Introduction: “Sweeney among the Nightingales” by T. S. Eliot
Written in June 1918, the poem “Sweeney among the Nightingales” By T. S. Eliot first appeared alongside “Mr. Eliot’s Sunday Morning Service” in the September 1918 issue of The Little Review. It was later included in Eliot’s 1919 collection Poems, published by Leonard and Virginia Woolf’s Hogarth Press. The poem is characterized by its ominous atmosphere, stark imagery, and complex allusions, contrasting the brutish figure of Sweeney with the delicate beauty of the nightingales. Its unique rhythm, rhyme scheme, and evocative language contribute to its haunting and enigmatic nature, making it a subject of ongoing critical analysis and interpretation.
Text: “Sweeney among the Nightingales” by T. S. Eliot
Apeneck Sweeney spread his knees
Letting his arms hang down to laugh,
The zebra stripes along his jaw
Swelling to maculate giraffe.
The circles of the stormy moon
Slide westward toward the River Plate,
Death and the Raven drift above
And Sweeney guards the hornèd gate.
Gloomy Orion and the Dog
Are veiled; and hushed the shrunken seas;
The person in the Spanish cape
Tries to sit on Sweeney’s knees
Slips and pulls the table cloth
Overturns a coffee-cup,
Reorganised upon the floor
She yawns and draws a stocking up;
The silent man in mocha brown
Sprawls at the window-sill and gapes;
The waiter brings in oranges
Bananas figs and hothouse grapes;
The silent vertebrate in brown
Contracts and concentrates, withdraws;
Rachel née Rabinovitch
Tears at the grapes with murderous paws;
She and the lady in the cape
Are suspect, thought to be in league;
Therefore the man with heavy eyes
Declines the gambit, shows fatigue,
Leaves the room and reappears
Outside the window, leaning in,
Branches of wistaria
Circumscribe a golden grin;
The host with someone indistinct
Converses at the door apart,
The nightingales are singing near
The Convent of the Sacred Heart,
And sang within the bloody wood
When Agamemnon cried aloud
And let their liquid siftings fall
Annotations: “Sweeney among the Nightingales” by T. S. Eliot
| Stanza | Text | Annotation |
| 1 | Apeneck Sweeney spread his knees Letting his arms hang down to laugh, The zebra stripes along his jaw Swelling to maculate giraffe. | Sweeney, a recurring character in Eliot’s work, is depicted with animalistic features, emphasizing his primal nature. The zebra and giraffe imagery suggests wildness and a lack of refinement. |
| 2 | The circles of the stormy moon Slide westward toward the River Plate, Death and the Raven drift above And Sweeney guards the hornèd gate. | The moon and River Plate evoke a sense of foreboding. Death and the Raven, traditional symbols of mortality and ill-omen, indicate impending doom. Sweeney is in a position of guarding or overseeing something ominous. |
| 3 | Gloomy Orion and the Dog Are veiled; and hushed the shrunken seas; The person in the Spanish cape Tries to sit on Sweeney’s knees | Orion and the Dog Star (Sirius) are veiled, suggesting obscured guidance or protection. The shrunken seas imply a lack of vitality. The person in the Spanish cape’s attempt to sit on Sweeney’s knees adds to the chaotic, uncomfortable atmosphere. |
| 4 | Slips and pulls the table cloth Overturns a coffee-cup, Reorganised upon the floor She yawns and draws a stocking up; | The person in the cape’s actions cause disorder, symbolized by the overturned coffee-cup. The mundane action of adjusting a stocking contrasts with the chaos, indicating a sense of careless indifference. |
| 5 | The silent man in mocha brown Sprawls at the window-sill and gapes; The waiter brings in oranges Bananas figs and hothouse grapes; | The silent man observes passively, detached from the commotion. The waiter’s introduction of exotic fruits suggests an artificial, decadent environment, contrasting with the natural chaos outside. |
| 6 | The silent vertebrate in brown Contracts and concentrates, withdraws; Rachel née Rabinovitch Tears at the grapes with murderous paws; | The silent man is now described as a “vertebrate,” reducing him to a basic biological entity. Rachel’s violent action of tearing at the grapes underscores the underlying aggression and tension. |
| 7 | She and the lady in the cape Are suspect, thought to be in league; Therefore the man with heavy eyes Declines the gambit, shows fatigue, | Rachel and the lady in the cape are seen as conspiratorial. The man with heavy eyes, perhaps Sweeney, avoids engagement, displaying weariness and disinterest in the unfolding drama. |
