Poetry+Link

This story to me is all about the construction of H's identity. It is revealed in bits throughout his relationship with Finn - for example, he only allows himself to become vulnerable and humiliated in front of Finn. His identity seems strongly guided if not almost replaced by Finn's. There are many poems on identity/loss of identity. Students could work towards a comparative essay or at least analysis between the themes in this Shakespeare poem (about lust and loss of identity and the self by the consumption of love) and themes within the novel.

Sonnet CXXIX: Th'expense of Spirit in a Waste of Shame
Th' expense of spirit in a waste of shame Is lust in action; and till action, lust Is perjur'd, murd'rous, bloody, full of blame, Savage, extreme, rude, cruel, not to trust; Enjoy'd no sooner but despised straight; Past reason hunted; and, no sooner had, Past reason hated, as a swallow'd bait, On purpose laid to make the taker mad: Mad in pursuit, and in possession so; Had, having, and in quest to have, extreme; A bliss in proof, and prov'd, a very woe; Before, a joy propos'd; behind, a dream. All this the world well knows; yet none knows well To shun the heaven that leads men to this hell.