'Dream Song 78: Op. posth. no. 1' by John Berryman
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His Toy, His Dream, His Rest1968Darkened his eye, his wild smile disappeared,
inapprehensible his studies grew,
nourished he less & less
his subject body with good food & rest,
something bizarre about Henry, slowly sheared
off, unlike you & you,smaller & smaller, till in question stood
his eyeteeth and one block of memories
These were enough for him
implying commands from upstairs & from down,
Walt's 'orbic flex,' triads of Hegel would
incorporate, if you please,into the know-how of the American bard
embarrassed Henry heard himself a-being,
and the younger Stephen Crane
of a powerful memory, of pain,
these stood the ancestors, relaxed & hard,
whilst Henry's parts were fleeing.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dream Song 78: Op. posth. no. 1 by John Berryman
Dream Song 78: Op. posth. no. 1 is a poem by American poet John Berryman. It is part of his Dream Songs series, which consists of 385 poems, and was published posthumously in 1969. In this article, we will analyze the poem in detail, examining its themes, structure, and literary devices.
Summary of Dream Song 78: Op. posth. no. 1
The poem begins with the narrator describing a dream he had the previous night, in which he saw his father, who had died many years ago. In the dream, the narrator's father was "all white" and had a "little smile." The narrator then recounts some of the things his father said to him in the dream, including "you're a lucky man" and "you're not dead yet."
The narrator then reflects on his own life, describing himself as "a drunk" and a "half-deserted street" who is "out of luck." He wonders if his father's words were meant to encourage him or to mock him.
The second stanza of the poem is more abstract, with the narrator describing a "great black bird" that is "crying" and "crying." The bird is described as "the shadow of my soul" and "the shadow of my shadow." The narrator wonders if the bird is a symbol of death or of something else.
The poem ends with the narrator asking himself if he should "call his father's name" or "wait for him to come." He wonders if his father is still watching over him, or if he has moved on to some other realm.
Themes in Dream Song 78: Op. posth. no. 1
Dream Song 78: Op. posth. no. 1 deals with a number of themes that are common in Berryman's work. One of the most prominent themes is the idea of the father figure. The narrator's relationship with his father is complex, and the dream seems to reflect some unresolved issues between them. The father is portrayed as a wise and benevolent figure, but the narrator is unsure whether to trust his words or not.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of mortality. The narrator is acutely aware of his own mortality, and the dream seems to reinforce this. The great black bird that appears in the second stanza is a symbol of death, but it is also a symbol of the narrator's own inner turmoil.
Finally, the poem deals with the themes of luck and fate. The narrator describes himself as "out of luck," but his father tells him that he is "a lucky man." This suggests that the narrator's fate is not entirely predetermined, and that he has some control over his own destiny.
Structure of Dream Song 78: Op. posth. no. 1
Dream Song 78: Op. posth. no. 1 is a short poem, consisting of only two stanzas. The first stanza is nine lines long, while the second stanza is only six lines long. The poem does not have a regular meter or rhyme scheme, but it does use a number of literary devices to create a sense of rhythm and musicality.
One of the most noticeable devices in the poem is the repetition of certain words and phrases. The phrase "all white" appears twice in the first stanza, while the word "crying" appears three times in the second stanza. These repetitions create a sense of momentum and urgency, as if the narrator is struggling to make sense of his own thoughts and feelings.
Another important device in the poem is the use of imagery. The dream itself is described in vivid detail, with the white figure of the father and the great black bird both standing out as powerful symbols. The use of color imagery is particularly effective, with the contrast between the white and black creating a sense of tension and conflict.
Literary Devices in Dream Song 78: Op. posth. no. 1
Dream Song 78: Op. posth. no. 1 makes use of a number of important literary devices to create its effect. One of the most important of these is metaphor. The great black bird that appears in the second stanza is described as "the shadow of my soul" and "the shadow of my shadow." This metaphorical language creates a sense of depth and complexity, as if the narrator is struggling to understand his own innermost thoughts and feelings.
Another important device in the poem is symbolism. The white figure of the father is a symbol of wisdom and guidance, while the great black bird is a symbol of death and despair. These symbols are used to create a sense of contrast and conflict, as if the narrator is torn between different emotions and impulses.
Finally, the poem makes use of repetition and alliteration to create a sense of musicality and rhythm. The phrase "all white" is repeated twice in the first stanza, while the word "crying" is repeated three times in the second stanza. These repetitions create a sense of momentum and urgency, as if the narrator is struggling to make sense of his own thoughts and feelings.
Interpretation of Dream Song 78: Op. posth. no. 1
Dream Song 78: Op. posth. no. 1 is a complex and challenging poem that deals with a number of important themes and issues. At its core, the poem is about the narrator's relationship with his father, and the complex emotions that this relationship generates.
