"Kubla Khan" (1797) Things to Consider: "Poem and prose introduction together enact the quintessential fiction of the so-called fragment" (CLA 309). "Interruption and loss are the necessary guarantors . . . of ideal vision:  the fragment is the form that artfully intimates a whole beyond human potential to achieve" (CLA 309). Interesting interpretive essay  Forms of Creation/Creativity Portrayal of the Feminine and Sexuality

"Christabel" (1797-1801) Things to Consider: Elements of the Gothic : Atmosphere of mystery and suspense (indeterminacy of time) Religion, esp. Catholic church, as oppressive force Setting in old/decayed castle Omens, portents, visions Supernatural or otherwise inexplicable events High, even overwrought emotion Women in distress Metonymy of gloom and horror Connection to Faerie Queene: Una (Christabel) and Fidessa/Duessa (Geraldine) Dove imagery and conflation of Christabel (Bard Bracy's report of dream) and Geraldine (Sir Leoline's response) Portrayal of Sexuality Snake Imagery

• Explain: "if that indeed can be called composition in which all the images rose up before him as things, with a parallel production of the correspondent expressions, without any sensation or consciousness of effort" (274).

• Explain: "All the rest had  passed away like the images on the surface of a stream into which a stone had been cast" (275).

• What exactly is this poem about?
• Describe the portrayal of women in this poem. 
• Describe the figure of the poet in this poem.

"Christabel"
277-78:

• Describe the imagery that is used to open the poem (1-22).  What kind of mood is established?
• Why does Christabel go into the woods to pray instead of staying at home?

283:

• Explain lines 252-54.

• What is the significance of the comparison of Geraldine to a mother in lines 298-301?

• Explain Bard Bracy's dream (531-54).

• Why does Coleridge make such specific efforts in the preface to counter potential threats of plagiarism?

• How plausible is Geraldine's story of how she happened to be at the oak tree?  Explain.

• Explain lines 145-53.

• Explain Geraldine's comments in lines 204-207. In what ways, if at all, are these lines reminiscent of the competition between Death and Life-in-Death in the "Ancient Mariner" (195-98)? Explain.

• What is the purpose of the image of the "three sinful sextons' ghosts" (353)?

• Why does Christabel believe she has sinned (381)?
• Who is Lord Roland de Vaux of Tryermaine (407)?

• Explain lines 433-43. Is this a realistic promise? Explain.
• Explain lines 447-62.

• Is it possible to passively imitate someone (605)?  Explain.

• Why does Leoline experience rage and pain (638)?
• Why does Leoline feel dishonored?

• How does "The Conclusion to Part 2" relate to the narrative that precedes it?