| 8 | Leaves the room and reappears Outside the window, leaning in, Branches of wistaria Circumscribe a golden grin; | The man exits and then reappears outside, creating a sense of voyeurism. The wistaria branches form a natural frame, contrasting with the artificiality inside. The golden grin suggests a sinister or ironic observation. |
| 9 | The host with someone indistinct Converses at the door apart, The nightingales are singing near The Convent of the Sacred Heart, | The host’s indistinct conversation indicates secrecy or ambiguity. The nightingales’ song near the convent contrasts with the grim setting, adding a layer of ironic sanctity. |
| 10 | And sang within the bloody wood When Agamemnon cried aloud And let their liquid siftings fall | The nightingales’ song is connected to a mythological reference to Agamemnon, adding historical weight and suggesting themes of betrayal and murder. Their “liquid siftings” falling evoke a sense of sorrow and inevitability. |
Literary And Poetic Devices: “Sweeney among the Nightingales” by T. S. Eliot
| Literary Device | Example (Line Number) | Explanation | Function |
| Alliteration | “Death and the Raven drift above” (7) | Repetition of the “d” sound at the beginning of words. | Creates a rhythmic effect and emphasizes the ominous atmosphere. |
| Allusion | “Agamemnon cried aloud” (28) | Reference to the Greek mythological figure Agamemnon. | Adds depth and layers of meaning by referencing a well-known story of betrayal and murder. |
| Assonance | “Gloomy Orion and the Dog / Are veiled” (9-10) | Repetition of the “o” sound in close proximity. | Enhances the poem’s musicality and creates a melancholic mood. |
| Consonance | “And let their liquid siftings fall” (29) | Repetition of the “l” sound within words. | Creates a smooth, flowing effect that contrasts with the harshness of the scene. |
| Enjambment | “Swelling to maculate giraffe” (4) | The sentence continues onto the next line without a pause. | Creates a sense of suspense and anticipation. |
| Imagery | “The zebra stripes along his jaw” (3) | Use of vivid and descriptive language to create a mental picture. | Appeals to the reader’s senses and makes the poem more engaging. |
| Irony | “The silent vertebrate in brown / Contracts and concentrates” (19-20) | The contrast between the animalistic description of the man and his seemingly intellectual behavior. | Creates a sense of humor and highlights the absurdity of the situation. |
| Metaphor | “Swelling to maculate giraffe” (4) | Comparison of Sweeney’s jaw to a spotted giraffe. | Creates a grotesque and unsettling image. |
| Metonymy | “The River Plate” (6) | Refers to Argentina, the country where the river flows. | Adds a geographical context and a sense of exoticism. |
| Personification | “Death and the Raven drift above” (7) | Human qualities (drifting) are attributed to abstract concepts (Death and the Raven). | Creates a sense of unease and foreboding. |
| Repetition | “The silent man in mocha brown” (17) | Repetition of a phrase. | Emphasizes the man’s silence and isolation. |
| Rhyme | “laugh” (2), “giraffe” (4) | Words at the end of lines that have the same ending sound. | Creates a musical effect and a sense of structure. |
| Symbolism | “The nightingales are singing near / The Convent of the Sacred Heart” (25-26) | The nightingales symbolize beauty and innocence, contrasting with the dark and violent undertones. | Adds depth and layers of meaning to the poem. |
| Synecdoche | “The person in the Spanish cape” (11) | A part (cape) is used to represent the whole person. | Adds an element of mystery and intrigue. |
Themes: “Sweeney among the Nightingales” by T. S. Eliot
- Animalistic Imagery and Primal Nature: Throughout the poem, Eliot employs vivid animal imagery to depict the characters, particularly Sweeney, as embodying primal and untamed qualities. Sweeney is described with “zebra stripes along his jaw / Swelling to maculate giraffe,” likening him to wild animals known for their distinctive patterns and suggesting a lack of human refinement. This imagery not only underscores Sweeney’s raw, instinctual nature but also critiques societal norms and the veneer of civilization. The portrayal of Sweeney as a figure guarding the “hornèd gate” amidst references to death and ominous celestial movements aligns him with a primal, almost mythic role in the poem’s chaotic universe.
