Question

In visions of the dark night

I have dreamed of joy departed—
But a waking dream of life and light
Hath left me broken-hearted.

Ah! what is not a dream by day
To him whose eyes are cast
On things around him with a ray
Turned back upon the past?

Why does the poem use the paradox of the speaker being broken-hearted after a “dream of life and light”?

Answer 1

The paradox emphasizes how sad the speaker is if a pleasant dream only hurts him more.

Step-by-step explanation:

The paradox emphasizes how sad the speaker is if a pleasant dream only hurts him more.

Answer 2

The paradox emphasizes how sad the speaker is if a pleasant dream only hurts him more.

Step-by-step explanation: