"Remember me" by Christina Rosetti

[mrs p]

I always thought the message of this poem was "remember me, but don't grieve", but on closer reading it looks far more sinister because of the "darkness and corruption" implication: if you knew what I really thought, it would make you sad. Can anyone enlighten me?

[Drusilla]

Christina Rosetti was a bit odd and equated love with death in many of her poems. She was a strict Anglican and denied herself the opportunity of loving for most of her life and this makes some of her poetry delve into her repressed passions, I believe.
I think with 'Remember me' she would like to be remembered by her love when she is dead, but would rather he was happy in his life than sad as a result of remembering his loss of her.
....Better by far you should forget and smile
....Than that you should remember and be sad.

Some of her other poetry about death is even more sinister.

[jno]

the poem's a bit like 'You'll be sorry when I'm dead', isn't it?

[jno]

PS just to expand, IAP is right - I think 'darkness and corruption' refers to the grave ('corruption of the body' is about how it returns dust to dust), not to dark thoughts on the part of the poet. But she does sound a bit like a Jewish mother saying 'Oh don't mind me, I'm only dying, don't let that stop you having a good time...'

[carolegif]

I had to study this poem for my degree and our tutor agreed with jno that it has this edge to it. A sort of "Remember me" through through gritted teeth.

carolegif

[quizzywig]

I love Christina Rossetti's poems, especially "Remember Me". Another favourite is Monna Innominata 2
"I wish I could remember that first day,
First hour, first moment of your meeting me" etc
I think it's very beautiful. I'm probably just a sad romantic!

[quizzywig]

There's not enough romantics in this world, LOL!

[mrs p]

Thanks everyone for your comments & enlightenment. Have only just read your replies, having been in bed with a back problem for 3 days. I'll read more Rosetti now, with greater appreciation.