Away, Melancholy Flashcards
1
Q
context
A
Melancholy was characterised by despondency, depression and inactivity
Writers since have romanticised melancholy and associated it with creativity/imagination/genius
1957 - ‘Not waving but dreaming’
In 1953 she became clinically depressed & attempted suicide. Experienced depression till her death in 1971
2
Q
content
A
Smith’s speaker describes desire to banish melancholy: the wonder, beauty and love of humanity should be celebrated instead
3
Q
interpretation
A
Creates a tension between man’s persistent impulse to dwell on despair (signified by repetition of melancholy and speakers desire to cast it away)
and the joy which we could access but choose not to: the positive poem has a tragic undertone
