Christina Rossetti

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Student Question

What is the tone, theme, and four literary devices in Christina Rossetti's poem "What is Pink?"

Quick answer:

The tone of Christina Rossetti's "What is Pink?" is cheerful and expository, as it explores the beauty of colors in nature. The theme centers on appreciating nature's vibrant colors. Rossetti uses literary devices such as imagery to vividly describe these colors, repetition to create rhythm, metaphor to convey deeper meanings, and simple sentence structures for a lyrical effect. These elements combine to evoke a childlike wonder and sensory engagement with the natural world.

Expert Answers

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In Christina Rossetti's poem "What is Pink?," the tone is that of a  cheerful expository poem. The speaker shares beautiful examples which are based on the interpretation of colors. While the speaker expresses the colors of nature, the reader is captured by the metaphorical expression based on concrete examples. No doubt, the speaker has experienced the awe and glory of colorful representations. For example, the 'yellow pear" represents the descriptive ripeness and mellowness and richness of the delicious fruit.

What is yellow? pears are yellow, 
Rich and ripe and mellow.

The theme of the poem is experiencing the delectable variation in the colors of nature. Each natural example is a phenomenal natural creation for the eye of the beholder. For surrounding observers, Rossetti describes the colors of nature through a childlike simplicity that can overwhelm the senses. 

Through the literary device of imagery, Rossetti simplifies the complex descriptions of the "pink rose, the red poppy, the blue sky, the yellow pear, the green grass, the violet clouds, and the orange orange." Rossetti appeals to the senses of the reader, causing a visual explosion of colors that represent the simple complexities of life. 

Questioning through repetition is a literary device that Rossetti uses to create a rhythmical flow in her poem. What is pink" What is red? What is blue. What is yellow? etc. In answer to the questions, the speaker uses simple sentences to create a lyrical flow. The reader enjoys the simple effectiveness of such a poem. The poem takes on a song-like representation. 

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