Five O’Clock Shadow
By John Betjeman
This is the time of day when we in the Men’s ward
Think “one more surge of the pain and I give up the fight.”
When he who struggles for breath can struggle less strongly:
This is the time of day which is worse than night.A haze of thunder hangs on the hospital rose beds,
A doctors’ foursome out on the links is played,
Safe in her sitting-room Sister is putting her feet up:
This is the time of day when we feel betrayed.Below the windows, loads of loving relations
Rev in the car park, changing gear at the bend,
Making for home and a nice big tea and the telly:
“Well, we’ve done what we can. It can’t be long till the end.”This is the time of day when the weight of bedclothes
Is harder to bear than a sharp incision of steel.
The endless anonymous croak of a cheap transistor
Intensifies the lonely terror I feel.
Summary of Five O’Clock Shadow
- Popularity of “Five O’Clock Shadow”: The poem “Five O’Clock Shadow” was written by John Betjeman, a celebrated British poet known for his insightful observations of everyday life and social commentary. First appearing in his 1972 collection, John Betjeman’s Collected Poems, this poem offers a poignant and unsettling depiction of a patient’s experience in a hospital ward. It does not simply describe a physical setting but delves into the emotional landscape of illness, neglect, and the quiet desperation of those facing mortality.
- “Five O’Clock Shadow” as a Representative of the Situation in Hospitals: The poem offers a raw and honest portrayal of a patient’s musings from his hospital bed. He contemplates the point where pain overwhelms his will to fight, recognizing the approaching end. The speaker is acutely aware of the seemingly carefree lives of those around him – doctors enjoying a round of golf, a nurse relaxing, and visiting relatives returning home to their ordinary routines. This contrast underscores the feeling of abandonment and the patient’s sense of being forgotten. The final stanza reveals a deepening sense of isolation, where even basic comfort – the weight of bedclothes – feels unbearable, and the monotonous sound of a transistor radio amplifies his terror.
- Major Themes in “Five O’Clock Shadow”: Helplessness, the apathy of others, and the isolating loneliness of the seriously ill are central themes in the poem. Betjeman begins by highlighting the profound feeling of helplessness experienced by patients who feel neglected by those entrusted with their care. The poem also examines the emotional distance between the sick and their loved ones, suggesting that even those who visit may feel powerless or uncomfortable, leading to a quiet detachment. Ultimately, “Five O’Clock Shadow” is a meditation on mortality, the fear of being forgotten, and the search for meaning in the face of suffering.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in Five O’Clock Shadow
Literary and poetic devices are tools that writers use to enhance their work, adding layers of meaning and emotional resonance. Let’s explore how Betjeman employs these techniques in “Five O’Clock Shadow.”
- Assonance: Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds within words, creates a musicality that subtly enhances the poem’s atmosphere. For example, in the line “When he who struggles for breath can struggle less strongly,” the repeated short ‘e’ sound in ‘he,’ ‘he,’ and ‘less’ creates a sense of weariness and labored breathing.
- Alliteration: Alliteration, the repetition of initial consonant sounds, adds emphasis and memorability. Notice the repetition of the ‘s’ sound in “Safe in her sitting-room Sister,” drawing attention to the nurse’s comfortable detachment from the patients’ suffering.
- Comparison/Contrast: The poem effectively uses comparison and contrast to highlight the patient’s emotional state. The line “This is the time of day which is worse than night” is a direct comparison that emphasizes the depth of the patient’s despair. Night is typically associated with fear and darkness, but Betjeman suggests that this time of day in the hospital ward is even more dreadful.
- Consonance: Consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds within words, contributes to the poem’s sonic texture. The repeated ‘r’ and ‘s’ sounds in “A doctors’ foursome out on the links is played” mimic the sound of golf clubs and add a layer of irony, contrasting the doctors’ leisure with the patient’s suffering.
- Enjambment: Enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next, creates a sense of fluidity and momentum. For example:
- Imagery: Betjeman masterfully uses imagery to evoke a strong sensory experience for the reader. Phrases like “a haze of thunder hangs on the hospital rose beds” and “the weight of bedclothes is harder to bear than a sharp incision of steel” create vivid pictures in the mind, allowing us to feel the patient’s physical and emotional discomfort.
- Metaphor: While not explicitly stated, the entire poem operates as an extended metaphor for the feelings of abandonment and isolation experienced by the seriously ill. The “five o’clock shadow” itself can be seen as a metaphor for the encroaching darkness of death.
- Personification: The poem subtly personifies the transistor radio, describing its “croak” as if it were a living creature. This contributes to the sense of claustrophobia and reinforces the patient’s feelings of loneliness.
- Symbolism: Several elements in the poem carry symbolic weight. The hospital rose beds, while beautiful, represent a sterile and artificial environment, highlighting the disconnect between the natural world and the patient’s confined existence. The doctor’s golf game symbolizes their detachment from the suffering within the hospital walls.
This is the time of day when the weight of bedclothes
Is harder to bear than a sharp incision of steel.
The endless anonymous croak of a cheap transistor
Intensifies the lonely terror I feel.
The lack of punctuation at the end of each line forces the reader to continue, mirroring the patient’s relentless struggle with pain and fear.
Analysis of Poetic Form and Technique
Beyond the individual literary devices, understanding the poem’s form and structure enhances our appreciation of Betjeman’s craft.
- Diction: Betjeman’s diction is deliberate and precise, blending everyday language with subtle poetic nuances. The use of seemingly ordinary words creates a sense of realism, while the carefully chosen imagery and metaphors add layers of meaning. The overall tone is somber and melancholic, reflecting the poem’s themes of suffering and mortality.
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows an ABCB rhyme scheme in each stanza. This relatively simple rhyme scheme creates a sense of predictability and musicality, but it also allows Betjeman to subtly disrupt expectations and emphasize certain words or phrases.
- Stanza Form: The poem is comprised of four quatrains (four-line stanzas). This structure provides a sense of order and containment, but it also contributes to the poem’s overall sense of claustrophobia.
- Repetition: The recurring phrase “This is the time of day” acts as a refrain, emphasizing the poem’s central theme of temporal awareness. It reminds us that this particular moment – the fading light of afternoon – is particularly fraught with meaning for the patient.
Quotes for Teaching and Discussion
The following lines from “Five O’Clock Shadow” are particularly impactful and can be used to spark meaningful discussions about themes of compassion, neglect, and the human condition.
Below the windows, loads of loving relations
Rev in the car park, changing gear at the bend,
Making for home and a nice big tea and the telly:
“Well, we’ve done what we can. It can’t be long till the end.”
These lines poignantly capture the bittersweet reality of visiting loved ones in the hospital. The image of the departing relatives returning to their ordinary lives contrasts sharply with the patient’s impending mortality, raising questions about the nature of care and the limitations of human compassion. This quote can be used to encourage students to reflect on the challenges faced by both patients and their families in times of illness.