The Man with Night Sweats, Thom Gunn: Summary, Analysis & Themes

In The Man with Night Sweats, Thomas Gunn uses a first-person perspective to delve into the horrors of the AIDS epidemic, offering an intimate viewpoint. The speaker in the poem symbolizes all those Gunn lost to the disease during the 1980s, a time when the public had yet to fully grasp the extent of the crisis. Thousands perished, leaving a profound impact on the gay community that lasted for decades. While Gunn himself survived, living until 2004, he spent much of his life contemplating death and the significance of being one of the few to live into old age. This poem is just one of several he wrote on the subject.

The Man with Night Sweats By Thom Gunn

I wake up cold, I who
Prospered through dreams of heat
Wake to their residue,
Sweat, and a clinging sheet.

My flesh was its own shield:
Where it was gashed, it healed.

I grew as I explored
The body I could trust
Even while I adored
The risk that made robust,

A world of wonders in
Each challenge to the skin.

I cannot but be sorry
The given shield was cracked,
My mind reduced to hurry,
My flesh reduced and wrecked.

I have to change the bed,
But catch myself instead

Stopped upright where I am
Hugging my body to me
As if to shield it from
The pains that will go through me,

As if hands were enough
To hold an avalanche off.

'The Man with Night Sweats' Poem Summary

'The Man with Night Sweats' by Thom Gunn is a deeply emotional and powerful poem that delves into the personal experience of a man suffering from AIDS, exploring themes of isolation, pain, and the toll of the disease. Below is a breakdown of the poem’s content and meaning:

• Opening Scene: The poem opens with the speaker describing a scene of waking up in the middle of the night, drenched in sweat. The speaker is immediately aware of his physical condition and knows that he must get up and change the sheets.
• Brief Moment of Comfort: After changing the sheets, the speaker pauses for a moment, seeking to comfort himself. This brief period of solace, however, is fleeting as the physical pain begins to resurface.
• Physical Pain and Struggle: As the poem progresses, it becomes clear that the speaker is battling a constant, unrelenting pain. This struggle is hinted at but never explicitly stated as AIDS. The pain that the speaker endures is not just physical but also emotional, reflecting the hardships of living with a terminal illness.
• Allusion to AIDS: Though the speaker never directly names AIDS, the poem strongly alludes to it through descriptions of debilitating symptoms such as night sweats, fatigue, and a sense of isolation. This silent reference mirrors the way many individuals suffering from AIDS experienced stigma and fear, often unable or unwilling to openly discuss their condition.
• Isolation: The poem highlights the loneliness of the speaker’s experience. He seems to be alone in his suffering, indicating a deep sense of emotional and physical isolation. This loneliness intensifies the impact of the disease, making the suffering even more profound.
• Power of the Poem: Through its stark imagery and subtle narrative, the poem conveys not only the personal pain of the speaker but also the broader impact of AIDS on individuals, emphasizing the quiet, private battles many people face with this disease.

Ultimately, 'The Man with Night Sweats' uses the speaker’s personal experience to shed light on the larger struggles associated with AIDS, capturing the physical and emotional challenges that those affected endure. The poem offers a poignant reflection on suffering, isolation, and the human condition in the face of a devastating illness.

Themes in 'The Man with Night Sweats'

'The Man with Night Sweats' by Thom Gunn addresses several powerful themes, most notably illness, death, and solitude. The poet uses the first-person perspective to provide an intimate portrayal of an individual suffering from AIDS, delving deeply into the emotional and physical toll the disease takes on the speaker. Below are the key themes explored in the poem:

