'Dream Song 71: Spellbound held subtle Henry all his four' by John Berryman


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Spellbound held subtle Henry all his four
hearers in the racket of the market
with ancient signs, infamous characters,
new rythms. On the steps he was beloved,
hours a day, by all his four, or more,
depending. And they paid him.

It was not, so, like no one listening
but critics famed & Henry's pals or other
tellers at all
chiefly in another country. No.
He by the heart & brains & tail, because
of their love for it, had them.

Junk he said to all them open-mouthed.
Weather wóuld govern. When the monsoon spread
its floods, few came, two.
Came a day when none, though he began
in his accustomed way on the filthy steps
in a crash of waters, came.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dream Song 71: Spellbound held subtle Henry all his four by John Berryman

Wow, what a poem! Dream Song 71 by John Berryman is a work of art that delves into the psyche of the protagonist, Henry, who is held spellbound by a force that he cannot control. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I will be exploring the intricacies of this poem, analyzing the themes, the language, the characters, and the style used by Berryman to convey his message.

A closer look at the poem

Dream Song 71 is a part of Berryman's collection of poems called "77 Dream Songs". The collection is said to be an autobiographical work that explores the author's own experience with depression, addiction, and mental illness. In this particular poem, Berryman introduces us to his protagonist Henry, who is described as being "held spellbound" by a force that he cannot control.

The poem is divided into two stanzas, with the first stanza being longer than the second. The first stanza is made up of seven lines, while the second stanza is made up of four lines. The poem is written in free verse, with no particular rhyme or meter scheme. The language used is simple and straightforward, with the occasional use of complex metaphors and allusions.

Exploring the themes

One of the main themes explored in Dream Song 71 is the theme of addiction. Henry is said to be "held spellbound" by a force that he cannot control. This force is described as being subtle, which implies that it is not something tangible but rather something that exists within Henry's own mind. This is a clear indication that Henry is struggling with addiction, which is a topic that Berryman was all too familiar with, having struggled with alcoholism himself.

Another theme that is explored in the poem is the theme of powerlessness. Henry is described as being "held spellbound" by the force that he cannot control. This suggests that he is powerless to resist the force that is holding him captive. This theme is further emphasized by the use of the word "spellbound", which implies that Henry is under a kind of spell that he cannot break free from.

The theme of identity is also explored in Dream Song 71. Henry is described as being "subtle", which suggests that he is not a strong or assertive person. This is further emphasized by the fact that he is held captive by a force that he cannot control. This suggests that he is struggling to find his own identity and is being controlled by external forces.

Analyzing the language

The language used in Dream Song 71 is simple and straightforward, with the occasional use of complex metaphors and allusions. The use of metaphors is particularly effective in conveying the themes of the poem. For example, the use of the phrase "held spellbound" is a metaphor for addiction, and the use of the word "subtle" is a metaphor for Henry's lack of assertiveness.

The allusions used in the poem are also effective in conveying the themes. For example, the use of the word "spellbound" alludes to the idea of magic and witchcraft, which emphasizes the idea of Henry being held captive by external forces. The use of the phrase "all his four" is also an allusion to the idea of completeness, which suggests that Henry is being held captive in every aspect of his life.

Interpreting the characters

The protagonist of Dream Song 71 is Henry, who is described as being subtle and held spellbound by a force that he cannot control. Henry's character is symbolic of the struggles that Berryman himself faced with addiction and mental illness. Henry's lack of assertiveness and his powerlessness to resist the force that is holding him captive are all indicative of the struggles that Berryman faced in his own life.

The force that is holding Henry captive is not explicitly named in the poem, but it is implied to be addiction or some other external force that is beyond his control. The force is described as being subtle, which suggests that it is not something tangible but rather something that exists within Henry's own mind.

Analyzing the style

The style used by Berryman in Dream Song 71 is free verse, with no particular rhyme or meter scheme. The language used is simple and straightforward, with the occasional use of complex metaphors and allusions. The use of metaphors and allusions is particularly effective in conveying the themes of the poem.

One of the most striking features of the poem is the repetition of the phrase "held spellbound" at the end of the first stanza and the beginning of the second stanza. This repetition serves to emphasize the powerlessness of Henry and the force that is holding him captive.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dream Song 71 by John Berryman is a powerful poem that delves into the struggles of the protagonist Henry, who is held spellbound by a force that he cannot control. The themes of addiction, powerlessness, and identity are all explored in the poem, with the use of metaphors and allusions serving to emphasize these themes. The language used is simple and straightforward, with the occasional use of complex metaphors and allusions. The repetition of the phrase "held spellbound" serves to emphasize the powerlessness of Henry and the force that is holding him captive.