- Existential Despair and Fragmented Reality: The poem explores themes of existential despair and a fragmented, disordered reality. This is evident in the disjointed scenes and characters, such as the person in the Spanish cape causing chaos by overturning a coffee-cup and Rachel tearing at grapes with “murderous paws.” These actions symbolize a world where individuals are disconnected from each other and from a coherent sense of purpose or meaning. The chaotic atmosphere, exacerbated by veiled constellations and hushed seas, suggests a universe in which traditional symbols of guidance and stability offer no solace, leaving characters adrift in a surreal and unsettling landscape.
- Social Alienation and Isolation: Eliot portrays a sense of social alienation and isolation among the characters in the poem. The silent man in mocha brown, described as a “silent vertebrate,” represents a withdrawn and passive observer amidst the unfolding drama. His detachment mirrors a broader theme of individuals who are physically present but emotionally and socially disconnected. The suspicion surrounding Rachel and the lady in the cape, thought to be in league and seen as suspects, highlights a pervasive sense of distrust and social fragmentation. This theme underscores Eliot’s critique of modern urban life, where individuals coexist in close proximity yet remain isolated and suspicious of each other’s intentions.
- Mythological and Symbolic Resonances: The poem interweaves mythological and symbolic references to deepen its thematic exploration. References to Orion and the Dog Star, veiled and absent from their traditional roles as celestial guides, evoke a sense of cosmic disorder and lost direction. The nightingales singing near the Convent of the Sacred Heart, along with allusions to Agamemnon and the “bloody wood,” invoke historical and mythological echoes of tragedy and betrayal. These references enrich the poem’s thematic tapestry, suggesting that the characters’ fragmented realities and existential angst resonate with timeless and universal human experiences.
Literary Theories and “Sweeney among the Nightingales” by T. S. Eliot
| Literary Theory | Reference from the Poem | Critique and Analysis |
| 1. Modernism | “The circles of the stormy moon / Slide westward toward the River Plate,” (Lines 5-6) | Critique: Modernist literature often explores fragmentation, disillusionment, and a sense of alienation. Eliot’s poem reflects these themes through its disjointed scenes, fragmented characters, and surreal imagery. The poem’s portrayal of a chaotic and disordered reality critiques modern society’s loss of traditional values and stability. |
| 2. Symbolism | “Branches of wistaria / Circumscribe a golden grin;” (Lines 29-30) | Critique: Symbolism emphasizes the use of symbols to represent abstract ideas or concepts. Eliot employs symbols like the wistaria branches and the golden grin to convey deeper meanings. The wistaria branches framing a golden grin outside the window symbolize a juxtaposition of natural beauty and artificiality, suggesting hidden meanings or ironic observations about the characters’ actions and surroundings. |
| 3. New Criticism | “The nightingales are singing near / The Convent of the Sacred Heart,” (Lines 25-26) | Critique: New Criticism focuses on close reading of the text, emphasizing internal coherence and the interaction of literary devices. The mention of nightingales near the convent symbolizes a juxtaposition of purity and innocence with the chaotic and morally ambiguous actions of the characters. This contrast underscores the poem’s exploration of existential despair and societal fragmentation. |
Critical Questions about “Sweeney among the Nightingales” by T. S. Eliot
- What is the significance of the contrast between Sweeney and the nightingales in the poem?
- The stark contrast between the brutish figure of Sweeney and the delicate beauty of the nightingales serves to highlight the tension between the mundane and the sublime, the physical and the spiritual. Sweeney, with his “zebra stripes” and “maculate giraffe” imagery, is presented as a grotesque figure, embodying the baser instincts of humanity. The nightingales, on the other hand, with their “liquid siftings” and association with the Convent of the Sacred Heart, represent a higher realm of beauty and transcendence. This juxtaposition forces the reader to confront the duality of human nature and the potential for both violence and grace.
- How does Eliot use allusions to mythology and literature to enrich the poem’s meaning?
- Eliot weaves a tapestry of allusions to Greek mythology (Agamemnon), the Bible (the raven), and Shakespeare (the “horned gate” possibly referencing Othello) throughout the poem. These allusions create a sense of historical and cultural depth, connecting Sweeney’s sordid world to a larger narrative of human suffering and redemption. They also invite the reader to consider the poem within a broader context of Western literature and thought, adding layers of complexity and interpretation.
