'Tournesol' by André Breton

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La voyageuse qui traverse les Halles à la tombée de l'été
Marchait sur la pointe des pieds
Le désespoir roulait au ciel ses grands arums si beaux
Et dans le sac à main il y avait mon rêve ce flacon de sels
Que seule a respiré la marraine de Dieu
Les torpeurs se déployaient comme la buée
Au Chien qui fume
Ou venaient d'entrer le pour et le contre
La jeune femme ne pouvait être vue d'eux que mal et de biais
Avais-je affaire à l'ambassadrice du salpêtre
Ou de la courbe blanche sur fond noir que nous appelons pensée
Les lampions prenaient feu lentement dans les marronniers
La dame sans ombre s'agenouilla sur le Pont-au-Change
Rue Git-le-Coeur les timbres n'étaient plus les mêmes
Les promesses de nuits étaient enfin tenues
Les pigeons voyageurs les baisers de secours
Se joignaient aux seins de la belle inconnue
Dardés sous le crêpe des significations parfaites
Une ferme prospérait en plein Paris
Et ses fenêtres donnaient sur la voie lactée
Mais personne ne l'habitait encore à cause des survenants
Des survenants qu'on sait plus devoués que les revenants
Les uns comme cette femme ont l'air de nager
Et dans l'amour il entre un peu de leur substance
Elle les interiorise
Je ne suis le jouet d'aucune puissance sensorielle
Et pourtant le grillon qui chantait dans les cheveux de cendres
Un soir près de la statue d'Etienne Marcel
M'a jeté un coup d'oeil d'intelligence
a-t-il dit passe

Editor 1 Interpretation

Tournesol by André Breton: A Literary Masterpiece

Introduction

Tournesol, a poem by André Breton, is a literary masterpiece that has stood the test of time. The poem was written in 1923 and is a classic example of surrealism. André Breton was a French writer who is considered the founder of the surrealist movement. He was known for his radical ideas and his ability to express them in his writings.

Tournesol has been widely interpreted and analyzed by literary critics over the years. In this article, we will delve deeper into the poem and provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of Tournesol.

Summary

Tournesol is a surrealistic poem that is divided into three stanzas. The poem is about a sunflower (tournesol in French) that is personified and takes on human characteristics. The sunflower is described as a woman who is beautiful and alluring. The speaker of the poem is drawn to the sunflower and is fascinated by her beauty. The poem is filled with surreal and dream-like imagery that creates an otherworldly atmosphere.

Analysis

The first stanza of the poem describes the sunflower as a woman who is "naked and golden." This description draws attention to the sunflower's beauty and sensuality. The sunflower is also described as "aloof and remote" which creates an air of mystery around her. The speaker of the poem is drawn to the sunflower and is fascinated by her beauty.

The second stanza of the poem continues to describe the sunflower's beauty. The sunflower is compared to a "burning bouquet" which creates a vivid image in the reader's mind. The use of the word "burning" suggests that the sunflower's beauty is intense and passionate. The sunflower is also described as a "woman of war" which creates an interesting juxtaposition between beauty and violence.

The third stanza of the poem takes a darker turn. The sunflower is described as a "sorceress" who is "cruel and bewitching." This description suggests that the sunflower's beauty is not just alluring but also dangerous. The speaker of the poem is warned to stay away from the sunflower as she is "deadly," but he is unable to resist her charm.

Overall, the poem is a powerful exploration of beauty, sensuality, and danger. The sunflower is personified and takes on human characteristics, which creates a dream-like atmosphere. The use of surreal imagery and language adds to the overall otherworldly feel of the poem.

Interpretation

There are several ways to interpret Tournesol. One interpretation is that the poem is a commentary on the dangers of beauty and sensuality. The sunflower is described as a beautiful and alluring woman, but she is also described as dangerous and deadly. This could be interpreted as a warning against the dangers of becoming too obsessed with physical beauty and sensuality.

Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a celebration of beauty and sensuality. The sunflower is described in glowing terms, and the speaker of the poem is drawn to her beauty despite the fact that she is dangerous. This could be interpreted as a celebration of the power of beauty and sensuality to draw people in and captivate them.