• Illness: The central theme of the poem is the speaker's battle with a debilitating illness, alluding to AIDS. This physical struggle is conveyed through vivid imagery, such as night sweats, fatigue, and the constant discomfort the speaker feels. The illness becomes a constant presence in the speaker's life, marking each moment with suffering and exhaustion.
• Death: Although the word "death" is never directly mentioned, it looms heavily over the poem. The speaker’s condition, the pain he endures, and his struggle with the night sweats all suggest an impending sense of mortality. The poem’s atmosphere is filled with the quiet realization that the speaker’s time is running out, though this is implied rather than openly acknowledged.
• Solitude: The theme of solitude runs throughout the poem, as the speaker endures his suffering alone. There is a distinct lack of comfort or assistance, with the speaker having to deal with his illness on his own. The loneliness he feels amplifies the emotional weight of his condition, making his battle with AIDS even more isolating and painful.
• Self-Comfort: In the face of his illness, the speaker attempts to comfort himself, seeking brief moments of solace. However, the self-comfort is ultimately fleeting, as the pain always returns. This reflects the struggle of managing an illness that cannot be easily eased or healed, highlighting the emotional toll of self-reliance in such a harsh circumstance.
• Silent Suffering: Another theme present in the poem is the silence of suffering. The speaker does not vocalize his pain or speak about his condition openly. The suffering is internal, and the isolation is compounded by the inability to communicate the pain. This silence reflects the stigma surrounding AIDS at the time and the emotional burden of living with the disease in isolation.

Through these themes, 'The Man with Night Sweats' paints a poignant and heart-wrenching picture of living with a terminal illness. The speaker’s experiences highlight the overwhelming isolation and suffering that accompany the disease, as well as the looming presence of death, all framed in a quiet, deeply personal narrative.

Structure and Form of 'The Man with Night Sweats'

'The Man with Night Sweats' by Thom Gunn is a structured, eight-stanza poem that follows a distinctive rhyme scheme and form. The form of the poem contrasts sharply with the chaotic and uncontrollable nature of the illness that the speaker is experiencing. Below is a breakdown of the poem’s structure and form:

• Stanza Length: The poem is divided into eight stanzas, with each stanza consisting of either two lines (couplets) or four lines (quatrains). This variation in stanza length adds to the dynamic nature of the poem, as the speaker’s thoughts and feelings fluctuate between brief, intense moments of reflection and longer, more expansive expressions of emotion.
• Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows a regular and consistent rhyme scheme of ABAB and CC throughout. The rhyme scheme is simple and provides a rhythmic structure that contrasts with the disordered experience of the speaker’s illness. The regularity of the rhyme offers a sense of stability and control, mirroring the speaker's attempts to impose order and meaning on the uncontrollable aspects of his suffering.
• Contrast with Illness: The structured nature of the rhyme scheme, with its predictable pattern, stands in stark contrast to the unpredictable and uncontrollable nature of the speaker’s illness. The speaker's condition is chaotic, painful, and beyond his control, while his words and the form in which they are presented are deliberate and controlled. This contrast between form and content highlights the emotional and physical turmoil the speaker faces, with the structure of the poem serving as an expression of his attempts to find some semblance of order amid the chaos.
• Form and Control: While the speaker cannot control his illness, the poem’s form reflects an effort to regain some sense of control over his circumstances. The use of rhyme and structure serves as a tool for the speaker to express his emotions in an organized way, despite the chaos of his physical and emotional state. It is as if the structure of the poem offers the speaker a way to contain his suffering and give voice to his experience in a controlled, orderly manner.

Through its structured form and rhyme scheme, 'The Man with Night Sweats' explores the tension between control and chaos, reflecting the speaker’s struggle with an illness that he cannot tame but attempting to find comfort in the order of language and form.

