'Dream Song 38: The Russian grin bellows his condolence' by John Berryman


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The Russian grin bellows his condolence
tó the family: ah but it's Kay,
& Ted, & Chris & Anne,
Henry thinks of: who eased his fearful way
from here, in here, to there. This wants thought.
I won't make it out.

Maybe the source of noble such may come
clearer to dazzled Henry. It may come.
I'd say it will come with pain,
in mystery. I'd rather leave it alone.
I do leave it alone.
And down with the listener.

Now he has become, abrupt, an industry.
Professional-Friends-Of-Robert-Frost all over
gap wide their mouths
while the quirky medium of so many truths
is quiet. Let's be quiet. Let us listen:
—What for, Mr Bones?
—while he begins to have it out with Horace.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dream Song 38: The Russian grin bellows his condolence by John Berryman

Excuse me! Are you ready for an exciting and exhilarating analysis of one of the most complex and enigmatic poems of the 20th century? Buckle up, my friend, because we are about to embark on a wild journey through the twists and turns of John Berryman's "Dream Song 38: The Russian grin bellows his condolence".

First of all, let's set the stage. "Dream Song 38" is part of Berryman's "Dream Songs" collection, a series of 385 poems written in the form of a dream narrative, using a mixture of colloquial language, slang, and literary allusions. The collection was published in 1969, a year before Berryman's death, and it is considered one of the most influential and innovative works of American poetry.

Now, let's dive into the poem. "The Russian grin bellows his condolence" is a short, but powerful piece that encapsulates many of Berryman's recurring themes and techniques. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each one consisting of four lines. The first stanza sets the tone and introduces the main character: the Russian grin.

The Russian grin bellows his condolence:

ahem, he whispers,—sorrow, sorrow & all—

ahem, he whispers—a bone, a bone & all—

jeez, he groans, this—this is—

The Russian grin is a strange and ambiguous figure. On the one hand, he seems to be expressing sympathy and empathy towards the speaker, who is presumably grieving. On the other hand, his manner of expressing this condolence is bizarre and unsettling. He "bellows" it, as if he is not quite in control of his emotions. He "whispers" it twice, but the repetition does not add any weight or sincerity to his words. Instead, it emphasizes the artificiality of his performance. And then he "groans" out of nowhere, interrupting his own speech and leaving the reader (and the speaker) in suspense.

But what does this all mean? Who is the Russian grin? And why is he so weird?

Well, there are many possible interpretations of this character, and Berryman deliberately leaves it open to multiple readings. One way to approach it is to see the Russian grin as a symbol of the Cold War, which was at its height when Berryman was writing the poem. The grin could represent the superficial and insincere gestures of peace and diplomacy that were being exchanged between the US and the USSR, while the underlying tensions and conflicts were still simmering. The fact that the Russian grin "bellows" his condolence suggests that he is not really speaking from the heart, but rather putting on a show of compassion for the sake of appearances.

Another way to interpret the Russian grin is to see him as a manifestation of the speaker's own psyche. In this reading, the Russian grin represents the speaker's inner voice of doubt and self-criticism, which is trying to console him but only ends up making things worse. The repetition of "ahem" and "a bone" could be seen as a kind of stutter or hesitation, as if the speaker is struggling to articulate his own feelings. And the sudden "jeez" that interrupts the Russian grin's speech could be interpreted as the speaker's own frustration with his inability to express himself.

Of course, these are just two possible readings of the Russian grin, and there are many others. The beauty of Berryman's poetry is that it allows for multiple interpretations, and invites the reader to engage in a creative and imaginative dialogue with the text.

Moving on to the second stanza:

—my wife is eating her grief-up,

my wife is eating her grief-up,

my wife is reading her grief-down,

my wife is—my wife is—

Here, we see a shift in perspective from the Russian grin to the speaker's own experience. The repetition of "my wife is" creates a sense of monotony and routine, as if the speaker is going through the motions of mourning without really feeling anything. The fact that his wife is "eating her grief-up" and "reading her grief-down" suggests that she is trying to consume her emotions rather than express them. This could be interpreted as a critique of the way society expects people to handle grief, by bottling it up and internalizing it rather than sharing it with others.

Also, notice how the repetition of "my wife is" echoes the repetition of "ahem" and "a bone" in the first stanza. This creates a sense of continuity and connection between the two sections, as if the Russian grin and the speaker's wife are both struggling to communicate their condolences in their own way.

