Themes: Sin & Pathetic Fallacy
English Lit: AQA GCSE Poetry - Love & Relationships, topic 3.1.3
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:
'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.
'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.
"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".
Test yourself on Themes: Sin & Pathetic Fallacy
Who do the 'soiled gloves' belong to?
Which of these are examples of pathetic fallacy?
From what perspective does the narrator tell the opening stanza?
Which of these does the author use to create a stormy atmosphere?