Literary Devices in 'The Man with Night Sweats'

'The Man with Night Sweats' by Thom Gunn employs a variety of literary devices that enhance the emotional and thematic depth of the poem. These devices help convey the speaker's internal struggle and the physical effects of illness. Below are some of the key literary devices used in the poem:

• Allusion: One of the most significant literary devices in the poem is allusion. Although the poet does not directly mention it, the poem alludes to the fact that the speaker is suffering from AIDS. This context is vital to understanding the poem's deeper meaning. Without the allusion to this illness, much of the emotional weight of the poem would be lost, as it explores themes of isolation, suffering, and mortality.
• Enjambment: Enjambment is a common poetic technique in which a sentence or phrase runs over from one line to the next without a pause or punctuation. This device contributes to the flow and rhythm of the poem, emphasizing the continuous and ongoing nature of the speaker's suffering. For example, the transition between lines one and two in the first stanza, as well as lines three and four in the third stanza, both illustrate enjambment. This technique creates a sense of urgency and prolongs the discomfort the speaker is experiencing.
• Caesurae: Another device employed by Gunn is caesurae, which refers to a pause or break within a line, often marked by punctuation. These pauses create a sense of stillness or interruption within the poem, mirroring the moments of helplessness and exhaustion experienced by the speaker. For instance, line two of the second stanza reads: “Where it was gashed, it healed,” with a noticeable pause between “gashed” and “it healed.” Similarly, in line four of the first stanza, “Sweat, and a clinging sheet,” the caesurae emphasizes the discomfort the speaker feels, highlighting the separation between the physicality of the sweat and the sensation of the sheet.

Through the use of these literary devices, 'The Man with Night Sweats' offers a more vivid and layered portrayal of the speaker’s emotional and physical torment. The allusion to AIDS adds an underlying context of loss, while enjambment and caesurae enhance the poem's pacing and emotional intensity, allowing the reader to experience the disorienting and painful reality of living with an incurable illness.

Stanza by Stanza Analysis of The Man with Night Sweats

Analysis of 'The Man with Night Sweats' - Stanza One

In the first stanza of 'The Man with Night Sweats' by Thom Gunn, the speaker introduces the reader to his physical and emotional state, providing an intimate perspective of his experience. The stanza begins with the speaker waking up in discomfort, signaling the beginning of his nightmarish ordeal. Let's break down the key elements of this stanza:

• First-Person Perspective: The speaker uses a first-person perspective, which invites the reader into his personal experience. This point of view creates a sense of intimacy, allowing the audience to feel the discomfort and isolation the speaker is enduring.
• Waking Up Cold: The phrase “I wake up cold” highlights the physical sensation of discomfort. This feeling of coldness contrasts with the “dreams of heat” that the speaker had been experiencing. The juxtaposition of cold and heat creates a stark contrast between the speaker's physical state and his previous mental state, emphasizing the disorientation caused by his illness.
• Recurring Experience: The speaker's reference to waking up cold and sweaty is not presented as a single, isolated event. The use of “I who” suggests this experience has happened before, indicating a repeated occurrence of these sweats. This implies that the speaker is suffering from an ongoing condition, rather than a temporary issue.
• Physical Discomfort: The speaker describes how the sweat from his body leaves a residue on the sheets, causing them to cling to his skin. This description conveys the uncomfortable, persistent nature of the illness. The clinging sheet acts as a metaphor for the burden the speaker carries, where his body and the physical symptoms of his illness are inseparable from his experience.

Through these lines, the reader is introduced to the physicality of the speaker's suffering. The imagery of coldness, sweat, and clinging sheets paints a vivid picture of the distress and discomfort the speaker faces. This stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, providing a window into the speaker’s ongoing struggle with his illness.

Analysis of 'The Man with Night Sweats' - Stanza Two

In the second stanza of 'The Man with Night Sweats' by Thom Gunn, the speaker reflects on the contrast between his past physical resilience and the present frailty brought on by his illness. The couplet consists of only two lines, but within them, the speaker encapsulates a significant shift in how he perceives his body. Let's break this down:

