My Sister's Sleep by Dante Gabriel Rossetti summary

 

My Sister's Sleep is a poignant poem by Dante Gabriel Rossetti that explores the theme of death and the emotions surrounding the loss of a loved one. 

 

She fell asleep on Christmas Eve:

At length the long-ungranted shade

Of weary eyelids overweigh'd

The pain nought else might yet relieve.

 

Our mother, who had lean'd all day

Over the bed from chime to chime,

Then rais'd herself for the first time,

And as she sat her down, did pray.

 

The speaker begins by stating that his sister fell asleep on Christmas Eve. The choice of the phrase "fell asleep" suggests a peaceful departure, but it also introduces the theme of sleep as a metaphor for death. The sister's sleep is described as a relief from a long-ungranted shade, possibly alluding to the pain or suffering that the sister endured before finding peace in death. The weariness of the sister is emphasized, and her eyelids are described as being overweighed, indicating the burden of fatigue and, perhaps, life's struggles. The sleep becomes a release from a pain that nothing else could alleviate. This pain may be physical, emotional, or spiritual.

The mother has been by the sister's bedside throughout the day, expressing a deep concern and care for the sister's well-being. The mother has been keeping vigil over the sister, possibly from one striking of the clock to another, emphasizing the passage of time and the prolonged anticipation of the sister's sleep. The mother, who has been sitting or leaning for a long time, finally stands up, indicating a change in the situation or a turning point. She engages in prayer. This suggests a moment of reflection, seeking solace or seeking divine intervention.

 

Her little work-table was spread

With work to finish. For the glare

Made by her candle, she had care

To work some distance from the bed.

 

Without, there was a cold moon up,

Of winter radiance sheer and thin;

The hollow halo it was in

Was like an icy crystal cup.

 

The mother's work-table is described, symbolizing her daily tasks and responsibilities. It contrasts with the solemn atmosphere of the sickroom. Despite the unpleasant situation , the mother continues with her work, possibly as a way to cope with the situation. The mother is mindful of the candle's glare and takes precautions to work at a distance from the bed, showing consideration for the sister's need. The mother is conscious of the need to create a peaceful environment for her sister's sleep by keeping her work at a distance.

The external environment is described, with a cold moon in the winter sky. The moon is described as having a pure and thin radiance, contributing to the imagery of a cold, clear winter night. The moon's light forms a hollow halo, possibly symbolizing an emptiness or a void. This may reflect the emotional emptiness felt by the family due to the sister's condition. The moon's halo is compared to an icy crystal cup, enhancing the imagery of coldness and fragility.

Through the small room, with subtle sound

Of flame, by vents the fireshine drove

And redden'd. In its dim alcove

The mirror shed a clearness round.

 

I had been sitting up some nights,

And my tired mind felt weak and blank;

Like a sharp strengthening wine it drank

The stillness and the broken lights.

 

The moonlight enters the room quietly, creating a subtle sound. This adds to the overall sense of calm and stillness in the atmosphere. The room is illuminated by the flame, and its light is directed through vents, creating a warm and comforting glow. The juxtaposition of the cold moonlight and the warm room adds depth to the atmosphere. The flame reddens the room, especially in its dim corner. The warm, reddish light contrasts with the cold moonlight, creating a visual and emotional contrast. The mirror in the room reflects and amplifies the warm light, spreading a clearness or brightness around.

The speaker reveals that he has been staying awake on some nights, possibly keeping vigil or struggling with his emotions. The speaker acknowledges his fatigue and the weariness of his mind, emphasizing the hard times he is undergoing. The stillness of the room and the broken lights seem to invigorate the speaker, using a simile that compares the experience to drinking a sharp and strengthening wine.  The stillness and the flickering or broken lights contribute to the sensory experience of the scene, emphasizing the contrast between quiet moments and intermittent disruptions.

 

Twelve struck. That sound, by dwindling years

Heard in each hour, crept off; and then

The ruffled silence spread again,

Like water that a pebble stirs.

 

Our mother rose from where she sat:

Her needles, as she laid them down,

Met lightly, and her silken gown

Settled: no other noise than that.

 

"Glory unto the Newly Born!"

