3.1.2
Themes: Porphyria & Violence
Changing Descriptions of Porphyria
Changing Descriptions of Porphyria
The way Porphyria is portrayed changes throughout the poem.
Beginning - control
Beginning - control
- At the beginning, we get the sense that she is in control.
- She is active as she 'glid[es]' in, starts the fire and 'put[s]' her lover's arm around her.
- She is in complete control up until this point – our narrator has done and said very little.
- She clearly was an active participant in the relationship.
End - dead
End - dead
- But by the end of the poem, she is dead.
- She is 'propped' up, and her supposed 'utmost will' and 'darling one wish' have been fulfilled.
- Browning highlights Porphyria’s passive participation in the relationship to show the narrator’s flawed (imperfect or weak) understanding of Porphyria’s desires.
Images of Violence and Possession
Images of Violence and Possession
The poet explores the ideas of violence and possession through these images.
'Burning kiss'
'Burning kiss'
- This shows how the narrator's desire for Porphyria almost causes him physical pain. It also hints at the violent side of the relationship.
'Heart fit to break'
'Heart fit to break'
- This quote shows the tortured nature of the narrator's love.
- It is also ironic given that he has physically stopped Porphyria's heart.
'For ever'
'For ever'
- The narrator desires for her to belong to him "for ever".
- This indicates the extent of his obsession with her and is made more horrible by the fact that she is now dead.
1When We Two Parted - Lord Byron (1788-1824)
2Love’s Philosophy - Percy Bysshe Shelley
3Porphyria’s Lover - Robert Browning (1812-1889)
4Sonnet 29 - Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)
4.1Sonnet 29 – ‘I think of thee!’ Analysis
5Neutral Tones - Thomas Hardy (1840-1928)
6Letters from Yorkshire - Maura Dooley (Born 1957)
6.1Letters from Yorkshire Analysis
7The Farmer’s Bride - Charlotte Mew (1869-1928)
8Walking Away - Cecil Day Lewis (1904-1972)
8.1Walking Away Analysis
9Eden Rock - Charles Causley (1917-2003)
10Follower - Seamus Heaney (1939-2013)
10.1Follower Analysis
11‘Mother, Any Distance’ - Simon Armitage (Born1963
11.1'Mother, Any Distance' Analysis
12Before You Were Mine - Carol Ann Duffy (Born 1955)
12.1Before You Were Mine Analysis
13Winter Swans - Owen Sheers (Born 1974)
14Singh Song! - Daljit Nagra (Born 1966)
14.1Singh Song! Analysis
15Climbing My Grandfather - Andrew Waterhouse
15.1Climbing My Grandfather Analysis
16Grade 9 - Comparisons
16.1Grade 9 - Comparisons
Jump to other topics
1When We Two Parted - Lord Byron (1788-1824)
2Love’s Philosophy - Percy Bysshe Shelley
3Porphyria’s Lover - Robert Browning (1812-1889)
4Sonnet 29 - Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)
4.1Sonnet 29 – ‘I think of thee!’ Analysis
5Neutral Tones - Thomas Hardy (1840-1928)
6Letters from Yorkshire - Maura Dooley (Born 1957)
6.1Letters from Yorkshire Analysis
7The Farmer’s Bride - Charlotte Mew (1869-1928)
8Walking Away - Cecil Day Lewis (1904-1972)
8.1Walking Away Analysis
9Eden Rock - Charles Causley (1917-2003)
10Follower - Seamus Heaney (1939-2013)
10.1Follower Analysis
11‘Mother, Any Distance’ - Simon Armitage (Born1963
11.1'Mother, Any Distance' Analysis
12Before You Were Mine - Carol Ann Duffy (Born 1955)
12.1Before You Were Mine Analysis
13Winter Swans - Owen Sheers (Born 1974)
14Singh Song! - Daljit Nagra (Born 1966)
14.1Singh Song! Analysis
15Climbing My Grandfather - Andrew Waterhouse
15.1Climbing My Grandfather Analysis
16Grade 9 - Comparisons
16.1Grade 9 - Comparisons
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