Character Comparison: The Speaker and Jenny
By: Dave Hudak

Rossetti’s poem Jenny is an internal monologue that is being presented by the speaker. The speaker and Jenny play the roles of the main characters throughout the poem. However, within the poem Jenny does not say a word. So all thoughts produced and presented are that of the speaker’s. As the reader, one is only given a limited viewpoint into the situation that occurred during the couple’s encounter. This limited viewpoint fills the reader with an abundance of questions that could be directed towards Jenny. However, using a limited viewpoint of just the speaker’s, a comparison of Jenny and the speaker can be made.
Jenny is portrayed in many facets of light throughout the poem. Beauty is an obvious facet. “Whose eyes are as blue skies, whose hair Is countless gold incomparable” (“Jenny” 10-11). The comparison of eyes to blue skies suggests that there is a beauty enabling one to become lost as blue skies are something totally vast and surreal. Unlimited gold explains the hair; historically society has always deemed gold to represent beauty as it is a lustrous valued element. Jenny’s beauty is also matched with smarts. “This room of yours, my Jenny, looks A change from mine so full of books” (“Jenny” 22-23). The presence of books in Jenny’s room suggests that she has had some formal process of education because the books presence within the room portrays to the reader that Jenny can read. Her ability to read would also imply that her family’s background is that of an upper social standing. An elevated social standing in comparison to that of the speaker’s as the speaker remarks that his room does not contain books. In turn, he is implying that he lacks the ability to read, but the negative facets are just not limited to his realm. Jenny is that of a whore; a paid prostitute. “Some things which are not yet enroll’d In market-lists are bought and sold Even till the early Sunday light, When Saturday night is market night” (“Jenny” 137-140). Jenny is apart of the mentioned market. Her body is put up for sale. The speaker is the consumer. He explicitly states his consumption within the poem, “My last night’s frolic” (“Jenny” 311). Later, he states his method of payment “These golden coins” (“Jenny” 339). It is quite apparent that one character acts as the product while the other is indeed the consumer, combined they fuel the market of prostitution.
Amidst the poem, the speaker struggles with how negative the act of prostitution is for Jenny. Internally, his mind is mixed with two processes. The first is that of shaming her. The second is that of a sensation, to tell her about these shaming thoughts. If he told her these thoughts she may be influenced away from prostitution. “Why, Jenny, waking here alone May help you to remember one, though all the memory’s long outworn Of many a double-pillowed morn” (“Jenny” 369-372). The speaker contemplates leaving. His absence could act as the trigger to push Jenny away from prostitution. The speaker feels the shame amongst him and now knows that he no longer wants to be apart of this game, now will Jenny’s feelings conclude to be the same?
Overall, both characters saw themselves as benefiting from the acts of prostitution. The speaker sought after prostitution as a way to fulfill his sexual desire. Jenny saw prostitution as a quick way to seek rewards. “Lazy laughing languid Jenny, Fond of a kiss and fond of a guinea,” (“Jenny” 3-4). Making money to kiss, laugh and lie around; to easy thought Jenny. In closing, two characters became fueled by their own wants, needs and desires.