'What Is To Be Given' by Delmore Schwartz
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What is to be given,
Is spirit, yet animal,
Colored, like heaven,
Blue, yellow, beautiful.The blood is checkered by
So many stains and wishes,
Between it and the sky
You could not choose, for riches.Yet let me now be careful
Not to give too much
To one so shy and fearful
For like a gun is touch.
Editor 1 Interpretation
What Is To Be Given: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Delmore Schwartz's poem "What Is To Be Given" is a reflection on life, death, and the meaning of existence. In this 24-line poem, Schwartz explores the human condition and the struggle to find purpose in a world that seems void of meaning.
Background
Delmore Schwartz (1913-1966) was an American poet, critic, and teacher. He was a leading figure of the literary movement known as the New York Intellectuals, which included writers such as Saul Bellow and Lionel Trilling. Schwartz was known for his lyrical and introspective style, which often dealt with themes of love, loss, and the search for identity.
Schwartz's life was marked by personal and professional struggles. He suffered from mental illness and alcoholism, which strained his relationships and sometimes hindered his work. Despite these challenges, Schwartz continued to write and publish poetry throughout his life, leaving behind a body of work that is considered among the most important of the mid-twentieth century.
"What Is To Be Given" was published in Schwartz's second collection of poetry, Summer Knowledge: New and Selected Poems (1959). The poem is composed of four stanzas, each with six lines, and follows a strict rhyme scheme (ABCBDD).
Analysis
The poem begins with a question: "What is to be given, that's not been given?" This question sets the tone for the entire poem, as Schwartz explores the idea that everything in life has already been given, and that the search for meaning is a futile endeavor. The speaker of the poem seems to be in a state of despair, as he laments the fact that "What has been promised, that has not been fulfilled?"
The second stanza of the poem continues this theme of despair, as the speaker reflects on the inevitability of death. "What has been spoken, that has not been heard?" he asks, suggesting that even our words will eventually disappear, as we all eventually succumb to death. The use of the word "spoken" also implies that communication is a temporary and ultimately pointless endeavor.
In the third stanza, the speaker turns his attention to nature, asking "What has been created, that has not been destroyed?" Here, Schwartz seems to suggest that the natural world is also subject to decay and destruction, much like human life. The use of the word "created" also implies that there is a creator, but that this creator is ultimately powerless to stop the march of time.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most hopeful, as the speaker suggests that there is still something left to be given. He asks, "Is there anything left? Is there anything left?" This repetition of the question suggests that the speaker is desperate for an answer, that he is clinging to the hope that there is still something to be found in life.
The poem ends with an ambiguous line: "Love is what's left, love is what we have." This line can be interpreted in several ways. On one hand, it suggests that love is the only thing that truly matters in life, that it is the only thing that remains after everything else has been stripped away. On the other hand, it can be read as a plea for love, a reminder that even in the face of despair and death, love is still possible.
Interpretation
"What Is To Be Given" is a poem that speaks to the human condition, the struggle to find meaning in a world that often seems devoid of it. Schwartz's use of repetition and strict rhyme scheme give the poem a sense of urgency, as though the speaker is desperately searching for answers. The use of rhetorical questions also adds to this sense of urgency, as the speaker seems to be pleading for a response.
The poem can be read as a commentary on the limitations of human existence. The speaker seems to suggest that everything in life has already been given, that there is nothing left to discover or create. This sense of futility is reinforced by the repeated use of the word "destroyed," suggesting that even the things we create are ultimately doomed to decay and destruction.
Despite this sense of despair, the poem ends on a note of hope. The assertion that "love is what we have" suggests that even in the face of death and destruction, love is still possible. This message is particularly poignant given Schwartz's own struggles with mental illness and addiction, which often left him feeling isolated and alone.
In many ways, "What Is To Be Given" is a poem about the human need for connection. The speaker's search for meaning can be read as a search for connection, a desire to find something that will connect him to the world around him. The final assertion that "love is what we have" suggests that this connection is possible, that even in the face of despair and destruction, we can still find love and connection with others.
Conclusion
Delmore Schwartz's "What Is To Be Given" is a powerful meditation on the human condition, the struggle to find meaning in a world that often seems devoid of it. Through his use of repetition, strict rhyme scheme, and rhetorical questions, Schwartz creates a sense of urgency and desperation, as though the speaker is desperately searching for answers.
Despite the poem's sense of despair, it ends on a note of hope, with the assertion that "love is what we have." This message is particularly poignant given Schwartz's own struggles with mental illness and addiction, and speaks to the human need for connection and love.
