Sunset by Georgia Douglas Johnson
The poem explores themes of loss, isolation, and the desire for emotional closure. The speaker reflects on the act of sealing off their heart, akin to closing a house, suggesting a deliberate choice to forget past experiences and memories. This emotional barricade is a response to the overwhelming nature of life, represented by the chaotic city environment. The imagery of a "lone pilgrim" conveys a sense of aimlessness and despair, as the speaker navigates through life without hope or joy. The contrast between the past and present highlights a profound sense of emptiness, where the speaker finds no value in what lies behind closed doors. The longing for relief from sorrow is evident, as the speaker does not seek the brightness of the sun but rather a reprieve from the persistent gloom. Overall, the work encapsulates the struggle of reconciling with one's past while facing the harsh realities of the present, ultimately portraying a journey marked by solitude and a yearning for peace.
By Georgia Douglas Johnson · First published 1917 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Modernist Poetry, Romanticism · 122 words
First lines
And now --
As one who closes up the house and goes uncaring where He may forget the scenes of home 'mid foreign climes and air, I bar the chamber of my heart and seal the past within To wander down the city's road amid the whirr and din.
The long years seem impassable, the morning has no smile, With naught behind these barring doors and nothing else worth while, Like some lone pilgrim without hope, I stumble on my way, Who lifts no futile plea for sun, but asks for clouds less grey.
What this Textopian page supports
Sunset is listed on Textopian as a poem by Georgia Douglas Johnson, dated 1917 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Georgia Douglas Johnson
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Modernist Poetry, Romanticism, Symbolism, Narrative Poetry
- Length: 122 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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- Work identity for Sunset by Georgia Douglas Johnson
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The poem's focus on personal emotion and reflection aligns it closely with the characteristics of lyric poetry.
- Modernist Poetry — The themes of alienation and introspection reflect modernist concerns, particularly in the context of urban life.
- Romanticism — The emphasis on individual experience and emotional depth connects to Romantic ideals.
- Symbolism — The use of imagery and metaphor to convey deeper meanings aligns with Symbolist techniques.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Imagery · Symbolism · Emotion · Mood · Atmosphere · Sensory Details · Figurative Language · Metaphor · Simile · Personification