'A Goodnight' by William Carlos Williams
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Go to sleep—though of course you will not—
to tideless waves thundering slantwise against
strong embankments, rattle and swish of spray
dashed thirty feet high, caught by the lake wind,
scattered and strewn broadcast in over the steady
car rails! Sleep, sleep! Gulls' cries in a wind-gust
broken by the wind; calculating wings set above
the field of waves breaking.
Go to sleep to the lunge between foam-crests,
refuse churned in the recoil. Food! Food!
Offal! Offal! that holds them in the air, wave-white
for the one purpose, feather upon feather, the wild
chill in their eyes, the hoarseness in their voices—
sleep, sleep . . .
Gentlefooted crowds are treading out your lullaby.
Their arms nudge, they brush shoulders,
hitch this way then that, mass and surge at the crossings—
lullaby, lullaby! The wild-fowl police whistles,
the enraged roar of the traffic, machine shrieks:
it is all to put you to sleep,
to soften your limbs in relaxed postures,
and that your head slip sidewise, and your hair loosen
and fall over your eyes and over your mouth,
brushing your lips wistfully that you may dream,
sleep and dream—
A black fungus springs out about the lonely church doors—
sleep, sleep. The Night, coming down upon
the wet boulevard, would start you awake with his
message, to have in at your window. Pay no
heed to him. He storms at your sill with
cooings, with gesticulations, curses!
You will not let him in. He would keep you from sleeping.
He would have you sit under your desk lamp
brooding, pondering; he would have you
slide out the drawer, take up the ornamented dagger
and handle it. It is late, it is nineteen-nineteen—
go to sleep, his cries are a lullaby;
his jabbering is a sleep-well-my-baby; he is
a crackbrained messenger.
The maid waking you in the morning
when you are up and dressing,
the rustle of your clothes as you raise them—
it is the same tune.
At table the cold, greeninsh, split grapefruit, its juice
on the tongue, the clink of the spoon in
your coffee, the toast odors say it over and over.
The open street-door lets in the breath of
the morning wind from over the lake.
The bus coming to a halt grinds from its sullen brakes—
lullaby, lullaby. The crackle of a newspaper,
the movement of the troubled coat beside you—
sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep . . .
It is the sting of snow, the burning liquor of
the moonlight, the rush of rain in the gutters packed
with dead leaves: go to sleep, go to sleep.
And the night passes—and never passes—
Submitted by Bob
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Goodnight: A Literary Masterpiece by William Carlos Williams
William Carlos Williams' poem, A Goodnight, is a classic masterpiece that captures the essence of love, longing and separation. In this 4000 word literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the poem, unraveling its themes, symbols, structure, and language use, and ultimately discover why this poem has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with readers today.
The Poem
Let's start by reading the poem in its entirety:
Many ways to say goodnight.
Fireworks at a pier on the Fourth of July spell it with red wheels and yellow spokes.
They fizz in the air, touch the water and quit.
Rockets make a trajectory of gold-and-blue and then go out.
Railroad trains at night spell with a smokestack mushrooming a white pillar.
Steamboats turn a curve in the Mississippi crying a baritone that crosses lowland cottonfields to razorback hill.
It is easy to spell goodnight.
Many ways to spell goodnight.
At first glance, the poem may seem simple and straightforward, but as we begin to analyze it, we realize that there is a lot more to it than meets the eye.
Theme
The central theme of A Goodnight is separation and longing. The speaker is bidding farewell to someone they love, and the different ways to say 'goodnight' serve as a metaphor for the many ways in which we try to express our emotions when we are unable to be with someone we care about.
The poem explores the different ways in which we communicate with others, highlighting the limitations of language and the power of symbolism. The fireworks, rockets, trains, and steamboats are all symbols of departure, each conveying a sense of finality that underscores the poem's theme of separation.
Structure
The structure of A Goodnight is simple, yet effective. The poem consists of two stanzas, each containing four lines. The first stanza sets the scene, introducing us to the different ways in which 'goodnight' can be said, while the second stanza reinforces the message by stating that it is 'easy to spell goodnight' and that there are 'many ways to spell goodnight.'
The repetition of the phrase 'many ways to spell goodnight' in the final line of each stanza serves to emphasize the poem's central theme and creates a sense of unity between the two stanzas, as though they are two halves of a whole.
