What does this simile mean?

Question

I need to write the meaning of this simile for english class. please help

"I'm here as indifference breaks
like a grey day's unexpected sun"

Answer 1

Hey Harleen --

 

I looked up the poem that this simile comes from and it might help to understand this little portion as part of the whole poem. The poem is called "Beginning" by Fraser Sutherland.

 

Are you studying the poem right now? Or are you writing a paper about it?

 

Anyway, it looks to me like the writer of this poem is trying to break out of something (like a small town where everyone knows everyone else and their business) and feel what it's like to be "new" and in a city of strangers, where you can start all over again and prove yourself. 

 

You said you need to explain this quote:

 

"I'm here as indifference breaks like a grey day's unexpected sun."

 

I think the "I'm here" part is a leftover from the previous line which says... "as if to say, It's me, I'm here."

 

So, you can leave that part out.

 

Start with "indifference breaks...."

 

So, when the sky breaks through a grey day, it brings warmth, comfort, happiness, and surprise.

 

This person (the speaker) is experiencing indifference in that same way...no once notices, no one bothers, no one cares. It is up to this person to prove themself and start all over again. 

 

It seems like the speaker is sort of excited about that possibility. In the same way, we would be excited to see the sun on a grey day.

 

It is very hard to find this poem online, so if you don't have a copy of the whole thing, let me know and I will send it.

 

GOOD LUCK and I hope that helps!

 

Kelly Allen

Seattle