Christina Georgina Rossetti
Although not credited as having written the most works of literature for a female Victorian Era novelist, Christina Rossetti did add a number of contributions to the literature of the times. She was born in London back in December of 1830 and lived till she was 64.
Christina began writing at the early age of seven but none of her works were published until she was 31 years old. She was schooled by her mother at home, and after her father went through some severe difficulties with the family’s finances, Christina would suffer a nervous breakdown and quit her home studies by the time she was 14.
For many years, Christina Rossetti would follow a rollercoaster of emotional outpourings which led to both illness as well as depression. As a result, her mother became a devout Anglo-Catholic which would help her recover, but eventually lead to many issues later on in life. The biggest example was in her love life, which on several occasions she had managed to become engaged but the weddings was called off due to religious conflictions.
By the time Rossetti was 31, she had published her first book which was entitled, Goblin Market and Other Poems. This book graced some critical praises but with the death of another great female novelist, Elizabeth Browning, Rosetti would take on the role of the leading female novelist of the times.
Her works were mostly of poem or allegory in form, but were often well accepted although considered to be very complex in many situations. From all of her poems, Goblin Market was considered to be one of the most important works which at first glance just appears to be a child’s nursery rhyme. Since its publication, many critics have attempted to solve the underlying truth of the poem which has been construed as not only an allegory, but also as a feminist based poem.
Most of her works after the Goblin Market were of devotional nature, but she continued on writing and had a close knit circle of friends composed of several major Victorian Era novelists. She was a firm believer in woman’s suffrage as well as a devoted volunteer at various homes and is considered to be one of the first true feminists.
Christina was also highly opposed to war as well as the use of animals in experimentation. Furthermore, it was the slavery across the ocean in the southern United States that really infuriated her which helped her to write and publish several poems on the subject.
By 1893, Christina Rossetti developed not only cancer, but Graves’ disease as well. The result of the two ailments sent her to her death the following year. Although most of her work went unnoticed in her time, the 1970’s and the growth of the feminist movement led to the rediscovery of many of her works which in turn gave her admittance to the Victorian Literature Canon.
Original Authors: Globel Team (Nick)
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 23/07/2008
