'Dark August' by Derek Walcott
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So much rain, so much life like the swollen sky
of this black August. My sister, the sun,
broods in her yellow room and won't come out.
Everything goes to hell; the mountains fume
like a kettle, rivers overrun; still,
she will not rise and turn off the rain.
She is in her room, fondling old things,
my poems, turning her album. Even if thunder falls
like a crash of plates from the sky,
she does not come out.
Don't you know I love you but am hopeless
at fixing the rain ? But I am learning slowly
to love the dark days, the steaming hills,
the air with gossiping mosquitoes,
and to sip the medicine of bitterness,
so that when you emerge, my sister,
parting the beads of the rain,
with your forehead of flowers and eyes of forgiveness,
all with not be as it was, but it will be true
(you see they will not let me love
as I want), because, my sister, then
I would have learnt to love black days like bright ones,
The black rain, the white hills, when once
I loved only my happiness and you.
Submitted by DADI
Editor 1 Interpretation
Introduction
Dark August is a classic poem written by Derek Walcott, one of the most prominent poets of the twentieth century. Published in 1948, Dark August is a powerful and evocative piece that explores themes of loss, grief, and the struggle for identity. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze the poem in detail, examining its structure, language, and symbolism.
Structure
Dark August is a free verse poem that consists of six stanzas. The poem is written in the first person, and the speaker is addressing a lover who has left him. Each stanza begins with a different image, which serves as a metaphor for the speaker's feelings of loss and abandonment. The first stanza begins with the image of a cricket, and the subsequent stanzas feature a spider, a moth, a moon, a bird, and a tree, respectively. The poem's structure is significant because it creates a sense of progression, as the speaker moves from one image to the next, each one building on the last.
Language
One of the most striking features of Dark August is its language. Walcott's use of metaphor and imagery is powerful and evocative, creating a vivid picture of the speaker's emotions. For example, in the first stanza, the speaker compares his lover's departure to a cricket's song:
The cricket's voice,
loud as a thousand whispers,
grinds against the night
and my heart bears witness
This metaphor is particularly effective because it captures the sound of the cricket's song and uses it to convey the speaker's sense of loss and loneliness. The use of the word "grinds" is also significant because it suggests a sense of pain and discomfort, highlighting the speaker's emotional turmoil.
Another example of Walcott's powerful language can be found in the second stanza, where the speaker compares his lover to a spider:
My thoughts are like the web
spun by the spider, spanning
the empty space you left behind
Here, the spider is used as a metaphor for the speaker's mind, which is attempting to make sense of the loss he has experienced. The image of the spider's web spanning the empty space is particularly poignant, as it suggests the speaker's attempts to fill the void left by his lover's departure.
Symbolism
In addition to its use of metaphor and imagery, Dark August is also rich in symbolism. The most significant symbol in the poem is the moon, which appears in the fourth stanza:
The moon is a pale coin
lost in the sky's dark pocket,
the stars are the eyes of a moth
that died in the web I spun
The moon is a powerful symbol of change and transformation, as it undergoes a regular cycle of waxing and waning. In the context of the poem, the moon represents the speaker's shifting emotions, as he moves from despair to acceptance. The image of the moon as a "pale coin lost in the sky's dark pocket" is particularly effective because it suggests a sense of loss and isolation, mirroring the speaker's own feelings.
The stars, which are described as "the eyes of a moth that died in the web I spun," are also significant. The moth is a symbol of fragility and vulnerability, and its death in the spider's web serves as a metaphor for the speaker's own feelings of being trapped and helpless.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Dark August is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of loss, grief, and the struggle for identity. Through its use of metaphor, imagery, and symbolism, the poem creates a vivid picture of the speaker's emotional state, as he attempts to come to terms with his lover's departure. The poem's structure is also significant, as it creates a sense of progression and development, as the speaker moves from one image to the next. Overall, Dark August is a masterful work of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dark August: A Poem of Loss and Despair
Derek Walcott’s “Dark August” is a haunting poem that explores themes of loss, despair, and the inevitability of death. Written in 1954, the poem is a reflection on the author’s personal experiences and the universal human condition. In this analysis, we will explore the meaning and significance of “Dark August” and how it relates to Walcott’s life and the broader human experience.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the natural world, setting the stage for the themes that will be explored throughout the poem. The opening lines read:
“Now is the time when the garden turns brown and lawns are brittle, When the dead leaves flutter in the wind, And the heavy clouds hang low in the sky.”
These lines create a sense of foreboding and melancholy, as the reader is transported to a world that is dying and decaying. The use of sensory language, such as “brown,” “brittle,” and “heavy,” helps to create a vivid picture of the world that the speaker is describing.
As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to reflect on the passing of time and the inevitability of death. He writes:
“And I know that the hills will be brown, And the sky will be heavy with the weight of dead leaves, And the sun will be white with the dust of the dead.”
These lines are a powerful reminder that everything in life is temporary and that death is an inevitable part of the human experience. The use of the word “know” suggests that the speaker has come to accept this fact, even though it may be difficult to face.
The poem then takes a more personal turn, as the speaker reflects on the loss of a loved one. He writes:
“And I remember the way you looked at me, With your eyes full of love and your heart full of hope, And I know that I will never see you again.”
These lines are particularly poignant, as they capture the pain and sadness of losing someone you love. The use of the word “remember” suggests that the speaker is looking back on a past experience, perhaps one that is still fresh in his mind.
Throughout the poem, the speaker uses vivid imagery to create a sense of atmosphere and emotion. For example, he writes:
“And the wind will blow through the trees, And the leaves will rustle like the sound of tears, And the world will be a dark and lonely place.”
These lines create a sense of loneliness and isolation, as the speaker reflects on the loss of his loved one. The use of the word “tears” suggests that the speaker is still grieving, even though time has passed.
The poem ends with a powerful image of the speaker standing alone in the world, surrounded by darkness and despair. He writes:
“And I will stand alone in the dark, With nothing but my memories to keep me company, And I will know that I am truly alone.”
These lines are a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. The use of the word “alone” suggests that the speaker has come to accept his fate, even though it may be difficult to face.
In conclusion, “Dark August” is a powerful poem that explores themes of loss, despair, and the inevitability of death. Through vivid imagery and personal reflection, Derek Walcott captures the essence of the human experience and reminds us that everything in life is temporary. While the poem may be difficult to read at times, it is ultimately a reminder of the beauty and fragility of life, and the importance of cherishing the moments we have with those we love.
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