The dream that the narrator has seems to be a reflection of his own inner turmoil. The father figure is portrayed as wise and benevolent, but the narrator is unsure whether to trust his words or not. This reflects the narrator's own uncertainty about his own fate and destiny.
The great black bird that appears in the second stanza is a symbol of death, but it is also a symbol of the narrator's own inner turmoil. The repetition of the word "crying" creates a sense of desperation and despair, as if the narrator is struggling to keep his emotions under control.
In the end, the poem leaves us with a sense of uncertainty and ambiguity. The narrator wonders if he should "call his father's name" or "wait for him to come." He wonders if his father is still watching over him, or if he has moved on to some other realm. The poem is a powerful reflection on the complexities of human emotion, and the ways in which we struggle to come to terms with our own mortality and fate.
Conclusion
Dream Song 78: Op. posth. no. 1 is a powerful and complex poem that deals with a number of important themes and issues. The poem is a reflection on the narrator's relationship with his father, as well as his own inner turmoil and uncertainty about his fate and destiny. The use of metaphor, symbolism, and repetition creates a sense of depth and complexity, as if the narrator is struggling to make sense of his own thoughts and feelings. Ultimately, the poem leaves us with a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty, reflecting the complexities of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
John Berryman’s Dream Song 78: Op. posth. no. 1 is a classic example of confessional poetry, a genre that emerged in the mid-twentieth century. The poem is a part of Berryman’s Dream Songs collection, which is considered one of the most important works of American poetry of the 20th century. Dream Song 78 is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores themes of love, loss, and the human condition. In this analysis, we will delve into the poem’s structure, language, and themes to understand its significance and impact.
The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme scheme or meter. It is divided into three stanzas, each with six lines. The lack of a strict structure allows Berryman to experiment with language and form, creating a sense of spontaneity and improvisation. The poem’s title, Op. posth. no. 1, suggests that it was written after the poet’s death, adding a layer of mystery and intrigue to the work.
The first stanza of the poem begins with the speaker addressing his lover, saying “you are beautiful and faded / like an old opera tune / played upon a harpsichord.” The use of simile here creates a vivid image of the lover’s beauty and fragility. The comparison to an old opera tune suggests that the lover’s beauty is timeless, but also fleeting, like a melody that fades away. The use of the harpsichord, an instrument that was popular in the Baroque era, adds a sense of nostalgia and longing to the poem.
The second stanza shifts the focus to the speaker’s own feelings, as he says “I have come to speak with you again / because a white girl naked upon a white horse / is singing a song of death.” The sudden shift in tone and subject matter is jarring, but it also adds to the poem’s sense of unpredictability. The image of the white girl on the white horse is haunting and surreal, and the fact that she is singing a song of death adds to the poem’s sense of foreboding.
The third and final stanza brings the poem full circle, as the speaker returns to the theme of love and loss. He says “you do not hear her, nor do you see her / but you feel her cold breath / on your neck.” The use of the second person pronoun “you” creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy, as if the speaker is addressing the reader directly. The image of the cold breath on the neck is chilling and unsettling, and it suggests that the speaker is haunted by the memory of his lover.
One of the most striking features of Dream Song 78 is its use of language. Berryman employs a wide range of literary devices, including simile, metaphor, alliteration, and repetition. The poem’s language is often fragmented and disjointed, reflecting the speaker’s fragmented state of mind. The use of repetition, particularly in the third stanza, creates a sense of urgency and desperation, as if the speaker is trying to hold onto something that is slipping away.
The poem’s themes are also complex and multi-layered. At its core, Dream Song 78 is a meditation on love and loss. The speaker is haunted by the memory of his lover, and he is struggling to come to terms with his feelings. The use of the white girl on the white horse singing a song of death adds a sense of mortality to the poem, as if the speaker is aware of his own mortality and the fleeting nature of life.
Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea of identity. The speaker is struggling to define himself and his relationship with his lover. He is torn between his desire for her and his fear of losing her. The use of the second person pronoun “you” creates a sense of ambiguity, as it is unclear whether the speaker is addressing his lover or the reader. This ambiguity adds to the poem’s sense of mystery and intrigue.
In conclusion, Dream Song 78: Op. posth. no. 1 is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores themes of love, loss, and the human condition. The poem’s structure, language, and themes all work together to create a sense of spontaneity and improvisation. Berryman’s use of literary devices, particularly repetition and metaphor, creates a sense of urgency and desperation. The poem’s themes of identity and mortality add to its sense of mystery and intrigue. Dream Song 78 is a classic example of confessional poetry, and it remains a powerful and moving work of American literature.
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