Black Sorrow - Lecture Notes

Key Themes and Imagery

• Soggy Darkness: Represents an ever-present, unchanging state of despair or hopelessness.
• Imaginary Connection: The narrator feels a deep connection to a person they can't reach, resorting to imagination.
• Contrasting Light: The object of the narrator's affection is described as shining, adding contrast to the prevalent darkness.

Symbolism and Metaphors

• Dark Sea: A metaphor for deepening sorrow and the complexity of emotions as one approaches the core of sadness.
• Cold Spot Stained with Blood: Symbolizes the stark reality of loss and emptiness at the end of the sorrowful journey.
• Red Light Hourglass: Represents the passage of time within the darkness, indicating prolonged suffering.

Expression of Deep Sorrow

• Recurrent mention of black sorrow highlights the depth of the narrator's sadness.
• The phrase "black sorrow" is used to personify the emotion, indicating its all-encompassing nature and the personal impact on the narrator.