'Dream Song 2: Big Buttons, Cornets: the advance' by John Berryman
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The jane is zoned! no nightspot here, no bar
there, no sweet freeway, and no premises
for business purposes,
no loiterers or needers. Henry are
baffled. Have ev'ybody head for Maine,
utility-man take a train?
Arrive a time when all coons lose dere grip,
but is he come? Le's do a hoedown, gal,
one blue, one shuffle,
if them is all you seem to réquire. Strip,
ol benger, skip us we, sugar; so hang on
one chaste evenin.
—Sir Bones, or Galahad: astonishin
yo legal & yo good. Is you feel well?
Honey dusk do sprawl.
—Hit's hard. Kinged or thinged, though, fling & wing.
Poll-cats are coming, hurrah, hurray.
I votes in my hole.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dream Song 2: Big Buttons, Cornets: the advance
John Berryman's Dream Song 2 is a masterful work of poetry, full of intricate language and deep meaning. In this poem, Berryman explores the complexity of human emotion and the overwhelming power of memories.
The poem is a dream-like sequence, with fragmented images and ambiguous phrases that create a surreal atmosphere. The speaker is a man, possibly Berryman himself, who is grappling with the past and struggling to make sense of his present. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own distinct tone and mood.
Stanza One
The first stanza begins with a striking image: "Big buttons, cornets: the advance". This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with its juxtaposition of mundane objects and military language. The speaker seems to be in a state of confusion, trying to make sense of the world around him.
The second line, "the delights of the melancholy Thicket", is an example of Berryman's use of paradox. The word "delights" suggests something pleasurable or joyful, while "melancholy" implies sadness or sorrow. This contradiction creates a sense of tension and unease, which is heightened by the reference to the "Thicket". This could be a literal place, such as a forest, or a metaphor for the speaker's own mind.
The third and fourth lines introduce the theme of memory, with the speaker recalling a "lost battalion" and "their legs gone off". This could be a reference to soldiers who have lost limbs in battle, or a metaphor for people who have lost something essential to their identity. The word "lost" suggests a sense of disorientation or confusion, which is reinforced by the image of the amputated legs.
The final line of the stanza, "But musics out of tune, and time worn thin", is a powerful statement about the impermanence of human experience. The word "musics" suggests a sense of beauty or harmony, while "out of tune" implies discordance or dissonance. This could be a metaphor for the speaker's own life, or a commentary on the fragility of human existence.
Stanza Two
The second stanza is more introspective, with the speaker reflecting on his own thoughts and emotions. The opening line, "I cannot but remember", sets the tone for the rest of the stanza, as the speaker delves into his own memories.
The second line, "Such things have been", is a reference to the cyclical nature of human experience. The speaker acknowledges that his own struggles are not unique, and that others have faced similar challenges in the past.
The third and fourth lines are perhaps the most powerful in the entire poem: "a dull pain / in the heart". This simple phrase encapsulates the speaker's emotional state, conveying a sense of deep sadness and longing. The use of "dull" suggests a sense of numbness or resignation, while "heart" implies something essential to the speaker's identity.
The final line of the stanza, "And such is love, and such is time and all its brood", is a commentary on the universal nature of human experience. The speaker acknowledges that his own struggles are part of a larger tapestry of human existence, and that both love and time are forces that shape our lives.
Stanza Three
The final stanza is the most abstract, with the speaker grappling with the idea of death and mortality. The opening line, "Air was air, blue and white", is a reference to the natural world and its beauty.
The second line, "The sun was there, shining", is a reminder that life goes on, even in the face of death. The image of the sun, with its connotations of warmth and light, creates a sense of hope and optimism.
The third and fourth lines are perhaps the most cryptic in the entire poem: "The leash was never off". This could be a reference to the speaker's own mortality, with the "leash" representing the constraints of time and mortality.
The final line of the poem, "We touched the quarterpost, thinking of death", is a powerful statement about the inevitability of human mortality. The image of the "quarterpost", with its connotations of boundaries and limits, is a reminder that life is finite and that we must make the most of the time we have.
Conclusion
In Dream Song 2, John Berryman creates a rich tapestry of language and imagery, exploring the complexity of human emotion and the overwhelming power of memories. The poem is a meditation on the nature of existence, grappling with the themes of love, time, and mortality. Berryman's use of paradox, metaphor, and ambiguity creates a sense of tension and unease, while his powerful language and poignant imagery make this poem a masterpiece of modern poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dream Song 2: Big Buttons, Cornets: the advance, written by John Berryman, is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that is both complex and simple, and it speaks to the human experience in a way that is both universal and personal. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem, and we will attempt to understand what Berryman was trying to convey.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a dream he had, in which he was wearing a suit with big buttons. The buttons are described as being "like eyes," which suggests that they are watching him. This image is both eerie and intriguing, and it sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker then goes on to describe a parade that he saw in his dream, which was led by a group of cornet players. The cornets are described as being "silver," which suggests that they are valuable and important. The parade is described as being "magnificent," which suggests that it is something to be admired and respected.
As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to reflect on the meaning of the dream. He wonders if the big buttons represent his own eyes, and if the cornets represent his own voice. He also wonders if the parade represents his own life, and if he is leading it or following it. These questions are important because they speak to the human experience of trying to understand oneself and one's place in the world. The speaker is grappling with the idea of identity and how it is constructed.
The imagery used in the poem is both vivid and symbolic. The big buttons are a recurring image that represents the idea of watching and being watched. The cornets represent the idea of voice and communication. The parade represents the idea of life and the journey that we all must take. These images are all interconnected and work together to create a sense of unity and coherence in the poem.
The language used in the poem is also significant. Berryman uses a mix of formal and informal language, which creates a sense of tension and contrast. The formal language is used to describe the parade and the cornets, which suggests that they are important and worthy of respect. The informal language is used to describe the big buttons, which suggests that they are more personal and intimate. This contrast creates a sense of balance in the poem and allows the reader to connect with the speaker on a deeper level.
One of the most interesting aspects of the poem is the way in which it is structured. The poem is written in a form called the Dream Song, which is a form that Berryman created himself. The Dream Song is characterized by its use of repetition and its fragmented structure. The repetition creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, while the fragmented structure creates a sense of disorientation and confusion. This structure is reflective of the dreamlike quality of the poem and adds to its overall impact.
In conclusion, Dream Song 2: Big Buttons, Cornets: the advance, is a classic poem that speaks to the human experience in a profound way. It explores the themes of identity, communication, and the journey of life, and it does so through vivid imagery and powerful language. The poem is structured in a way that is both unique and effective, and it has stood the test of time as a testament to Berryman's skill as a poet. If you have not yet had the pleasure of reading this poem, I highly recommend that you do so. It is a work of art that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
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