a crown, stands before the Heaven-gate. The setting radiates with a sense of divine repose and
serenity, reminiscent of iconic religious paintings.

On the other side:

Contrast this with the perpetual unrest of Maude. Imagine her wandering in a shadowy realm, unable to
find peace. The use of contrasting light and dark elements amplifies the cosmic dimensions of the poem.
The celestial and infernal scenes emphasize the moral consequences of actions and the eternal nature of
the characters' fates.

The stanza captures the dichotomy between the divine and the restless, a theme explored in various Pre-
Raphaelite works. The meticulous attention to cosmic imagery and the strategic use of light and shadow
contribute to the visual impact, aligning with the Pre-Raphaelite penchant for symbolism and the
exploration of profound themes.

Stanza 5:

"My father may wear a golden gown,

My mother a crown may win;

 If my dear and I knocked at Heaven-gate

Perhaps they’d let us in:

But sister Maude, oh sister Maude,

Bide you with death and sin."

Visualize a celestial tableau in the last stanza. On one side, there's a heavenly realm bathed in soft,
golden light. The father wears a regal golden gown, and the mother is adorned with a crown, standing
before the Heaven-gate. The setting radiates tranquility and divine grace. On the other side, juxtapose
this with a dark, ominous portrayal. Maude is urged to "bide with death and sin," set against a
background of shadowy landscapes. The contrasting diptych symbolizes the moral consequences of
Maude's actions, and the dichotomy between heavenly repose and eternal unrest. The visual
composition draws inspiration from the Pre-Raphaelite use of symbolism and contrasts to convey
profound themes.

In conclusion, the poem's detailed imagery, emotional intensity, and exploration of complex themes align
with the principles of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. Through its vivid portrayal of betrayal, death, and
moral consequences, the poem becomes a literary Pre-Raphaelite masterpiece, inviting readers to delve
into a visual and emotional tableau that resonates with the intricate aesthetics of the movement.