Sister Maude is a poem written by Christina Rossetti, a Victorian poet known for her religious and spiritual themes. The poem tells the story of a woman named Sister Maude, who is described as being a "sinful sister" and "shameful sister." Despite her sinful ways, Sister Maude is portrayed as a woman who is deeply regretful of her actions and desires redemption.
The poem begins with the speaker asking Sister Maude where she has been, as she has not seen her for a long time. Sister Maude replies that she has been "down in the valleys of sin," suggesting that she has been living a life of immorality and wrongdoing. Despite this, Sister Maude expresses a desire to repent and be forgiven for her sins, saying, "I would fain return and repent, / And yet I dare not turn."
The speaker of the poem then asks Sister Maude why she is afraid to turn back and repent, to which Sister Maude replies that she is afraid of being rejected and shunned by society. She says, "I am ashamed to lift up my face, / I am ashamed to show my soul." Sister Maude's shame and fear of rejection highlight the social stigma surrounding sin and wrongdoing in Victorian society, where those who strayed from the norms were often ostracized and ostracized.
Despite her fear and shame, Sister Maude remains determined to find redemption and begs for the speaker's help and guidance. She says, "O sister, help me to repent, / And point the way to heaven." The speaker then tells Sister Maude that the way to redemption is through repentance and turning to God for forgiveness. She says, "There is a way to heaven, Maude, / Though you have wandered far."
In the final stanza of the poem, Sister Maude expresses her gratitude for the speaker's guidance and her determination to follow the path to redemption. She says, "Thank you, sister, for your word, / It is a light to guide my feet." Sister Maude's desire for redemption and her willingness to seek guidance and follow the path to righteousness are themes that are common in Rossetti's poetry and reflect her own deep faith and belief in the power of redemption.
Overall, Sister Maude is a poignant and moving poem that explores the themes of sin, redemption, and the power of repentance. Through the character of Sister Maude, Rossetti illustrates the human desire for forgiveness and the struggles that one may face in seeking redemption. Despite the social stigma surrounding sin and wrongdoing, Rossetti suggests that there is always a way to turn back and find redemption, as long as one is willing to seek guidance and follow the path to righteousness.