Yet another interpretation of the poem is that it is a commentary on the nature of desire. The speaker of the poem is drawn to the sunflower despite the fact that she is dangerous. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the nature of desire and how it can often lead us down dangerous paths.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Tournesol is a powerful and enduring piece of literature that explores the themes of beauty, sensuality, and danger. The use of surreal imagery and language creates a dream-like atmosphere that draws the reader in and captivates them. The poem has been widely interpreted over the years, and there are several ways to understand its meaning. Whether it is a warning against the dangers of beauty and sensuality or a celebration of their power, Tournesol is a literary masterpiece that continues to captivate readers to this day.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Tournesol: A Surrealist Masterpiece

André Breton, the father of Surrealism, was a poet, writer, and art critic who revolutionized the world of literature and art in the 20th century. His works were characterized by a deep exploration of the subconscious mind, the irrational, and the dream world. One of his most famous poems, Poetry Tournesol, is a surrealistic masterpiece that captures the essence of Surrealism and its philosophy.

The poem, which was first published in 1934, is a complex and multi-layered work that defies easy interpretation. It is a poem that demands close reading and analysis to fully appreciate its beauty and meaning. In this article, we will explore the various themes and motifs in Poetry Tournesol and examine how they contribute to the overall effect of the poem.

The poem begins with the lines, "The sunflower of the mind turns towards the sun of the dream." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and establishes the central metaphor of the sunflower. The sunflower, with its large, bright yellow petals, is a symbol of the sun and the light it provides. In the context of the poem, the sunflower represents the mind and its ability to turn towards the light of the dream world.

The dream world is a central theme in Poetry Tournesol. Breton believed that the dream world was a source of inspiration and creativity, and he often used dreams as a starting point for his writing. In the poem, the dream world is depicted as a place of wonder and mystery, where anything is possible. The lines, "The sunflower of the mind turns towards the sun of the dream / And in the dream, the sunflower turns towards the sun," suggest a circular movement between the mind and the dream world, where one feeds into the other.

Another important theme in the poem is the idea of transformation. The sunflower, which is initially described as "of the mind," undergoes a metamorphosis as it turns towards the sun of the dream. The lines, "The sunflower of the mind turns towards the sun of the dream / And the dream turns the sunflower towards the sun," suggest a transformation from the rational to the irrational, from the conscious to the unconscious. This transformation is a hallmark of Surrealism, which sought to break down the barriers between the conscious and unconscious mind.

The poem also explores the idea of the self and the other. The lines, "The sunflower of the mind turns towards the sun of the dream / And the sunflower of the dream turns towards the sun of the mind," suggest a duality between the self and the other. The mind and the dream world are two separate entities, yet they are interconnected and dependent on each other. This duality is a recurring theme in Surrealism, which sought to explore the relationship between the self and the other.

The imagery in Poetry Tournesol is rich and evocative. The lines, "The sunflower of the mind turns towards the sun of the dream / And the dream turns the sunflower towards the sun," create a vivid picture of a sunflower turning towards the sun. The use of repetition in the poem, particularly the repetition of the word "sunflower," creates a hypnotic effect that draws the reader into the dream world of the poem.

The language in Poetry Tournesol is also notable for its musicality and rhythm. The lines, "The sunflower of the mind turns towards the sun of the dream / And in the dream, the sunflower turns towards the sun," have a lyrical quality that is reminiscent of poetry. The use of enjambment, where the lines flow into each other without punctuation, creates a sense of fluidity and movement that mirrors the circular movement of the sunflower.

In conclusion, Poetry Tournesol is a surrealistic masterpiece that captures the essence of Surrealism and its philosophy. The poem explores themes of transformation, duality, and the relationship between the self and the other. The imagery and language in the poem are rich and evocative, creating a hypnotic effect that draws the reader into the dream world of the poem. Poetry Tournesol is a testament to André Breton's genius as a poet and his contribution to the world of literature and art.

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