Overall, "What Is To Be Given" is a beautifully crafted poem that speaks to the fundamental questions of existence. It is a testament to Schwartz's skill as a poet, and his ability to capture the complexity of the human experience in just a few short lines.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
What Is To Be Given: A Masterpiece of Poetry by Delmore Schwartz
Delmore Schwartz, the American poet, novelist, and short story writer, is known for his unique style of writing that combines modernist techniques with traditional forms. His poem "What Is To Be Given" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the themes of love, loss, and the human condition. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the poem's structure, language, and meaning to understand why it is considered one of the greatest poems of the 20th century.
Structure
"What Is To Be Given" is a sonnet, a 14-line poem that follows a strict rhyme scheme and meter. However, Schwartz's sonnet is not a traditional one, as he plays with the form to create a unique structure that reflects the poem's themes. The poem is divided into two parts, the octave (first eight lines) and the sestet (last six lines), which are separated by a volta, or a turn in the poem's argument.
The octave presents a question, "What is to be given, / Is spirit, yet body, / Or blood, more than machinery, / Or divine, a mere facade?" The speaker is asking what is the most important thing to give in a relationship, whether it is the spirit, the body, the blood, or the divine. The question is open-ended, and the speaker does not provide an answer, leaving it to the reader to interpret.
The sestet, on the other hand, provides a response to the question, "What is to be given, / Is generously offered / By the ocean, the breathing / Of the sea in its vastness." The speaker suggests that what is to be given is something that is vast and generous, like the ocean's breathing. The response is not a direct answer to the question but rather a metaphorical one that invites the reader to contemplate the poem's themes.
Language
Schwartz's language in "What Is To Be Given" is rich and complex, filled with metaphors, allusions, and paradoxes. The poem's title itself is a paradox, as it suggests that something is to be given but does not specify what it is. The language in the poem reflects the speaker's struggle to articulate what is essential in a relationship, as if words are not enough to express the depth of human emotions.
The first line of the poem, "What is to be given," is repeated twice, emphasizing the importance of the question. The repetition also creates a sense of urgency, as if the speaker is searching for an answer that cannot wait. The use of enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence from one line to the next, creates a sense of flow and movement in the poem, as if the speaker is thinking out loud.
The poem's metaphors are striking and powerful, creating vivid images that evoke the vastness of the ocean and the complexity of human emotions. The line "Is spirit, yet body" suggests that the speaker is torn between the spiritual and the physical aspects of a relationship, as if they cannot be separated. The line "Or blood, more than machinery" suggests that the speaker values the organic and natural over the mechanical and artificial.
The use of allusions, or references to other works of literature, adds depth and complexity to the poem. The line "Or divine, a mere facade?" alludes to Shakespeare's play Hamlet, in which the character Hamlet questions the authenticity of his father's ghost. The allusion suggests that the speaker is questioning the authenticity of the divine, as if it is a mere facade that hides the truth.
Meaning
"What Is To Be Given" is a poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the human condition. The speaker is asking what is the most important thing to give in a relationship, as if they are searching for a way to connect with another person on a deeper level. The question is open-ended, as if there is no right or wrong answer, only different perspectives.
The poem's response, "Is generously offered / By the ocean, the breathing / Of the sea in its vastness," suggests that what is to be given is something that is vast and generous, like the ocean's breathing. The metaphor of the ocean suggests that what is to be given is something that is natural and organic, as if it cannot be manufactured or controlled. The response is not a direct answer to the question but rather a suggestion that invites the reader to contemplate the poem's themes.
The poem's themes of love, loss, and the human condition are universal and timeless, as they speak to the human experience. The speaker's struggle to articulate what is essential in a relationship reflects the complexity of human emotions, as if words are not enough to express the depth of our feelings. The poem's metaphors and allusions add depth and complexity to the themes, as if they are part of a larger conversation about the human condition.
Conclusion
"What Is To Be Given" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the themes of love, loss, and the human condition. Schwartz's unique style of writing combines modernist techniques with traditional forms, creating a structure that reflects the poem's themes. The language in the poem is rich and complex, filled with metaphors, allusions, and paradoxes that evoke the vastness of the ocean and the complexity of human emotions. The poem's themes are universal and timeless, as they speak to the human experience. "What Is To Be Given" is a poem that invites the reader to contemplate the depth of human emotions and the complexity of our relationships.
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