Through the use of setting and situations , Cathy Song create a sense isolation. The setting in this poem is midnight with “houses, muted and curve/like caves under a wave of snow” dictates a very secluded feeling. A cave is generally small and only exist in places away from the urban and being enclosed by a wave of snow emphasize the idea of seclusion. The father figure in this poem is somewhere far away from the family instead of being at home. Not only is he secluded from the city but he is also isolated from the rest of his family. At midnight, the roads are empty and even more barren during a holiday. Everyone is rushing home while this father seem to takes his time returning home.This signifies that home to him is no longer a place he desire as the house” seem far away tonight”. Cathy Song strong use of diction and tone dictates the atmosphere of the poem. Cathy Song uses sorrowful and depressed diction such as “cold”, “muted” and “dark” to characterizes the holiday. It brings forth a very dejected feels as if the family are not together emotionally or physically. The tone of the poem lack the liveliness hat holiday typically carry. This is the big juxtaposition between societal norm and this marriage couple. It is in …show more content…
Street light purpose is to direct traffic in a orderly manner and ensure a safe traveling space for everyone. However if the light is malfunctioning, there is no control. Furthermore, the lack of light as guidance, the father path is restricted. He must wait until it is his turn to pass the intersection which further inconveniences him. However, the street is quite barren at midnight which show that the restriction is in his heart rather than the light. It's the father who did not want to come home instead of the broken light. He uses the light as an excuse to isolated himself further in order to avoid coming home