Suicide
William Ernest Henley
1849 to 1903
Staring corpselike at the ceiling,
See his harsh, unrazored features,
Ghastly brown against the pillow,
And his throat—so strangely bandaged!
Lack of work and lack of victuals,
A debauch of smuggled whisky,
And his children in the workhouse
Made the world so black a riddle
That he plunged for a solution;
And, although his knife was edgeless,
He was sinking fast towards one,
When they came, and found, and saved him.
Stupid now with shame and sorrow,
In the night I hear him sobbing.
But sometimes he talks a little.
He has told me all his troubles.
In his broad face, tanned and bloodless,
White and wild his eyeballs glisten;
And his smile, occult and tragic,
Yet so slavish, makes you shudder!
William Ernest Henley's Suicide
Introduction
William Ernest Henley's poem "Suicide" presents a haunting portrayal of human despair and the thin line between life and death. This powerful piece, written in the late 19th century, offers a stark glimpse into the depths of human suffering and the societal issues that can drive an individual to contemplate ending their own life. Through a careful analysis of the poem's structure, imagery, and thematic elements, we can uncover the layers of meaning embedded within Henley's work and explore its relevance to both its historical context and our contemporary understanding of mental health and social welfare.
Historical Context and Henley's Background
To fully appreciate the nuances of "Suicide," it is crucial to consider the historical and personal context in which Henley wrote. The late Victorian era was a time of significant social and economic upheaval, with rapid industrialization leading to widespread poverty and displacement for many working-class individuals. Henley himself was no stranger to hardship, having suffered from tuberculosis of the bone from a young age and undergone numerous surgeries, including the amputation of one of his legs.
Henley's experiences with physical pain and disability likely informed his compassionate yet unflinching portrayal of human suffering in "Suicide." His intimate knowledge of hospital environments and the struggle to maintain hope in the face of adversity lends an authenticity to the poem's depiction of a man at his lowest point.
Structure and Form
The poem consists of twenty-two lines arranged in a single stanza, creating a sense of claustrophobia and unrelenting focus on the subject matter. This structural choice mirrors the confined mental state of the poem's protagonist, trapped within his own despair and the physical limitations of his hospital bed.
Henley employs a loose rhyme scheme and irregular meter, which contributes to the unsettling atmosphere of the piece. The lack of a consistent rhythmic pattern reflects the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the man's thoughts and emotions. This structural instability also serves to keep the reader off-balance, mirroring the precarious state of the subject's life.
Imagery and Sensory Details
"Suicide" is rich with vivid and often disturbing imagery that brings the scene to life with startling clarity. The opening lines, "Staring corpselike at the ceiling, / See his harsh, unrazored features," immediately establish a sense of lifelessness and neglect. The use of the word "corpselike" is particularly potent, suggesting that the man has already crossed a threshold into a death-like state, despite still being alive.
The description of the man's throat as "so strangely bandaged" hints at the failed suicide attempt without explicitly stating it, leaving the reader to infer the grim details. This subtlety in describing the physical evidence of the man's actions adds to the overall sense of unease permeating the poem.
Henley's attention to color and contrast is also noteworthy. The man's features are described as "Ghastly brown against the pillow," creating a sickly, almost decaying image. Later, the "broad face, tanned and bloodless" with "White and wild" eyeballs presents a striking visual contrast that emphasizes the man's altered state of being.
Thematic Analysis
Social Commentary
One of the poem's central themes is the critique of societal failures that can drive an individual to contemplate suicide. Henley pointedly mentions "Lack of work and lack of victuals" as contributing factors to the man's despair. This reference to unemployment and hunger speaks to the broader issues of poverty and economic instability that plagued many during the Victorian era.
The mention of "his children in the workhouse" is particularly poignant, highlighting the harsh realities faced by the working class and the devastating impact of family separation. Workhouses were notorious institutions that often subjected their inhabitants to cruel conditions, and the knowledge that his children are in such a place adds another layer to the man's anguish.
The Role of Addiction
Henley introduces another complicating factor in the line "A debauch of smuggled whisky," suggesting that alcohol addiction plays a role in the man's downward spiral. This detail adds complexity to the character's struggles, hinting at the interplay between societal pressures, personal choices, and the escapism offered by substance abuse.
The Fragility of the Human Psyche
Throughout the poem, Henley explores the vulnerability of the human mind when faced with overwhelming adversity. The line "Made the world so black a riddle / That he plunged for a solution" encapsulates the sense of hopelessness and confusion that can lead to suicidal thoughts. The use of the word "riddle" implies that the man sees his problems as unsolvable through conventional means, leading him to seek a permanent "solution" through suicide.
Shame and Aftermath
The latter part of the poem shifts focus to the aftermath of the failed suicide attempt. Henley captures the complex emotions of survival with lines like "Stupid now with shame and sorrow, / In the night I hear him sobbing." This portrayal of shame and regret adds depth to the character, moving beyond the moment of crisis to explore the long-term psychological impact of a suicide attempt.
Narrative Perspective and Empathy
An intriguing aspect of "Suicide" is its narrative perspective. The poem is told from the point of view of an observer, likely another patient or perhaps a medical professional, who has become privy to the man's story. This choice of perspective allows Henley to present the scene with a mix of detachment and empathy.
The line "He has told me all his troubles" suggests a level of intimacy and trust between the narrator and the subject. This shared confidence humanizes the man, transforming him from a mere object of observation to a fully realized individual with a complex history.
Symbolism and Deeper Meanings
Several elements in the poem carry symbolic weight. The "edgeless" knife that the man uses in his attempt can be seen as a metaphor for the ineffectuality of his efforts to change his circumstances. Despite the knife's dullness, he was still "sinking fast towards one [solution]," emphasizing the depth of his desperation.
The final lines of the poem are particularly laden with symbolism:
"And his smile, occult and tragic, Yet so slavish, makes you shudder!"
This description of the man's smile as both "occult and tragic" and "slavish" suggests a complex interplay of emotions. The smile might represent a mask worn to hide his inner turmoil, or perhaps a grim acceptance of his fate. The use of "occult" implies something hidden or mysterious, while "slavish" could suggest a loss of free will or a submission to circumstances beyond his control.
Conclusion
William Ernest Henley's "Suicide" is a masterful exploration of human suffering, social inequality, and the thin line between life and death. Through its vivid imagery, nuanced characterization, and unflinching examination of difficult themes, the poem invites readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the human condition and the societal factors that can drive individuals to despair.
The poem's relevance extends beyond its Victorian context, speaking to contemporary concerns about mental health, addiction, and social welfare. Henley's compassionate yet unsentimental portrayal of a man in crisis serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy and social support in preventing tragedy.
Ultimately, "Suicide" stands as a testament to Henley's skill as a poet and his deep understanding of human nature. By bringing us face to face with the raw reality of a suicide attempt and its aftermath, Henley challenges us to reflect on our own attitudes towards those in crisis and the societal structures that can either support or fail those most in need.