The Poor Singing Dame By Mary Robinson
“The Poor Singing Dame” was written by Mary Robinson during the Romantic Era. In Robinson’s poem, the woman’s role was definitely defined by what a man wanted. The man decided her fate and she was not able to have a say in it. The man in the poem is a Lord, and “For he hated that poverty should be so cheerful…”(Robinson, 82). Since he did not agree with her being so joyful, he had her sent to prison. The Lord did not attempt to understand the woman’s perspective on life and abided to his beliefs instead. The poor dame would end up dying in the end due to the Lord’s decision. This shows how the man’s wants were put above the dame’s life and how she did not have the ability to be above him. He was superior to her so he was able to make choices
without being ridiculed by others.
“No, Thank you, John” was written by Christina Rossetti during the Victorian Era. Christina
Rossetti was an independent woman, and this can be shown in her poem. In the poem there is a woman who is going against gender roles by showing independence from rejecting a suitor named John. He did not take her rejection well and began accusing her of being heartless. She responded with “But then you’re mad to take offence / That I don’t give you what I have not got: / Use your own common sense.” (Rossetti 1508). The woman’s statement showed the knowledge and strength she had. The woman did not resort to attacking the man verbally as he was doing to her. She was the bigger person in this poem because she had control over her emotions and did not let John’s words affect her. She was also observant and understanding of John’s actions which shows her ability to think outside of just her own perspective.
The themes of “The Poor Singing Dame” and “No, Thank You, John” relate in historical context. Both poems reflect the historical improvements that were occurring towards gender roles, specifically women’s roles. The poor dame from the Romantic Era was not nearly as independent as the woman in the Victorian Era. The dame was silenced while the woman from the Victorian Era was able to speak her opinion and show her intelligence. Although the woman still was ridiculed by John, it can be seen as her fighting for her opinion to be respected.
without being ridiculed by others.
“No, Thank you, John” was written by Christina Rossetti during the Victorian Era. Christina
Rossetti was an independent woman, and this can be shown in her poem. In the poem there is a woman who is going against gender roles by showing independence from rejecting a suitor named John. He did not take her rejection well and began accusing her of being heartless. She responded with “But then you’re mad to take offence / That I don’t give you what I have not got: / Use your own common sense.” (Rossetti 1508). The woman’s statement showed the knowledge and strength she had. The woman did not resort to attacking the man verbally as he was doing to her. She was the bigger person in this poem because she had control over her emotions and did not let John’s words affect her. She was also observant and understanding of John’s actions which shows her ability to think outside of just her own perspective.
The themes of “The Poor Singing Dame” and “No, Thank You, John” relate in historical context. Both poems reflect the historical improvements that were occurring towards gender roles, specifically women’s roles. The poor dame from the Romantic Era was not nearly as independent as the woman in the Victorian Era. The dame was silenced while the woman from the Victorian Era was able to speak her opinion and show her intelligence. Although the woman still was ridiculed by John, it can be seen as her fighting for her opinion to be respected.