Cousin Kate And Mcauley
Compare “Cousin Kate” by Christina Rossetti and “The Seduction” by Eileen Mcauley focusing on themes, issues, the socio-historical contents and the poet’s use of language
In my essay I will explore and discuss both poems in detail.
Though written in very different eras both these poems explore the themes of love, sex, morality and the betrayal of women who were left holding the baby.
Both poems are written from the perspective of the women who fell for the charms of a man who had no intention of staying around or making a commitment.
“Cousin Kate” was written in the Victorian era, when women were seen as inferior to men – their place was thought be in the home; their views and feelings too often ignored. Victorian’s believed everyone had a place in society. Whether it be lower …show more content…
Despite the difference in era, both girls (the cottage maiden and the narrator of “The Seduction”) bare the same burden. Although there is not another woman that we know of in “The Seduction”.
Eileen McCauley wrote “The Seduction” in the 1980’s much later than “Cousin Kate” in the 1800’s. At this point in time women had more rights and were considered as equals to men. It was well after the era of women’s liberation, yet women’s role in society was still stereotyped by many people. Single mothers were judged and teenage pregnancies were largely unwanted and frowned upon. “The Seduction” seems as though it is written by someone watching the events like a spectator rather than taking part. I also find the fact that the girl has no name interesting; my first thought was that Eileen McCauley had created a fictional character, although it is also possible that she was writing about someone she knew perhaps a friend or family member that she did not wish to name out of respect for that
In my essay I will explore and discuss both poems in detail.
Though written in very different eras both these poems explore the themes of love, sex, morality and the betrayal of women who were left holding the baby.
Both poems are written from the perspective of the women who fell for the charms of a man who had no intention of staying around or making a commitment.
“Cousin Kate” was written in the Victorian era, when women were seen as inferior to men – their place was thought be in the home; their views and feelings too often ignored. Victorian’s believed everyone had a place in society. Whether it be lower …show more content…
Despite the difference in era, both girls (the cottage maiden and the narrator of “The Seduction”) bare the same burden. Although there is not another woman that we know of in “The Seduction”.
Eileen McCauley wrote “The Seduction” in the 1980’s much later than “Cousin Kate” in the 1800’s. At this point in time women had more rights and were considered as equals to men. It was well after the era of women’s liberation, yet women’s role in society was still stereotyped by many people. Single mothers were judged and teenage pregnancies were largely unwanted and frowned upon. “The Seduction” seems as though it is written by someone watching the events like a spectator rather than taking part. I also find the fact that the girl has no name interesting; my first thought was that Eileen McCauley had created a fictional character, although it is also possible that she was writing about someone she knew perhaps a friend or family member that she did not wish to name out of respect for that