'Remember' by Christina Georgina Rossetti


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Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you plann'd:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.


Editor 1 Interpretation

Remember by Christina Georgina Rossetti: A Deep Dive into the Poem's Themes and Symbolism

When it comes to poetry, Christina Georgina Rossetti is a name that needs no introduction. One of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era, Rossetti's work continues to inspire and enthrall readers to this day. Among her many acclaimed poems, "Remember" stands out as a timeless masterpiece that captures the essence of love, loss, and memory.

In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve deep into the themes and symbolism of "Remember," analyzing the poem's structure, language, and imagery to uncover its hidden meanings and messages. So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and join me on this journey of discovery.

Structure and Language

Before we dive into the themes and symbolism of "Remember," it's important to take a closer look at the poem's structure and language. "Remember" is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem written in iambic pentameter with a rhyme scheme of ABBA ABBA CDCD CD. This form was popularized by Italian poets and became a staple of English poetry in the Renaissance period.

Rossetti's use of the sonnet form in "Remember" is significant because it gives the poem a sense of formal elegance and restraint, which is in contrast to the intense emotions it conveys. The rhyme scheme, in particular, creates a sense of closure and resolution, as the final couplet provides a definitive answer to the question posed in the preceding lines.

The language of "Remember" is simple and direct, with no fancy or elaborate words. This plainness of language is intentional, as it underscores the poem's theme of simplicity and purity. The repetition of the word "remember" throughout the poem also adds to its impact, as it emphasizes the central message of the poem: to remember the speaker after she is gone.

Themes

At its core, "Remember" is a poem about love, loss and memory. The speaker is addressing her beloved, asking him to remember her after she has died. The poem explores the complexities of the human heart and the longing for immortality that lies at its core.

One of the most prominent themes of "Remember" is the transience of life. The poem is a meditation on the fleeting nature of human existence and the inevitability of death. The speaker is aware that her time on earth is limited and that she will eventually pass away. This awareness is reflected in the lines, "Remember me when I am gone away, / Gone far away into the silent land."

However, the poem is not just a meditation on death; it is also a celebration of life. The speaker implores her beloved to "Remember me when no more day by day / You tell me of our future that you planned." This line captures the essence of the poem's message: that life is precious and should be cherished, even in the face of death.

Another theme that runs throughout "Remember" is the power of memory. The poem suggests that memory has the ability to preserve the essence of a person long after they have passed away. The speaker is aware that she cannot physically be with her beloved forever, but she believes that he can keep her memory alive by remembering her. This idea is encapsulated in the lines, "Yet if you should forget me for a while / And afterwards remember, do not grieve."

Finally, "Remember" is a poem about love. The speaker's love for her beloved is evident throughout the poem, as she implores him to remember her and keep her memory alive. The lines, "Better by far you should forget and smile / Than that you should remember and be sad," illustrate the depth of the speaker's love for her beloved, as she would rather he forget her than be consumed by grief.

Symbolism and Imagery

The language and imagery of "Remember" are deeply symbolic, adding layers of meaning to the poem's themes. One of the most striking images in the poem is the use of the "silent land" to describe death. This phrase is a metaphor for the afterlife, a place beyond the reach of the living. The use of this phrase creates a sense of mystery and awe, underscoring the power and finality of death.

Another powerful image in the poem is the "silent tears" that the speaker asks her beloved to shed after she is gone. This phrase is symbolic of the depth of the speaker's love for her beloved, as she wants him to grieve for her even after she is no longer there.

The use of the word "forget" in the poem is also significant. The speaker implores her beloved to remember her after she is gone, but she also acknowledges that he may forget her. The word "forget" is symbolic of the fleeting nature of memory and the transience of human existence. It is a reminder that even the most powerful memories can fade with time.

The final couplet of the poem is perhaps the most symbolic of all. The lines, "Yet if you should forget me for a while / And afterwards remember, do not grieve," are a powerful statement about the power of memory to transcend time and space. The speaker is suggesting that even if her beloved forgets her for a time, he can still remember her later on and keep her memory alive.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Remember" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the essence of the human heart. Through its themes of love, loss, and memory, it explores the complexities of human existence and the longing for immortality that lies at the core of the human soul. Its simple language and elegant structure give it a timeless quality that continues to resonate with readers to this day. As we read and reflect on the words of the poem, we are reminded of the preciousness of life and the power of memory to keep our loved ones alive long after they are gone.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Remember by Christina Georgina Rossetti is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and poignant piece of literature that explores the themes of love, loss, and memory. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve deeper into the meaning and significance of this timeless poem.

The poem is structured in a simple and straightforward manner, with four stanzas of four lines each. The rhyme scheme is ABBA, which gives the poem a musical quality and makes it easy to remember. The poem is written in the first person, which gives it a personal and intimate feel.

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker begins by saying, "Remember me when I am gone away," which immediately establishes the theme of loss. The speaker is asking the person they are addressing to remember them after they have passed away. The use of the word "gone" emphasizes the finality of death and the fact that the speaker will not be coming back.

The second line of the stanza, "Gone far away into the silent land," is a reference to death. The "silent land" is a metaphor for the afterlife, and the use of the word "far" emphasizes the distance between the speaker and the person they are addressing. The third line, "When you can no more hold me by the hand," is a poignant reminder that physical contact will no longer be possible after death. The final line of the stanza, "Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay," is a reference to the idea of lingering after death. The speaker is saying that even though they are gone, they will still be present in some way.

The second stanza of the poem continues the theme of loss and memory. The speaker says, "Remember me when no more day by day," which is a reference to the passage of time. The speaker is asking the person they are addressing to remember them even when they are no longer present in their daily lives. The second line of the stanza, "You tell me of our future that you plann'd," is a reminder of the plans and dreams that the speaker and the person they are addressing had for the future. The use of the word "our" emphasizes the shared nature of these plans.

The third line of the stanza, "Only remember me; you understand," is a plea for the person they are addressing to focus on their memory of the speaker rather than their plans for the future. The final line of the stanza, "It will be late to counsel then or pray," is a reminder that once someone has passed away, it is too late to offer advice or prayers.

The third stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the idea of love. The speaker says, "Yet if you should forget me for a while," which acknowledges the fact that memories can fade over time. The second line of the stanza, "And afterwards remember, do not grieve," is a reminder that even if the person they are addressing forgets them for a time, they can still remember them later. The third line, "For if the darkness and corruption leave," is a reference to the idea that time can heal all wounds. The final line of the stanza, "A vestige of the thoughts that once I had," is a reminder that memories can linger even after someone has passed away.

The final stanza of the poem brings the themes of loss, memory, and love together. The speaker says, "Better by far you should forget and smile," which is a reminder that life goes on even after someone has passed away. The second line of the stanza, "Than that you should remember and be sad," is a plea for the person they are addressing to focus on happy memories rather than dwelling on the sadness of their loss. The final two lines of the stanza, "Forgetting me, remember me in your heart," are a reminder that memories can live on even after someone has passed away. The use of the word "heart" emphasizes the emotional connection between the speaker and the person they are addressing.

In conclusion, Remember by Christina Georgina Rossetti is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and memory. The poem is structured in a simple and straightforward manner, with four stanzas of four lines each. The use of the first person gives the poem a personal and intimate feel. The poem is a reminder that even though someone may be gone, their memory can live on in the hearts of those who loved them. Remember is a timeless piece of literature that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

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