Maude Clare

Question 1

exploration of the

Answer 1

disparity in gender

Question 2

Maude Clare

Answer 2

• goes against demure and pure standards and is bold, assertive and authoritative
  -> is what damages her
• gifts
  -> biting sarcasm “bless(es)” the “marriage bed”
  -» inserts herself into the most intimate aspects of their domestic life
  -> “here’s my half of the golden chain”
  -» exposes herself to public scorn
• waded “ankle deep” wiht thoman
  -> scandal
  -> fallen women
  -» the hint of impropriety is enough to taint and damage her reputation

Question 3

Thomas

Answer 3

• weak and pitiful
• subversion of male stereotypes of authority
  -> “he faltered in his place” and “hid his face”
  -» shame
• still gets away with no repercussions or accusations

Question 4

Nell

Answer 4

• better fits the victorian bride ideal
• still hints of undermining sterotypes
  -> bold tone and strong voice
  -> speaks last
• product of her society, accepts he doesn’t love her and moves on
• confronts maude clare not thomas
• admits her inferiority “more wise and much more fair”
  -> dignified not petty, rises above
  -» sad she feels she has to
• last words, women who conform to expectations succeed in marriage game

Question 5

simon avery

Answer 5

“maude clare might have dominated the scene throughout yet it is Nell’s determination and defiance which strike home at the end”

Question 6

passive speaker

Answer 6

• refrains from judgement - allows readers to decide
• 2 voices inside of rossetti
  -> fighring against/ contraditcation/ acceptance
• rossetti herself doesn’t know so stands morally grey
  -> contraditction
  -» female suffrage vote

Question 6

happens a lot “had just you tale to tell”

Answer 6

• similar thing
• underscores longstanding power of societal expectations guiding love and marriage in victorian culture