In line five;.
'That Death should be the only protector'.
the poet uses irony in saying that for Monroe, death was the only protector from the life that she led suggesting that she led a life so unbearable and awful that death was seen as a guardian and not a killer.
It is interesting to note that Morgan uses a capital letter for "death', which personifies and protrudes the word, making it have an eye-catching effect.
The next theme Morgan identifies is that of uncertainty. He introduces this in line eleven and personifies it. This has the effect of increasing the idea of Monroe's lack of confidence and perplexity. The uncertainty, in this instance, is personified as a sleazy individual, watching her every move, gradually bringing her ever closer to her death.
'That lonely Uncertainty should limp up, grinning, with.
bewildering barbiturates, and watch her undress and lie.
down.'.
Morgan also employs the use of alliteration in 'bewildering barbiturates' to further accentuate the confusion of Monroe.
Morgan brings up the theme of responsibility again in lines fourteen and fifteen as we see Monroe is calling for something that will 'dissolve her'.
'Call for him to strengthen her with what could only .
dissolve her!'.
The poet is very clever here in using personification. He personifies 'him' as the drugs that Monroe takes and as drugs are bad for your health, they gradually 'dissolve her' and eventually kill her. It is seen here that Morgan is now placing partial responsibility for Monroe's death on the drugs that she was taking. The exclamation mark after 'dissolve her' also contributes in it's effectiveness.
The next reference to drugs in the poem is in the next line;.
'A method of dying, we are shaken, we see it.'.
The word method is allegorical in that it has several meanings. Firstly the reader assumes Morgan is referring to her suicide - the 'method' of her death. However the word 'method' could also be hinting at the word 'methadone', thus drawing attention to Monroe's drug taking.
