Victorian Poetry Quiz

The Poem's Setting and Imagery

• The poem is set on a specific day, exactly one year after a significant event.
• The atmosphere is festive, with roses and myrtle, but also chaotic, with house-roofs heaving and church-spires flaming.

The Speaker's Experience

• The speaker is reflecting on the past year, and their actions have led to their current situation.
• They had asked for the sun, but instead, they gave it to their friends to keep.
• The speaker claims to have done everything possible, but now they are reaping what they have sown.

The Current State of Affairs

• The crowd has dispersed, and only a few people remain at the windows.
• The best view is at the Shambles' Gate, or at the foot of the scaffold, implying a sense of execution or punishment.

The Speaker's Punishment

• The speaker is walking in the rain, and their wrists are bound by a rope.
• They are being stoned by people for their past mistakes.
• The speaker's forehead is bleeding, suggesting physical harm.

Conclusion and Reflection

• The speaker is acknowledging their mistakes and the consequences of their actions.
• The poem raises questions about accountability and redemption, with the speaker suggesting that they are safer now, implying a sense of acceptance or resignation.