Summary:
Christabel by Samuel Taylor Coleridge is a Gothic narrative poem that tells the mysterious and supernatural story of Christabel, a young noblewoman, and Geraldine, a strange and possibly evil woman she rescues in the forest. The poem explores themes of innocence versus corruption, the supernatural, and the power of deception.
In the first part, Christabel finds Geraldine in distress and brings her home, but strange and ominous signs hint at Geraldine’s sinister nature. In the second part, Geraldine exerts a mysterious influence over Christabel and her father, Sir Leoline, leaving readers uncertain about her true intentions. The poem remains unfinished, adding to its eerie and suspenseful nature.
MCQs:
- Who wrote Christabel?
A) William Wordsworth
B) Samuel Taylor Coleridge
C) John Keats
D) Lord Byron
Answer: B) Samuel Taylor Coleridge - What is the genre of Christabel?
A) Romantic Comedy
B) Gothic Poetry
C) Epic Poetry
D) Pastoral Poetry
Answer: B) Gothic Poetry - Who is the main protagonist of the poem?
A) Geraldine
B) Christabel
C) Sir Leoline
D) The Bard
Answer: B) Christabel
Christabel - Where does Christabel find Geraldine?
A) In the castle
B) In the forest
C) Near the river
D) In a village
Answer: B) In the forest - What supernatural element is hinted at in Geraldine’s character?
A) She is a vampire
B) She is a ghost
C) She has magical control over people
D) She is an angel
Answer: C) She has magical control over people - Who is Christabel’s father?
A) Sir Leoline
B) Lord Byron
C) Sir Walter
D) King Arthur
Answer: A) Sir Leoline - What is a major theme of the poem?
A) The beauty of nature
B) The conflict between innocence and evil
C) The importance of wealth
D) The power of war
Answer: B) The conflict between innocence and evil - Why is Christabel considered an unfinished poem?
A) Coleridge lost interest in writing
B) He was interrupted by a visitor
C) He planned more parts but never completed them
D) The ending was burned in a fire
Answer: C) He planned more parts but never completed them - What does Geraldine do to Christabel at night?
A) Casts a spell on her
B) Murders her
C) Helps her escape
D) Tells her a secret
Answer: A) Casts a spell on her - Which literary movement does Christabel belong to?
A) Realism
B) Romanticism
C) Modernism
D) Classicism
Answer: B) RomanticismQuestion Answer Poem Name Christabel Author Samuel Taylor Coleridge Year Written 1797–1800 Year Published 1816 Poem Type Gothic Narrative Poem Main Themes Innocence vs. Evil, Supernatural, Deception Poetic Structure Irregular meter, Loose rhyme scheme Symbolism Geraldine represents corruption and supernatural forces Unfinished Work? Yes, only two parts completed Literary Significance A key example of Romantic Gothic poetry