Don't Kill Yourself
The poem explores the theme of existential crisis and the search for meaning in life. It expresses a sense of desperation, frustration, and disillusionment with the world. The speaker urges the reader to take action, to do something, but the tone is ambiguous, leaving the reader wondering what that action should be.
By Carlos Drummond de Andrade · First published 1934 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Psychological · 191 words
First lines
Carlos, calm down, love is exactly what you're seeing: a kiss today, none tomorrow, the day after tomorrow's Sunday, and Monday no one knows what will happen. There's no use fretting, let alone committing suicide.
Don't do it, don't kill yourself, save yourself, all of you, for the wedding to take place no one knows when, if ever.
Love spent the night in you, Carlos, earthly Carlos, and desire, seeking expression, stirred an ineffable inner hubbub, prayers, record players, saints crossing themselves, ads for the best soap, a hubbub about no one knows what, or why. And you keep walking, melancholy and upright.
What this Textopian page supports
Don't Kill Yourself is listed on Textopian as a poem by Carlos Drummond de Andrade, dated 1934 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Carlos Drummond de Andrade
- Date: 1934 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Psychological, Literary Fiction, Romance
- Length: 191 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Don't Kill Yourself by Carlos Drummond de Andrade
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is written in a poetic style with a focus on emotions and abstract concepts.
- Philosophical — The themes explore existential questions and the nature of love and life.
- Psychological — The narrative delves into the mental state and emotional turmoil of the protagonist.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style and thematic depth align with literary fiction conventions.
Tags
Brazilian Literature · Poetry · Suicide Prevention · Mental Health · Dark Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Philosophical · Existential Crisis · Human Condition · Sarcastic Tone · Irony