Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

William DeWitt Snodgrass's poem "Lying Awake" presents a reflective and somewhat philosophical meditation on the behavior of a moth caught in a room, using the insect's struggle as a metaphor for broader existential concerns. The poem subtly weaves together themes of futility, obsession, and the human condition, all while maintaining a tone that is both contemplative and resigned.

The poem opens with the speaker describing a moth that has found its way into a room. The moth, "caught in the room tonight," manages to infiltrate the space "sniper-style, between / The rusty edges of the screen." This description evokes a sense of stealth and determination in the moth, as if it is engaged in a mission. The use of military imagery ("sniper-style") sets a tone of conflict or struggle, even in this seemingly trivial event. Once inside, the moth appears content to rest as long as the room remains illuminated: "Lay here, content, in some cornerhole." However, as darkness falls and the human occupants settle into bed, the moth becomes restless, "hurls himself at the blank wall," unable to find peace.

This restlessness, this compulsion to hurl itself at an unyielding surface, mirrors the behavior of the moths that "haunt / And climb my study windowpane" nightly. These moths are driven by a "blind fanatical drive," their "insane / Eyes gleam" as they relentlessly pursue light, even when it leads to their destruction. The poem hints at the moths' tragic flaw—an obsession with light that leads them to harm. The light, whether from a "cigar, headlamp or railway warning," is a lure that results in them "knock[ing] off your wings and starv[ing] by morning." Here, Snodgrass draws a parallel between the moth's futile pursuit of light and human obsessions or desires that may ultimately prove self-destructive.

The speaker questions the moth's behavior: "Why this blind fanatical drive / Indoors?" In nature, the moths have "a place / And proper work, furthering the race," but once indoors, their purpose becomes muddled, and they engage in seemingly irrational behavior. This can be seen as a metaphor for human beings who, when removed from their natural or intended roles, can become lost, driven by irrational desires or compulsions that lead to their detriment.

The poem takes a darker turn as the speaker ponders the moth's fears: "And what could a moth fear in the dark / Compared with what you meet inside?" This line suggests that the dangers or challenges the moth faces within the room—symbolized by the "fluorescent face / Of the clock"—are greater than those it would encounter in the natural world. The moth's behavior is thus a tragic irony; it seeks light, a symbol of safety or salvation, yet in doing so, it encounters only further peril.

In the final stanza, the speaker contemplates the possibility of intervening: "We'd ought to trap him in a jar, / Or come, like the white-coats, with a net / And turn him out toward living." This reflects a moment of empathy and a recognition of the moth's plight. However, the speaker and their companion ultimately choose inaction: "We don't; we take things as they are." This resigned acceptance suggests a broader commentary on human nature—a tendency to observe suffering or struggle without intervening, perhaps out of a sense of futility or inevitability.

"Lying Awake" is a poem that uses the small, seemingly inconsequential event of a moth trapped in a room to explore larger existential themes. The moth's relentless pursuit of light, despite the harm it brings, serves as a powerful metaphor for human obsessions and the often self-destructive paths they lead us down. Snodgrass's language is precise and evocative, capturing the tension between the moth's desperate actions and the speaker's detached contemplation. The poem leaves the reader with a sense of melancholy and reflection, prompting questions about the nature of desire, the inevitability of suffering, and the choices we make in response to the struggles we witness, both in ourselves and in others.

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