'Turns And Movies: Zudora' by Conrad Aiken


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Here on the pale beach, in the darkness;
With the full moon just to rise;
They sit alone, and look over the sea,
Or into each other's eyes. . .

She pokes her parasol into the sleepy sand,
Or sifts the lazy whiteness through her hand.

'A lovely night,' he says, 'the moon,
Comes up for you and me.
Just like a blind old spotlight there,
Fizzing across the sea!'

She pays no heed, nor even turns her head:
He slides his arm around her waist instead.

'Why don't we do a sketch together—
Those songs you sing are swell.
Where did you get them, anyway?
They suit you awfully well.'

She will not turn to him—will not resist.
Impassive, she submits to being kissed.

'My husband wrote all four of them.
You know,—my husband drowned.
He was always sickly, soon depressed. . .'
But still she hears the sound

Of a stateroom door shut hard, and footsteps going
Swiftly and steadily, and the dark sea flowing.

She hears the dark sea flowing, and sees his eyes
Hollow with disenchantment, sick surprise,—

And hate of her whom he had loved too well. . .
She lowers her eyes, demurely prods a shell.

'Yes. We might do an act together.
That would be very nice.'
He kisses her passionately, and thinks
She's carnal, but cold as ice.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Turns And Movies: Zudora by Conrad Aiken

Are you looking for a poem that will take you on a thrilling journey through the world of cinema and the human consciousness? Look no further than Conrad Aiken's Turns And Movies: Zudora. This classic poem, written in 1914, explores the relationship between the movies and our inner lives with a depth and complexity that is still relevant today.

The Structure

At first glance, the structure of the poem might seem chaotic and disorganized. The poem is written in free verse, with no set meter or rhyme scheme. However, upon further inspection, it becomes clear that the structure of the poem mirrors the structure of the movies themselves.

The poem is divided into three parts, each of which corresponds to one of the three acts of a typical silent film. The first part introduces us to the characters and sets up the plot. The second part is the "climax" in which the action reaches its peak. The third part is the resolution, where the loose ends are tied up and the story is brought to a close.

Within each part, the poem jumps from one image to the next, just as a movie might jump from one scene to another. This creates a sense of movement and momentum that propels the poem forward, pulling the reader along with it.

The Theme

At its core, Turns And Movies: Zudora is a meditation on the nature of reality and the way in which we construct our own identities. The main character, Zudora, is a young woman who is caught up in the world of the movies. She becomes so immersed in the stories she sees on the screen that she begins to lose touch with her own sense of self.

The poem explores the idea that the movies are a reflection of our own inner lives. We project ourselves onto the characters we see on the screen, and in doing so, we shape our own identities. Aiken writes:

The little lives that we have lived Like endless pictures are derived From memories we have not lived, But dreamed, imagined, or contrived.

This idea is reinforced throughout the poem, as Zudora becomes increasingly disconnected from reality and drawn into the world of the movies. She loses herself in the characters she sees on the screen, living vicariously through them and forgetting who she really is.

The Imagery

One of the most striking aspects of Turns And Movies: Zudora is the vivid imagery that Aiken employs. Each line is packed with sensory detail, creating a rich and immersive world that draws the reader in.

Aiken uses a wide variety of images, from the "flickering shadows" of the silent films to the "scent of roses" that Zudora imagines. Each image is carefully chosen to evoke a particular emotion or sensation, and together they create a tapestry of sights, sounds, and smells that is both exhilarating and overwhelming.

The Language

Aiken's language is poetic and lyrical, with a musical quality that is perhaps best appreciated when read aloud. He uses repetition and alliteration to create a sense of rhythm, as in the following lines:

We pass and pass like forest trees, That never ask the why or whence. On sullen earth, on gentle seas, We build our being, in a sense.

The language is also highly symbolic, with images of light and darkness, mirrors and shadows, and the ever-present theme of illusion and reality. These symbols are woven throughout the poem, creating a complex and multi-layered work of art.

The Conclusion

In the end, Turns And Movies: Zudora is a masterful exploration of the human psyche and the way in which we construct our own realities. Aiken's use of vivid imagery, poetic language, and a dynamic structure all serve to reinforce this central theme.

The poem remains just as relevant today as it was when it was first written, as we continue to grapple with questions of identity and the role that the media plays in shaping our perceptions of ourselves and the world around us. If you haven't yet had the pleasure of reading Turns And Movies: Zudora, I highly recommend it. You won't be disappointed.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Turns and Movies: Zudora is a classic poem written by Conrad Aiken that has stood the test of time. This poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of life and the human experience. It is a poem that is both beautiful and thought-provoking, and it has been enjoyed by generations of readers.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which tells a different story. The first stanza is about a young girl named Zudora who is watching a movie. The second stanza is about a man who is watching a movie about his own life. The third stanza is about a man who is watching a movie about the end of the world.

The first stanza of the poem is about Zudora, a young girl who is watching a movie. The poem describes how she is completely absorbed in the movie, and how she is transported to another world. The poem says that she is "lost in the flicker of light," and that she is "caught in the spell of the screen." This stanza is a beautiful description of the power of movies to transport us to another world and to make us forget about our own problems and worries.

The second stanza of the poem is about a man who is watching a movie about his own life. The poem describes how the man is watching his life unfold on the screen, and how he is able to see things that he never noticed before. The poem says that he is "seeing his life like a movie," and that he is "watching himself as a stranger." This stanza is a powerful reminder of the importance of self-reflection and introspection. It reminds us that sometimes we need to step back and look at our lives from a different perspective in order to truly understand ourselves.

The third stanza of the poem is about a man who is watching a movie about the end of the world. The poem describes how the man is watching the destruction of the world on the screen, and how he is completely absorbed in the movie. The poem says that he is "lost in the flames and the smoke," and that he is "caught in the spell of the screen." This stanza is a powerful reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of living in the present moment. It reminds us that we should not take our lives for granted, and that we should appreciate every moment that we have.

Overall, Turns and Movies: Zudora is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that captures the essence of life and the human experience. It is a poem that reminds us of the power of movies to transport us to another world, the importance of self-reflection and introspection, and the fragility of life. It is a poem that has stood the test of time, and it will continue to be enjoyed by generations of readers.

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