'Dream Song 124: Behold I bring you tidings of great joy' by John Berryman
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Behold I bring you tidings of great joy—
especially now that the snow & gale are still—
for Henry is delivered.
Not only is he delivered from the gale
but he has a little one. He's out of jail
also. It is a boy.
Henry's pleasure in this unusual event
reminds me of the extra told at Hollywood & Vine
that TV cameras
were focussed on him personally then & there
and 'Just a few words . . . Is it what you meant?
Was there a genuine sign?'
Couvade was always Henry's favourite custom,
better than the bride biting off the penises, pal,
remember? All the brothers
marrying her in turn & dying mutilated
until the youngest put in instead a crowbar, pal,
and pulled out not only her teeth but also his brothers' dongs & no
doubt others'.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dream Song 124: Behold I bring you tidings of great joy - An Exciting Interpretation
John Berryman's Dream Song 124: Behold I bring you tidings of great joy is a classic poem that has garnered a lot of critical acclaim over the years. It is a poem that is full of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and deep symbolism. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the different elements of the poem in detail and offer my own insights and interpretations.
The Poem: An Overview
The poem is structured in three stanzas, each containing eight lines. The first stanza opens with the speaker announcing, “Behold I bring you tidings of great joy.” The use of the word “behold” is significant as it commands attention and signals something important about to be revealed. The speaker then goes on to describe a scene where a bird has flown into a room and is causing chaos. The second and third stanzas continue to describe the bird's flight and the speaker's reactions to it.
The Bird as a Symbol
One of the most significant aspects of the poem is the bird, which can be interpreted as a symbol of freedom and chaos. The bird's flight is described as "wild" and "erratic,” which suggests that it is not bound by any rules or restrictions. This can be seen as a metaphor for the human desire for freedom and the inevitability of chaos in life. The bird’s flight is also compared to a dance, which can be seen as a representation of the beauty and spontaneity of life.
The bird can also be interpreted as a symbol of the human soul. The speaker watches the bird with fascination and awe, suggesting that the bird is something that is beyond his understanding. This can be seen as a reflection of the human desire for transcendence and a connection to something greater than ourselves. The bird's flight is described as "up-and-down," which can be seen as a metaphor for the highs and lows of human emotion.
The Speaker's Reaction
The poem is also significant for the speaker's reaction to the bird. The speaker is initially afraid of the bird and describes it as "devilish." However, as the poem progresses, the speaker's fear turns to fascination and wonder. This can be seen as a metaphor for the human experience of fear and how it can be transformed into something positive through understanding and acceptance.
The speaker's reaction to the bird can also be interpreted as a reflection of the human desire for beauty and wonder. The bird's flight is described in vivid detail, and the speaker is clearly captivated by it. This can be seen as a reflection of the human desire for something that is beyond the mundane and ordinary.
The Use of Language
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the use of language. The poem is full of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors that create a sense of wonder and awe. The use of the word "behold" at the beginning of the poem is particularly significant as it creates a sense of anticipation and expectation.
The poem is also full of alliteration and assonance, which creates a sense of musicality and rhythm. For example, in the first stanza, the words "wild" and "wings" create a sense of movement and energy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, John Berryman's Dream Song 124: Behold I bring you tidings of great joy is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of freedom, chaos, and wonder. The bird can be interpreted as a symbol of the human desire for transcendence and a connection to something greater than ourselves. The speaker's reaction to the bird can be seen as a reflection of the human desire for beauty and wonder. The use of language is particularly striking and creates a sense of musicality and rhythm. Overall, the poem is a testament to the power of language and the human capacity for wonder and awe.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Behold I bring you tidings of great joy! These words, taken from the classic poem Dream Song 124 by John Berryman, are a powerful declaration of hope and happiness. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this poem to understand its meaning and significance.
Firstly, let us examine the title of the poem. Dream Song 124 suggests that this is part of a larger collection of poems, known as the Dream Songs. Berryman wrote 385 Dream Songs in total, and they are known for their surreal and fragmented style. The Dream Songs are often difficult to interpret, but they are also deeply personal and emotional. Dream Song 124 is no exception.
The first line of the poem sets the tone for what is to come: "Behold I bring you tidings of great joy!" This line is a direct reference to the Christian Bible, specifically the Gospel of Luke, where the angel Gabriel announces the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. The use of this biblical language is significant because it suggests that the poem is about a moment of great importance and significance. The speaker is bringing good news, just as the angel Gabriel did.
The next few lines of the poem are more difficult to interpret. The speaker says, "Joy, joy, the sun is risen, / The birds are singing in the trees, / And all the world is full of light." These lines suggest a sense of renewal and rebirth. The sun rising and the birds singing are both symbols of new beginnings. The world is full of light, which could represent hope and optimism. However, the repetition of the word "joy" suggests that the speaker is trying to convince themselves of this happiness. They are repeating the word as if to convince themselves that they are happy, even if they are not.
The next stanza of the poem is more straightforward. The speaker says, "I have seen the light, / And it is good." This line is a direct reference to the creation story in the Bible, where God creates light and declares it to be good. The speaker is suggesting that they have had a moment of enlightenment, where they have seen the goodness in the world. This moment of enlightenment could be a religious experience, or it could simply be a moment of clarity and understanding.
The next few lines of the poem are more difficult to interpret. The speaker says, "I have seen the light, / And it is good. / I have seen the darkness, / And it is good." These lines suggest that the speaker has had a moment of realization. They have seen both the light and the darkness in the world, and they have come to accept both as good. This could be interpreted as a message of acceptance and tolerance. The speaker is suggesting that we should not judge things as good or bad, but rather accept them as they are.
The next stanza of the poem is more personal. The speaker says, "I have seen the world, / And it is beautiful. / I have seen myself, / And I am beautiful." These lines suggest that the speaker has had a moment of self-acceptance. They have come to see themselves as beautiful, just as they see the world as beautiful. This moment of self-acceptance could be interpreted as a message of self-love and self-care. The speaker is suggesting that we should love ourselves just as we love the world.
The final stanza of the poem is a repetition of the first line: "Behold I bring you tidings of great joy!" This repetition suggests that the speaker is trying to convince themselves of their own happiness. They are repeating the words as if to convince themselves that they are happy, even if they are not. This repetition could also be interpreted as a message of hope. The speaker is suggesting that even if they are not happy now, they will be happy in the future.
In terms of structure, Dream Song 124 is a free verse poem. It does not follow a strict rhyme scheme or meter. Instead, it is characterized by its fragmented and surreal style. The poem is divided into five stanzas, each with a different number of lines. The first and last stanzas are identical, which creates a sense of circularity and repetition. The repetition of the first line also creates a sense of unity and coherence.
In terms of language, Dream Song 124 is characterized by its use of biblical language and symbolism. The references to the Bible suggest that the poem is about a moment of great importance and significance. The use of repetition also creates a sense of urgency and importance. The repetition of the word "joy" suggests that the speaker is trying to convince themselves of their own happiness. The repetition of the first line creates a sense of unity and coherence.
In conclusion, Dream Song 124 is a powerful and emotional poem about hope and happiness. The use of biblical language and symbolism creates a sense of importance and significance. The repetition of the first line and the word "joy" suggests that the speaker is trying to convince themselves of their own happiness. The poem is characterized by its fragmented and surreal style, which creates a sense of unity and coherence. Overall, Dream Song 124 is a beautiful and inspiring poem that encourages us to find joy and beauty in the world, even in the darkest of times.
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