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Copy of Porphyria's Lover - Poetic Structure

The document provides an analysis guide for Robert Browning's poem 'Porphyria’s Lover,' focusing on key poetic elements such as the speaker, figurative language, and symbolism. It includes questions aimed at exploring the speaker's transformation, perception of Porphyria, and various symbols within the poem, such as the cheerless grate and Porphyria's yellow hair. The analysis encourages a deeper understanding of power dynamics and gender roles in the context of the poem.

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20 views3 pages

Copy of Porphyria's Lover - Poetic Structure

The document provides an analysis guide for Robert Browning's poem 'Porphyria’s Lover,' focusing on key poetic elements such as the speaker, figurative language, and symbolism. It includes questions aimed at exploring the speaker's transformation, perception of Porphyria, and various symbols within the poem, such as the cheerless grate and Porphyria's yellow hair. The analysis encourages a deeper understanding of power dynamics and gender roles in the context of the poem.

Uploaded by

ryan.haug
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Name: _______________________________________________ Date: _______ Pd.

: _______

Porphyria’s Lover by Robert Browning


(Link to dramatic reading)
Poetic Elements of Focus
●​ Speaker
○​ The voice of the poem, similar to a narrator in fictional prose. The poet might
not necessarily be the speaker of the poem. Sometimes the poet will write from
a different perspective, or use the voice of a specific person, as in a persona
poem.
○​ The term speaker clarifies the distinction from the poet’s perspective and the
perspective they use in the poem.
●​ Figurative Language (Symbolism)
○​ Symbolism is a literary device in which a writer uses one thing—usually a
physical object or phenomenon—to represent something more abstract.
○​ A strong symbol usually shares a set of key characteristics with whatever it is
meant to symbolize, or is related to it in some other way.
■​ Characters and events can also be symbolic

Directions: Answer the following questions regarding the poetic elements above to analyze the
structure of the poem. USE AT LEAST 3 COMPLETE SENTENCES!!

1.​ How does the speaker's demeanor change throughout the poem? Provide 1 specific
example from the text to support your answer.
The demeanor changes by his direction toward th woman and towards life in general
“Ittore the elm-tops down for spite,
​And did its worst to vex the lake:
​I listened with heart fit to break.
When glided in Porphyria; straight
​She shut the cold out and the storm”

2.​ Discuss the significance of the speaker's transformation from a weak, wan figure to a
violent and powerful individual. How does this transformation contribute to the overall
events of the poem?
This transformation is a revelation to what was always there it contributes to the poem by
showing the 2 different sides of the speaker and how those sides influenced his desicions
3.​ Analyze the speaker's perception of Porphyria and how it influences his actions. How
does his view of Porphyria as an object contribute to the poem's exploration of power
dynamics?

His view of an object shows mor into the speakers non appreciation and shows that he has a
power over her because of his general disrespec for her person

4.​ Explain the impact of the speaker's unpredictability and strangeness on the reader's
interpretation of his character. How does the speaker's madness, or perceived madness,
affect the overall meaning of the poem?
Well his madness explaines his action cbu this actions are explained by the words states and his
words are very frantic towards the end and they start to lose the elegantness of the other side of
the speaker

5.​ Explain the symbolic significance of the cheerless grate in the poem. How does it relate
to Victorian gender roles and the concept of home?
It vrings something feminine to the cheerless grate which is his cold abode/ fireplace

6.​ What is the symbolic meaning behind the soiled gloves that Porphyria removes? How
does it contribute to the speaker's perception of her moral state?
I think that is shows that she has been in some relation switch someone because of her soiled as
in dirty gloves.

7.​ Discuss the symbolism of Porphyria's yellow hair in the poem. How does it represent
female beauty, power, and danger for the speaker?
It represents female beauty and power because and danger by showing a connection to the
speaker like a connection with the hair because he has power over her female beauty but that
beauty is dangerous because of her soiled gloves with have touched anothr

8.​ Analyze the symbolic significance of Porphyria leaving a gay feast to visit the
speaker. What does it symbolize about her sacrifice and the tragic nature of her fate?
This marks a good thing for ghte speaker because she left a happy feast where she was having
fun just to see the speaker
9.​ Interpret the symbolism of the speaker describing himself as "one so pale for love." How
does this symbolize intense desire and align with traditional love poetry?
I think it describes that he is pale or he is deprived of her love and shows his desire for her
because pale skin desires sun. it is a very personal metaphor and love specific.

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