Night and Death by Joseph Blanco White: Summary

Night and Death by Joseph Blanco White: Summary

Night and Death by Joseph Blanco White A sonnet dedicated to Coleridge – summary and analysis Poet: Joseph Blanco White (1775–1841) Form: Italian (Petrarchan) Sonnet – Octave (8 lines) + Sestet (6 lines) Dedication: To Samuel Taylor Coleridge Central Theme: The parallel between night and death – both are feared, yet both may hide unsuspected beauty. Summary Joseph Blanco White's "Night and Death" is a sonnet dedicated to Coleridge. The title of the poem indicates a connection between night and death as both are perceived negatively by humans. Through the poem, the poet tries to give a different perspective to them. Octave (lines 1–8) – The Fear of Night The poet begins the poem with an exclamation by calling the night a mysterious one. By the word 'first parent' he means Adam and he says that Adam hears the word night from the divine. He feels terrified by knowing that the night will soon replace the lovely sky of brightness. When the sun sets, its light passes beautifully …