Finally, we come to the third stanza:

—the Russian grin sinks, & his eyes shut,

his muzzle spasms, & he dies outright,

& his long friends mourn & agree to his dust—

in what ways does he improve my lot?

This stanza is the most enigmatic and elusive of the three. It describes the death of the Russian grin, but it is unclear whether this is a literal or metaphorical death. Is the Russian grin an actual person or animal, or is it a symbol of something else? And why does the speaker ask the rhetorical question at the end?

One possible interpretation is that the death of the Russian grin represents the speaker's own realization of the futility of mourning. The fact that the Russian grin's friends "mourn & agree to his dust" suggests that they are able to move on from his death, and perhaps the speaker should do the same. The rhetorical question at the end could be seen as a kind of challenge to the reader, asking them to question the value and purpose of grief. In other words, if the death of the Russian grin does not "improve" the speaker's lot, then what is the point of mourning at all?

Alternatively, the death of the Russian grin could be seen as a metaphor for the end of the Cold War, or the end of a particular phase in the speaker's life. In this reading, the question at the end could be interpreted as a reflection on the fleeting nature of all things, and the need to find meaning and purpose in the face of impermanence.

Wow! Wasn't that an exhilarating ride? "Dream Song 38: The Russian grin bellows his condolence" is a poem that rewards close reading and thoughtful interpretation. Through its use of repetition, ambiguity, and symbolism, it explores complex themes of grief, communication, and mortality. Whether you see the Russian grin as a political allegory, a psychological projection, or something else entirely, one thing is clear: this is a poem that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. So go ahead, read it again, and see what new insights and revelations you can uncover. Happy interpreting!

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Dream Song 38: The Russian grin bellows his condolence is a classic poem written by John Berryman. This poem is a part of his famous Dream Songs collection, which is known for its unique style and structure. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, symbols, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a Russian man who is grinning and bellowing his condolence. The speaker is not sure what the man is condoling, but he assumes it is something related to death. The Russian man's grin is described as "wide as a continent," which suggests that it is not a genuine expression of sympathy but rather a facade.

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is characterized by a sense of confusion and ambiguity. The speaker is not sure what the Russian man is trying to convey, and this uncertainty is reflected in the poem's language and structure.

The second stanza introduces a new character, a woman who is described as "the lady of situations." This woman is also grinning, but her grin is described as "small and pointed." Unlike the Russian man's grin, which is expansive and insincere, the woman's grin is subtle and perhaps more genuine.

The contrast between the two grins is significant because it highlights the theme of deception and authenticity. The Russian man's grin is a mask that he wears to hide his true feelings, while the woman's grin is a more honest expression of her emotions.

The third stanza introduces another character, a boy who is described as "the child of the pure unclouded brow." This boy is not grinning, but he is crying. The contrast between the boy's tears and the other characters' grins is significant because it suggests that the boy is the only one who is truly affected by whatever event has occurred.

The fourth stanza is perhaps the most enigmatic of the poem. The speaker describes a "black swan" that is "floating along" and "singing." The black swan is a symbol that is open to interpretation, but it could represent death or mourning. The fact that it is singing suggests that it is not a purely negative symbol but rather something that has both positive and negative connotations.

The fifth stanza returns to the Russian man, who is now described as "the man of the grimace." The fact that the man's grin has turned into a grimace suggests that his facade is starting to crack. The speaker describes the man as "saying nothing," which suggests that he is no longer able to maintain his false expression of sympathy.

The sixth stanza introduces a new character, a "little girl" who is "sobbing in the street." The fact that the girl is crying in public suggests that whatever has happened is a significant event that has affected the entire community.

The seventh and final stanza brings the poem to a close. The speaker describes a "great light" that is "shining" and "spreading." This light could represent hope or enlightenment, and its appearance suggests that there is a way forward despite the sadness and confusion that has preceded it.

In terms of literary devices, Dream Song 38: The Russian grin bellows his condolence is notable for its use of repetition and ambiguity. The repetition of the word "grin" throughout the poem emphasizes the theme of deception and masks. The ambiguity of the poem's language and structure reflects the speaker's confusion and uncertainty.

In conclusion, Dream Song 38: The Russian grin bellows his condolence is a complex and enigmatic poem that explores themes of deception, authenticity, and mourning. The poem's use of repetition and ambiguity creates a sense of confusion and uncertainty that reflects the speaker's own state of mind. Despite its complexity, the poem ultimately offers a message of hope and enlightenment, suggesting that there is a way forward even in the face of sadness and confusion.

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