Stevie Smith was a British poet, during the mid-1900 until her death in 1971. Most of Smith’s life was full of dark and depressing moments, which reflect in her poetry. In 1957 she wrote “NOT WAVING BUT DROWNING”, which was yet another dark and depressing poem. The poem was of a man in distress whom was thought to be waving but in reality drowning. “NOT WAVING BUT DROWNING” was a short poem that told a story of a sad man’s whole life in just 12 lines. Although this poem paints a picture of a gloomy, sad and depressing day, it also tells a story of a man who was in the need of help throughout his life whom was not waving with happiness but drowning in sadness and self-pity. The poem opens with a third person 's view. In this point of view we
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The other characters try to blame the man for his own death “Poor chap, he always loved larking”/”And now he’s dead” (Smith, 1957, line 5-6). This could point out that the man was really alone in life and was an outcast at times. It seems as if even the ones that was close to him never really understood him and or any of his issues. Instead of the ones that knew him and was somewhat a friend to him, try to figure out what was the true underlining cause of his death they just once again turn their backs on him. In line seven and eight it was suggested that life or the world was too hard for him to handle, and he just gave up “It must have been too cold for him his heart gave way”, /”They said” (Smith, 1957, lines …show more content…
They were still clueless and unable to understand why and what happen to him. It was as if they still could not see his true pain” Oh, no no no, it was too cold always” (Smith, 1957, line 9). Then at the end of the poem he repeats the main point “I was much too far out all my life”/ “And not waving but drowning” ” (Smith, 1957, lines 7-8). In these last lines he wanted them to stop being blinded by what he really needed from them (understanding). This was it for him, it was his last plea of understanding to his friends and family. It was his last chance to be heard, to be understood, just to be
The other characters try to blame the man for his own death “Poor chap, he always loved larking”/”And now he’s dead” (Smith, 1957, line 5-6). This could point out that the man was really alone in life and was an outcast at times. It seems as if even the ones that was close to him never really understood him and or any of his issues. Instead of the ones that knew him and was somewhat a friend to him, try to figure out what was the true underlining cause of his death they just once again turn their backs on him. In line seven and eight it was suggested that life or the world was too hard for him to handle, and he just gave up “It must have been too cold for him his heart gave way”, /”They said” (Smith, 1957, lines …show more content…
They were still clueless and unable to understand why and what happen to him. It was as if they still could not see his true pain” Oh, no no no, it was too cold always” (Smith, 1957, line 9). Then at the end of the poem he repeats the main point “I was much too far out all my life”/ “And not waving but drowning” ” (Smith, 1957, lines 7-8). In these last lines he wanted them to stop being blinded by what he really needed from them (understanding). This was it for him, it was his last plea of understanding to his friends and family. It was his last chance to be heard, to be understood, just to be