• Past Resilience: The speaker begins by stating, "My flesh was its own shield." This line alludes to a time when his body was strong and self-sufficient. The use of the past tense, “was”, suggests that the speaker once felt invulnerable, as if his physical body could protect itself from harm.
• Healing Ability: The next part, "Where it was gashed, it healed," reflects the natural ability of the body to recover from injuries. In this case, the speaker's flesh was resilient and could heal itself, a testament to the body's strength and regenerative power.
• Shift in Perception: However, the choice to use past tense (“was”) is critical. The speaker is now acknowledging that his body is no longer capable of protecting itself in the same way. This indicates a loss of physical autonomy, symbolizing the profound impact of the illness that has taken away his body’s natural ability to heal. His body, once self-sufficient, is now vulnerable.
• Symbolic Change: This shift represents more than just a physical change—it symbolizes the broader impact of illness on the speaker's sense of self. The body, once strong and independent, is now subject to forces beyond its control. The physical changes are mirrored in the emotional and psychological distress he experiences.

Through this brief yet impactful couplet, the speaker conveys the personal transformation he’s undergoing. The stark contrast between the past and present illustrates how the illness has stripped him of the strength he once took for granted. The use of “was” not only marks a change in his body but also signals the speaker’s recognition of his vulnerability, marking a pivotal moment in the poem.

Analysis of 'The Man with Night Sweats' - Stanza Three

The third stanza of 'The Man with Night Sweats' takes the speaker further back into his past, reflecting on a time when he had greater trust in his body and lived more freely. This stanza offers an intimate look at the speaker's previous relationship with his body and explores the risks he took. Let's break it down:

• Exploration of the Body: The speaker begins by stating, "I grew as I explored." This line suggests that the speaker's understanding and development were tied to his physical experiences. He used his body as a tool for exploration, learning and growing through these experiences.
• Trust and Adoration: The use of the phrase "adored it" implies a deep love and trust in his body. At this point, the speaker felt secure and connected to himself, able to rely on his body as a source of strength and freedom. He embraced it fully, indicating a period of youthful vitality and exploration.
• The Role of Risk: The speaker reflects on how taking risks made him "robust." The phrase "the risk that made robust" suggests that the speaker’s sense of self and strength was forged through engaging in risky behavior. These risks likely refer to his sexual experiences, which were marked by a sense of freedom and, possibly, a disregard for the dangers of unprotected sex.
• Historical Context: This idea of exploring and taking risks is also rooted in the historical context of the speaker’s life. The 1960s and 70s were marked by a sense of liberation and sexual exploration for many gay men. In this context, the risks the speaker refers to are not just physical but also emotional and social, as they were part of a larger cultural movement toward openness and self-expression.
• Alliteration and Sound: The poet uses alliteration in the last line of the stanza: "risk" and "robust." The repetition of the "r" sound creates a sense of harmony and rhythm, which reflects the speaker's energy and the vitality he felt in his body at that time. This sound also ties the two concepts of risk and strength together, reinforcing the idea that taking risks contributed to the speaker’s robustness.

This stanza represents a time in the speaker’s life when he felt empowered by his body and the risks he took. However, the mention of these "risks" subtly hints at the consequences that would later catch up with him, suggesting that these moments of freedom and exploration are now marked by a sense of regret or loss, as evidenced by his current suffering in the poem.

Analysis of 'The Man with Night Sweats' - Stanza Four

The fourth stanza of 'The Man with Night Sweats' explores how the speaker's intimate experiences have impacted him, emphasizing the transformation brought about through physical connection. Let's break it down:

• World of Wonders: The speaker describes the "world of wonders" that intimacy brought him. This phrase suggests that, through his sexual experiences, the speaker discovered new facets of himself and the world around him. It implies a sense of awe and discovery that came from these encounters.
• Intimacy as Transformation: The phrase "each challenge to the skin" suggests that every intimate experience was a test or a challenge to the speaker's physical and emotional boundaries. The skin, as the body's outermost layer, represents vulnerability and exposure. Each encounter pushed him to confront his own limits and discover more about his desires and self.
• Exploration and Growth: The idea of intimacy being a "challenge" also reflects how the speaker’s experiences were not just about pleasure but also personal growth. These challenges were opportunities for him to explore his body and mind in ways that contributed to his deeper understanding of life and his identity.

