'Dream Song 16: Henry's pelt was put on sundry walls' by John Berryman
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Henry's pelt was put on sundry walls
where it did much resemble Henry and
them persons was delighted.
Especially his long & glowing tail
by all them was admired, and visitors.
They whistled: This is it!
Golden, whilst your frozen daiquiris
whir at midnight, gleams on you his fur
& silky & black.
Mission accomplished, pal.
My molten yellow & moonless bag,
drained, hangs at rest.
Collect in the cold depths barracuda. Ay,
in Sealdah Station some possessionless
children survive to die.
The Chinese communes hum. Two daiquiris
withdrew into a corner of the gorgeous room
and one told the other a lie.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dream Song 16: Henry's pelt was put on sundry walls by John Berryman
Oh, dear reader! How exciting it is to delve into the depths of John Berryman's Dream Song 16! This classic poem is a masterpiece of modern literature and a true representation of the complex and often fragmented human psyche.
Background
Before we dive into the poem, let's take a moment to discuss the background and context in which it was written. John Berryman was an American poet, born in 1914 in Oklahoma. His life was tumultuous, marked by alcoholism, depression, and multiple failed marriages. Berryman was a professor of English at the University of Minnesota and a prolific writer, but he is perhaps best known for his Dream Songs, a collection of 385 poems that he wrote over the course of 14 years.
Dream Song 16 was published in 1964 as part of Berryman's Pulitzer Prize-winning collection, 77 Dream Songs. The poem is written in the form of a dream song, a style that Berryman invented, which is characterized by its irregular meter, fragmented syntax, and dream-like imagery. The dream song is meant to reflect the disjointed and often irrational nature of dreams and the human subconscious.
Analysis
Now, let us turn our attention to the poem itself. Dream Song 16 is a complex and multi-layered work that requires careful analysis and interpretation. The poem is narrated by Henry, a character who appears in many of Berryman's Dream Songs. Henry is a semi-autobiographical figure who is often used as a stand-in for the poet himself.
The poem begins with the line, "Henry's pelt was put on sundry walls," which immediately sets a strange and unsettling tone. The word "pelt" refers to an animal skin or fur, and the use of this word to describe Henry's physical being is jarring. The fact that his "pelt" is on display on "sundry walls" only adds to the sense of unease.
As the poem continues, we learn that Henry's "pelt" is not a literal fur, but a metaphorical representation of his emotional and psychological state. The line, "with buttons at the eyes doped awake lest he blink" suggests that Henry is trapped in a state of emotional paralysis. He is unable to process his feelings or express himself in any meaningful way.
The next few lines of the poem are perhaps the most enigmatic and difficult to interpret. Henry says, "my sufferings woke him dead, and he lied," which can be read in a number of ways. It is possible that Henry is referring to a literal death, or that he is using death as a metaphor for some kind of emotional or psychological shutdown. The phrase "he lied" is also open to interpretation. It could mean that Henry is accusing someone of lying to him, or that he himself is lying to himself or others.
The middle section of the poem introduces a new character, Mr. Bones. Mr. Bones is a skeletal figure who is often used as a symbol of death and decay in Berryman's Dream Songs. In Dream Song 16, Mr. Bones appears to be offering some kind of comfort or solace to Henry. He says, "we slept under the log, and eased, and heart's sweet wood," which suggests a brief moment of respite from Henry's emotional turmoil.
However, this moment of calm is short-lived. The final section of the poem returns to the theme of Henry's emotional paralysis. The line, "the trip was not a success; or not enough," implies that Henry has been attempting to find some kind of resolution or closure, but has been unsuccessful. The poem ends with the repetition of the phrase "Poor Henry," which emphasizes his sense of helplessness and despair.
Interpretation
Dream Song 16 is a deeply personal and introspective poem that deals with themes of emotional paralysis, despair, and the struggle for self-expression. The use of the dream song form allows Berryman to explore these themes in a fragmented and disjointed way, mirroring the disorientation and irrationality of the human subconscious.
The metaphorical use of Henry's "pelt" is particularly effective, as it represents not only his emotional state, but also the idea of being trapped or on display. The buttons at his eyes suggest a kind of forced wakefulness, as if he is unable to escape from his own emotional prison.
