In the passage from Jim Thompson's "After Dark, My Sweet," the narrator expresses a deep aversion to mornings, revealing a struggle with mental health. This sentiment indicates a significant level of despair and anxiety, as the character feels overwhelmed by the challenges of life that each new day brings. Such a feeling can be seen as a symptom of psychological distress, emphasizing the weight of expectations and the difficulty of facing reality.
The dislike for mornings demonstrates a broader theme of personal struggle and the impact of mental health on daily experiences. It reflects a state of mind where the individual feels unequipped to handle what lies ahead. Rather than embracing the day, the narrator is caught in a cycle of dread, highlighting the complexities of emotional well-being and the sense of isolation that can accompany profound psychological challenges.