Twilight Daybreak  

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Twilight Daybreak- Pain and Suffering

(Baudelaire poet’s – ‘ twilight daybreak’)

The author has presented the theme of pain and suffering throughout the poem plot development through the various events described in the poem. Describing the breaking dawn in a not so pleasant setting, the poet used various poetic devices to describe the ongoing events in the described setting.

Imagery- Similes

The author has used imagery in the form of similes to describe the various settings in the poem. For instance, in the opening stanza, the poet says, “Now the lamp that glowed at midnight seems, like a bloodshot eye.” A bloodshot eye can be viewed as a representation of fatigue, general body un-wellness, crying, among other depictions of suffering. The glowing lamp’s depiction by the poet indicates that the surrounding environment is not as homely as it could be expected. For teenage boys, on the other hand, bad dreams come during the twilight daybreak.

Pain and suffering can also be observed to extend to other members of society. For instance, the author says, “Whores, mouths gaping, eyelids gray as ash, sleep on their feet, leaning against the walls.” Prostitution is a degrading business, but the “whores” don’t have any other option. They sleep on their feet all night as they lean against the wall.

Personification

            Personification is a poetic device where inanimate objects are given the ability to act and take part in activities. In the twilight daybreak as the morning comes, “Here and there, chimneys begin to smoke.” This is an instance of personification that gives the chimneys animate (animal-like) attributes. The smoking chimneys are a depiction of pain and suffering where air pollution, as well as low living standards, are evidenced.

“A sea of mist swirls around the buildings” is another incident of personification that shows the extent to which the surrounding environment is hostile, thus adding to the central theme of pain and suffering in the poem.

References

Baudelaire, C. (2015). Baudelaire: poems. Everyman’s Library.