Written in 1854 - not published until after Rossetti's death,

Critiquing woman's position in society

“weary life" - tired of same sphere

“I wish I were a man: or... were not” - Rossetti unable to fill her gender role

<aside> ⚠️ Rossetti didn't have any children, Had to deal — from a vrey young age the possibility that she might die young (further notes in poem booklet)

</aside>

• Unstable metric (alternating 8, 9, and 10 syllables) - creating a natural rhythm with the ability to surprise. As seen in the “cut-off” last line.
• Regular rhyme scheme (ABCB)

The title:

Antiquity: objectification of women is no different throughout history — no development/change afoot.

• Rossetti: attention seeking melodrama - miss me after death
• Cyclical structure - cycle & unable to change

Far too self indulgent to transcend any earthly problem

• Nora: only at the end does she realise she needs to explore the world