'Dream Song 116: Through the forest, followed, Henry made his silky way' by John Berryman
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Through the forest, followed, Henry made his silky way,
No chickadee was troubled, small moss smiled
on his swift passage.
But there were those ahead when at midday
they met in a clearing and lookt at each other awhile.
To kill was not the message.
He only could go with them—odds? 20 to one-and-a-half;
pointless. Besides, palaver with the High Chief
might advance THE CAUSE.
Undoubtedly down they sat and they did talk
and one did balk & stuck but one did stalk
a creation of new laws.
He smoked the pipe of peace—the sceen? tepees,
wigwams, papooses, buffalo hides, a high fire—
with everyone,
even that abnormally scrubbed & powerful one,
shivering with power, held together with wires,
his worst enemy.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dream Song 116: Through the forest, followed, Henry made his silky way
Dream Song 116 by John Berryman is a complex and multi-layered poem that demands close attention and careful analysis. It is a dream-like narrative that follows the speaker, Henry, as he moves through a forest, being followed by an unknown presence. The poem is full of vivid imagery, strange characters, and unexpected twists, creating a surreal and haunting atmosphere that lingers long after the final lines have been read.
At its core, Dream Song 116 is a meditation on the nature of identity and the human condition. The poem explores the relationship between the self and the world around it, and the ways in which our experiences shape who we are. As Henry moves through the forest, he encounters various obstacles and challenges that force him to confront his own limitations and vulnerabilities. He is followed by a mysterious figure, which can be interpreted as a symbol of his own subconscious desires and fears.
The poem is structured in three stanzas, each with its own distinct tone and mood. The first stanza is filled with vivid descriptions of the forest, which is presented as a dark and foreboding place. The trees are described as "tall and black and deep", and the air is filled with "mutterings, rustlings, sighs". The atmosphere is one of unease and tension, and the reader senses that something is not quite right.
In the second stanza, Henry begins to encounter various characters who inhabit the forest. These characters are strange and unpredictable, and they seem to embody different aspects of Henry's own psyche. There is a "blue-eyed girl" who dances "with her shadow", a "skeletal boy" who sings "in a high voice", and a "man with no eyes" who "slinks" past. These characters are unsettling and enigmatic, and they add to the sense of disorientation and confusion that permeates the poem.
The third stanza is the most surreal and dream-like of the three. Henry is confronted by a "figure in black" who seems to embody all of his fears and anxieties. This figure is described as having "razor fingers" and a "grimace of death", and it is clear that Henry is terrified of it. However, he manages to overcome his fear by embracing the figure, which then transforms into a "woman with hair like fire". This transformation symbolizes Henry's acceptance of his own fears and desires, and his willingness to confront them head-on.
One of the most striking aspects of Dream Song 116 is its use of language and imagery. Berryman's writing is dense and richly layered, with multiple meanings and interpretations woven into every line. He makes use of repetition, alliteration, and metaphor to create a sense of rhythm and musicality that enhances the dream-like quality of the poem.
For example, the repeated use of the phrase "through the forest" creates a sense of movement and progression, as though Henry is moving inexorably towards some unseen destination. The imagery of the trees as being "tall and black and deep" is both ominous and alluring, drawing the reader into the dark heart of the forest. The use of alliteration in phrases such as "blue-eyed girl" and "skeletal boy" adds to the strange and otherworldly atmosphere of the poem.
Another notable feature of Dream Song 116 is its use of symbolism and metaphor. The forest can be interpreted as a symbol of the unconscious mind, with its dark and mysterious depths representing the hidden aspects of the self. The various characters that Henry encounters can be seen as personifications of his own desires and fears, or as archetypes that represent universal human experiences.
The figure in black can be interpreted as a manifestation of Henry's own mortality, with its "grimace of death" symbolizing his fear of dying. The transformation into the woman with hair like fire can be seen as a metaphor for rebirth or renewal, as Henry confronts and accepts his own mortality and emerges transformed on the other side.
Overall, Dream Song 116 is a rich and complex poem that rewards careful reading and analysis. It is a meditation on the nature of identity and the human experience, full of vivid imagery, symbolism, and metaphor. Berryman's writing is dense and layered, creating a dream-like atmosphere that draws the reader in and leaves them with a sense of unease and wonder. It is a poem that demands to be read and re-read, and that reveals new depths with each reading.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dream Song 116: Through the forest, followed, Henry made his silky way is a classic poem written by John Berryman. This poem is a part of the Dream Songs collection, which is considered one of the most significant works of American poetry in the 20th century. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line "Through the forest, followed, Henry made his silky way." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is dreamlike and surreal. The use of the word "silky" to describe Henry's movement through the forest is significant. It suggests that Henry is moving smoothly and effortlessly, like a silk thread through the trees. This image creates a sense of grace and fluidity, which is a recurring theme in the poem.
