"Still falls the rain - dark as the world of man, black as our loss - blind as the nineteen hundred and forty nails upon the Cross"

Edith Sitwell's quote "Still falls the rain - dark as the world of man, black as our loss - blind as the nineteen hundred and forty nails upon the Cross" is a brilliant and haunting reflection on suffering, grief, and the human condition. This text, from her poem "Still Falls the Rain", was composed during World War II and is often viewed as a reaction to the widespread destruction and loss of life throughout the Blitz.

The images in the quote is effective and multifaceted. "Still falls the rain" suggests a constant, unrelenting existence of grief, similar to the perpetual battles in London at that time. The rain becomes a metaphor for the tears and bloodshed of war, representing both cleaning and destruction.

Describing the rain as "dark as the world of male" represents a mournful view of humankind. The darkness suggests a loss of morality and hope, suggesting that human actions have caused a corrupt and bleak world. This reflects a critique of the dispute's terrible impact and the ethical failures related to it.

"Black as our loss" evokes profound sorrow and mourning. The color black typically symbolizes death and grieving, highlighting the cumulative suffering and the deep injuries caused on society. This loss is not only physical however likewise psychological and spiritual, suggesting an existential crisis.

Lastly, "blind as the nineteen hundred and forty nails upon the Cross" connects the sacrifice of Christ to the wartime destruction. The year "nineteen hundred and forty" corresponds to 1940, when the poem was written, linking modern suffering to the crucifixion's meaning. The "blind" nails suggest senselessness and an absence of understanding or awareness, enhancing the idea that the pain and sacrifices of war are as arbitrary and harsh as the crucifixion, lacking suggesting or redemption.

Overall, the quote captures the anguish and sense of loss throughout World War II, blending spiritual significance with poignant imagery to criticize the human actions that lead to such suffering. Sitwell's words hence serve both as an elegy for the fallen and a cautionary reflection on mankind's capability for destruction.