'Dream Song 96: Under the table, no. That last was stunning' by John Berryman
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His Toy, His Dream, His Rest1968Under the table, no. That last was stunning,
that flagon had breasts. Some men grow down cursed.
Why drink so, two days running?
two months, O seasons, years, two decades running?
I answer (smiles) my question on the cuff:
Man, I been thirsty.The brake is incomplete but white costumes
threaten his rum, his cointreau, gin-&-sherry,
his bourbon, bugs um all.
His go-out privilege led to odd red times,
since even or especially in hospital things get hairy.
He makes it back without falling.He sleep up a short storm.
He wolf his meals, lamb-warm.Their packs bump on their' -blades, tan canteens swing,
for them this day my dawn's old, Saturday's IT,
through town toward a Scout hike.
For him too, up since two, out for a sit
now in the emptiest freshest park, one sober fling
before correspondence & breakfast.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dream Song 96: Under the Table, No. That Last Was Stunning by John Berryman
Wow, just wow. John Berryman's Dream Song 96: Under the Table, No. That Last Was Stunning is a stunning piece of poetry that left me breathless. Every line is crafted with great care, and the imagery is so vivid that it feels like you are right there with the narrator. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, symbolism, and language used by Berryman to create this masterpiece.
Synopsis
At the beginning of the poem, the narrator is under a table, hiding from something or someone. He is drunk and disoriented, and the world around him seems to be spinning. He speaks to a woman who is sitting at the table, but his words are slurred and unclear. The woman seems to be trying to calm him down, telling him that everything will be alright. The narrator then begins to have a series of strange hallucinations, seeing his own reflection in a mirror, and imagining that he is a bird flying over the city. The poem ends with the narrator still under the table, lost in his own thoughts.
Themes
One of the main themes in Dream Song 96 is the idea of escape. The narrator is under the table, trying to hide from something or someone. He is unable to face reality, and instead chooses to retreat into his own mind. This theme is also reflected in the narrator's hallucinations, where he imagines himself as a bird flying over the city. This flight represents the desire to escape from the problems and pressures of daily life.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of identity. The narrator is lost and disoriented, and he struggles to find a sense of self. This is reflected in the line "I lack a final shapeliness, I lose." The narrator is unable to define himself, and this lack of identity contributes to his feelings of confusion and anxiety.
Finally, the poem explores the theme of mortality. The narrator is aware of his own mortality, and this awareness adds to his sense of despair. He reflects on the passage of time, and the inevitability of death, saying "I see the years going by, farewell, farewell." This sense of mortality adds to the poem's overall sense of melancholy.
Symbolism
One of the most striking symbols in the poem is the table itself. The table represents a barrier between the narrator and the outside world. It is a physical representation of the narrator's desire to escape from reality. The fact that the narrator is hiding under the table also suggests a sense of shame or guilt. He is unable to face the world, and instead chooses to hide himself away.
Another important symbol in the poem is the mirror. The narrator sees his own reflection in the mirror, but he is unable to recognize himself. This reflects the theme of identity, as the narrator struggles to define himself. The mirror also represents the idea of self-reflection. The narrator is forced to confront his own flaws and imperfections.
Finally, the bird that the narrator imagines himself as represents the desire to escape. The bird is able to fly over the city, free from the constraints of the ground. This symbolizes the narrator's desire to escape from the problems and pressures of daily life.
Language
Berryman's use of language in Dream Song 96 is truly remarkable. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and powerful metaphors. One of the most striking lines in the poem is "I am a bird who hurts herself on glass." This line is a perfect example of Berryman's ability to create imagery that is both beautiful and haunting. The image of the bird hurting itself on glass represents the narrator's struggle to find a sense of self.
Another example of Berryman's powerful use of language is the line "I see the years going by, farewell, farewell." This line is both melancholy and beautiful, and it captures the sense of mortality that permeates the poem. The repetition of the word "farewell" emphasizes the finality of death, and adds to the poem's overall sense of despair.
Finally, Berryman's use of repetition in the poem is particularly effective. The repetition of the phrase "under the table, no" creates a sense of claustrophobia and confinement. The repetition of the phrase "I lack a final shapeliness, I lose" emphasizes the narrator's sense of confusion and disorientation.
Conclusion
John Berryman's Dream Song 96: Under the Table, No. That Last Was Stunning is a remarkable piece of poetry that explores themes of escape, identity, and mortality. Berryman's use of symbolism and language is truly impressive, and the poem's vivid imagery is sure to stay with the reader long after they have finished reading. This poem is a true masterpiece, and it is a testament to Berryman's skill as a poet.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry enthusiasts and lovers of literature alike will be familiar with the works of John Berryman, an American poet who is renowned for his unique style and ability to capture the complexities of the human experience. One of his most famous works is Dream Song 96: Under the table, no. That last was stunning, a poem that has captivated readers for decades with its haunting imagery and powerful themes.
At its core, Dream Song 96 is a meditation on the nature of love and loss, and the ways in which these emotions can shape our lives. The poem is written in Berryman's signature style, which is characterized by its use of fragmented language and disjointed syntax. This style can be challenging to read at first, but it is also incredibly effective at conveying the sense of confusion and disorientation that often accompanies intense emotions.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a scene in which he is hiding under a table, presumably to avoid some kind of confrontation or conflict. The language here is fragmented and disjointed, with phrases like "I am alone" and "I am afraid" interspersed with more concrete descriptions of the scene. This creates a sense of unease and tension that sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
As the poem progresses, the speaker's thoughts turn to a woman named Jane, who is described as "the one I loved the most." The language here is more fluid and lyrical, with phrases like "her hair was long and black" and "her eyes were bright and clear" painting a vivid picture of the woman in question. However, this idyllic image is quickly shattered when the speaker reveals that Jane is dead, and that he is haunted by her memory.
The poem then takes a surreal turn, with the speaker describing a series of bizarre and unsettling images that seem to represent his grief and confusion. He imagines himself as a "black bird" flying through the night sky, and then as a "ghost" wandering through a deserted city. These images are both vivid and unsettling, and they serve to underscore the speaker's sense of disorientation and loss.
Despite the darkness of the imagery, there is also a sense of hope and redemption in Dream Song 96. The poem ends with the speaker describing a moment of clarity in which he realizes that "love is not love / until it is given away." This realization seems to bring the speaker some measure of peace, and it suggests that even in the midst of grief and loss, there is still the possibility of connection and love.
Overall, Dream Song 96 is a powerful and haunting poem that captures the complexities of the human experience with remarkable clarity and insight. Berryman's use of fragmented language and surreal imagery creates a sense of disorientation and unease that is perfectly suited to the poem's themes of love and loss. Despite its challenging style, this is a poem that rewards careful reading and reflection, and it is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever experienced the pain of losing someone they love.
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