Symbolism is Porphyria's Lover

The poem Porphyria's Lover has a great deal of symbolism in it's context. The deranged speaker gives lots of hints that he is not a nice man. First of all why is she the one out in the rain? She comes in from the rain "And laid her soiled gloves by " (Browning 763). It sounds like she was out in the rain working, and then she comes in and gets a nice fire going for them. If she was out in the rain working, why couldn't he have a fire ready for her. This symbolizes that she is hard working and must actually love or care for this man. She is probably used to doing all the work. "Too weak for all her hearts endeavour" (763). She maybe is just overworked and tired. And, last she, she sat down by my side And called me. When no voice replied." (763) Why doesn't he reply? That is another hint he is either mad, or upset with her. "And did it's worst to vex the lake," (763) vex symbolizing something bad. The word vex means to tourment; trouble; distress; or to afflict with physical pain. Many times during the story, the speaker talks of long, yellow hair. Her hair sybolizes her beauty.