Up-Hill: Journey of Life

In Christina Rossetti’s poem “Up-Hill,” the title suggests a difficult or complicated journey as walking up hill typically isn’t easy. The poem begins with the question “Does the road wind up hill all the way?” The response, “Yes, to the very end.” This tells us that the journey will be difficult the whole way through. The winding refers to our lives and not knowing when twists and turns may come about. In an article written by Simon Avery, he states that Rossetti’s religious beliefs were a major influence and drive for her writings.

This information leads me to believe that the difficult journey mentioned is a metaphor for the journey of life and the road to heaven.

The poem is written in a conversational tone between two people. It demonstrates a fluid movement, part of the reason being the layout the author chose. This particular poem is made up of 4 stanzas which consist of 4 lines each. The poem follows a ABAB rhyme sequence and is made up of a series of questions and answers in call and response form.

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The alternating rhyme pattern assists us in easily distinguishing the two people.

The relationship between the two characters is not entirely clarified. After examining all of the questions we know the first character is a traveler filled with curiosity regarding the path. It seems as if his time has come and he is seeking peace in heaven, or the top of the hill. The second character acts as a guide holding great knowledge about the path he chooses to seek.

He has all of the answers to the travelers questions. This guide refers to the first character as “my friend” in the fourth line. This suggests that the guide could in fact be Jesus himself or a Christ-like figure, comforting the traveler on what for some people can be a frightening journey. In The Bible passage John 15:14-15, Jesus speaks to his followers. “You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servants does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have made known to my Father I have made known to you.”

In this same line we come across a metaphor comparing the course of the day to one's lifetime. Morning being birth, and night being death. In the next line the traveler asks, “But is there for a night a resting place?” There is no actual time or place given as a setting for the poem. This place is a metaphorical symbol of an eternal resting place for all spirits who seek. In the third line of the second stanza, the traveler asks “May not the darkness hide it from my face?” Darkness is often used as a symbol for evil or ignorance in writings and other forms of artistic work. The traveler wonders if having an evil spirit or sence of ignorance will conceal the inn he seeks from sight. The guide then assures him that he cannot miss it, suggesting the traveler is a pure soul.

In the first line of the third stanza the author uses the term “wayfarer” when the traveler asks if he will meet others at night. Wayfarer is a person who travels by foot. The guides response is “Those who have gone before.' This implies that the traveler will only encounter other souls who have reached heaven before him. These souls he will encounter are likely to be guardian angels or family members awaiting his arrival. The traveler asks, “Then must I knock, or call when just in sight?” This is a reference to reaching the pearly gates, more formally known as the gates of heaven. The traveler wonders if there is something he must do to get in. The guide assures him that “They will not keep you standing at that door.” Him acknowledging that particular door as one they would not keep you standing at, opens the possibility of there being other doors. Such as those leading to hell.

In the first line of the last stanza, the traveler asks for reassurance that he will find comfort from being travel-sore and weak. This again shows us his pain and weakness, he has almost reached the end of his path. He seeks for comfort in the afterlife. The guide responds with, “Of labour you shall find the sum.” When he enters the after life, he should expect to find comfort equal to the sum of labour done on earth. This is a reference of Judgement Day. In The Bible, Judgment Day is when Christ comes down and sits on his throne as many gather to have their fate in the afterlife determined. They are judged on whether they lived a life of wickedness or righteousness.

The last question and it’s response is a very powerful one. “Will there be beds for me and all who seek?” Bed is a metaphor for a final resting place in the afterlife. This last question shows that the traveler is still filled with doubt and needing reassurance. The guide replies with, “Yea, beds for all who come.” This is contrary to the idea that our fate is pre-determined. It shows that there is a place in heaven for everyone with faith who seeks it.

Christina Rossetti was a significant spiritual writer of her time. Due to her remarkable poetic structure and clear metaphors, she was able to express the fear and doubts one might have when making the transition from life to death. She showed how life, even at its end, can be unpredictable as you wind up the hill. If you have faith and live a life of good intentions, you will find peace and comfort for eternity in the afterlife. You are never alone on your path as there will always be those to guide you along the way.