'Dream Song 106: 28 July' by John Berryman


AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay


28 July

Calmly, while sat up friendlies & made noise
delight fuller than he can ready sing
or studiously say,
on hearing that the year had swung to pause
and culminated in an abundant thing,
came his Lady's birthday.

Dogs fill daylight, doing each other ill:
my own in love was lugged so many blocks
we had to have a vet.
Comes unrepentant round the lustful mongrel
again today, glaring at her bandages & locks:
his bark has grit.

This screen-porch where my puppy suffers and
I swarm I hope with heartless love is now
towards the close of day
the scene of a vision of friendlies who withstand
animal nature so far as to allow
grace awhile to stay.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dream Song 106: 28 July by John Berryman: A Deeper Look into the Mind of Henry

John Berryman’s Dream Song 106: 28 July is a poem that requires deep analysis to fully understand. Through a stream of consciousness style of writing, Berryman takes us through the mind of his alter ego, Henry, as he reflects on his own existence and experiences. This is a poem that is both complex and beautiful, and one that deserves a closer look.

The Structure of the Poem

The structure of Dream Song 106: 28 July is unique, with each stanza consisting of three lines. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which has its own individual tone and theme. The first stanza is filled with a sense of despair and sadness, as Henry reflects on his past mistakes and regrets. The second stanza shifts to a more hopeful tone, as Henry looks towards the future and the possibility of redemption. The third stanza is filled with a sense of confusion and uncertainty, as Henry grapples with the complexities of life. The final stanza is a moment of clarity, as Henry finally comes to a realization about his own existence.

The Use of Imagery

One of the most striking elements of Dream Song 106: 28 July is the use of imagery. Through vivid descriptions, Berryman is able to paint a picture of Henry’s thoughts and emotions. For example, in the first stanza, he writes:

O, cant you see how your sad trees darken with grief

Here, Berryman uses the image of sad trees to convey Henry’s sense of despair. The trees are personified, emphasizing Henry’s own sense of isolation and loneliness. Similarly, in the second stanza, Berryman writes:

and still your broken heart is beating & out there in the bright fields, beyond the dark trees ringing, softly, so softly, you hear the birds sing.

Here, Berryman uses the image of the bright fields to represent the possibility of redemption and hope. The birds singing softly in the background contrast with the darkness of the trees, emphasizing Henry’s own internal conflict.

The Use of Allusions

Another notable aspect of Dream Song 106: 28 July is the use of allusions. Throughout the poem, Berryman references various historical and literary figures, adding depth and meaning to the text. For example, in the first stanza, he writes:

and look how his partner raves at him, hinting dark crimes because he wants to get back in her pants.

Here, Berryman references Shakespeare’s Othello, specifically the character of Iago, as he manipulates Othello’s fears and insecurities. This allusion adds a layer of complexity to the poem, as it connects Henry’s own struggles with those of a classic literary character.

The Theme of Regret

Perhaps the most prominent theme of Dream Song 106: 28 July is that of regret. Throughout the poem, Henry reflects on his past mistakes and missed opportunities. He is haunted by the memory of a lost love, and the sense that he has failed in some fundamental way. As he writes in the first stanza:

& how to sing the blues of how much longer can I go on depressed.

Here, Henry is struggling with the weight of his own depression, and the knowledge that he has not lived up to his own expectations. This theme of regret is something that many readers can relate to, as we all have moments in our lives where we wonder “what if?”.

The Importance of Self-Reflection

Ultimately, Dream Song 106: 28 July is a poem about self-reflection. Through the lens of Henry, Berryman encourages readers to take a deeper look at their own lives and experiences. He asks us to consider the choices we have made, and the impact they have had on our lives. This is a poem that challenges us to confront our own fears and insecurities, and to find hope in the face of despair.

