Cousin Kate

1. Cousin Kate STARTER: Christina Rossetti (1830-1894) was an English poet of the Victorian age. What do you think relationships were like in the Victorian era? LO: To evaluate the ways in which loss is presented in ‘Cousin Kate’

2. Cousin Kate As I read the poem… Write an adjective which sums up how the speaker is feeling at the end of each stanza.

3. Cousin Kate This is a poem by Christina Rossetti, an English poet of the Victorian age. She was unmarried and many of her poems, despite this not being an apparent interest of hers, show a concern with women’s rights.

4. What is it about? A young woman has been jilted by her lover, a “"great lord"”. He seduced her when she was an innocent low-born “"cottage maiden"”. Having set her up as his mistress, in his house, he saw her Cousin Kate one day. Kate is “"pure"” so the lord casts aside the narrator of the poem, and marries Kate instead. The speaker is bitter because she has been betrayed by her cousin. She says that if their positions were reversed, she would not have acted like that. Finally she reveals her revenge: she has a son by the great lord, and her cousin does not. It is a poem about love, the inequalities between men and women (the speaker is ruined while the lord just moves on!), and about the bitterness of being dumped.

5. What is it about? What adjectives did you get? A young woman has been jilted by her lover, a “"great lord"”. He seduced her when she was an innocent low-born “"cottage maiden"”. Having set her up as his mistress, in his house, he saw her Cousin Kate one day. Kate is “"pure"” so the lord casts aside the narrator of the poem, and marries Kate instead. The speaker is bitter because she has been betrayed by her cousin. She says that if their positions were reversed, she would not have acted like that. Finally she reveals her revenge: she has a son by the great lord, and her cousin does not. It is a poem about love, the inequalities between men and women (the speaker is ruined while the lord just moves on!), and about the bitterness of being dumped.

6. STRUCTURE PIT STOP! What do you notice about the way the poem is set out?

7. Talking about Structure • The poem is a monologue, directly addressed to “"Cousin Kate"”, who is called “"you"” throughout, although she is clearly not present. • You might argue that this structure intensifies the speaker’s loss of her cousin as we know she is unable to actually say this to her. Cousin Kate’s silence reinforces the fact that this family bond has been severed. • It is written in a traditional ballad form. This means that it alternates 8 and 6 syllable lines, with a regular rhyme scheme. • Ballads are often narrative poems, like this one. • Cousin Kate’s structure follows this narrative, telling the story of the relationship the speaker had with the lord, then the betrayal, and finally, in the last few lines, the twist ending, of the speaker’s son. • You might argue that this structure emphasises the loss as we witness the relationship she had, before hearing about its demise.

8. Cousin Kate Paired Task I am getting a bit tired of doing all the work- today, it is back on to you guys. Each of you will work in pairs- but you will be splitting the work! Each person will focus on a different stanza, using my questions to guide analysis. You will then be teaching your partner- so make sure you get it done

9. Cousin Kate Paired Task

10. I was a cottage maiden Hardened by sun and air, Contented with my cottage mates, Not mindful I was fair. Why did a great lord find me out, And praise my flaxen hair? Why did a great lord find me out To fill my heart with care? He lured me to his palace home-- Woe's me for joy thereof-- To lead a shameless shameful life, His plaything and his love. He wore me like a silken knot, He changed me like a glove; So now I moan, an unclean thing, Who might have been a dove. FIVE MINUTE CHALLENGE Talk your partner through your notes. As you listen, ensure you make notes carefully

11. I was a cottage maiden Hardened by sun and air, Contented with my cottage mates, Not mindful I was fair. Why did a great lord find me out, And praise my flaxen hair? Why did a great lord find me out To fill my heart with care? He lured me to his palace home-- Woe's me for joy thereof-- To lead a shameless shameful life, His plaything and his love. Hewore me like a silken knot, He changed me like a glove; So now I moan, an unclean thing, Who might have been a dove. A closer look at a few important lines…

12. Writing about Stanza 1 and 2 In ‘Cousin Kate’ the speaker discusses a relationship she has lost, exploiting the typical narrative structure and initially telling us about their relationship. She explains…… which suggests…… The (term) ……. Implies …… and tells us that…. Based on your notes, complete the paragraph above in your books

13. Writing about Stanza 1 and 2 In ‘Cousin Kate’ the speaker discusses a relationship she has lost, exploiting the typical narrative structure and initially telling us about their relationship. She explains…… which suggests…… The (term) ……. Implies …… and tells us that…. Thinking about these two stanzas, what else has the speaker lost?

