SO this guy is going through depression because the job that he does is no longer brings happiness to him any more. He is an activist. One day he sat and thought that if he actually does achieve his goal will he be happy? His answer was no. This made him really depressed. What i cant figure out is the the symbolism he uses here:
At first I hoped that the cloud would pass away of (40)
itself; but it did not. A night's sleep, the sovereign
remedy for the smaller vexations of life, had no effect
on it.
Would the cloud represent oppressiveness or unpredictable influence of the speaker's ideas? What do you think?
The cloud represents his depression.
yes but do u think the cloud would represent the oppressiveness of depression? That's what i think it is lol
or wait it could be the idea that his job no longer brings him happiness so it could also be the second one
I like your first idea. The cloud represents the oppressiveness of depression.
He's already decided he wouldn't be happy in any other job.
thanks for your opinion!
You're welcome.
In this context, the use of the cloud as symbolism can be interpreted in different ways depending on the perspective of the speaker. It is important to note that poetry and literature often allow for multiple interpretations.
One possible interpretation is that the cloud represents a sense of heaviness or oppressiveness that the speaker is experiencing, which could represent the feeling of depression or unhappiness. The cloud's persistent presence despite the speaker's hope for it to pass away on its own suggests the lingering nature of this feeling.
Another interpretation could be that the cloud symbolizes the unpredictable influence or impact of the speaker's ideas as an activist. The fact that sleep, usually viewed as a remedy for life's smaller vexations, has no effect on the cloud suggests that the speaker's concerns or struggles go beyond everyday worries. This could imply that the speaker's thoughts and ideas about activism are weighing heavily on their mind, affecting their happiness.
Ultimately, the precise symbolism intended by the author is open to interpretation, and it may differ depending on the reader's perspective and understanding of the overall context and themes of the work.