TABARAK PRIVATE SCHOOL

GRADE 12 BILINGUAL
ENGLISH LANGUAGE HANDOUTS
LINES WRITTEN IN THE REALIZATION THAT I MUST DIE by Robert Ervin Howard

The Black Door gapes and the Black Wall rises;

Twilight gasps in the grip of Night.
Paper and dust are the gems man prizes –
Torches toss in my waning sight.

Drums of glory are lost in the ages, 5

Bare feet fail on a broken trail –
Let my name fade from the printed pages;
Dreams and visions are growing pale.

Twilight gathers and none can save me.

Well and well, for I would not stay: 10
Let me speak through the stone you gave me:
He never could say what he wished to say.

Why should I shrink from the sign of leaving?

My brain is wrapped in a darkened cloud;
Now in the Night are the Sisters weaving 15
For me a shroud.

Towers shake and the stars reel under,

Skulls are heaped in the Devil’s fane;
My feet are wrapped in a rolling thunder,
Jets of agony lance my brain. 20

What of the world that I leave for ever?

Phantom forms in a fading sight –
Carry me out on the ebon river
Into the Night.

TPS English Language Handouts Prepared by T.P.Muneer

1
A summary and brief analysis of the poem

This is part of a lengthy and complicated poem that uses a great deal of imagery,
symbolism and literary references. However, essentially it is a poem about the
inevitability of death, and how we should prepare for it and meet it when it is our time
to leave this world.

The poet uses a warrior as a narrator for his poem, teaching us through this fearless
fighter that we should not fear death. Howard makes various references to things we
might hold as valuable, but he does this to illustrate how everything will eventually
crumble to dust. He wants to remind us to focus on those things which matter and
which will endure. These are our actions and the legacy we leave behind for the next
generation.

There is a tone of defiance throughout the poem to reveal how fearlessly the warrior
faces his approaching death. He does not regret the “glory” that is “lost in the ages” nor
his “name [fading] from the printed pages”. He is realistic and admits that “none can
save [him]”, but he has no regrets for he “would not stay”. In fact, he seems relieved
that “the Sisters” (Fate) are “weaving / For [him] a shroud” because his time has come
and his suffering can now end.

The poet makes effective use of metaphors that not only intrigue but also capture the
reader’s imagination. The “Black Door” refers to the abyss of death; the “Black Wall” is
the unknown Hereafter. “Paper and dust” symbolise money and possessions which will
eventually amount to nothing. The reference to “Bare feet fail on a broken trail”
conjures an image of courage and determination in the face of great obstacles. The poet
refers to “feet ... wrapped in a rolling thunder” and “Jets of agony”, both very powerful
and vivid metaphors of suffering and pain. However, the images these metaphors evoke
are all vivid, visceral and memorable.

There is also a beautiful symmetry to the poem, with the first and last stanzas having
echoes of each other. Both stanzas refer to “Night”; both have images of darkness with
the references to “Twilight” and “ebon”. Both stanzas speak of the warrior’s vision
becoming blurry – “waning sight” (Stanza 1) and “fading sight” (stanza 6).

The poem also makes intriguing and obscure references, which seem to belong to the
warrior’s mysterious past. These are the references to “the stone you gave me”, “He
never could say what he wished to say” and “Towers shake”. The mysterious “Devil’s
fane” is impressive in both its originality and effect, especially since it is used with the
idea of “Skulls heaped” in great mounds. In this context, the “fane” then means a
workshop or huge cavern.

Even though the poem seems harsh and unrelenting, there is a strong sense of victory
and conquest present throughout the poem. This is because the speaker is never
TPS English Language Handouts Prepared by T.P.Muneer

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daunted; in fact, he is fearless and accepts his fate. He seems to have no regrets or
sorrows.

1. What would you say is the poet’s attitude towards death and dying? Explain.

The poet doesn’t fear death. He tries to tell his readers to live life in such a way
that we will not die with any regrets or fears. He reminds us that our wealth and
possessions, reputation and achievements will amount to nothing in the face of
death. All we will have is our courage and conviction that we have lived a life of
worth.

2. Describe the atmosphere of the poem. Refer to the poem to support your answer.

There is an atmosphere of determination, fearlessness and acceptance

throughout the poem. At no point does the speaker regret the fact that he must
die. He says, “Let my name fade from the printed pages”, which shows he
doesn’t fear being forgotten. He also questions, “Why should I shrink from the
sign of leaving?”, showing that he doesn’t fear death or dying.

3. Explain what image in the poem you liked the most, and why.

Students’ own answers.

4. Select any two symbols from the poem and explain what they represent.

“The Black Door” – Death or the entrance to death

“the Black Wall” – the Unknown or life after death
“Paper and dust” – wealth and possessions
“the Sisters’ – Fate
“the ebon river” – the River Styx of Greek mythology / the river of death

5. How does the vocabulary add to or detract from the poem’s impact on you?

The vocabulary adds to the poem’s effect, as the words are strong and reflect
the courage of the warrior. Words such as “gapes”, “gasps”, “waning sight”,
“drums of glory”, etc. all reflect the speaker’s courage and determination. The
vocabulary reflects the poet’s message that we should face our deaths with
honour, bravery and dignity.

TPS English Language Handouts Prepared by T.P.Muneer