What does ‘My life and all seemed turned to clay.’ suggest about the person who said it?

Question

I'm writing an essay and i have to analyse some poems. This extract came from the poem "First Love" by John Clare

Answer 1

I'm guessing he has Gumby syndrome. But seriously, maybe if you think about the characteristics of clay you'll come up with something; it's maleable and yet thick and heavy when it's wet. When it's dried it can crumble or be very fragile. It's generally not very colorful. Maybe he feels as though someone else--a larger hand, so to speak--is in control of his life.