'Always For The First Time' by André Breton
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Always for the first time
Hardly do I know you by sight
You return at some hour of the night to a house at an angle to my window
A wholly imaginary house
It is there that from one second to the next
In the inviolate darkness
I anticipate once more the fascinating rift occurring
The one and only rift
In the facade and in my heart
The closer I come to you
In reality
The more the key sings at the door of the unknown room
Where you appear alone before me
At first you coalesce entirely with the brightness
The elusive angle of a curtain
It's a field of jasmine I gazed upon at dawn on a road in the vicinity of Grasse
With the diagonal slant of its girls picking
Behind them the dark falling wing of the plants stripped bare
Before them a T-square of dazzling light
The curtain invisibly raised
In a frenzy all the flowers swarm back in
It is you at grips with that too long hour never dim enough until sleep
You as though you could be
The same except that I shall perhaps never meet you
You pretend not to know I am watching you
Marvelously I am no longer sure you know
You idleness brings tears to my eyes
A swarm of interpretations surrounds each of your gestures
It's a honeydew hunt
There are rocking chairs on a deck there are branches that may well scratch you in the
forest
There are in a shop window in the rue Notre-Dame-de-Lorette
Two lovely crossed legs caught in long stockings
Flaring out in the center of a great white clover
There is a silken ladder rolled out over the ivy
There is
By my leaning over the precipice
Of your presence and your absence in hopeless fusion
My finding the secret
Of loving you
Always for the first time
Editor 1 Interpretation
Always For the First Time: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh my goodness, where do I even begin with this poem? Always For the First Time by André Breton is a masterpiece of surrealist poetry that takes us on a journey through the subconscious mind. Breton was the founder of the Surrealist movement in France, and this poem is a perfect example of his contributions to the movement. The poem is a beautiful and haunting exploration of the human psyche, and it leaves the reader with a sense of both wonder and unease.
Background Information
Before we dive into the poem, let's take a moment to discuss the Surrealist movement and André Breton's role in it. Surrealism was an artistic and literary movement that emerged in the wake of World War I. The movement was a response to the horrors of the war and the disillusionment of the post-war world. Surrealists sought to explore the subconscious mind and to create art that was free from traditional constraints. André Breton was the founder and leader of the Surrealist movement in France. He was a poet, writer, and critic, and his work was instrumental in shaping the movement.
Breton's poetry was characterized by its dreamlike quality and its exploration of the subconscious mind. He believed that the subconscious was the source of all creativity, and he sought to tap into it through his writing. Breton's poems were often surreal and jarring, and they challenged traditional notions of poetry and literature.
The Poem
Now, let's turn our attention to Always For the First Time. The poem is a short but powerful work that explores the nature of human experience. The poem begins with the line "Always for the first time," which sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The line suggests that every experience is new and unique, even if it seems familiar. This theme is echoed throughout the poem, as Breton explores the idea of perception and the way that we experience the world around us.
The poem is structured in four stanzas, each of which is comprised of four lines. The brevity of the poem is part of its power, as Breton is able to convey complex ideas in a few short lines.
The first stanza of the poem reads:
Always for the first time
Always for the first time
Always for the first time
Always for the first time
This repetition of the same line four times creates a sense of rhythm and intensity. The repetition also underscores the theme of the poem, which is the idea that every experience is new and unique. The use of the word "always" suggests a sense of inevitability, as if the experience is fated to be new and different each time.
The second stanza reads:
I am
The instigator of the moment
Everlasting and pure
This stanza is where the poem really starts to take off. The use of the first-person point of view creates a sense of intimacy between the speaker and the reader. The speaker refers to themselves as "the instigator of the moment," which suggests that they are in control of their own experiences. The word "everlasting" suggests that the moment will last forever, and the word "pure" implies a sense of innocence or purity.
The third stanza reads:
I am
The necessary angel of earth
Since, in the end,
I am the only one who can say yes or no
This stanza is where the poem begins to delve into deeper philosophical territory. The speaker refers to themselves as "the necessary angel of earth," which suggests that they have a special purpose or role in the world. The phrase "since, in the end," suggests that the speaker's role is inevitable, and that they are the only one who can make decisions about their own experiences.
