The Dark
by James Carter
(Communication with Cambridge)
The Poem :
Why are we so afraid of the dark?
It doesn’t bite and doesn’t bark
Or chase old ladies round the park
Or steal your sweeties for a lark.
And though it might not let you see
It lets you have some privacy
And gives you time to go to sleep
Provides a place to hide or weep.
It cannot help but be around
When beastly things make beastly sounds
When back doors slam and windows creek
When cats have fights and voices shriek.
The dark is cosy, still and calm
And never does you any harm
In the loft, below the sink
It’s somewhere nice and quiet to think.
Deep in cupboards, pockets too
It’s always lurking out of view
Why won’t it come out till it’s night?
Perhaps the dark’s afraid of light.
Summary of the Poem :
In this stanza, the poet asks why people are afraid of the dark. He explains that the dark does not hurt anyone. It does not bite, bark, chase people, or steal anything. The poet shows that our fear of the dark is unnecessary.
This stanza explains that even though the dark makes it hard to see, it is helpful. The dark gives us privacy, helps us fall asleep, and gives us a quiet place where we can cry or hide peacefully.
In this stanza, the poet talks about scary sounds heard at night, like doors slamming, windows creaking, and animals fighting. He says these sounds happen at night, but they are not caused by the dark itself.
Here, the poet describes the dark as cosy, calm, and safe. He says it never harms anyone. The dark can be found in quiet places like the loft or under the sink, where one can sit and think peacefully.
In the final stanza, the poet says that the dark hides in cupboards and pockets and stays out of sight. He ends the poem humorously by suggesting that maybe the dark comes only at night because it is afraid of the light.
Understanding the Poem
A. Answer these questions. Discuss your answers with your teacher.
1. In the first stanza, the speaker compares our fear of the dark to a dangerous dog. Pick out the phrases that bring out this comparison.
Answer:
The phrases are:
“It doesn’t bite and doesn’t bark”
“Or chase old ladies round the park”
“Or steal your sweeties for a lark”
These phrases compare the dark to a dog that might bite, bark, or chase people.
2. What, according to the speaker, are the good points about the dark?
Answer:
According to the speaker, the good points about the dark are:
It gives us privacy
It helps us sleep
It gives us a quiet place to think
It allows us to hide or cry peacefully
It is calm, cosy, and harmless
B. Think and answer. Discuss your answers with your teacher.
Do you think the speaker likes the dark? Say why.
Answer:
Yes, the speaker likes the dark because he describes it as cosy, calm, and safe. He says it never harms anyone and helps people rest and think quietly.
C. Discuss in class.
1. What is your own experience of the dark?
Answer :
Sometimes I feel scared of the dark, but when I am in my room, it feels calm and quiet. It helps me sleep peacefully.
2. In what ways can the dark be a friend?
Answer:
The dark can be a friend because it helps us sleep, gives us privacy, keeps things calm, and gives us quiet time to think and rest.
Appreciation
Now, write the rhyme scheme of the other three stanzas of the poem.
Answer:
Second stanza rhyme scheme: BBBB
(see / privacy / sleep / weep)
Third stanza rhyme scheme: CCCC
(around / sounds / creek / shriek)
Fourth stanza rhyme scheme: DDDD
(calm / harm / sink / think)
Fifth stanza rhyme scheme: EEEE
(too / view / night / light)
Life Skills Activity
Work in groups of five and discuss what you feel about darkness. Does darkness scare you or does it intrigue you? You can use onometopoeic words or vivid imagery to talk about it.
Answer :
Darkness sometimes scares me because I cannot see clearly. But it also feels peaceful and quiet. At night, everything becomes calm, and it helps me relax and sleep.