# Almighty Death explained — Darkwater

> Chapter companion for Darkwater by W. E. B. Du Bois.

## What happens

A poetic meditation on death, where the narrator longs for a gentle passage into the afterlife, hoping to find rest, vision, and fulfillment beyond the veil of earthly suffering, and asking only for the quiet remembrance of children.

## Themes in this chapter

### Double Consciousness and the Veil

The narrator speaks of 'long-darkened eyes' and a 'veiled and vanquished vigor,' evoking the sense of being behind a veil that separates them from full vision and peace.

### Motherhood and the Black Family

The mention of 'little children, white and black' whispering of the narrator's deeds suggests a concern for the next generation and the legacy of care.

## Character check-ins

### The Narrator

The speaker who yearns for death as a release from a tortured body and longing soul.

## Key lines

> Softly, quite softly— For I hear, above the murmur of the sea, Faint and far-fallen footsteps, as of One Who comes from out beyond the endless ends of Time

The narrator hears the quiet approach of Death, who comes from beyond time itself.

_Death is personified as a gentle visitor arriving from eternity._

> Then haply I may see what things I have not seen, Then I may know what things I have not known; Then may I do my dreams.

In death, the narrator hopes to finally see, know, and accomplish what was impossible in life.

_Death is imagined as a realm of fulfillment and revelation._

> No sound of idle mourning let there be To shudder this full silence—save the voice Of children—little children, white and black, Whispering the deeds I tried to do for them

The narrator asks for no mourning, only the quiet voices of children recalling the good deeds done for them.

_The narrator's legacy is entrusted to children of all races._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/chapters/almighty-death
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/chapters