'The House Of Dust: Part 02: 10: Sudden Death' by Conrad Aiken
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'Number four—the girl who died on the table—
The girl with golden hair—'
The purpling body lies on the polished marble.
We open the throat, and lay the thyroid bare . . .
One, who held the ether-cone, remembers
Her dark blue frightened eyes.
He heard the sharp breath quiver, and saw her breast
More hurriedly fall and rise.
Her hands made futile gestures, she turned her head
Fighting for breath; her cheeks were flushed to scarlet,—
And, suddenly, she lay dead.
And all the dreams that hurried along her veins
Came to the darkness of a sudden wall.
Confusion ran among them, they whirled and clamored,
They fell, they rose, they struck, they shouted,
Till at last a pallor of silence hushed them all.
What was her name? Where had she walked that morning?
Through what dark forest came her feet?
Along what sunlit walls, what peopled street?
Backward he dreamed along a chain of days,
He saw her go her strange and secret ways,
Waking and sleeping, noon and night.
She sat by a mirror, braiding her golden hair.
She read a story by candlelight.
Her shadow ran before her along the street,
She walked with rhythmic feet,
Turned a corner, descended a stair.
She bought a paper, held it to scan the headlines,
Smiled for a moment at sea-gulls high in sunlight,
And drew deep breaths of air.
Days passed, bright clouds of days. Nights passed. And music
Murmured within the walls of lighted windows.
She lifted her face to the light and danced.
The dancers wreathed and grouped in moving patterns,
Clustered, receded, streamed, advanced.
Her dress was purple, her slippers were golden,
Her eyes were blue; and a purple orchid
Opened its golden heart on her breast . . .
She leaned to the surly languor of lazy music,
Leaned on her partner's arm to rest.
The violins were weaving a weft of silver,
The horns were weaving a lustrous brede of gold,
And time was caught in a glistening pattern,
Time, too elusive to hold . . .
Shadows of leaves fell over her face,—and sunlight:
She turned her face away.
Nearer she moved to a crouching darkness
With every step and day.
Death, who at first had thought of her only an instant,
At a great distance, across the night,
Smiled from a window upon her, and followed her slowly
From purple light to light.
Once, in her dreams, he spoke out clearly, crying,
'I am the murderer, death.
I am the lover who keeps his appointment
At the doors of breath!'
She rose and stared at her own reflection,
Half dreading there to find
The dark-eyed ghost, waiting beside her,
Or reaching from behind
To lay pale hands upon her shoulders . . .
Or was this in her mind? . . .
She combed her hair. The sunlight glimmered
Along the tossing strands.
Was there a stillness in this hair,—
A quiet in these hands?
Death was a dream. It could not change these eyes,
Blow out their light, or turn this mouth to dust.
She combed her hair and sang. She would live forever.
Leaves flew past her window along a gust . . .
And graves were dug in the earth, and coffins passed,
And music ebbed with the ebbing hours.
And dreams went along her veins, and scattering clouds
Threw streaming shadows on walls and towers.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The House Of Dust: Part 02: 10: Sudden Death - A Masterpiece of Dark Imagery and Surrealism
Conrad Aiken's "The House of Dust: Part 02: 10: Sudden Death" is a haunting and mesmerizing poem that captures the reader's attention from the very first line. With its vivid and intricate descriptions, stark imagery, and surrealistic style, this poem is a masterpiece of modernist literature, and a testament to Aiken's talent as a poet.
At the heart of the poem is a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty, as the reader is left to decipher the meaning behind the symbols and metaphors scattered throughout the text. The poem begins with the line "I wonder, with a sense of awe, / What force has made me what I am," which sets the tone for the rest of the piece. From there, the reader is caught up in a surreal journey through a macabre landscape of death and decay.
The poem's title, "Sudden Death," sets the stage for the dark and foreboding atmosphere that permeates the entire piece. The suddenness and unpredictability of death is a recurring theme throughout the poem, and Aiken explores this concept with a sense of depth and complexity that is both chilling and beautiful.
One of the most striking aspects of "Sudden Death" is Aiken's use of imagery. From the opening lines, Aiken paints a vivid picture of a desolate and barren landscape, with "bony trees that stare and stare / And winds that come from everywhere." This imagery creates a sense of unease in the reader, as they are made to feel as though they are wandering through a wasteland, with no clear direction or purpose.
