'City That Does Not Sleep' by Federico García Lorca


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In the sky there is nobody asleep. Nobody, nobody.
Nobody is asleep.
The creatures of the moon sniff and prowl about their cabins.
The living iguanas will come and bite the men who do not dream,
and the man who rushes out with his spirit broken will meet on the
street corner
the unbelievable alligator quiet beneath the tender protest of the
stars.

Nobody is asleep on earth. Nobody, nobody.
Nobody is asleep.
In a graveyard far off there is a corpse
who has moaned for three years
because of a dry countryside on his knee;
and that boy they buried this morning cried so much
it was necessary to call out the dogs to keep him quiet.

Life is not a dream. Careful! Careful! Careful!
We fall down the stairs in order to eat the moist earth
or we climb to the knife edge of the snow with the voices of the dead
dahlias.
But forgetfulness does not exist, dreams do not exist;
flesh exists. Kisses tie our mouths
in a thicket of new veins,
and whoever his pain pains will feel that pain forever
and whoever is afraid of death will carry it on his shoulders.

One day
the horses will live in the saloons
and the enraged ants
will throw themselves on the yellow skies that take refuge in the
eyes of cows.

Another day
we will watch the preserved butterflies rise from the dead
and still walking through a country of gray sponges and silent boats
we will watch our ring flash and roses spring from our tongue.
Careful! Be careful! Be careful!
The men who still have marks of the claw and the thunderstorm,
and that boy who cries because he has never heard of the invention
of the bridge,
or that dead man who possesses now only his head and a shoe,
we must carry them to the wall where the iguanas and the snakes
are waiting,
where the bear's teeth are waiting,
where the mummified hand of the boy is waiting,
and the hair of the camel stands on end with a violent blue shudder.

Nobody is sleeping in the sky. Nobody, nobody.
Nobody is sleeping.
If someone does close his eyes,
a whip, boys, a whip!
Let there be a landscape of open eyes
and bitter wounds on fire.
No one is sleeping in this world. No one, no one.
I have said it before.

No one is sleeping.
But if someone grows too much moss on his temples during the
night,
open the stage trapdoors so he can see in the moonlight
the lying goblets, and the poison, and the skull of the theaters.


Translated by Robert Bly


Editor 1 Interpretation

City That Does Not Sleep: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Federico García Lorca's "City That Does Not Sleep" is a poem that evokes the frenetic energy of New York City and the restless spirit of its people. Written in 1929, during Lorca's visit to the city, the poem captures the essence of a metropolis that never sleeps, a place where the human spirit is constantly in motion, driven by a desire for progress and self-discovery. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes and imagery of the poem, and examine how Lorca uses language to convey the essence of the city and its people.

Background and Context

To fully appreciate the poem, it is important to understand the context in which it was written. Lorca visited New York City in 1929, during a time when the city was going through a period of rapid growth and change. The city was bustling with activity, and its people were driven by a spirit of ambition and determination. This was also a time of great social and political upheaval, as the country was still recovering from the effects of World War I and the Great Depression was just beginning to take hold.

Lorca was deeply influenced by his experience in New York City, and "City That Does Not Sleep" is a product of that influence. The poem reflects Lorca's fascination with the city and its people, and his admiration for their restless spirit of progress and self-discovery.

Themes

One of the central themes of the poem is the idea of constant motion and activity. The city is portrayed as a place where the human spirit is always in motion, driven by a desire for progress and self-discovery. This is reflected in the repeated use of the phrase "the city that never sleeps," which emphasizes the idea of constant activity and vitality.

Another important theme of the poem is the idea of humanity's connection to the natural world. This is reflected in the imagery of the poem, which often evokes natural elements such as the sea, the moon, and the stars. Lorca seems to be suggesting that even in the midst of the frenetic energy of the city, there is still a deep connection to the natural world that cannot be ignored.

A third theme of the poem is the idea of social and political change. Lorca was writing at a time when the country was going through a period of great upheaval, and this is reflected in the poem. The city is portrayed as a place of constant change and evolution, and there is a sense that the people who live there are on the forefront of social and political change.

Imagery

One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of vivid and evocative imagery. Lorca uses language to convey the sights and sounds of the city, and to capture the essence of its people. For example, in the opening lines of the poem, he writes:

"Night falls on Manhattan and slowly spreads its veil over the sleeping streets, submerging them in darkness."

This imagery creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, as if the city is a place of secrets and hidden depths. The use of the word "veil" suggests that there is something hidden beneath the surface of the city, waiting to be discovered.

Another example of Lorca's use of vivid imagery is the following lines:

"The moon walks around naked, measuring out the night, and the sea, a vast silver snake, slithers slowly toward the shore."

These lines create an image of the city as a place where the natural world is intertwined with the human world. The use of the moon and the sea evokes a sense of mystery and wonder, as if the city is a place where anything is possible.