So, as said angels, she did say;

Because we were in Christmas Day,

Though it would still be long till morn.

 

The striking of the clock at midnight is described, with the sound becoming a reminder of the passing years and the fleeting nature of time. The sound of the clock striking twelve diminishes and fades away. After the sound of the clock diminishes, a disturbing silence returns. The silence is compared to water that is disturbed by a pebble, creating ripples. This simile conveys the idea that the silence is unsettled or disturbed, possibly by the events in the room.

The mother, who has been sitting, stands up, signifying a change in her posture.  The mother puts down her needles. The mother's movements are described with delicate and light touches, emphasizing her gentleness and grace even in the midst of sorrow. The mother's silken gown settles quietly, and there is no other noise in the room at that moment. This silence underscores the solemnity of the situation.

 

The mother speaks, expressing glory and praise for the newly born. This exclamation may refer to the birth of Christ and the celebration of Christmas. The mother's words are similar to those of angels, suggesting a divine or spiritual quality in her expression. Her words are uttered on Christmas Day, emphasizing the significance of the occasion. Despite the celebration of Christmas, there is a recognition that it will be a long time until morning. This may allude to the waiting for a new day, possibly symbolizing hope and renewal.

Just then in the room over us

There was a pushing back of chairs,

As some who had sat unawares

So late, now heard the hour, and rose.

 

With anxious softly-stepping haste

Our mother went where Margaret lay,

Fearing the sounds o'erhead—should they

Have broken her long watch'd-for rest!

 

She stoop'd an instant, calm, and turn'd;

But suddenly turn'd back again;

And all her features seem'd in pain

With woe, and her eyes gaz'd and yearn'd.

 

The focus shifts to the room above, suggesting a change in the narrative perspective. There is a sound of chairs being pushed back in the room above. People in the room above were sitting without being aware of the time. Gradually they realize the lateness of the hour and rise from their seats.

The individuals above move with anxious and softly-stepping haste, suggesting a sense of urgency and concern. The mother, sensing the urgency above, goes to the room where Margaret (the sister) is resting. She is anxious about the sounds from above, concerned that they might disturb Margaret's long-awaited rest. The mother is worried that the sounds from above may have disrupted the peaceful rest.

 

The mother stoops momentarily, displaying a calm demeanor, and then turns away. Despite her initial turning away, the mother suddenly turns back. This sudden reversal suggests an inner conflict or a change in her emotional state. The mother's facial expressions convey pain and sorrow. Her features reflect the emotional turmoil she is experiencing. The mother's eyes express a deep longing or desire.

 

For my part, I but hid my face,

And held my breath, and spoke no word:

There was none spoken; but I heard

The silence for a little space.

 

Our mother bow'd herself and wept:

And both my arms fell, and I said,

"God knows I knew that she was dead."

And there, all white, my sister slept.

 

Then kneeling, upon Christmas morn

A little after twelve o'clock

We said, ere the first quarter struck,

"Christ's blessing on the newly born!"

 

The speaker hides his face, possibly unable to confront the emotional intensity of the scene. He remains silent, holding his breath, possibly overwhelmed by the gravity of the moment. While no words are spoken aloud, the speaker perceives the silence and the unspoken communication in the room. The poem emphasizes the weighty silence that lingers in the room.  

The mother, in a gesture of grief and sadness, bows herself and sheds tears. She fell down to  speaker's arms, expressing the sense of helplessness and despair. The speaker admits that he already knew of Margaret's death. The phrase "God knows" adds a tone of acceptance of the inevitable. The poem concludes with an image of the sister, peaceful in death, described as "all white." This visual representation signifies her purity and tranquility in eternal rest.

 

The scene shifts to Christmas morning, and the speaker describes kneeling, possibly in prayer. The mention of twelve o'clock again connects to the striking of the clock on Christmas Eve, completing the cycle of time. The speaker and others present utter words of blessing or prayer before the first quarter of the hour strikes. This may mark a symbolic moment of renewal or acknowledgment of divine grace. The poem ends with the expression of a blessing, invoking Christ's blessing on the newly born. This phrase ties back to the earlier reference to angels and the celebration of Christmas, providing a sense of hope and spiritual significance.