"No, Thank You, John" by Christina Rossetti
The poem '"No, Thank You, John"' by Christina Rossetti, is about a conflicting love relationship. Throughout this poem she uses catharsis, consonance and a rhythm and rhyming device, to convey her theme. The poem expresses her true feelings towards a friend who wishes to have a deeper relationship with her although she does not have similar feelings towards him.
'"No, Thank You, John"' is a poem about "John", who wishes to have a deeper love relationship with Christina. She does not have the same loving feelings towards John and hence causes a conflict. Christina expresses her feelings to John and tells him she is not interested in a relationship but he does not seem to understand. She explains to him "Let us strike our hands as hearty friends; No more, no less; and friendship's good: Only don't keep in view ulterior ends, and points understood". What she is expressing here is that she only wishes to be friends with him nothing more, nothing less. This is also an expression of catharsis, which is the expression of emotions through pity. She uses this literary device throughout the poem. A few examples being "I never said I loved you", "Pity upon you if you ask" and "Here's friendship for you if you like; but love,- No, thank you, John." She expresses her feelings this way because she does feel saddened by his deep emotions for her.
