Evening is a time of day that holds a special place in English literature, serving as a backdrop for many iconic scenes and moments in some of the most celebrated works. From the romantic allure of twilight to the ominous feelings evoked by a setting sun, there are many ways that evening has been used to convey meaning and atmosphere in English literature.
One of the most common associations with evening in literature is the romantic allure of twilight. Many poets and novelists have used this time of day to create scenes of beauty and longing, evoking the wistful feelings that come with the end of the day. In the poem "Ode to a Nightingale," for example, John Keats writes: "Fade far away, dissolve, and quite forget / What thou among the leaves hast never known, / The weariness, the fever, and the fret / Here, where men sit and hear each other groan..."
However, evening is not always portrayed as a time of beauty and serenity. In many works of English literature, the setting sun creates a feeling of foreboding or even danger. This is particularly true in works of gothic literature, where the shadows and darkness of evening become a metaphor for the unknown and the unknowable. In Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," for example, the final confrontation between the monster and his creator takes place on a bleak, desolate ice field as night falls.
Evening can also be seen as a symbol of endings and closure, particularly when it is associated with the setting sun. In some works of literature, this can be a positive theme, suggesting the completion of a journey or the achieving of a goal. In William Faulkner's "The Sound and the Fury," for example, the final scene takes place as the sun is setting, with one of the main characters finally achieving a sense of peace and resolution. However, the setting sun can also be a symbol of death and finality, as in T.S. Eliot's "The Hollow Men," where the poem ends with the line: "This is the way the world ends / Not with a bang but a whimper."
Finally, evening can also be seen as a time of comfort and familiarity, particularly when it is associated with home and family. Many writers have used this theme to create scenes of warmth and domesticity, evoking the simple pleasures of a meal shared with loved ones or the comfort of a cozy fire on a chilly night. In Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," for example, one of the most memorable scenes takes place on Christmas Eve, as Scrooge enjoys a simple meal with his nephew's family and begins to rediscover the joys of human connection.
Overall, evening has been a rich and varied theme in English literature, serving as a symbol of beauty, danger, closure, and comfort. Whether used to evoke the mood of a particular scene, to symbolize a deeper meaning, or simply to create a sense of atmosphere, evening has played an important role in some of the greatest works of English literature throughout history.
