The Man with Night Sweats by Thom Gunn Flashcards
Who is the poet of The Man with Night Sweats?
Thom Gunn
How many stanzas does the poem have?
8 stanzas
How many lines does the poem contain?
24 lines
What tense is the poem written in?
Present tense, except for stanzas 2-4, which are in past tense
What disease is implied to be affecting the speaker?
AIDS
What is the significance of the poem being written in the present tense?
It makes the speaker’s struggle feel immediate and real to the reader.
Name three major themes in the poem.
Solitude, illness, and loss of physical strength
How does the poem explore the theme of illness?
The speaker describes his body’s deterioration due to disease.
How is the theme of solitude presented in the poem?
The speaker faces his suffering alone, with no mention of others.
How does the poem reflect on the loss of physical strength?
The speaker contrasts his past robust body with his current weakness.
What contrast is introduced in the first stanza?
The contrast between heat (dreams) and cold (reality).
What does “dreams of heat” metaphorically refer to?
Passion and love, possibly referencing the way AIDS is transmitted.
How does the word “residue” function in the first stanza?
It signifies the lingering effects of his past actions and dreams.
What does the “clinging sheet” symbolize?
The speaker’s vulnerability and the physical impact of illness.
What metaphor is introduced in this stanza?
The body as a “shield.”
What does the past tense in this stanza indicate?
That the speaker’s body no longer functions as it once did.
Why is the word “gashed” significant?
It emphasizes the severity of past injuries that once healed easily.
What does the phrase “I grew as I explored” suggest?
The speaker gained experience and developed through risk-taking.
What does “The body I could trust” imply?
That the speaker once had confidence in his physical strength.
How does the word “robust” reinforce the poem’s message?
It highlights the strength the speaker once had but has now lost.
What does “A world of wonders” suggest?
The speaker viewed challenges and risks as exciting.
How does “Each challenge to the skin” connect to the poem’s theme?
It emphasizes the speaker’s past willingness to take risks.
What does the phrase “I cannot but be sorry” reveal?
The speaker regrets his past recklessness.
What does “given shield” refer to?
The body, which he once took for granted.
How does the word “cracked” relate to the poem’s theme?
It symbolizes how the speaker’s body is now fragile and vulnerable.
What effect does repeating the word “reduced” have?
It emphasizes the speaker’s mental and physical deterioration.
What does “I have to change the bed” remind the reader of?
That the speaker suffers from excessive night sweats.
What does “catch myself instead” imply?
The speaker is unable to take action and feels trapped.
What does the phrase “Stopped upright where I am” show?
The speaker is frozen in place, anticipating pain.
What does “Hugging my body to me” suggest?
A desperate attempt to protect himself from suffering.
How does this stanza connect to the “shield” metaphor?
The speaker realizes he can no longer shield himself effectively.
What is the significance of the final line, “To hold an avalanche off”?
It highlights the overwhelming and unstoppable nature of his pain.
How does the word “avalanche” function metaphorically?
It represents the speaker’s suffering and helplessness.
Why does the poem end on a melancholic note?
To emphasize the speaker’s irreversible loss and suffering.
What final message does the poem leave the reader with?
To appreciate and take care of one’s body before it’s too late.
