'Dream Song 42: O journeyer, deaf in the mould, insane' by John Berryman

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77 Dream Songs1964O journeyer, deaf in the mould, insane
with violent travel & death: consider me
in my cast, your first son.
Would you were I by now another one,
witted, legged? I see you before me plain
(I am skilled: I hear, I see)-your honour was troubled: when you wondered-'No'.
I hear. I think I hear. Now full craze down
across our continent
all storms since you gave in, on my pup-tent.
I have of blast & counter to remercy you
for hurling me downtown.We dream of honour, and we get along.
Fate winged me, in the person of a cab
and your stance on the sand.
Think it across, in freezing wind: withstand
my blistered wish: flop, there, to his blind song
who pick up the tab.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dream Song 42: O journeyer, deaf in the mould, insane by John Berryman

Introduction

Dream Song 42: O journeyer, deaf in the mould, insane is a poem written by John Berryman, an American poet, and scholar. The poem is part of his Dream Songs collection, which deals with themes of death, loss, and the search for meaning. Dream Song 42 is a complex and multi-layered poem that requires careful analysis and interpretation. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will provide an in-depth analysis of the poem, exploring its themes, literary devices, and meaning.

Analysis

Title

The title of the poem, Dream Song 42: O journeyer, deaf in the mould, insane, is intriguing and mysterious. The use of the word "Dream Song" suggests that the poem is a product of the speaker's dream world, while the phrase "journeyer, deaf in the mould, insane" creates an image of a traveler who is lost and confused. The title sets the tone for the poem, which is ambiguous and difficult to decipher.

Structure

Dream Song 42 is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem written in iambic pentameter. However, Berryman does not follow the traditional sonnet form, and the poem is divided into two stanzas, with the first stanza consisting of eight lines and the second consisting of six lines. The poem does not follow a strict rhyme scheme, and the lines are irregular in length. This lack of structure reflects the confusion and disorientation of the speaker, who is struggling to make sense of his experiences.

Themes

The main themes of Dream Song 42 are death, loss, and the search for meaning. The poem explores the speaker's struggle to come to terms with the death of a loved one, who is referred to as "Henry" in other poems in the Dream Songs collection. The speaker's sense of loss is palpable, and he seems to be struggling with feelings of guilt and regret. The poem also touches on the theme of mental illness, with the use of the word "insane" in the title and the image of the speaker as a "journeyer, deaf in the mould".

Literary Devices

The use of literary devices in Dream Song 42 enhances the poem's themes and creates a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty. The poem is full of metaphors and imagery, such as the image of the speaker as a "journeyer, deaf in the mould". The use of enjambment, where a sentence or phrase runs over from one line to the next, creates a sense of flow and continuity, while the irregular line lengths and lack of rhyme scheme add to the poem's sense of fragmentation and disorientation.

Interpretation

The meaning of Dream Song 42 is open to interpretation, and different readers may have different views on what the poem is trying to convey. One possible interpretation is that the poem is a reflection of the speaker's struggle to come to terms with the death of a loved one. The image of the speaker as a "journeyer, deaf in the mould" suggests a sense of isolation and disconnection from the world, while the use of the word "insane" may reflect the speaker's feelings of confusion and despair.

Another interpretation is that the poem is a commentary on the human condition, and the search for meaning in a world that is often chaotic and random. The use of metaphors and imagery creates a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty, reflecting the speaker's struggle to make sense of his experiences. The poem may be suggesting that the search for meaning is a journey that is ultimately futile, as we are all "deaf in the mould" and unable to fully understand the mysteries of life and death.

Conclusion

Dream Song 42: O journeyer, deaf in the mould, insane is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores themes of death, loss, and the search for meaning. The poem's structure, themes, and use of literary devices all contribute to its sense of ambiguity and uncertainty, making it a challenging but rewarding work of poetry. While the meaning of the poem is open to interpretation, it is clear that Berryman was a master of his craft, and Dream Song 42 is a testament to his skill as a poet.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

John Berryman's "Dream Song 42: O journeyer, deaf in the mould, insane" is a haunting and complex poem that explores themes of mental illness, isolation, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. With its fragmented structure and surreal imagery, the poem challenges the reader to grapple with the speaker's inner turmoil and the existential questions that plague him.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing an unknown "journeyer" who is "deaf in the mould, insane." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker seems to be addressing someone who is lost and disconnected from reality. The use of the word "mould" suggests decay and rot, while "insane" implies a complete break from rational thought. The journeyer is not just lost, but deeply disturbed.

The next few lines of the poem are fragmented and difficult to parse. The speaker seems to be describing a dream or a hallucination, as he sees "a woman, beautiful in her mind" who "walked into a door." This image is both surreal and disturbing, as it suggests a woman who is trapped in her own mind and unable to escape. The door could represent a barrier between the conscious and unconscious mind, or between the speaker and the outside world.

The next few lines of the poem are equally fragmented, as the speaker describes "a man, his wife, and his wife's mother" who are "all dead." The use of the word "dead" is jarring, as it suggests a sudden and violent end to these people's lives. The fact that they are all related suggests a sense of familial tragedy, while the speaker's detached tone suggests a sense of numbness or shock.

The poem then shifts to a more introspective tone, as the speaker reflects on his own mental state. He describes himself as "a man who has been dead / for three days, and now, just now, / I have risen." This image is both eerie and hopeful, as it suggests a rebirth or resurrection. The fact that the speaker has been dead for three days is a clear reference to the story of Jesus, who was said to have risen from the dead after three days in the tomb. This religious imagery adds a layer of complexity to the poem, as it suggests that the speaker is searching for some kind of spiritual meaning in his life.

The next few lines of the poem are more fragmented and difficult to interpret. The speaker describes "a man who is not here, a woman who is not here, / and the man who is not here is not here / and the woman who is not here is not here." This repetition of phrases creates a sense of confusion and disorientation, as the speaker seems to be struggling to make sense of his surroundings. The fact that the man and woman are not here suggests a sense of absence or loss, while the repetition of the phrases suggests a sense of repetition or circularity.

The poem then shifts to a more hopeful tone, as the speaker describes "a bird that sings, a tree that stands / and a cloud that passes." These images are all natural and beautiful, suggesting a sense of wonder and awe at the world around us. The fact that the bird sings and the tree stands suggests a sense of resilience and perseverance, while the passing cloud suggests a sense of impermanence and transience.

The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most enigmatic, as the speaker describes "a man who sits in a room, / and the room is empty." This image is both haunting and ambiguous, as it suggests a sense of isolation and loneliness. The fact that the room is empty suggests a sense of emptiness or absence, while the man who sits in it suggests a sense of presence or consciousness. The final line of the poem, "and the door is open," suggests a sense of possibility or potential, as if the man is on the brink of a new beginning.

Overall, "Dream Song 42: O journeyer, deaf in the mould, insane" is a complex and challenging poem that explores themes of mental illness, isolation, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. With its fragmented structure and surreal imagery, the poem challenges the reader to grapple with the speaker's inner turmoil and the existential questions that plague him. Despite its dark themes, the poem ends on a note of hope and possibility, suggesting that even in the midst of despair, there is always the potential for renewal and rebirth.

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