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Night Sweat

Robert Lowell was an American poet known for his autobiographical poetry that explored themes of good and evil. He suffered from bipolar disorder. The poem "Night Sweat" describes Lowell experiencing writer's block while in a state of mental unrest. He is tired, nervous, and covered in sweat caused by his "life's fever" of bipolar disorder. The arrival of his wife Elizabeth brings him comfort and helps lift his despair, serving as a source of inspiration.

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Nokukhanya Hlabangana
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275 views9 pages

Night Sweat

Robert Lowell was an American poet known for his autobiographical poetry that explored themes of good and evil. He suffered from bipolar disorder. The poem "Night Sweat" describes Lowell experiencing writer's block while in a state of mental unrest. He is tired, nervous, and covered in sweat caused by his "life's fever" of bipolar disorder. The arrival of his wife Elizabeth brings him comfort and helps lift his despair, serving as a source of inspiration.

Uploaded by

Nokukhanya Hlabangana
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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NIGHT SWEAT Robert Lowell.

WHO IS ROBERT LOWELL?


Robert Lowell, Jr., in full Robert Traill Spence Lowell, Jr., (born March 1,
1917, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.—died September 12, 1977, New York,
New York), American poet noted for his complex, autobiographical poetry.
He wrote innovative and experimental poetry.
Themes like good and evil or friendship and death are recurring in his
poems.
Lowell suffered from bipolar disorder.
It is said in 1994 he had his first full blown manic attack in Chicago, where
he supposedly dangled a friend out the window while shouting poetry.
WHO IS ROBERT LOWELL’S
WIFE, ELIZABETH
HARDWICK?
A formidably intelligent woman.
She stood by Lowell through some very hard times
She is mentioned in the poem.
Lowell was seriously unfaithful to his wife.
Lowell and Hardwick divorced in1972.
WHAT IS THE POEM ABOUT?
The poet is experiencing writer’s block.
He is scared and confused about his state of mind.
He is unsure whether or not he will ever get his writing talent back.
In the poem, he is tired and nervous.
He wakes covered in sweat caused by “Life’s Fever”.
ANALYSIS: PART 1
 In line 1, the poet mentions the word “litter”. The may refer to his tools that he
uses for writing or it may refer to his mind which is now useless. Thus he sees all
these things as useless or as dirt.
In line 2, he speaks of “stalled equipment”. Literally it means he has put aside his
tools. He does not want to work anymore. However, this is a metaphor for his
inability to write or generate ideas.
The poet is conflicted. There is conflict between hope and despair. In line 3, he says
“but I am living in a tied room.” He is referring to his wife who keeps in check
despite his condition.
In line 4, he says “I’ve felt the creeping damp…” Here we see the use of metaphor
to describe the anxiety that is dampening his spirit. The sweat is personified.
PART 1 CONTINUED
 In line 6, we see the use of the verb wilting which implies a dying flower.
He is no longer blossoming. The verb embalm in the next line suggests death.
“My life’s fever…” (line 8) is personification. He personifies his bipolar disorder.
He uses sibilance. This reflects the running water of his sweat.
“The bias of existing” (line 10) implies despair, as suffering is inevitable.
Youthful energy has not only faded, but died. Time is wringing him dry of his
creativity and his sanity (lines 10-12).
In line 13 and 14, the persona becomes aggressive in the depiction of the depleting
energy being burned like fuel until empty.
PART 2
 The atmosphere and mood of the poem partially changes. In line 15, his wife
enters the room and he feels her supportive presence. Exclamations reveal her
significance to him.
Soft alliterative repetition of the L sounds creates a serene tone which contrasts to
the first half of the poem.
 “leaded eyelids” is an imagery of weight which reflects the heaviness of his
depression.
He then uses a metaphor of horses pulling his attention back to despair. There’s also
imagery of death.
PART 2 CONTINUED
In line 18, light breaks through the trees as Hardwick’s presence is felt. Lots of
imagery on this part of the poem.
In line 21, suddenly his bipolar disorder reasserts itself but this time finds
inspiration, like a bomb off his mind.
In line 22, his love for his wife is revealed. She is presented as a holy, god like
character.
She has the power to remove the darkness. Perhaps the spider sack includes his
suppressed ideas.
He begs her for help and comfort.
She caries his suffering on her back too.

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