Analyzing "To Sleep" from a different perspective

Another one of Charlotte Smith's elegiac sonnets titled "To Sleep" carried a central theme of self and imagination. This theme in Smith's writing represents the general focus of the romantic period on one's self and imagination. Several parts of the poem appeared to have a mournful and dark medium, signifying the doubt and loneliness Smith felt along with many others of her time. On line 4 and 5, I noticed this when Smith wrote "Float in light vision round my aching head! Secure of all blessings, partial Power!" (pg 1398). I felt a sense of anxiety and distress in this line of the poem, possibly the sleeplessness of her own life she experiences due to all the pressures of everyday life. I furthered my research and have found that To sleep is also considered to be an encouragement for growth of economic self-reliance. In continuation to my last post, this idea could be seen as another vestige of Smith's personal experiences with dependence upon men to provide for her. The poem speaks of self-awareness being so strong and daunting even the “opiate aid” does not give relief. Ln 13. Could this be an attempt to awaken the women of Charlotte Smith's time? The speaker seems to almost beg for sleep but still stays awake.. Similar to the restlessness many romantics felt about finding one's true self through embracing the exploration of imagination and free will. What if Smith's goal with the poem was to crticize those remaining awake and unhappy with their lives? "Who wake to labor, libery, and love" (line 12 pg 1398). The idea of self and feeling trapped in one's self appears to be a major focal point of the poem that is once again visiting the issues that Charlotte Smith feels so passionately about.

Citation for my post:

Godfrey, Esther. "Smith, Charlotte." In Maunder, Andrew, ed Encyclopedia of Literary Romanticism. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2010. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= ELR0310&SingleRecord=True (accessed April 10, 2012).

Greenblatt, Stephen. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. New York, New
York: M.H. Abrams, 2006. Print. Pg. 1397-1405