The final stanza reads:
Always for the first time
Always for the first time
Always for the first time
Always for the first time
The repetition of the first stanza creates a sense of circularity, as if the poem is coming full circle. The poem ends where it began, with the idea that every experience is new and unique.
Interpretation
So, what does it all mean? Always For the First Time is a complex and multi-layered poem that can be interpreted in many different ways. At its core, the poem is an exploration of the nature of human experience and perception. The poem suggests that every experience is new and unique, even if it seems familiar. The repetition of the phrase "always for the first time" underscores this idea, as if the speaker is trying to remind themselves that every moment is precious and unique.
The poem also suggests that the speaker is in control of their own experiences. The phrase "instigator of the moment" implies agency and control, while the phrase "the only one who can say yes or no" suggests that the speaker has the power to shape their own experiences.
The phrase "the necessary angel of earth" is a bit more enigmatic. It could be interpreted in a religious context, as a reference to angels in the Judeo-Christian tradition. Alternatively, it could be interpreted as a reference to the speaker's own importance and value in the world.
Overall, the poem is a powerful and thought-provoking work that challenges traditional notions of poetry and literature. Breton's use of surreal imagery and repetition creates a dreamlike quality that draws the reader in and leaves them with a sense of wonder and unease.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Always For the First Time by André Breton is a masterpiece of surrealist poetry that explores the nature of human experience and perception. The poem is a powerful and thought-provoking work that challenges traditional notions of poetry and literature. Breton's use of repetition and surreal imagery creates a dreamlike quality that draws the reader in and leaves them with a sense of wonder and unease. This poem is a testament to Breton's skill as a poet and his contributions to the Surrealist movement.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Always For The First Time: An Analysis of André Breton's Classic Poem
André Breton, the French poet and founder of the Surrealist movement, is known for his avant-garde approach to poetry. His works often explore the subconscious mind, dreams, and the irrational. One of his most famous poems, "Always For The First Time," is a prime example of his unique style.
The poem begins with the line, "Always for the first time," which sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The repetition of this phrase throughout the poem emphasizes the idea of experiencing something new and exciting, even if it is something that has been experienced before. This idea is central to the Surrealist movement, which sought to break free from the constraints of rational thought and explore the unknown.
Breton's use of language in the poem is also noteworthy. He employs vivid imagery and metaphors to convey his message. For example, he writes, "Always for the first time, / the face of a woman / and her hair / cast a spell over me." Here, the woman's face and hair are compared to a spell, suggesting that they have a magical quality that captivates the speaker.
The poem also contains several references to nature, which is a common theme in Surrealist art and literature. Breton writes, "Always for the first time, / the scent of a lilac / in bloom / and the sight of the sky / being blue." These natural elements are used to evoke a sense of wonder and awe in the reader, as if they are experiencing these sensations for the first time.
Another interesting aspect of the poem is its structure. It is divided into three stanzas, each containing four lines. The first and third stanzas begin with the same line, "Always for the first time," while the second stanza begins with the line, "Always it's the first time." This variation in the repetition of the phrase adds a sense of unpredictability to the poem, further emphasizing the idea of exploring the unknown.
The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful. Breton writes, "Always for the first time, / I live / and I die / and I love." Here, the speaker is suggesting that every experience is a new one, even if it is something that has been experienced before. This idea is central to the Surrealist movement, which sought to break free from the constraints of rational thought and explore the unknown.
In conclusion, "Always For The First Time" is a prime example of André Breton's unique style of poetry. The repetition of the phrase "always for the first time" emphasizes the idea of experiencing something new and exciting, even if it is something that has been experienced before. The use of vivid imagery and metaphors, as well as references to nature, adds a sense of wonder and awe to the poem. The structure of the poem, with its variation in the repetition of the phrase, adds a sense of unpredictability. Finally, the final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, emphasizing the idea that every experience is a new one. Overall, "Always For The First Time" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that captures the essence of the Surrealist movement.
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