# Curtain explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Georgia Douglas Johnson.

## What happens

The poem reflects on the weariness of life and the struggle for happiness, contemplating the end of life as a release from a joyless journey, yet acknowledging the heart's rebellion against finality.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Resilience

The poem emphasizes the struggle and weariness of life, yet the persistence to continue until the end.

### The Passing of Time and Mortality

The imagery of folding hands, saying good-night, and creeping away behind the dark evokes the end of life and the passage of time.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The speaker reflects on the experience of living and the struggle to find happiness.

### Life

Life is portrayed as a weary, joyless way from dawn to dusk.

## Key lines

> When one has lived ’Tis not so hard To fold the hands, To say, “Good-night,” And creep away Behind the dark

After a full life, it is not difficult to accept death and quietly depart.

_The speaker suggests that death comes more easily after a long life._

> How eagerly we trail the light For crumbs of happiness we fend, And struggle, struggle⁠—to the end!

We desperately chase after small moments of joy and keep fighting until the very end.

_The poem highlights the human drive to seek happiness despite the struggle._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_9_se/chapters/curtain
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_9_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_9_se/chapters