After Death
by Christina Rossetti
The curtains were half drawn,
The floor was swept and laid with rushes, rosemary, and may.
Lay thick upon the bed upon which I lay,
Where through the lattice ivy‑shadows crept.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.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.
Summary of After Death
- Publication: Christina Rossetti first published the poem in 1863. It has become a classic example of Victorian lyricism, capturing a quiet yet powerful moment of loss.
- Central Idea: The poem presents a woman who has died, still conscious enough to observe her lover’s reaction. While he did not show affection in life, he weeps after her death, revealing a sudden, painful tenderness.
- Emotional Tone: The speaker accepts the late love’s sorrow with a quiet dignity. The acceptance turns the poem into an exploration of how grief can transform our understanding of affection and memory.
- Major Themes: Unrequited love, the contrast between life and death, the sudden realization of loss, and the enduring nature of feeling are woven together to create a deeply moving image.
Analysis of Literary Devices in “After Death”
Christina Rossetti uses several poetic techniques to give the poem its haunting beauty.
- Sound Devices – The poem’s gentle repetitions create a musical rhythm. The repeated “‑ed” endings in “shrouded,” “lived,” and “dead” reinforce the theme of mortality.
- Imagery – Vivid details such as “rushes, rosemary, and may” paint a clear picture of the setting and its mood. The shadows creeping through the lattice add a subtle, almost living quality to the surroundings.
- Personification – Shadows are given movement when they “creep” through the lattice, suggesting the presence of life beyond death.
- Metaphor – The speaker’s awareness after death is a metaphor for the way memories persist beyond the physical world.
- Irony – The lover’s tenderness appears only after the woman’s death, a striking reversal of what one might expect.
- Symbolism – The curtain, half drawn, symbolizes the boundary between life and the afterlife, partially open yet still closed.
Analysis of Poetic Structure in “After Death”
The poem is composed of three quatrains, each with four lines, giving it a clear, balanced form.
- Rhyme Scheme – The rhyme pattern is irregular but deliberate, creating a subtle musicality without being overly strict.
- Meter – The poem uses a gentle, mostly iambic rhythm that matches its contemplative tone.
- Stanza Division – The three stanzas allow the poet to explore the scene, the reaction, and the final reflection in a controlled progression.
Quotes for Inspiration
Below are lines that may inspire those who have never found the courage to speak their hearts:
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.