This stanza reflects a time when the speaker found both self-discovery and a deeper connection to the world through physical intimacy. However, this experience of transformation would eventually become clouded by the consequences of his past choices, adding complexity to the emotional landscape of the poem.

Analysis of 'The Man with Night Sweats' - Stanza Five

In the fifth stanza of 'The Man with Night Sweats', the speaker expresses regret and sorrow, reflecting on how his body and mind have been affected by illness. This stanza highlights the contrast between his past experiences and his current state. Let’s break it down:

• Regret and Sorrow: The line "I cannot but be sorry" indicates that the speaker feels regret for something that went wrong in his life. This could refer to his past actions or choices, particularly his past sexual behavior, which he now sees as having led to his illness. This expression of sorrow highlights the emotional weight of living with a life-altering disease like HIV/AIDS.
• Loss of Strength and Protection: The phrase “shield was cracked” is a metaphor for the speaker’s physical and emotional defenses being broken down. This shield represents the protection he once had, perhaps in terms of his health, vitality, and the sense of invulnerability he may have felt in his youth. The cracking of this shield symbolizes his exposure to the dangers of the world and the disease that now affects him.
• Physical Decline: The repetition of the word “reduced” emphasizes the drastic decline in the speaker’s physical condition due to the disease. His body has been diminished, both in strength and appearance, signifying the toll AIDS has taken on him. The use of “wrecked” further intensifies the image of destruction, conveying the irreversible damage that the disease has caused to his body.
• Contrast with Past Joy: Despite these feelings of loss and regret, the speaker is also able to look back on his past with a sense of fondness, remembering the love, freedom, and joy he once experienced. The juxtaposition of these contrasting emotions—regret for what has been lost and appreciation for what was once had—adds emotional depth to the stanza and the poem as a whole.

This stanza marks a turning point in the poem, as the speaker reflects on the dramatic change in his life caused by the disease. His sorrow is not just about the loss of his health, but also about the collapse of a life that once seemed full of freedom and possibility. The metaphorical language used here emphasize

Analysis of 'The Man with Night Sweats' - Stanzas Six and Seven

In Stanzas Six and Seven, Thom Gunn continues to explore the speaker’s physical and emotional suffering as he battles the effects of illness. Let’s break down these two stanzas:

• Changing the Bed: In the opening line of Stanza Six, the speaker mentions, "I have to change the bed." This indicates the severity of his physical condition, with the bed soaked in sweat due to his illness. This repetitive act symbolizes the ongoing struggle the speaker faces with his body’s response to AIDS, a condition that continues to affect him night after night.
• Hesitation and Self-Comfort: The speaker does not immediately change the sheets, but instead pauses: “But catch myself instead.” This moment of hesitation reveals the speaker’s vulnerability. Rather than immediately addressing the physical discomfort, he stops and holds himself. This pause suggests that the speaker is subconsciously seeking comfort, even though he is aware of the pain that awaits him. The physical act of holding himself can be seen as an attempt to shield or protect his own body from the overwhelming sensations of pain and exhaustion.
• Shielding from Pain: The gesture of hugging himself in Stanza Seven underscores a deeper emotional need for protection. The speaker "catches" himself from performing an action, instead engaging in an instinctual act of self-comfort. This pause represents a moment of emotional fragility, as he braces himself for the pain that is about to follow. The act of hugging his body becomes an intimate, protective gesture that contrasts with the physical alienation brought on by illness.
• Anticipation of Pain: The final part of Stanza Seven hints at the suffering to come: “The pains that will go through me.” This line reflects the speaker’s deep awareness of the pain that accompanies his condition. The anticipation of this pain seems inevitable, and it is a constant presence in the speaker’s life. The phrase "go through me" suggests that the pain is invasive, something the speaker cannot escape, reinforcing the sense of helplessness and isolation that pervades the poem.

