Middle Age by Carlos Drummond de Andrade
The poem explores the crisis of middle age, a stage characterized by disillusionment and stagnation. The speaker reflects on their life, realizing that their youthful ideals have been lost and that they are now trapped in a mundane routine. They lament the passing of time, feeling disconnected from their past and uncertain about their future.
By Carlos Drummond de Andrade · First published 1945 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Stream of Consciousness · 559 words
First lines
Middle age unlearn the lessons of childhood.
I no longer want words, or need them.
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Middle Age is listed on Textopian as a poem by Carlos Drummond de Andrade, dated 1945 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: 1945 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Stream of Consciousness, Modernist, Surrealism
- Length: 559 words
- Structure: 1 section, 26 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for Middle Age by Carlos Drummond de Andrade
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Similar titles
- Communion by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
- Letter by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
- Secret by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
- Residue by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
- Nausea And The Flower by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
- Be Careful by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
Genres
- Poetry — The text is highly lyrical, with a focus on imagery, metaphor, and emotional expression.
- Philosophical — The themes explore existential questions, the nature of time, and the human condition.
- Stream of Consciousness — The narrative style reflects a continuous flow of thoughts and feelings, often without clear structure.
- Modernist — The work breaks traditional narrative forms and delves into complex, abstract ideas.
Tags
Poetry · Brazilian Literature · Modernism · Stream-of-Consciousness · Autobiographical · Middle Age Crisis · Self-Discovery · Introspection · Philosophical · Psychological Insight · Existential Crisis · Urban Life