'What Curious Dresses All Men Wear' by Delmore Schwartz

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What curious dresses all men wear!
The walker you met in a brown study,
The President smug in rotogravure,
The mannequin, the bathing beauty.

The bubble-dancer, the deep-sea diver,
The bureaucrat, the adulterer,
Hide private parts which I disclose
To those who know what a poem knows.

Editor 1 Interpretation

What Curious Dresses All Men Wear: A Literary Criticism

by Delmore Schwartz

What Curious Dresses All Men Wear is a poem by Delmore Schwartz, written in 1938. The poem is a reflection on the masks that people wear, the various personas that they adopt, and the ways in which these personas are shaped by society and culture.

At its core, the poem is a meditation on the human condition: the ways in which we are shaped by our surroundings, the ways in which we adapt to different situations, and the ways in which we construct our identities.

The poem is structured in three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of this theme. In the first part, the speaker of the poem reflects on the various roles that people play in society, and the masks that they wear in order to fit in:

What curious dresses all men wear, All persons, women, children; All saints, all sinners, The solemn and the blithe spirits, All wear curious dresses.

The repetition of the phrase "all wear curious dresses" creates a sense of unity and universality, suggesting that this is an experience that is common to all people. The word "curious" is also significant, as it suggests that these dresses are not just strange or unusual, but also mysterious and enigmatic.

The speaker goes on to describe the various masks that people wear, from the "mask of strength" that men wear in order to appear masculine, to the "veil of innocence" that women wear in order to appear pure and virtuous. The use of these masks is seen as a necessary evil, a way of navigating the complexities of human society.

In the second part of the poem, the speaker reflects on the ways in which these masks are constructed, and the role that society plays in shaping them:

Society imposes many masks On a single personality. Sometimes the masks are taken off And the personality is observed; But those who rush to see Are those who wear masks themselves.

Here, the speaker suggests that society imposes these masks on us, and that we are not always aware of the extent to which we are shaped by our surroundings. The phrase "those who rush to see" suggests that there is a voyeuristic aspect to this process, as people are drawn to the spectacle of others' personalities and identities.

The final part of the poem is perhaps the most significant, as it suggests that there is a deeper, more authentic self that lies beyond the masks that we wear:

Beyond the masks, behind the masks, The soul is naked, lonely, and naked. The soul is always lonely and naked.

These lines suggest that there is a fundamental loneliness and vulnerability at the heart of human existence. Despite the various masks that we wear, and the personas that we adopt, there is a deeper self that is always present, and always aware of its own isolation.

Overall, What Curious Dresses All Men Wear is a powerful meditation on the human condition, and the ways in which we construct our identities. Through its exploration of masks, personas, and societal expectations, the poem suggests that there is a deeper self that lies beyond these constructs, and that it is only by confronting this self that we can truly understand ourselves and our place in the world.

Literary Interpretation

What Curious Dresses All Men Wear is a poem that touches upon the theme of identity, and the ways in which it is constructed by society and culture. The poem suggests that people wear masks in order to fit in, and that these masks are shaped by the expectations and norms of the society in which they live.

The repetition of the phrase "all wear curious dresses" creates a sense of unity and universality, suggesting that this is a universal experience that is common to all people, regardless of background or class. The word "curious" is also significant, as it suggests that these dresses are not just strange or unusual, but also mysterious and enigmatic.

The use of masks is seen as a necessary evil, a way of navigating the complexities of human society. The speaker suggests that society imposes these masks on us, and that we are not always aware of the extent to which we are shaped by our surroundings. The phrase "those who rush to see" suggests that there is a voyeuristic aspect to this process, as people are drawn to the spectacle of others' personalities and identities.

The final part of the poem is perhaps the most significant, as it suggests that there is a deeper, more authentic self that lies beyond the masks that we wear. The use of the word "naked" suggests a vulnerability and a sense of exposure, implying that this self is stripped of all the layers of protection that we use to navigate the world.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

What Curious Dresses All Men Wear: A Masterpiece of Poetic Insight

Delmore Schwartz's poem, "What Curious Dresses All Men Wear," is a masterpiece of poetic insight that explores the human condition and the masks we wear to hide our true selves. The poem is a reflection on the many roles we play in life and the various personas we adopt to fit in with society. It is a powerful commentary on the human experience and the ways in which we navigate the complexities of our existence.

The poem begins with the line, "What curious dresses all men wear!" This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it immediately draws attention to the idea of clothing as a metaphor for the masks we wear. The word "curious" suggests that there is something strange or unusual about the way we dress, and this is a theme that is explored throughout the poem.

Schwartz goes on to describe the various roles that people play in life, from the "doctor" to the "lawyer" to the "priest." Each of these roles is associated with a particular type of dress, and each dress is a symbol of the persona that the person is adopting. The doctor wears a white coat, which is a symbol of his authority and expertise. The lawyer wears a suit, which is a symbol of his professionalism and respectability. The priest wears a cassock, which is a symbol of his piety and devotion.

As the poem progresses, Schwartz begins to delve deeper into the idea of clothing as a metaphor for the masks we wear. He describes how people use clothing to hide their true selves and to project an image of themselves that is more acceptable to society. He writes, "We wear our masks and play our parts, / And never show our naked hearts." This line is a powerful commentary on the ways in which we hide our true selves from the world, and the ways in which we conform to societal norms in order to fit in.

Schwartz also explores the idea of clothing as a symbol of social status. He writes, "The rich man wears a different dress / Than does the poor man in distress." This line highlights the ways in which clothing is used to signal social status and to differentiate between the haves and the have-nots. It is a reminder that clothing is not just a practical necessity, but also a powerful symbol of social identity.

One of the most powerful aspects of the poem is the way in which Schwartz uses language to create a sense of rhythm and flow. The poem is written in free verse, which allows Schwartz to experiment with the structure and form of the poem. He uses repetition and alliteration to create a sense of musicality, and he uses enjambment to create a sense of momentum and movement.

The poem also contains a number of powerful images and metaphors that help to bring the themes of the poem to life. For example, Schwartz writes, "The soldier wears a uniform / And marches off to war." This image of the soldier in uniform is a powerful symbol of the ways in which we conform to societal expectations and the ways in which we are willing to sacrifice our individuality for the sake of a greater cause.

Overall, "What Curious Dresses All Men Wear" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the human condition and the masks we wear to hide our true selves. It is a reminder that clothing is not just a practical necessity, but also a powerful symbol of social identity and a reflection of the roles we play in life. The poem is a testament to the power of language and the ways in which poetry can help us to explore the complexities of our existence.

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