The Boy In The Rain

By Madison Julius Cawein

Sonnet
    Sodden and shivering, in mud and rain,     Half in the light that serves but to reveal     The blackness of an alley and the reel     Homeward of wretchedness in tattered train,     A boy stands crouched; big drops of drizzle drain     Slow from a rag that was a hat: no steel     Is harder than his look, that seems to feel     More than his small life's share of woe and pain.     The pack of papers, huddled by his arm,     Is pulp; and still he hugs the worthless lot....     A door flares open to let out a curse     And drag him in out of the night and storm.     Out of the night, you say? You know not what!     To blacker night, God knows! and hell, or worse!

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem presents a vivid and poignant depiction of urban poverty, centering on the figure of a destitute boy selling newspapers in a bleak, rainy alley. The atmosphere is one of despair and hardship, conveyed through stark imagery and a tone of profound sympathy. The boy is described in detail, with an emphasis on his ragged appearance, hardened gaze, and futile attempts to protect his unsold papers from the rain.

The poem is structured as a single, extended sentence, with the first eight lines (an octave) describing the scene and the remaining six lines (a sestet) revealing the boy's fate. This structure, typical of a Petrarchan sonnet, adds a sense of inevitability to the narrative. The poem also uses vivid imagery and metaphor—the boy's look being harder than steel, the papers becoming pulp—to underscore the harsh reality of his life. The final lines offer a jarring conclusion, suggesting that the boy's refuge from the storm is not a haven but, ominously, a "blacker night" and "hell, or worse." The poet thus emphasizes the grim irony of the boy's circumstances, in which escape from one form of suffering only leads to another. This poem is a powerful commentary on social injustice and the harsh realities of poverty.

Understanding the Sonnet

The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.

Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:

  • Shakespearean (English) Sonnet: Composed of three quatrains followed by a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This form often builds a complex argument or narrative, culminating in a powerful closing statement.
  • Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet: Divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with a typical rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA for the octave, followed by various patterns in the sestet such as CDECDE or CDCDCD. The octave usually presents a problem, with the sestet providing a resolution.
  • Meter: Sonnets are traditionally written in iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a rhythmic and melodic quality that enhances its emotional impact.

The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.