3.1.3

Themes: Sin & Pathetic Fallacy

Test yourself

Sin

Sin is an important theme in the poem. The narrator is worried about Porphyria's sin, but does not seem to be worried about his own. Here's an analysis of some quotes associated with sin:

Illustrative background for 'Soiled gloves'Illustrative background for 'Soiled gloves' ?? "content

'Soiled gloves'

  • We are given hints at our narrator’s disgust with the living Porphyria’s potential for sin and contamination.
  • He focuses on her "soiled gloves".
    • This suggesting that he fears the impact the contamination and invasion of the outside world could have on their relationship.
Illustrative background for 'God has not said a word'Illustrative background for 'God has not said a word' ?? "content

'God has not said a word'

  • The narrator is worryingly flippant toward the crime he has committed and, more importantly to his Victorian audience, the sin of his action.
  • His final claim that 'God has not said a word' suggests that he believes that God has condoned what he has done, or that he has gotten away with his crime.

Pathetic Fallacy

The poet uses poetic fallacy in the opening of the poem to create a sense of foreboding.

Illustrative background for "Sullen wind" Illustrative background for "Sullen wind"  ?? "content

"Sullen wind"

  • The opening stanza is coming from the perspective of the narrator after he has committed the crime.
  • There is a clear sense of the ominous fate of Porphyria – for example, the "sullen wind" did "its worst to vex the lake".

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)

7The Farmer’s Bride - Charlotte Mew (1869-1928)

8Walking Away - Cecil Day Lewis (1904-1972)

9Eden Rock - Charles Causley (1917-2003)

10Follower - Seamus Heaney (1939-2013)

11‘Mother, Any Distance’ - Simon Armitage (Born1963

12Before You Were Mine - Carol Ann Duffy (Born 1955)

13Winter Swans - Owen Sheers (Born 1974)

14Singh Song! - Daljit Nagra (Born 1966)

15Climbing My Grandfather - Andrew Waterhouse

16Grade 9 - Comparisons

16.1Grade 9 - Comparisons

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