Frost elected to set this poem during the night which serves as a metaphor for his depression, shame and guilt. The night conceals his true Identity to symbolism he does not belong within society. This Is exemplified In the third stanza “l have outlawed the furthest city light. ” In the line It Is apparent that the city light Is symbolic for hope, which the persona has evidently lost through his depression. In addition, the persona’s dark mentality keeps him segregated from a society where he does not belong. The poem depicts belonging as an essential aspect for every Individual, however, societal acceptance Is vital.
This Is evident In the third stanza “far away an Interrupted cry. ” The persona’s solitude Is temporarily hindered as he believed the cry was Intended for him. However, the climax Instantaneously halts In the fourth stanza when the persona realizes the sad truth that the call was not proposed for him. This Is highlighted In the line “but not to call me back or say good-bye”, which further enhances his depression, desolation and aloneness. The physical distance Is metaphoric for the persona’s emotional distance where even the that he does not belong within contemporary society.
B) How has the composer relayed their ideas about Belonging to the responder? Throughout the poem Acquainted with the night, there are several poetic techniques used to convey the notion of belonging to the responder. Within the poem, it is evident that belonging is concerned with identity, a significant aspect that the persona has not discovered. The first technique utilizes in the poem to portray his lack of belonging within society is past perfect tense. This is evident in the first stanza “l have been… ‘ have walked… ‘ have outlawed… L have looked down… ‘ have passed.
The repetition of the past perfect tense used in the line illustrates that he has experienced the loneliness of the night on several occasions. This emphasizes the persona’s singularity, alienation and displacement from society. In addition, the use of first person narration emphasizes the persona’s complete isolation and gives the audience an insight into the lack of belonging to which he is subjected. It can be affirmed that every human essentially needs to belong to people, places or society. Nevertheless, in the poem it is evident that the persona does not belong to society or he citizens within it.
The structure of the poem is cyclical which emphasizes the persona’s cynical mental state. This is evident through the use of repetition of the lines “l have been one acquainted with the night. ” This conveys the darkness of night as a symbolic representation for the persona’s cycle of depression. The poem’s protagonist is entrapped in a deep loop of emotion, which further implies that he does not belong within the modern world. Furthermore, the poem conveys strong connotations with the author, Robert Frost and to a certain extent; it is a reflection of is personal experiences.
The poem’s gloomy, miserable and morose tones have been associated with the poet’s depression in life due to the tragic death of his wife. Presented in your prescribed text. Acquainted with the night depicts belonging as an essential aspect for every individual, however, societal acceptance is vital. This notion supports the concept of belonging within the prescribed text Migrant Hostel. Peter Jerkiness’s poem Migrant hostel conveys that when a group of “new comers” live in a new country, their sense of belonging is hindered as they struggle to find a lace where they feel socially accepted.
The migrant’s path to belonging is restricted as the Australian society controls their destiny. This is evident in the fourth stanza “A barrier at the main gate sealed off the highway. ” The barrier is symbolic of an obstacle that segregates the migrants from the real world, which ultimately restricts them from belonging. Correspondingly in Acquainted with the night, the persona’s dark mental state restricts him from making a connection with civilization. The theme of the poem is portrayed during the night to conceal the persona’s true identity.
This symbolizes that he is not accepted by humanity which is exemplified in the line “l have outlawed the furthest city light. ” The city light is symbolic for hope, which the persona has evidently lost through his depression. This reinforces the notion that the persona’s dark mental state restricts him for belonging within society. Migrant Hostel explores the notion that belonging can emerge from the connections made with people. However, this concept is directly challenged within the poem Acquainted with the night as the persona views seclusion as a catalyst for belonging.
The migrants surpassed their lack of belonging by associating themselves with other immigrants of the ethnicity. This is evident in the second stanza “Nationalities sought each other out instinctively like a homing pigeon. ” The metonymy utilizes in the line reinforces that in the absence of belonging, the migrants formed groups with compatriots of the same nationality to reminisce their cultural heritage. In addition, the use of simile emphasizes their nature desire for personal allegiance in the deficiency of belonging.
Conversely, in Acquainted with the night the persona natures through the dark city at night without any desire to belong with other people. The night is metaphoric for the persona’s depression in which he feels ashamed. This is highlighted in the second stanza “l have passed by the watchman on his beat and dropped my eyes… Unwilling to explain. ” The persona evidently has the chance to interact with people; however, he deliberately drops his eyes to overlook the presence of the watchman. The use of first person narration conjures the thought that the persona’s inability to belong keeps him segregated from society.