As the poem progresses, the imagery becomes even more surreal and dreamlike. Aiken writes of "a thousand doors" that lead to "a thousand rooms," each with its own unique atmosphere and mood. This imagery is both intriguing and unsettling, as the reader is left to wonder what lies behind each of these doors, and what secrets they may hold.
Another notable aspect of "Sudden Death" is Aiken's use of symbolism. Throughout the poem, there are recurring symbols of death and decay, such as "the bones that crumble in the ground" and the "ghostly hands" that "clutch at stone." These symbols serve to underscore the sense of mortality that permeates the poem, and remind the reader of their own mortality.
One of the most powerful symbols in the poem is the image of the "white moth," which appears towards the end of the piece. Aiken writes of the moth as though it is a harbinger of death, with "wings that stir the dust of death / And eyes that stare through nothingness." This imagery is both beautiful and chilling, and serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of life.
Despite its bleak and foreboding atmosphere, "Sudden Death" is also a deeply philosophical poem. Aiken grapples with questions of existence and mortality, and explores the concept of death with a sense of wonder and curiosity. The poem ends with the line "I wonder, with a sense of awe, / What force has made me what I am," which serves as a reminder of the mysterious and unknowable nature of the universe.
In conclusion, Conrad Aiken's "The House of Dust: Part 02: 10: Sudden Death" is a masterpiece of modernist literature. With its vivid imagery, surrealistic style, and profound philosophical insights, this poem is a testament to Aiken's talent as a poet. It is a haunting and unforgettable work that will stay with the reader long after they have finished reading it, and serves as a reminder of the fragile and fleeting nature of life.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The House of Dust: Part 02: 10: Sudden Death - A Poem of Tragedy and Loss
Conrad Aiken's "The House of Dust: Part 02: 10: Sudden Death" is a haunting and evocative poem that explores the themes of death, loss, and the fragility of life. The poem is part of a larger work, "The House of Dust," which is a collection of interconnected poems that tell the story of a house and its inhabitants. In this particular poem, Aiken focuses on the sudden death of a young woman and the impact it has on those around her.
The poem begins with a description of the young woman's death. Aiken writes, "She died in the early morning, when the sky was pale, / In the white hospital-room. Its window showed / The morning flowers, the tenderness of leaves / And she was dead, who, young and beautiful, / Had walked there in the sunshine." The contrast between the beauty of the morning and the tragedy of the young woman's death is striking. Aiken's use of imagery creates a vivid picture of the scene, and the reader can almost feel the weight of the loss.
The poem then shifts to the reactions of those who knew the young woman. Aiken writes, "The nurses whispered; odors came and went / From the green walls, and all the while the light / Lay softly on her eyelids, and her breath / Came still and ghostly through the curtained room." The use of sensory details, such as the whispers of the nurses and the odors from the walls, adds to the atmosphere of the poem. The reader can sense the sadness and grief in the room.
Aiken then describes the impact of the young woman's death on her family and friends. He writes, "Her mother, coming softly, fed the fire / With long, dark logs, her sister withered down / And loved her, and her father bowed his head." The use of the word "withered" to describe the sister's reaction is particularly poignant. It suggests that the young woman's death has aged her sister, as if the loss has drained her of her youth and vitality.
The poem then shifts to a more philosophical tone, as Aiken contemplates the nature of death and the meaning of life. He writes, "And life, that had so much begun for her, / Ceased in the room. The shadow of her fate / Held like a darkening glass the lives of all / Who knew her, casting on them a deepening shade." The use of the metaphor of a "darkening glass" is powerful. It suggests that the young woman's death has cast a shadow over the lives of those who knew her, and that they will never be the same.
Aiken then concludes the poem with a reflection on the transience of life. He writes, "And life, that had so much begun for her, / Ceased in the room. The shadow of her fate / Held like a darkening glass the lives of all / Who knew her, casting on them a deepening shade." The repetition of the phrase "life, that had so much begun for her" emphasizes the tragedy of the young woman's death. It suggests that she had so much potential, so much life ahead of her, and that it was all cut short.
In conclusion, "The House of Dust: Part 02: 10: Sudden Death" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of death, loss, and the fragility of life. Aiken's use of imagery and sensory details creates a vivid picture of the scene, and his reflections on the meaning of life and death are thought-provoking. The poem is a reminder that life is precious and that we should cherish every moment we have.
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