After death by Cristina Rossetti. Pptpptx

Summary
Themes

1. After Death by Cristina Rossetti

2. Stanza 01:- “The curtains were half drawn, the floor was swept
And strewn with rushes, rosemary and may
Lay thick upon the bed on which I lay,
Where through the lattice ivy-shadows crept.” Explanation Explain:- The speaker of the poem is a “woman who has died”, and she describes the peaceful setting of the room where her body lies. The “curtains are half open”, the “floor is clean”, and the bed is covered with “flowers” like rosemary and may, which are symbols of “mourning and remembrance”. Through the window, “ivy shadows” fall gently inside, adding a quiet, almost sacred atmosphere to the room.

3. Stanza 2:- “He leaned above me, thinking that I slept
And could not hear him; but I heard him say:
‘Poor child, poor child:’ and as he turned away
Came a deep silence, and I knew he wept.” Explain:- A man, possibly someone she loved in life, enters the room and stands by her. He thinks she is only asleep and believes she cannot hear him, but she can. She hears him softly say, “Poor child, poor child,” expressing pity or regret. As he turns to leave, the room becomes silent, and she somehow knows that he is weeping.

4. Stanza 3:- He did not touch the shroud, or raise the fold
That hid my face, or take my hand in his,
Or ruffle the smooth pillows for my head:
He did not love me living; but once dead
He pitied me; and very sweet it is
To know he still is warm though I am cold. Explain:- He does not touch her, uncover her face, hold her hand, or adjust her pillow. He shows no physical affection, not even now. She reflects that he never loved her while she was alive, but now that she is dead, he feels sorry for her. Despite this, she finds a bittersweet comfort in knowing that he still has warm emotions, even though she herself is now cold and lifeless .

5. Themes 1) Death and Awareness Even though the speaker is dead, she is still aware of her surroundings. This shows that death is not just physical but can also have a spiritual or emotional presence. 2 Unspoken Love The man in the poem never said he loved her when she was alive. His feelings only become visible after her death, which highlights the pain of unexpressed emotions and missed chances.

6. 3) Loneliness Even in death, the speaker is alone emotionally. The pity she receives is not the same as love, and she feels the distance between her and the living. 4) Regret The poem quietly shows that the man feels regret, but it’s too late. His tears don’t change anything now, which reminds us to express feelings before it’s too late. 5) Victorian Gender Roles The woman stays silent and passive, even in death. This reflects how women were often seen in Victorian times—voiceless, waiting for affection, and defined by how others treat them.