Language and Style

Lorca's use of language is one of the most striking features of the poem. He writes in a style that is both lyrical and evocative, using language to capture the essence of the city and its people. For example, in the lines:

"The city is like a sea spread out before me, a sea that throbs incessantly, that glows with life and light."

Lorca uses language to create a sense of movement and energy, as if the city is a living, breathing organism. The use of the word "throbs" suggests that the city is alive with energy and vitality, and the use of "life and light" creates a sense of optimism and hope.

Lorca also uses language to create a sense of contrast and contradiction. For example, in the lines:

"The city that never sleeps dreams in the sunlight, and the people who live there are like the city itself."

This creates a sense of paradox, as if the city is both awake and asleep at the same time. The use of language creates a sense of complexity and depth, as if the city is a place of constant contradiction and ambiguity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "City That Does Not Sleep" is a poem that captures the essence of New York City and its people. Lorca's use of vivid imagery and lyrical language creates a sense of energy and vitality, while also conveying themes of connection to the natural world and social and political change. The poem is a testament to Lorca's admiration for the city and its people, and his belief in the power of the human spirit to achieve progress and self-discovery.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

City That Does Not Sleep: A Poetic Ode to the Vibrant Energy of Urban Life

Federico García Lorca's poem "City That Does Not Sleep" is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that captures the pulsating energy and restless spirit of the urban landscape. Written in 1929, during the height of the Spanish avant-garde movement, the poem is a celebration of the dynamic and ever-changing nature of the city, as well as a reflection on the human condition in the modern world.

At its core, "City That Does Not Sleep" is a poem about movement and transformation. The city is portrayed as a living organism that never sleeps, constantly evolving and adapting to the rhythms of its inhabitants. The poem begins with a vivid description of the city's nocturnal landscape:

"In the sky there is nobody asleep. Nobody, nobody. Nobody is asleep. The creatures of the moon sniff and prowl about their cabins. The living iguanas will come and bite the men who do not dream, and the man who rushes out with his spirit broken will meet on the street corner the unbelievable alligator quiet beneath the tender protest of the stars."

The imagery here is striking and surreal, evoking a sense of otherworldliness and magic. The moon, the iguanas, and the alligator are all symbols of the city's wild and untamed nature, as well as its potential for danger and unpredictability. The city is a place where dreams and nightmares coexist, where anything can happen at any moment.

As the poem progresses, Lorca explores the various facets of urban life, from the bustling streets to the quiet corners where lovers meet. He describes the city as a place of constant motion and change, where the old is constantly being replaced by the new:

"The night gallops with its shadowy horses over the fields of lavender. The world is a crystal ball, the luminous snow of the telegraph stirs the air like a flight of butterflies. The night wind destroys the roses."

Here, Lorca uses vivid and evocative language to convey the sense of movement and transformation that characterizes the city. The night is personified as a rider on horseback, galloping through the fields of lavender. The world is compared to a crystal ball, suggesting that everything is transparent and visible, yet constantly shifting and changing. The telegraph, a symbol of modern communication, is described as a "flight of butterflies," suggesting both its fragility and its beauty. And the night wind, a force of nature that cannot be controlled, is shown destroying the roses, a symbol of beauty and fragility.

Throughout the poem, Lorca also explores the theme of human connection and isolation in the city. He describes the crowds of people who fill the streets, yet also notes the loneliness and alienation that can come with urban life:

"The night is shattered and she is not with me. The wind rushes empty-handed through the sky."

Here, Lorca expresses the sense of longing and emptiness that can come with being alone in the city. The wind, a symbol of freedom and movement, is described as "empty-handed," suggesting that even though the city is full of people and activity, it can still leave one feeling empty and disconnected.

Despite these moments of loneliness and isolation, however, the poem ultimately celebrates the vibrancy and vitality of urban life. Lorca portrays the city as a place of endless possibility, where anything can happen and anything is possible:

"City that does not sleep, in the sky there is nobody asleep. Nobody, nobody. Nobody is asleep. If someone closes his eyes, a whip, boys, a whip! Let there be a landscape of open eyes and bitter wounds on fire. No one is sleeping in this world. No one, no one. I have said it before."

Here, Lorca uses repetition and exclamation to emphasize the idea that the city is a place of constant activity and excitement. The whip is a symbol of energy and movement, suggesting that even if someone tries to rest or relax, they will be quickly jolted back into the frenetic pace of urban life. And the final lines of the poem, "No one is sleeping in this world. No one, no one. I have said it before," serve as a powerful affirmation of the city's vitality and energy.

In conclusion, "City That Does Not Sleep" is a masterful poem that captures the essence of urban life in all its complexity and vibrancy. Lorca's use of vivid imagery, surrealism, and repetition creates a sense of movement and transformation that mirrors the ever-changing nature of the city itself. And his exploration of themes such as human connection, isolation, and possibility make the poem a powerful reflection on the human condition in the modern world. Ultimately, "City That Does Not Sleep" is a celebration of the restless spirit of the city, and a testament to the enduring power of urban life.

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