Mr. Bones, the skeletal figure who appears in the middle of the poem, is a complex symbol. On the one hand, he represents death and decay, but on the other hand, he offers some kind of comfort or solace to Henry. This could be interpreted as a kind of acceptance of the inevitability of death and the impermanence of life.
The final lines of the poem, which repeat the phrase "Poor Henry," are particularly poignant. They suggest a sense of helplessness and despair, as if Henry is unable to break free from his emotional paralysis. The use of repetition emphasizes the depth of his despair, and makes the reader feel a sense of empathy and compassion for the character.
Conclusion
Dream Song 16 is a complex and multi-layered work that requires careful analysis and interpretation. Berryman's use of the dream song form allows him to explore the themes of emotional paralysis and despair in a fragmented and disjointed way that mirrors the irrationality and disorientation of the human subconscious. The metaphorical use of Henry's "pelt" is particularly effective, as it represents the idea of being trapped and on display. The appearance of Mr. Bones offers a brief moment of respite from Henry's emotional turmoil, but ultimately, the poem ends in a sense of helplessness and despair. Dream Song 16 is a masterpiece of modern literature that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dream Song 16: Henry's pelt was put on sundry walls is a classic poem written by John Berryman. This poem is a part of Berryman's Dream Songs collection, which is considered one of the most important works of American poetry in the 20th century. Dream Song 16 is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores themes of identity, mortality, and the human condition. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this poem and explore its various literary devices and techniques.
The poem begins with the line "Henry's pelt was put on sundry walls," which immediately sets a somber and melancholic tone. The word "pelt" refers to the skin of an animal, which suggests that Henry has been killed and his skin has been used as a trophy. This image is disturbing and unsettling, and it immediately raises questions about who Henry was and why his skin was put on display.
The next line of the poem provides some context: "where it did much resemble Henry and them and got perplexed with his life & death." This line suggests that Henry was a person, not an animal, and that his skin was used as a symbol of his life and death. The use of the word "resemble" is interesting because it implies that Henry's skin was not an exact replica of him, but rather a representation of him. This raises questions about the nature of identity and how we define ourselves.
The poem then shifts to a more introspective tone as the speaker reflects on his own mortality: "I cannot but remember how it was / and how by slow degrees he came to look / like a drowned man, pale and unrecognizable." This line suggests that the speaker is reflecting on his own mortality and how he will eventually become unrecognizable in death. The use of the word "drowned" is interesting because it suggests a sense of suffocation or being overwhelmed, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the human condition.
The next few lines of the poem are more abstract and difficult to interpret: "All the world's clamor was a thin monotone / to the deaf ear on which the brain relied / for melody in such silence. He was a brave man." These lines suggest that the speaker is experiencing a sense of detachment from the world and is relying on his own internal thoughts and feelings for comfort. The reference to Henry as a "brave man" is interesting because it suggests that the speaker is admiring Henry's courage in the face of death.
The poem then shifts to a more surreal and dreamlike tone as the speaker describes a strange and unsettling image: "He looked at vestments & apparatus / till he could not see, & walked / into a river, his pelt floating away." This image is disturbing and confusing, and it raises questions about the nature of reality and perception. The use of the word "vestments" suggests a religious or ceremonial context, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the human search for meaning and purpose.
The poem then concludes with a powerful and poignant image: "downstream till the turning of the tide / when his fur floated back, handsome / to offer, and we took it." This image suggests that Henry's skin has been returned to the speaker and his companions, and that they have accepted it as a symbol of his life and death. The use of the word "handsome" is interesting because it suggests a sense of admiration and respect for Henry, despite his tragic fate.
In terms of literary devices and techniques, Dream Song 16 is a masterful example of modernist poetry. Berryman uses a variety of techniques, including imagery, metaphor, and allusion, to create a complex and multi-layered poem that explores deep and universal themes. The use of surreal and dreamlike imagery is particularly effective in creating a sense of disorientation and confusion, which mirrors the speaker's own sense of detachment from the world.
Overall, Dream Song 16: Henry's pelt was put on sundry walls is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of identity, mortality, and the human condition. Berryman's use of language and imagery is masterful, and the poem is a testament to his skill as a poet. This poem is a classic of American poetry, and it continues to resonate with readers today.
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