In these two stanzas, the physical and emotional toll of AIDS is further emphasized through the speaker’s actions and reflections. The hesitation to change the sheets, the self-comforting gesture, and the anticipation of pain all contribute to the sense of isolation and vulnerability that marks the speaker’s experience. These stanzas convey both the physical reality of illness and the psychological effects it has on the speaker.

Analysis of 'The Man with Night Sweats' - Stanza Eight

In the final stanza of 'The Man with Night Sweats,' Thom Gunn delivers a powerful and emotional conclusion. Let's break down the key moments:

• Imagery of Hands: The speaker uses the metaphor of his hands, saying, "As if hands were enough / To hold an avalanche off." The image of trying to stop an avalanche with mere hands symbolizes the speaker’s futile attempt to protect himself from the overwhelming force of his illness. The avalanche represents the unstoppable nature of the pain, which is beyond his control. The image conveys how powerless the speaker feels in the face of his suffering, despite his best efforts to shield himself.
• Futility of Control: The word “if” in these lines is crucial, as it reveals the speaker’s awareness that no matter how hard he tries, he cannot prevent the pain. His hands, symbolic of his attempts to protect or control his situation, are inadequate against the "avalanche" of suffering. This reinforces the theme of helplessness, as the speaker understands that the pain will come, and there is no way to stop it. The idea that his hands are "enough" further emphasizes the futility of his struggle.
• Impending Doom: The reference to an avalanche also symbolizes the overwhelming and unstoppable nature of death itself. The speaker alludes to the inevitability of his own mortality, as the avalanche will continue until his life is claimed by the illness. The use of an "avalanche" suggests that the pain is not just a momentary struggle but something that will persist, culminating in the loss of life. This final image underscores the theme of death that runs throughout the poem, showing the speaker's acceptance of this unavoidable reality.
• Emotional Impact: The final lines bring the poem to an emotional and devastating conclusion. The speaker's helplessness and the inevitability of his suffering leave the reader with a poignant sense of loss and despair. The metaphor of the avalanche is a powerful way to convey the overwhelming force of pain and the speaker's inability to control or stop it. It’s a stark reminder of the harsh reality of illness and death, underscoring the emotional weight of the poem.

In this final stanza, Thom Gunn uses vivid imagery to capture the speaker's sense of helplessness and inevitability. The metaphor of the avalanche reflects the unstoppable nature of both the speaker’s pain and the looming presence of death. The speaker’s futile attempt to stop the avalanche with his hands leaves the reader with a profound sense of loss, both physical and emotional, as the poem comes to a close.

Similar Poetry to 'The Man with Night Sweats'

Readers who appreciated ‘The Man with Night Sweats’ by Thom Gunn may find resonance in the following poems, which explore similar themes of illness, suffering, and mortality:

• ‘Soon’ by Vikram Seth: This poem shares much in common with ‘The Man with Night Sweats.’ It portrays the thoughts of a man suffering from AIDS as he confronts his impending death. Like Gunn's speaker, Seth’s character grapples with the emotional and physical toll of the illness, making this poem a poignant exploration of mortality and the human condition.
• ‘Hymn to God, My God, in My Sickness’ by John Donne: Written from the perspective of a man on the brink of death, this poem reflects the speaker’s hopes of attaining heaven after death. Donne's speaker, much like Gunn's, wrestles with the reality of their impending demise, offering a meditative and spiritual reflection on life, death, and faith.
• ‘Rest’ by Jane Huffman: In this moving poem, Huffman explores the themes of sickness and pain, particularly focusing on the struggles of living with lung disease. The speaker describes the constant burden of pain and the desire for rest, similar to Gunn’s exploration of the suffering caused by illness in ‘The Man with Night Sweats.’

These poems provide further insight into the human experience of facing death and the emotional complexities of living with illness, much like Thom Gunn's ‘The Man with Night Sweats.’ Each poem offers a unique perspective on suffering, healing, and the inevitable end, making them valuable companions for readers interested in exploring these themes in greater depth.