When I Am Deed My Dearest | Christina Rossetti | Summary | Generations | Grade XII
Short summary:
This
poem, also published under the title “Song” elsewhere, tells the dear one not
to be sentimental and sing sad songs for her when she is dead. The first stanza
deals with the world of the living and the second with the poet’s experience in
the grave.
Summary
As
the first part of the poem portrays the world of the living, the poet requests
her loved one and asks him not to sing sad songs for her when she is dead. She
does not want others to plant roses or shady cypress tree at her tomb. She
likes her tomb with green grass with showers and dewdrops. The poet may be
trying to be realistic regarding her death. She is against any short of
mourning. When she is dead, she won’t be able to hear any songs, see any roses,
or feel the
The
poem reflects a quite sorrowful and shattered heart of the speaker. After her
death, she will not see the shadows of the cypress nor feel the rain or tears.
The sweet and sad song of the nightingale will not touch her. She will pass the
rest of her time dreaming through the never-ending evening when the sun neither
rises nor sets. Perhaps she will remember or forget her dear ones. Here questioning
the mourn ritual the poet had criticized the showing of behavior and suggested
some more sincere ways to express one’s sadness. Similarly, she also seems to
be giving more importance to life than after death rituals. Many people neglect
their loved one when they are alive, but try to show their grief by spending
lot of time and money, when they are dead. The poet seems to be against such
attitude and conduct. Rather people should be humble in expressing their love
and their sadness for the departed ones.
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