- What role does setting play in establishing the poem’s atmosphere and tone?
- The poem’s setting, a seedy bar populated by dubious characters, contributes to its ominous and foreboding atmosphere. The “stormy moon,” “shrunken seas,” and “wistaria” create a sense of unease and impending doom. The juxtaposition of this sordid environment with the nightingales’ song further amplifies the tension between the profane and the sacred, the mundane and the transcendent.
- How does the poem’s ambiguous ending contribute to its overall impact?
- The poem ends abruptly, leaving the reader with a sense of unresolved tension and uncertainty. The nightingales’ song, which began as a symbol of beauty and hope, is now associated with the “bloody wood” and the murder of Agamemnon. This ambiguous conclusion leaves room for multiple interpretations and encourages the reader to grapple with the poem’s complex themes of violence, betrayal, and the fragility of human existence. The open-endedness also reflects the fragmented nature of modern life, where meaning is often elusive and ambiguous.
Literary Works Similar to “Sweeney among the Nightingales” by T. S. Eliot
- “The Waste Land” by T. S. Eliot: Similarity: Both poems explore fragmented modern existence through surreal imagery and allusions to myth and history.
- “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T. S. Eliot: Similarity: Like “Sweeney among the Nightingales,” it delves into urban alienation and existential angst through fragmented scenes and introspective monologue.
- “The Hollow Men” by T. S. Eliot: Similarity: Both poems reflect on disillusionment and spiritual emptiness in a fragmented, post-World War I world.
- “The Snow Man” by Wallace Stevens: Similarity: Stevens’ poem, like Eliot’s, explores existential themes and the nature of perception through stark, imagistic language.
- “The Second Coming” by W. B. Yeats: Similarity: Both poems use apocalyptic imagery and symbolism to critique contemporary society and explore themes of chaos and decay.
Suggested Readings: “Sweeney among the Nightingales” by T. S. Eliot
- Crawford, Robert. The Savage and the City in the Work of T.S. Eliot. Clarendon Press, 1987.
- North, Michael. The Political Aesthetic of Yeats, Eliot, and Pound. Cambridge University Press, 1991.
- Reeves, Garret. A Map of T.S. Eliot’s “Sweeney among the Nightingales”. https://publicdomainreview.org/
- Williamson, George. A Reader’s Guide to T.S. Eliot: A Poem-by-Poem Analysis. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1966.
Representative Quotations of “Sweeney among the Nightingales” by T. S. Eliot
| Quotation | Context | Theoretical Perspective |
| 1. “Apeneck Sweeney spread his knees / Letting his arms hang down to laugh,” | Opening lines describing Sweeney’s physicality and demeanor. | Modernism: Emphasizes the portrayal of individual experience and the alienation of the modern individual. Eliot uses fragmented imagery to depict Sweeney’s primal nature, reflecting the fragmentation of modern existence. |
| 2. “The circles of the stormy moon / Slide westward toward the River Plate,” | Describes celestial movements amidst ominous imagery. | Symbolism: Focuses on using symbols to convey deeper meanings. The stormy moon symbolizes foreboding and the River Plate represents a distant and perhaps unreachable destination, reflecting existential themes of disorientation and uncertainty. |
| 3. “The silent vertebrate in brown / Contracts and concentrates, withdraws;” | Describes a passive observer amidst chaotic actions. | New Criticism: Analyzes internal coherence and literary devices. The silent vertebrate symbolizes detachment and withdrawal, contrasting with the chaotic environment and emphasizing the poem’s exploration of social alienation. |
| 4. “Rachel née Rabinovitch / Tears at the grapes with murderous paws;” | Portrays Rachel’s aggressive action in the midst of social tension. | Feminist Criticism: Focuses on gender roles and power dynamics. Rachel’s portrayal challenges traditional gender expectations, highlighting aggression and asserting a disruptive presence within the narrative. |
| 5. “And sang within the bloody wood / When Agamemnon cried aloud” | Alludes to mythical and historical references, adding depth to the poem. | Historical Criticism: Examines literary texts in their historical context. The reference to Agamemnon’s cry in the bloody wood connects the poem to broader themes of tragedy and betrayal, echoing historical and mythological narratives. |