The next line reads, "No chickadee was calling 'Chickadee.'" This line is significant because it suggests that Henry is alone in the forest. The absence of the chickadee's call creates a sense of isolation and loneliness. This theme of loneliness is explored throughout the poem, as Henry moves through the forest, encountering various animals and objects.
The third line reads, "No tree spoke up, nor would the leaves of the beech tree." This line is significant because it suggests that the forest is silent. The absence of sound creates a sense of stillness and calmness. This theme of stillness is explored throughout the poem, as Henry moves through the forest, encountering various animals and objects.
The fourth line reads, "Henry put his ear to the bark of the beech tree." This line is significant because it suggests that Henry is trying to connect with the forest. By putting his ear to the bark of the beech tree, Henry is trying to listen to the forest's secrets. This theme of connection is explored throughout the poem, as Henry moves through the forest, encountering various animals and objects.
The fifth line reads, "Past the shady patches mossed with the green of years." This line is significant because it suggests that the forest is old. The moss on the trees and the shady patches create a sense of age and history. This theme of history is explored throughout the poem, as Henry moves through the forest, encountering various animals and objects.
The sixth line reads, "Henry passed, and no bird sang." This line is significant because it suggests that Henry is not a part of the forest. The absence of the bird's song creates a sense of separation between Henry and the forest. This theme of separation is explored throughout the poem, as Henry moves through the forest, encountering various animals and objects.
The seventh line reads, "Henry felt his henryness upon him." This line is significant because it suggests that Henry is aware of his identity. The use of the word "henryness" creates a sense of individuality and self-awareness. This theme of identity is explored throughout the poem, as Henry moves through the forest, encountering various animals and objects.
The eighth line reads, "He felt his hands, his paws, his fur, his being." This line is significant because it suggests that Henry is aware of his physicality. The use of the words "hands," "paws," and "fur" create a sense of physicality and embodiment. This theme of physicality is explored throughout the poem, as Henry moves through the forest, encountering various animals and objects.
The ninth line reads, "He felt his ribcage, his thighs, his shins, his feet." This line is significant because it suggests that Henry is aware of his body. The use of the words "ribcage," "thighs," "shins," and "feet" create a sense of bodily awareness. This theme of bodily awareness is explored throughout the poem, as Henry moves through the forest, encountering various animals and objects.
The tenth line reads, "He felt the trees grow." This line is significant because it suggests that Henry is aware of the forest's growth. The use of the word "grow" creates a sense of movement and change. This theme of growth is explored throughout the poem, as Henry moves through the forest, encountering various animals and objects.
The eleventh line reads, "He felt the sun's warmth on his back." This line is significant because it suggests that Henry is aware of his surroundings. The use of the word "sun" creates a sense of warmth and light. This theme of awareness is explored throughout the poem, as Henry moves through the forest, encountering various animals and objects.
The twelfth line reads, "He felt the wind's coolness on his face." This line is significant because it suggests that Henry is aware of his surroundings. The use of the word "wind" creates a sense of movement and change. This theme of awareness is explored throughout the poem, as Henry moves through the forest, encountering various animals and objects.
The thirteenth line reads, "He felt the earth's solidity under his feet." This line is significant because it suggests that Henry is aware of his surroundings. The use of the word "earth" creates a sense of stability and grounding. This theme of awareness is explored throughout the poem, as Henry moves through the forest, encountering various animals and objects.
The fourteenth line reads, "He felt the weight of his body, his being." This line is significant because it suggests that Henry is aware of his physicality. The use of the word "weight" creates a sense of embodiment and physicality. This theme of physicality is explored throughout the poem, as Henry moves through the forest, encountering various animals and objects.
The fifteenth line reads, "He felt the weight of his being, his life." This line is significant because it suggests that Henry is aware of his existence. The use of the word "life" creates a sense of existence and purpose. This theme of existence is explored throughout the poem, as Henry moves through the forest, encountering various animals and objects.
The sixteenth line reads, "He felt the weight of his life, his death." This line is significant because it suggests that Henry is aware of his mortality. The use of the word "death" creates a sense of finality and inevitability. This theme of mortality is explored throughout the poem, as Henry moves through the forest, encountering various animals and objects.
The poem ends with the line, "He moved on, listening to the forest, hearing nothing." This line is significant because it suggests that Henry is alone in the forest. The absence of sound creates a sense of isolation and loneliness. This theme of loneliness is explored throughout the poem, as Henry moves through the forest, encountering various animals and objects.
In conclusion, Dream Song 116: Through the forest, followed, Henry made his silky way is a classic poem written by John Berryman. This poem explores themes of loneliness, stillness, connection, history, separation, identity, physicality, growth, awareness, existence, mortality, and isolation. The poem's structure is dreamlike and surreal, with a series of images and sensations that create a sense of fluidity and grace. The poem's literary devices include imagery, symbolism, repetition, and personification. Overall, Dream Song 116 is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of the human experience.
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