Here's a breakdown of how italics function in the poem:
* Internal Monologue: The poem is presented as a stream of consciousness, with the speaker's thoughts and memories flowing freely. Italics are used to distinguish these internal thoughts from the external events of the poem. For example, when the speaker sees the rose garden, the lines "The rose garden. . . . It was all so beautiful." are in italics, indicating a private reflection.
* Emphasis on Doubt and Uncertainty: Italics often enclose phrases that express the speaker's doubts, fears, and anxieties. This emphasizes the internal struggle happening within the speaker, contrasting with the seemingly peaceful setting of the rose garden.
* Contrasting Reality and Imagination: The italics create a distinction between the speaker's perception of the garden and the actual physical world. This reinforces the poem's central theme of the illusory nature of beauty and happiness.
Overall, the italics in "Incident in a Rose Garden" contribute to the poem's complex and haunting atmosphere. They help to create a sense of psychological tension and reveal the speaker's hidden struggles beneath the surface of a seemingly tranquil setting.