Analysing the poem 'Porphyria's Lover' by Robert Browning | English

Starter quiz

'Porphyria's Lover' was written by ...

Robert Browning. ✓

Alfred Lord Tennyson.

Thomas Hardy.

Charles Dickens.
'Porphyria's Lover' is written from the perspective of a troubled narrator who reveals much about his personal thoughts. As such we would say it is ...

a dramatic monologue. ✓

an autobiography.

a soliloquy.

a diary entry.
Starting with the first, put these events from 'Porphyria's Lover' in chronological order.

1

⇔

The speaker describes a destructive storm.

2

⇔

Porphyria enters the cottage.

3

⇔

She removes her damp clothing and unfurls her hair.

4

⇔

Porphyria tells the narrator of her love for him.

5

⇔

The narrator is unsure what to do but eventually decides to murder her.

6

⇔

The narrator kills Porphyria by strangling her with her own hair.

7

⇔

He then spends all night with her body declaring that God will not condemn him.
Complete the sentence: 'Arguably, in 'Porphyria's Lover', Porphyria is presented as a very provocative character, doing several things that would seem __________ to a Victorian audience.'

transgressive ✓

commonplace

amusing
Which language device is being described here: 'using symbols to explore deeper meanings'?

'Symbolism' ✓
If something is 'taboo' then it is __________ by social norms.

forbidden ✓

encouraged

ignored

defined

Exit quiz

Which of the below are reasonable synonyms of the word 'pivotal'?

crucial ✓

vital ✓

important ✓

perfect

dynamic
In Victorian society, a woman shunned for moral failings would have been described as a ______ woman.

'fallen' ✓
Which of these are effective ways to develop our analysis in English?

link to relevant context ✓

explain the effect on the reader ✓

give an alternative interpretation ✓

extend our analysis by adding a further quotation ✓

make a link to the writer's childhood experiences
Which of the below discourse markers would be effective for comparing and contrasting?

However ✓

For example

Additionally

Whereas ✓

In contrast ✓
Which of the below are reasonable points to make about the pathetic fallacy at the start of 'Porphyria's Lover'?

It reflects the emotional turmoil the speaker initially experiences. ✓

The poem is about human relationships, the focus on nature is a contrast.

Pathetic fallacy was a common language device used in Victorian times.

It creates a foreboding atmosphere, hinting at the violence to come. ✓
Aisha makes a point about 'Porphyria's Lover': 'As a symbol of her sexuality, Porphyria's hair would have been shocking to a Victorian audience.' Why is this not the most effective use of context?

it is incorrect

it is too generic ✓

it doesn't include evidence from the poem

it doesn't make a link to Browning's life

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

Browning uses pathetic fallacy to reflect the emotional turmoil the speaker initially feels.
Browning uses symbolism to convey the taboo nature of Porphyria's sexuality and the illicit relationship.
Browning reveals the speaker's desire to exert total control over Porphyria by killing her.
In the resolution, Browning conveys the speaker's psychotic lack of remorse for his gruesome murder.
Browning uses the form of a dramatic monologue to explore the motivations and psyche of a murderer.

Common misconception

Porphyria is entirely passive and without agency.

Porphyria displays agency by actively seeking out the speaker and initiating intimacy. Her actions challenge societal norms, reflecting her independence and desire, despite her eventual victimisation.

Keywords

Taboo - something forbidden by social norms
Pivotal - crucially important
Symbolism - using symbols to represent deeper meanings
Fallen woman - a woman shunned for moral failings
Psyche - the human mind and spirit