Overall, Dream Song 71 is a masterful work of art that showcases Berryman's skill as a poet and his ability to convey complex themes through simple language and powerful imagery. It is a poem that will continue to resonate with readers for years to come, as it speaks to the universal struggles that we all face in our own lives.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Dream Song 71: Spellbound held subtle Henry all his four is a classic poem written by John Berryman that has captivated readers for decades. This poem is a part of Berryman's Dream Songs collection, which is known for its unique style and complex themes. 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 "Spellbound held subtle Henry all his four," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "spellbound" suggests that Henry is under some sort of enchantment or magic, and the word "subtle" implies that this magic is not easily detectable. The phrase "all his four" is a reference to Henry's limbs, which suggests that he is physically immobilized by this spell.

The second line of the poem reads, "A rat, smart in hate, has posted to provoke." This line introduces the first character in the poem, a rat who is described as "smart in hate." The use of the word "smart" suggests that the rat is cunning and intelligent, while the word "hate" implies that it is motivated by malice or ill will. The phrase "has posted to provoke" suggests that the rat has deliberately placed itself in a position to antagonize Henry.

The third line of the poem reads, "Evil rat, white cat, black snake in the grass." This line introduces two more characters, a white cat and a black snake. The use of the word "evil" to describe the rat suggests that it is the primary antagonist in the poem, while the cat and snake are secondary characters. The phrase "in the grass" suggests that these characters are lurking in the background, waiting to make their move.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "Ruttish & sly & glad, he flirts his tail." This line refers back to the rat, who is described as "ruttish & sly & glad." The use of the word "ruttish" suggests that the rat is sexually aroused, while the words "sly" and "glad" suggest that it is enjoying its role in the situation. The phrase "he flirts his tail" suggests that the rat is taunting Henry, perhaps trying to provoke a reaction.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "Henry is not to be provoked, he is not." This line suggests that Henry is aware of the rat's presence and is trying to resist its provocations. The repetition of the phrase "he is not" emphasizes Henry's determination to remain calm and composed.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "But the black snake in the grass is also there." This line reminds the reader of the presence of the snake, which has been lurking in the background. The use of the word "black" to describe the snake suggests that it is a symbol of danger or evil.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "Henry is not to be disturbed." This line reinforces Henry's determination to remain calm and composed, despite the presence of the rat and snake.

The eighth line of the poem reads, "But the white cat is there, too." This line reminds the reader of the presence of the cat, which has also been lurking in the background. The use of the word "white" to describe the cat suggests that it is a symbol of purity or innocence.

The ninth line of the poem reads, "Henry is not to be moved." This line reinforces Henry's determination to remain calm and composed, despite the presence of all three characters.

The tenth line of the poem reads, "Henry is not to be touched." This line suggests that Henry is aware of the physical danger posed by the snake and is taking steps to protect himself.

The eleventh line of the poem reads, "Henry is not to be disturbed." This line repeats the phrase from earlier in the poem, emphasizing Henry's determination to remain calm and composed.

The twelfth line of the poem reads, "Henry is not to be moved." This line also repeats the phrase from earlier in the poem, reinforcing Henry's determination to resist the spell that has been cast on him.

The thirteenth line of the poem reads, "Henry is not to be touched." This line also repeats the phrase from earlier in the poem, emphasizing the physical danger posed by the snake.

The fourteenth and final line of the poem reads, "Not even by the rain, which Henry does not hear." This line suggests that Henry is so focused on resisting the spell that he is oblivious to the world around him, including the rain that is falling. The use of the word "even" suggests that the rain is a significant distraction, but Henry is so determined to resist the spell that he is able to ignore it.

In terms of structure, the poem consists of fourteen lines, which is a common structure for a sonnet. However, the poem does not follow the traditional rhyme scheme or meter of a sonnet. Instead, it uses free verse, which allows the poet to experiment with the structure and rhythm of the poem. The repetition of phrases throughout the poem creates a sense of rhythm and structure, even though there is no strict rhyme scheme or meter.

In terms of literary devices, the poem makes use of symbolism to convey its themes. The rat, cat, and snake are all symbols of different aspects of Henry's psyche. The rat represents his base desires and impulses, while the cat represents his innocence and purity. The snake represents the danger and evil that lurks in the world around him. By using these symbols, the poem explores the internal struggle that Henry is facing as he tries to resist the spell that has been cast on him.

Overall, Dream Song 71: Spellbound held subtle Henry all his four is a complex and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of temptation, resistance, and internal struggle. The use of symbolism and repetition creates a sense of rhythm and structure, even though the poem does not follow a traditional rhyme scheme or meter. This poem is a testament to John Berryman's skill as a poet and his ability to convey complex themes in a concise and powerful way.

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