Themes:
1.Memory and Nostalgia: The poem is infused with a sense of nostalgia for the simpler days of childhood. The narrator looks back at her friendship with Kate with fondness and longing ,emphasizing the preciousness of those memories.
2.Change and Transference:" Cousin Kate" explores how individuals change over time. As the narrator revisits her past, she notices the changes in herself, her cousin Kate, and the environment. The transformation brings forth a bittersweet emotional response.
3.Friendship and Loss: The heart of the poem centers on the bond between Kate and the narrator. The reunion between old friends highlights the enduring nature of friendship but also acknowledges the sense of loss and distance created by time and changing life circumstances.
4.Mortality and the Passage of Time: The poem is tinged with an understanding of the fleeting nature of life and beauty. Rossetti confronts mortality and the reality that youth and cherished moments might fade away with the passing years,
Tone:
"Cousin Kate" exudes a melancholic and reflective tone. The sense of loss and the awareness of time's passage evoke feelings of sadness and nostalgia, while the poet also celebrates the enduring power of memory and the special bond shared with her cousin.
Rossetti's poem provides a poignant meditation on the bittersweetness of life's journey, where cherished moments are interwoven with the realities of change and loss, leaving a lasting impact on one's emotional landscape.