14. Writing about Stanza 1 and 2 It could also be argued that the speaker suffered a loss of innocence. This is prevalent when… Moreover, the speaker hints to the great lord’s loss of respect towards her. She asserts….

15. STRUCTURE PIT STOP! Why do you think Rossetti writes in the past tense in these two stanzas?

16. STRUCTURE PIT STOP! Why do you think Rossetti often puts the great lord in the subject position of the sentence? Could you link this to the SHC?

17. Stanza Three Lady Kate, my cousin Kate, You grew more fair than I: He saw you at your father’s gate, Chose you, and cast me by. He watched your steps along the lane, Your work among the rye; He lifted you from the mean estate To sit with him on high

18. Talking about Stanza Three… In Stanza Three the speaker reveals she lost the great lord to her cousin Kate, her relationship discarded. This is revealed when the speaker claims…. In your books, complete the following paragraph

19. Cousin Kate • STARTER: Read through the fourth stanza. What do you learn? • Consider: • The way the speaker was treated • The way Kate was treated LO: To evaluate the ways in which loss is presented in ‘Cousin Kate’

20. Stanza Four Because you were so good and pure He bound you with this ring: The neighbours call you good and pure. Call me an outcast thing Even so I sit and howl in dust, You sit in gold and sing: Now which of us has tenderer heart? You had the stronger wing

21. In Stanza Three the speaker reveals she lost the great lord to her cousin Kate, her relationship discarded. This is revealed when the speaker claims…. Last lesson you completed this paragraph. Now, add to this paragraph using stanza four. This loss is reiterated when the speaker explains…

22. Stanza Five Cousin Kate, my love was true, Your love was writ in sand: If he had fooled not me but you, If you stood where I stand, He’d not have won me with his love Nor bought me with his land; I would have spit into his face And not have taken his hand

23. Stanza Six Yet I’ve a gift you have not got, And seem not like to get: For all your clothes and wedding-ring. I’ve a little doubt you fret. My fair-haired son, my shame, my pride, Cling closer, closer yet: Your father would give lands for one To wear his coronet

24. Putting it into writing The speaker reveals that in losing the loss of the great lord she has been left…. (heartbroken, upset, abandoned) Moreover, she illustrates a loss of respect towards (the lord/ her cousin ) when she claims… However, in the final stanza it appears that the speaker’s loss of the lord is compensated, she now has something far greater.

25. STRUCTURE PIT STOP! Why do you think Rossetti switches to the present tense in the final stanza?

26. Cousin Kate STARTER: Read through all your Cousin Kate paragraphs. Using the green pen, improve each one, ensuring you meet the success criteria. You have ten minutes • Focus on loss • Evidence from text • Explanation linked to point • Pulling out from the quote • Alternative explanations • Whole text discussed • Sophisticated expression • Analysis of structure LO: To evaluate the ways in which loss is presented in ‘Cousin Kate’

27. Around the Room I have blown up four example paragraphs around each corner of the room. I am going to give you two minutes at each paragraph. In your book, note down strengths of the paragraph and if you can, a target to improve. Strengths: Word Level Analysis, Well-explained Target: Analyse structure

28. Around the Room MOVE TO THE FIRST PARAGRAPH I have blown up four example paragraphs around each corner of the room. I am going to give you two minutes at each paragraph. In your book, note down strengths of the paragraph and if you can, a target to improve. Strengths: Word Level Analysis, Well-explained Target: Analyse structure

29. Around the Room MOVE TO THE NEXT PARAGRAPH I have blown up four example paragraphs around each corner of the room. I am going to give you two minutes at each paragraph. In your book, note down strengths of the paragraph and if you can, a target to improve. Strengths: Word Level Analysis, Well-explained Target: Analyse structure

30. Around the Room Now, move to the paragraph you think is the strongest. Be prepared to explain your reason!

31. Around the Room Now, move to the paragraph you think is the strongest. Be prepared to explain your reason! • Each group’s challenge is to convince the class that they have the strongest paragraph. • The group that convinces the most classmates wins positive points. • If you convince me- I count for five students! • ONE MINUTE CHALLENGE: • Discuss the strengths of your paragraph. • Think about weaknesses in other paragraphs.

32. Which paragraph is strongest?

33. Here’s the catch… • All of them had lots of strengths! • You have now familiarized yourselves with a model essay. • Today’s task is to use this essay to help redraft your existing ‘Cousin Kate’ paragraphs. • What do I mean by ‘redrafting?’