THE MAD MAN
KHALIL GIBRAN
In the town where I was born lived a woman and her daughter, who walked in their sleep.
One night, while silence enfolded the world, the woman and her daughter, walking, yet asleep, met in their mist-veiled garden.
And the mother spoke, and she said: “At last, at last, my enemy! You by whom my youth was destroyed--who have built up your life upon the ruins of mine! Would I could kill you!”
And the daughter spoke, and she said: “O hateful woman, selfish and old! Who stand between my freer self and me! Who would have my life an echo of your own faded life! Would you were dead!”
At that moment a cock crew, and both women awoke. The mother said gently, “Is that you, darling?” And the daughter answered gently, “Yes, dear.”
Figurative Language
Metaphor:
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"while silence enfolded the world"
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"met their mist-veiled garden"
Symbolism:
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"At last, at last, my enemy!"
Personification:
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"Who would have my life an echo of your own faded life!"
Software Findings Reoccurring Words
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Daughter, Woman, Life, Gently, Mother, Spoke
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With these findings we can conclude that this piece is about a woman and her daughter who spoke about life.
Interpretation
My interpretation of "The Sleep-Walker" represents the relationship of a mother and daughter, or two loved ones. Although they love one another, they do not state their true feelings towards one another. They both feel as if they have sacrificed for each other. This shows how love and sacrifice go hand in hand. This poem illustrates the subconscious emotions behind everyday civility.
