Dungeon
Dungeon - meaning Summary
Selfhood Imprisoned by Reputation
The poem describes a speaker who has built a protective public identity—a rising wall around a name—that has become a dungeon for the self. Pride and constant maintenance of that facade keep holes from showing, but the effort alienates the speaker from inner truth. The central image shows how self-construction and reputation can trap and obscure authentic being.
Read Complete AnalysesHe whom I enclose with my name is weeping in this dungeon. I am ever busy building this wall all around; And as this wall goes up into the sky day by day I lose sight of my true being in its dark shadow. I take pride in this great wall, and I plaster it with dust and sand lest a least hole should be left in this name; and for all the care I take I lose sight of my true being.
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