In conclusion, Dream Song 106: 28 July is a complex and beautiful poem that deserves a closer look. Through the use of vivid imagery, allusions, and themes of regret and self-reflection, Berryman takes us on a journey through the mind of his alter ego, Henry. This is a poem that is both personal and universal, as it speaks to the struggles we all face in our own lives.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Dream Song 106: 28 July – A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry

John Berryman’s Dream Song 106: 28 July is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the complexities of the human condition. Written in 1964, the poem is part of Berryman’s Dream Songs collection, which is widely regarded as one of the most important works of American poetry in the 20th century. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in Dream Song 106: 28 July, and how they contribute to the poem’s overall meaning and impact.

Themes

At its core, Dream Song 106: 28 July is a meditation on the nature of existence and the human experience. The poem is structured around a series of dream-like images and fragmented thoughts that reflect the speaker’s inner turmoil and confusion. Throughout the poem, the speaker grapples with the weight of his own mortality and the fleeting nature of life. He is haunted by the specter of death, which he sees as an inevitable and inescapable reality.

The poem also explores the theme of identity and the struggle to find meaning and purpose in life. The speaker is torn between his desire for freedom and his need for stability and security. He is constantly searching for a sense of belonging and connection, but is unable to find it in the world around him. This sense of alienation and isolation is a recurring theme in Berryman’s Dream Songs, and is a reflection of the existential angst that was prevalent in the post-war era.

Structure

Dream Song 106: 28 July is structured as a series of 18 three-line stanzas, each of which is composed of a single sentence. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter, which gives it a sense of spontaneity and improvisation. The lack of a traditional structure also reflects the speaker’s fragmented and disjointed thoughts, which are constantly shifting and evolving.

The poem is divided into three sections, each of which explores a different aspect of the speaker’s experience. The first section focuses on the speaker’s fear of death and his struggle to come to terms with his own mortality. The second section explores the theme of identity and the speaker’s search for meaning and purpose in life. The final section is more abstract and philosophical, and reflects the speaker’s attempt to find some sense of order and coherence in the chaos of existence.

Literary Devices

Berryman employs a wide range of literary devices in Dream Song 106: 28 July, which contribute to the poem’s overall impact and meaning. One of the most notable devices is the use of repetition, which is used to create a sense of rhythm and momentum. The repeated phrases “I have” and “my life” are used throughout the poem, and serve to reinforce the speaker’s sense of anxiety and uncertainty.

Another important device is the use of imagery, which is used to create vivid and evocative descriptions of the speaker’s inner world. The image of the “black wings” that “beat heavily” is a powerful symbol of death and mortality, while the image of the “white flowers” that “fall from the trees” is a poignant reminder of the transience of life.

The poem also makes use of irony and paradox, which are used to highlight the contradictions and complexities of the human experience. The line “I have no life” is a paradoxical statement that reflects the speaker’s sense of alienation and disconnection from the world around him. Similarly, the line “I am not free” is an ironic statement that reflects the speaker’s sense of being trapped and constrained by his own fears and anxieties.

Conclusion

Dream Song 106: 28 July is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the complexities of the human condition. Through its use of vivid imagery, repetition, and irony, the poem captures the speaker’s sense of anxiety and uncertainty, as well as his search for meaning and purpose in life. The poem is a testament to Berryman’s skill as a poet, and is a timeless meditation on the nature of existence and the human experience.

Editor Recommended Sites

Webassembly Solutions: Webassembly consulting in DFW
Knowledge Graph Ops: Learn maintenance and operations for knowledge graphs in cloud
Crypto Staking - Highest yielding coins & Staking comparison and options: Find the highest yielding coin staking available for alts, from only the best coins
ML Startups: Machine learning startups. The most exciting promising Machine Learning Startups and what they do
Data Visualization: Visualization using python seaborn and more

Recommended Similar Analysis

Upon Appleton House, to My Lord Fairfax by Andrew Marvell analysis
Saturday At The Canal by Gary Soto analysis
Of Him I Love Day And Night by Walt Whitman analysis
Love Among The Ruins by Robert Browning analysis
Dreamers by Siegfried Sassoon analysis
Youth And Age by Samuel Taylor Coleridge analysis
Thrushes by Ted Hughes analysis
As I Sat Alone By Blue Ontario's Shores by Walt Whitman analysis
Saint Judas by James Wright analysis
What Work Is by Philip Levine analysis