The Man with Night Sweats Revision

Question 1

Who wrote The Man with Night Sweats?

Answer 1

Thom Gunn

Question 2

Why did Gunn write TMWNS?

Answer 2

In honor of friends who died of AIDS and to inspire compassion for those with AIDS.

Question 3

What are the three main ideas in TMWNS?

Answer 3

1. Physical breakdown of his body (reflected in rhyme scheme)
2. Isolation and loneliness
3. Contrast between his previous life and his life now

Question 4

What are two poetic techniques in TMWNS with examples?

Answer 4

Extended metaphor of shield - “My flesh was its own shield”
“The given shield was cracked”
“As if to shield it from”
Contrast - “cold” “heat”