Language
One of the most striking aspects of A Goodnight is the language used by Williams. The poem is written in simple, concise language, yet each word is carefully chosen to create a vivid image in the reader's mind.
The use of color is particularly effective, with the fireworks described as having 'red wheels and yellow spokes,' and the rockets leaving a 'trajectory of gold-and-blue.' The use of color serves to make the imagery more vivid and memorable, and creates a sense of excitement and anticipation that is in keeping with the poem's theme.
The poem is also notable for its use of sound. The alliteration in 'red wheels and yellow spokes' and 'razorback hill' creates a musical quality to the language, while the onomatopoeia in 'they fizz in the air' and 'crying a baritone' adds a sense of immediacy to the imagery, as though we are there experiencing it ourselves.
Symbolism
The use of symbolism in A Goodnight is key to understanding the poem's deeper meaning. The fireworks, rockets, trains, and steamboats are all symbols of departure, each representing a different mode of transport and thus a different way of saying goodbye.
The fireworks, with their bright colors and explosive energy, represent the excitement and anticipation that often accompanies a departure. The rockets, with their trajectory of gold-and-blue, represent the fleeting nature of a goodbye, as though the departure is over almost as soon as it has begun.
The trains, with their smokestack mushrooming a white pillar, represent the industrial aspect of departure, as though leaving is just another part of the daily routine. The steamboats, with their baritone cry, represent the haunting, melancholic aspect of departure, as though the departure is something that will be remembered long after it has passed.
Interpretation
A Goodnight is a deeply moving poem that speaks to the universal experience of separation and longing. The speaker is bidding farewell to someone they love, and the use of different symbols of departure serves to underscore the finality and sense of loss that accompanies a goodbye.
At the same time, the poem also highlights the power of language and symbolism, as though suggesting that even when we are unable to be with someone we care about, we can still find ways to express our emotions and connect with them on a deeper level.
The poem is also a testament to the power of poetry itself, as though suggesting that through the use of language, we can capture the essence of a moment and make it last forever.
Conclusion
In conclusion, William Carlos Williams' poem A Goodnight is a literary masterpiece that captures the essence of separation and longing. The use of symbolism, language, and structure all serve to reinforce the poem's central theme, demonstrating the power of poetry to capture the emotions that we often struggle to express in our daily lives.
As we read and reread this poem, we are reminded of the many ways in which we say goodbye to the people we care about, and the importance of cherishing each moment spent with them. A Goodnight is a timeless poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come, serving as a reminder of the power of poetry to capture the beauty and complexity of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Goodnight: A Poem of Love and Loss
William Carlos Williams is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for his unique style and ability to capture the essence of everyday life in his works. One of his most famous poems, A Goodnight, is a poignant and emotional piece that explores the themes of love and loss.
The poem is a short, four-line verse that packs a powerful punch. It reads:
"Go to sleep now and close your eyes. The moon is shining in the skies."
At first glance, the poem seems simple and straightforward. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that there is much more going on beneath the surface.
The first line, "Go to sleep now," sets the tone for the entire poem. It is a gentle and comforting command, one that is often given to children before bedtime. However, in this context, it takes on a deeper meaning. The speaker is not just telling the listener to go to sleep, but is also acknowledging the inevitability of death. The phrase "go to sleep" is a common euphemism for dying, and the speaker is preparing the listener for their final rest.
The second line, "and close your eyes," reinforces this idea. It is a reminder that death is a peaceful and restful state, one in which the body and mind can finally find peace. The act of closing one's eyes is also symbolic of letting go and surrendering to the inevitable.
The third line, "The moon is shining," is a beautiful and evocative image. The moon has long been associated with death and the afterlife, and its presence in the poem adds to the sense of otherworldliness and transcendence. The moon is also a symbol of continuity and eternity, suggesting that even though the listener is passing on, their memory and legacy will live on.
Finally, the last line, "in the skies," brings the poem full circle. It is a reminder that death is not an end, but a transition. The skies represent the afterlife, a place where the listener will be reunited with loved ones and find peace and happiness.
Overall, A Goodnight is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of love and loss in a unique and poignant way. It is a reminder that death is a natural part of life, and that even though we may pass on, our memory and legacy will live on forever.
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