In a Dark Time by Theodore Roethke

In the first stanza of the poem “In a Dark Time”, the reader gets the sense that not only is the author describing himself using “dark” visuals including “shadow” and “shade”, but that he is using natural scenery as well in order to set the audience up for the rest of the poem. The same line that contains those visuals also would seem to impart a certain time of day, dusk. This could also be thought of as a way for the reader to get a sense of where the author is at, reflecting on his own mind.

This idea is furthered by the statements of “meeting his (own) shadow”, and when he hears his own shadow. The second stanza really goes into a faster pace, as the author begins to describe to the reader his inner feelings. By questioning his own definition of madness, and going into despair, he shows the reader that part of his mind is very confused, yet he knows that he is in the middle of whatever is going on.

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Again he questions, is his place in the “rocks” a cave or path, and he states that “The edge is what I have. ” which seems like a way for him to again be in the middle of his situation.

The third stanza continues with the natural descriptions of being outside in a natural setting during the night, or perhaps during an eclipse. Again, this could be just another way for the author to let his audience know what frame of mind his is in.

Referring to the title of the poem, “In a Dark Time”, it would make sense that this writing is coming from the author during a time in his life in which he was questioning himself. This line of thinking continues to be the main point as he goes on to say, “A man goes far to find out what he is -, Death of the self in a long, tearless night,”.

Whatever has happened to the author, he is unsure of himself and the changes that are occurring in his life at that moment. In the fourth stanza, he still proclaims how confused he his with himself, by the statement “Which I is I? ” The reader is left to contemplate where the author's sense of self lies. The last three lines seem to show that the author has decided to have his mind come together and be one with itself, which leaves the author to be “free in the tearing wind. ”