The Colors of Destiny

Lift not the painted veil which those who live

Call Life: though unreal shapes be pictured there,

And it but mimic all we would believe

With colours idly spread,--behind, lurk Fear

And Hope, twin Destinies; who ever weave

Their shadows, o'er the chasm, sightless and drear.

I knew one who had lifted it--he sought,

For his lost heart was tender, things to love,

But found them not, alas! nor was there aught

The world contains, the which he could approve.

Through the unheeding many he did move,

A splendour among shadows, a bright blot

Upon this gloomy scene, a Spirit that strove

For truth, and like the Preacher found it not.

~ Percy Bysshe Shelley

The poem begins with a metaphor for secrecy, the painted veil, and warning against it although it presents a preferable alternative to reality. It goes on to describe the feelings that drive us to this secrecy, such as hope for a better life. Another factor is the fear of who we are currently surrounded by and the idea that we may not be able to escape who we have become. And lastly, the  idea of destinies and hope that the truthful life isn't all there is for us. These all present the dark side to an otherwise colorful and happy escape, as they are all selfish motives towards a pit of secrecy and despair. In the third stanza, a man is described as turning to secrecy in order to find love, just like Kitty does after a couple years of being married to Walter, a man she does not love and is bored by. In the last stanza, imagery is used to show the excitement that secrecy brings as everyone surrounding you is living their dull, truthful life while you sneak around and live how you want. Those who lie are only searching for who they are meant to be, trying to find the best life they can live. Unfortunately, the longer they keep their act up, the further they sink and when the truth finally comes out, they are even further away from their imagined destiny than they were when they started their affair.