Night sweat (Robert Lewell) Flashcards
What message is being said by this poem?
The poem Night Sweat is used to accurately express Lowells struggle living with Bipolar and it’s affect on his creative in writing poetry.
What is the context behind this poem?
Lowell struggles from bipolar disorder, which causes him to have extreme manic episodes of “creativity” or “overdrive” only to fall into a state of depression. It also mentions how his wife at the time Elizabeth helped him through his struggle
How does the poem portray Lowell’s feelings towards Elizabeth (not Lizzie)
the 2nd stanza portrays Elizabeth as a light, something there to keep him up. he uses imagery to show her as a “tortoise” holding his burdons and helping him through his struggle. It overall shows his admiration towards her and greatfulness for her help.
How does Lewell use imagery in his poem?
Lowell uses the word “embalms” to convey imagery of death, which could mean the death of his creativity in writing poetry and/or descent into depression.
Lowell furthermore uses “downward glide” to give the reader an image of him falling into depression after another manic episode.
in the 2nd stanza, Lowell demonstrates his depression through the imagery of a “black web” (from a spiders sack)
What language does Lewell use to portray his despair of living with Bipolar?
the last line, “cycle” is used to show Lowells cycle of bipolar, having an episode only to fall into a deep pit.
He also uses “child who dies” to share his youthful, creativeness being sucked out of him.
in the first stanza, Lowell uses the word “embalms” to convey imagery of death, of his creativity and depression
how does Lowell split the 2 tones of his poem through structure?
Lowell starts the poem with a solemn tone showing his misery, switching it up in the 2nd stanza bringing to light Elizabeth’s helping him while he struggled.
How does Lowell use writing tools in his poem?
Lowell uses concrete nouns to demonstrate him and what helps make his poetry
what is the structure used in the poem?
Lowell uses a 2 stanza structure, using the rhyming pattern ABBA CDCD EFEF GG in the first 14 lines
What does Lowell mean by convey Elizabeth as tortoise in the 2nd stanza?
Lowell uses imagery of Elizabeth as a tortoise to show how she bore his burdens for him, easing his pain.
How does Lowell use personification of his disorder?
Lowell uses “sibilance” to reflect running water of his sweat, Visceral imagery.
