'Faust In Old Age' by Delmore Schwartz
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"Poet and veteran of childhood, look!
See in me the obscene, for you have love,
For you have hatred, you, you must be judge,
Deliver judgement, Delmore Schwartz.
Well-known wishes have been to war,
The vicious mouth has chewed the vine.
The patient crab beneath the shirt
Has charmed such interests as Indies meant.
For I have walked within and seen each sea,
The fish that flies, the broken burning bird,
Born again, beginning again, my breast!
Purple with persons like a tragic play.
For I have flown the cloud and fallen down,
Plucked Venus, sneering at her moan.
I took the train that takes away remorse;
I cast down every king like Socrates.
I knocked each nut to find the meat;
A worm was there and not a mint.
Metaphysicians could have told me this,
But each learns for himself, as in the kiss.
Polonius I poked, not him
To whom aspires spire and hymn,
Who succors children and the very poor;
I pierced the pompous Premier, not Jesus Christ,
I picked Polonius and Moby Dick,
the ego bloomed into an octopus.
Now come I to the exhausted West at last;
I know my vanity, my nothingness,
now I float will-less in despair's dead sea,
Every man my enemy.
Spontaneous, I have too much to say,
And what I say will no one not old see:
If we could love one another, it would be well.
But as it is, I am sorry for the whole world, myself
apart. My heart is full of memory and desire, and in
its last nervousness, there is pity for those I have
touched, but only hatred and contempt for myself."
Editor 1 Interpretation
Faust in Old Age: A Masterpiece from Delmore Schwartz
As a literary work of art, Faust in Old Age by Delmore Schwartz is a remarkable poetic piece that examines the human condition and the quest for meaning in life. The poem tells the story of Faust, a character that has been used in literature for centuries to explore the nature of humanity and the limits of our understanding of the world. In this poem, we get to see Faust in his old age, reflecting on his life and the choices he has made.
The poem opens with a powerful line, "Once I was Faust." This line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Faust speaks in the first person throughout the entire piece. By doing this, Schwartz creates a sense of intimacy between the reader and Faust, as we are able to enter into his mind and see the world through his eyes.
Schwartz's use of language in this poem is simply breathtaking. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and powerful metaphors that create a strong emotional response in the reader. For example, in the second stanza, Faust describes himself as a "ragged puppet," a metaphor that captures the sense of helplessness and despair that he feels in his old age.
Throughout the poem, we see Faust grappling with the big questions of life: What is the meaning of life? What is the nature of God? What is our place in the universe? These are questions that have plagued humanity for centuries, and Faust's struggle with them is a reflection of our own struggles as human beings.
One of the most striking aspects of Faust in Old Age is the way in which Schwartz explores the idea of regret. Faust looks back on his life and realizes that he has made many mistakes, and that he has failed to achieve the things that he set out to accomplish. This sense of regret is palpable throughout the poem, and it is something that many readers can relate to.
The poem is also a meditation on the passage of time and the inevitability of death. Faust realizes that his time on this earth is coming to an end, and that there is nothing he can do to stop it. This realization is both powerful and poignant, and it speaks to the universal human experience of aging and mortality.
At its core, Faust in Old Age is a poem about the human condition. It explores the big questions of life and death, meaning and purpose, and it does so in a way that is both profound and moving. Schwartz's use of language is masterful, and his ability to capture the essence of Faust's struggle is truly remarkable.
In conclusion, Faust in Old Age is a literary masterpiece that deserves to be read and studied by anyone interested in the human experience. It is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the universal struggles of humanity, and it is a testament to the enduring power of poetry as a means of exploring the mysteries of life.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Faust In Old Age: A Poem of Reflection and Regret
Delmore Schwartz's "Faust In Old Age" is a poignant and introspective poem that explores the themes of aging, regret, and the search for meaning in life. Written in the form of a monologue by the titular character, the poem presents a powerful meditation on the human condition and the inevitability of mortality.
At its core, "Faust In Old Age" is a reflection on the choices we make in life and the consequences that follow. The poem opens with Faust lamenting the fact that he has grown old and that his life has not turned out the way he had hoped. He speaks of his youth, when he was full of ambition and dreams, and contrasts it with his current state of disillusionment and regret. He says:
"I was young once, and I dreamed of great things, Of fame and fortune, of love and adventure. But now I am old, and my dreams have faded, And all that remains is the bitter taste of regret."
This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a series of reflections on Faust's life and the choices he has made. Throughout the poem, Faust speaks of his past loves, his successes and failures, and his search for meaning in life. He speaks of the people he has known and the places he has been, and he reflects on the fleeting nature of human existence.
One of the most striking aspects of "Faust In Old Age" is the way in which it presents Faust as a tragic figure. He is a man who has achieved great things in his life, but who is now haunted by the mistakes he has made and the opportunities he has missed. He speaks of the people he has loved and lost, and he wonders what might have been if he had made different choices. He says:
"I loved a woman once, with all my heart, But I let her slip away, and now she's gone. I wonder what might have been, if I had held on, If I had fought for her, if I had been strong."
This sense of regret and longing is a recurring theme throughout the poem, and it is what gives it its emotional power. Faust is a man who has lived a full and eventful life, but who is now faced with the reality of his own mortality. He speaks of the passing of time and the inevitability of death, and he wonders what it all means. He says:
"I have seen the world, and I have known its joys and sorrows, But now I am old, and I wonder what it all means. What is the purpose of life, if we are all destined to die? What is the point of striving, if we are all doomed to fail?"
These questions are at the heart of "Faust In Old Age", and they are what make it such a powerful and moving poem. Faust is a man who has lived a life of great achievement and great disappointment, and he is now faced with the reality of his own mortality. He speaks of the passing of time and the fleeting nature of human existence, and he wonders what it all means.
In many ways, "Faust In Old Age" can be seen as a meditation on the human condition. It speaks to the universal experience of aging and the search for meaning in life. It is a poem that reminds us of the fragility of our existence and the importance of living a life that is true to our values and aspirations. It is a poem that challenges us to reflect on our own lives and the choices we have made, and to consider what we might do differently if we had the chance.
In conclusion, "Faust In Old Age" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the universal experience of aging and the search for meaning in life. It presents Faust as a tragic figure, haunted by the mistakes he has made and the opportunities he has missed. It is a poem that challenges us to reflect on our own lives and the choices we have made, and to consider what we might do differently if we had the chance. Ultimately, it is a poem that reminds us of the importance of living a life that is true to our values and aspirations, and of the fragility of our existence in the face of the passing of time.
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