'Dream Song 91: Op. posth. no. 14' by John Berryman
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Noises from underground made gibber some
others collected & dug henry up
saying 'You are a sight.'
Chilly, he muttered for a double rum
waving the mikes away, putting a stop
to rumors, pushing his fright
off with the now accumulated taxes
accustomed in his way to solitude
and no bills.
Wives came forward, claiming a new Axis,
fearful for their insurance, though, now, glued
to disencumbered Henry's many ills.
A fortnight, sense a single man
upon the trampled scene at 2 a.m.
insomnia-plagued, with a shovel
digging like mad, Lazarus with a plan
to get his own back, a plan, a stratagem
no newsman will unravel.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dream Song 91: Op. posth. no. 14 by John Berryman
Dream Song 91: Op. posth. no. 14 is a poem by John Berryman that explores the themes of regret, loss, and mortality through the eyes of the speaker, Henry. This poem is part of Berryman's Dream Songs collection, which is known for its imaginative and unconventional style. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze the language, structure, and themes of Dream Song 91, and provide my own insights and interpretations.
Language Analysis
The language used in Dream Song 91 is both complex and simple, reflecting the inner turmoil and confusion of the speaker. The poem uses a conversational tone, with the speaker addressing an unspecified audience or perhaps himself. The language is fragmented and disjointed, with lines that seem to jump from one thought to another. For example, the opening lines of the poem read:
Some deaths take forever to become real.
These lines suggest a sense of uncertainty and hesitation, as if the speaker is struggling to come to terms with a loss or a change. The use of the word "forever" also suggests a sense of timelessness, as if the speaker is caught in a state of perpetual mourning or regret.
The poem also uses repetition and alliteration to create a musical and rhythmic effect. The title, Dream Song 91: Op. posth. no. 14, contains several repetitions of the letter "o", which creates a pleasing sound when spoken aloud. The poem also uses alliteration in lines such as:
blue beauties & baked beans & burned-out dreams
These lines create a sense of unity and cohesion, as if the disparate elements of the poem are connected in some way.
Finally, the poem uses a number of metaphors and symbols to convey its themes. For example, the image of the "burned-out dreams" suggests a sense of loss and disappointment, while the "blue beauties" may represent something unattainable or out of reach. The poem also uses the image of a "bird" to symbolize the fleeting nature of life, as in the lines:
& dying's a breeze for a bird
Overall, the language used in Dream Song 91 is both evocative and elusive, inviting the reader to puzzle over its meaning and significance.
Structure Analysis
The structure of Dream Song 91 is unconventional and fragmented, with lines that seem to jump from one thought to another. The poem is composed of four stanzas, each containing three lines. The first three stanzas each begin with the words "Some deaths take", while the final stanza begins with the word "But". This creates a sense of symmetry and balance, as if the poem is building towards a climax or resolution.
The poem also uses repetition and variation to create a sense of unity and diversity. For example, the phrase "Some deaths take" is repeated in each of the first three stanzas, but the endings of those lines vary. This creates a sense of surprise and unpredictability, as the reader is unsure where the poem is headed.
Finally, the poem uses enjambment and caesura to create a sense of movement and pause. The lines often run into each other, creating a sense of continuity and flow. For example, the lines:
Some deaths take forever to become real. & dying's a breeze
create a sense of continuity between the first two stanzas, while the caesura in the third line creates a sense of pause and reflection.
Theme Analysis
The themes of Dream Song 91 are varied and complex, reflecting the inner turmoil and regret of the speaker. One of the main themes of the poem is the idea of loss and mourning. The poem suggests that some deaths take a long time to become real, as if the speaker is struggling to come to terms with a loss or a change. This sense of uncertainty and hesitation is echoed in the fragmented and disjointed language of the poem.
Another theme of the poem is the idea of mortality and the fleeting nature of life. The image of the bird dying is used to suggest that life is short and transitory, and that we should appreciate the beauty of the world while we can.
