The New Victorian Woman

The poem “No, Thank You, John” by Christina Rossetti is very interesting in light of the time in which it was written as well as in light of the other texts we have discussed in class up to this point. While the ideal Victorian woman is docile and lady like, the speaker in this poem has a strong, defiant voice that is almost sassy in her rejection of man who says he is in love with her. The speaker of “No, Thank You, John” is a new and independent type of women emerging in this era as a result of the Industrial Revolution and changing social norms. Perhaps this is because the author of the poem is a woman surrounded by men who definitely developed a strong personality and had to be defensive around her brother and his fellow members of the Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood she was not allowed to join. The speaker of this poem is a stark contrast to the other female characters we have encountered in our texts thus far. In Dracula Lucy also rejects two suitors, as she has three men who want to marry her. Yet her rejection of her suitors was sweet and kind. She even mentions that she feels bad that she had to let them down. This kind of portrayal of a Victorian woman is typical in many texts, however it is interesting that this woman soon becomes corrupted into an overtly sexual monster. Mina also is a perfect example of what a woman should be and is loyal to her husband, eventually being saved from turning into a vampire. Bram Stoker seems to suggest that a woman’s sexuality and strength can turn her into a monster. Even in Lady Audley’s Secret, despite having been written by a woman, Lady Audley went crazy as a result of trying to marry up and make a better life for herself after she is abandoned by her husband. The poem; “No, Thank You, John” portrays a new kind of independent woman who doesn’t seem to be punished by her actions and the end and takes charge of her life. This poem is interesting to think about in terms of the other texts we have looked at this semester, as well as the era in which they were produced. In Dracula and even Lady Audley’s Secret, there definitely is an anxiety about what will happen if women are independent and in control of themselves. In both cases they end up becoming a type of monster and going insane. While Lady Audley simply becomes a crazy murderess, Lucy is physically transformed into a sexual, bloodsucking vampire. “No, Thank You, John” is the first time we see this type of women, and she is perhaps better off in the end of the poem, ridding herself of John. There is still the annoyance that John expects that the speaker will love him in return, however things seem to be changing at this point, introducing a new type of modern woman who defies men and ends up being perfectly fine.