Perception Versus Truth in Roethke’s "In a Dark Time"

In Theodore Roethke’s poem, “In a Dark Time,” the speaker crosses over into the undiscovered world of insanity and communicates perceptions that others have disproved. Likely representative of Roethke’s own personal struggles with schizophrenia, “In a Dark Time” displays the thought process of a disturbed individual. Through Roethke’s use of deceptive rhyme, constant paradox, and integrated juxtaposition, the speaker illustrates the inconsistencies between his thoughts and the realities around him thus unveiling his trapped insanity.

Roethke uses an unconventional rhyme scheme to showcase the deceptiveness of the world. This theme of deceptiveness appears in the last two lines of each stanza. The first stanza has a rhyme pattern of a-b-c-d-e-e. When the reader observes the second stanza, he or she sees that Roethke does not follow the structure of the previous stanza. However, when observing the two words “cave” and “have,” the reader sees that the structure of the words suggests a rhyme. This use of eye rhymes continues throughout the poem. For example, the third stanza again follows the rhyme scheme of a-b-c-d-e-e, but when examining the last stanza, only an eye rhyme appears. Roethke uses these discrepancies to illustrate the inconsistent nature of the speaker’s mind. Paralleling the discrepancies displayed with the rhyme structure, the speaker also experiences a discrepancy between his perception and reality. By communicating these inconsistencies, the speaker uncovers the troubled nature of his thoughts thus allowing the reader a peak into the speaker’s insanity.

To further reinforce the speaker’s predicament of reality, Roethke also utilizes several paradoxes to smudge this line dividing perception and truth. For example, when studying the literal interpretation of the first line, “In a time of darkness, the eye begins to see,” a paradox already becomes apparent. Additionally, the second line raises a similar inconsistency. Shadows appear as a result of the light. However, the second line states, “I meet my shadow in the deepening shade.” Lastly, in the fourth stanza, the speaker claims that “midnight comes again” during “broad day.” Again, these examples highlight the separation between the perceptions of the speaker and the truths held by those around. By adding this element into the poem, Roethke allows the reader to understand more deeply the thought process of the speaker.

Lastly, Roethke uses blatant juxtaposition to further illustrate one central characteristic of madness. In the poem, Roethke places opposing ideas and elements within the same context to create confusion between perceptions and the truth. For instance, in the second stanza, the poet uses the word “purity” to describe despair. In most cases, the word “pure” falls under a positive connation associated with clean and even angelic. However, in this case, Roethke inserts “purity” into a dark and dreary context. Additionally, in the third stanza the reader can observe another example of juxtaposition. When Roethke uses the description of a “blazing unnatural light,” he places this light into a scene previously described as dark and almost sinister “tearless night”. By inserting these opposing ideas into his poem, Roethke highlights the contradictions the speaker observes. These inconsistencies allow the reader to grasp and absorb the unhinged thoughts of the speaker.

Through his use of structure and language, Roethke effectively communicates the contradictions the speaker observes. By allowing the reader to observe the thought process of the speaker, Roethke paves a pathway into his disturbed mind. In many cases, the speaker and the poet are two separate entities. However, when examining this particular poem, one symptom of schizophrenia, the perception of nonexistent things, becomes extremely apparent. As a result, we can assume Roethke has integrated himself into the role of the speaker. The author uses this poem as a medium to express the inconsistencies he observes in the world. Through this particular piece, Roethke voices his frustration of his “unreal” feelings. By doing so, he also opens the door of observation into his own mind.

It is up to us whether we dare to venture inside this haunted house.

In a Dark Time

In a dark time, the eye begins to see,

I meet my shadow in the deepening shade;

I hear my echo in the echoing wood--

A lord of nature weeping to a tree,

I live between the heron and the wren,

Beasts of the hill and serpents of the den.

What's madness but nobility of soul

At odds with circumstance? The day's on fire!

I know the purity of pure despair,

My shadow pinned against a sweating wall,

That place among the rocks--is it a cave,

Or winding path? The edge is what I have.

A steady storm of correspondences!

A night flowing with birds, a ragged moon,

And in broad day the midnight come again!

A man goes far to find out what he is--

Death of the self in a long, tearless night,

All natural shapes blazing unnatural light.

Dark,dark my light, and darker my desire.

My soul, like some heat-maddened summer fly,

Keeps buzzing at the sill. Which I is I?

A fallen man, I climb out of my fear.

The mind enters itself, and God the mind,

And one is One, free in the tearing wind.

- Theodore Roethke