Finally, the poem suggests a sense of regret and disappointment, as if the speaker is looking back on a life that has not lived up to his expectations. The image of the burned-out dreams suggests a sense of loss and disillusionment, while the blue beauties may represent something unattainable or out of reach.
Interpretation
My interpretation of Dream Song 91 is that it is a poem about the human experience of loss and regret. The speaker seems to be struggling to come to terms with a loss or a change, and is perhaps looking back on a life that has not lived up to his expectations. The use of fragmented and disjointed language creates a sense of uncertainty and hesitation, as if the speaker is unsure how to articulate his feelings.
The image of the bird dying is used to suggest that life is short and transitory, and that we should appreciate the beauty of the world while we can. This is a common theme in Berryman's Dream Songs, which are known for their meditations on mortality and the passing of time.
Overall, Dream Song 91 is a complex and evocative poem that invites the reader to puzzle over its meaning and significance. The language, structure, and themes of the poem all work together to create a sense of unity and diversity, reflecting the inner turmoil and complexity of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dream Song 91: Op. posth. no. 14 by John Berryman is a classic poem that has captured the hearts of many readers over the years. This poem is a part of Berryman's Dream Songs collection, which is known for its unique style and structure. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in Dream Song 91: Op. posth. no. 14.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a dream he had about his father. The dream is vivid and haunting, and the speaker is left feeling confused and lost. The dream is a metaphor for the speaker's relationship with his father, which is strained and complicated. The speaker is trying to come to terms with his feelings towards his father, and the dream is a way for him to process those emotions.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker describes the dream in vivid detail, using sensory language to create a sense of unease. The use of the word "wept" in the first line sets the emotional tone for the poem. The speaker is clearly upset by the dream and is struggling to come to terms with what it means.
The second stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to explore the themes of the poem. The speaker describes his father as a "ghost," which is a metaphor for the way the speaker feels about his father. The speaker is haunted by his father's memory, and he is struggling to come to terms with his absence. The use of the word "ghost" is significant because it suggests that the speaker's father is not really there, but his presence is still felt.
The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to explore the idea of forgiveness. The speaker describes his father as a "saint," which is a metaphor for the way the speaker wants to see his father. The speaker is trying to forgive his father for his past mistakes, and he is struggling to come to terms with his own feelings of anger and resentment. The use of the word "saint" is significant because it suggests that the speaker is trying to see his father in a positive light, despite their complicated relationship.
The fourth stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to explore the idea of acceptance. The speaker describes his father as a "man," which is a metaphor for the way the speaker wants to see his father. The speaker is trying to accept his father for who he is, flaws and all. The use of the word "man" is significant because it suggests that the speaker is trying to see his father as a human being, rather than an idealized version of himself.
The fifth stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to explore the idea of closure. The speaker describes his father as a "dream," which is a metaphor for the way the speaker wants to let go of his father's memory. The speaker is trying to find closure and move on from his complicated relationship with his father. The use of the word "dream" is significant because it suggests that the speaker is trying to let go of something that is not real, but has a powerful hold on him.
The structure of Dream Song 91: Op. posth. no. 14 is unique and adds to the overall impact of the poem. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a specific rhyme or meter. This allows the speaker to express his emotions in a raw and unfiltered way. The use of enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence from one line to the next, creates a sense of flow and movement in the poem. This adds to the dreamlike quality of the piece and creates a sense of unease.
The use of literary devices in Dream Song 91: Op. posth. no. 14 is also significant. The use of metaphor is prevalent throughout the poem, and it allows the speaker to explore complex emotions in a way that is relatable and understandable. The use of sensory language, such as the description of the dream in the first stanza, creates a sense of atmosphere and adds to the emotional impact of the poem.
In conclusion, Dream Song 91: Op. posth. no. 14 by John Berryman is a powerful and emotional poem that explores the themes of forgiveness, acceptance, and closure. The unique structure and use of literary devices add to the overall impact of the piece and create a sense of unease and raw emotion. This poem is a testament to Berryman's skill as a poet and his ability to capture complex emotions in a way that is relatable and understandable.
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