‘Love after Love’ is a poem about self-discovery and the poet is trying to say that there is a time in our lives when we come to realise what we really are and only at this point can we truly be happy. It is thought that the poet has maybe just ended a relationship and being in love has made him forget who he is. It is also thought that he is trying to say we are better off by ourselves therefore should only care for ourselves which is quite a negative message.
Both of these poets use various techniques such as imagery and language. In ‘This Room’ images of a building cracking are given which is a negative image because it represents the poet therefore it makes you think that it is her mental well-being that is cracking. This, however, is the only negative image in the poem. In the second stanza onwards it has positive images such as, ‘The bed is lifting out of its nightmares’ and ‘in celebration’ which are positive quotes that portray the poet’s happiness. Furthermore it says, ‘This is the time and place to be alive’ and the images are full of excitement. In the end of the poem it says,’ I’m wondering where I’ve left my feet and why my hands are clapping’. This gives the impression that she can’t contain herself and she is excited and joyful that she is finally free.
In ‘Love after Love’ there are images and other techniques used such as the poem being addressed to ‘you’ as though he’s giving advice to the reader and the tone is very happy and uplifting saying that ‘the latter years of life bring happiness.
The language is simple, direct and intimate and the positive images include: ‘You will love again the stranger who was yourself’ and ‘each will smile at the others welcome’. These are positive images because they sound like there will be a happy reunion after a long time however the poem as a whole can be seen as something written by someone selfish who only cares for himself. This gives it a negative aspect.
The author of ‘This Room’, Imtiaz Dharker was born in Pakistan and she believes that identity comes from beliefs and culture. ‘This Room’ might reflect this because it could be about what she believes in as the poem does mention how she values her freedom.
The poet of ‘Love after Love’, Derek Walcott was born in 1930 in St. Lucia where he grew up influenced by different cultural traditions (African and European). Many of his poems reflect this and it is possible that at some time in his life he experienced ending a relationship and realising that he was happier afterwards.