'Dream Song 100: How this woman came by the courage' by John Berryman


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His Toy, His Dream, His Rest1968How this woman cameby the courage, how she got
the courage, Henry bemused himself in a frantic hot
night of the eight of July,
where it came from, did once the Lord frown down
upon her ancient cradle thinking 'This one
will do before she diefor two and seventy years of chipped indignities
at least,' and with his thunder clapped a promise?
In that far away town
who looky upon my mother with shame & rage
that any should endure such pilgrimage,
growled Henry sweating, grownbut not grown used to the goodness of this woman
in her great strength, in her hope superhuman,
no, no, not used at all.
I declare a mystery, he mumbled to himself,
of love, and took the bourbon from the shelf
and drank her a tall one, tall.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry Analysis: Dream Song 100 by John Berryman

As a prolific American poet of the mid-twentieth century, John Berryman left an indelible mark on the literary world with his collection of poems, The Dream Songs. Among the most notable of these works is Dream Song 100: How this woman came by the courage, a poignant and introspective piece that explores themes of love, loss, and redemption.

Literary Analysis

At its core, Dream Song 100 is a meditation on the complexities of human emotion and the myriad ways in which we cope with grief and heartbreak. Berryman's speaker, a man mourning the loss of his lover, grapples with the weight of his sorrow and the struggle to find meaning in the wake of such loss.

Throughout the poem, Berryman employs vivid and often surreal imagery to convey the speaker's inner turmoil. Lines such as "the green-eyed wreckers flew away" and "my dead drained stomach rose and flowed" serve to create a sense of disorientation and unease, highlighting the speaker's fragmented state of mind.

At the same time, the poem is also marked by moments of tenderness and vulnerability. The opening lines, in which the speaker describes his lover as "my darling & hilarious old friend," are imbued with a sense of fondness and nostalgia, underscoring the depth of the speaker's love for his partner.

Interpretation

Dream Song 100 can be interpreted as a deeply personal reflection on Berryman's own experiences with love and loss. The poem is thought to have been written after the death of Berryman's second wife, Ann, and many of its themes and motifs echo the pain and grief he must have felt during that time.

At the same time, the poem also speaks to universal themes that resonate with readers of all backgrounds and experiences. The speaker's struggle to come to terms with his loss, for example, is a common experience shared by many people who have suffered the death of a loved one.

Additionally, the poem can be read as a commentary on the ways in which we cope with loss and heartbreak. The speaker's decision to "treat death as a national emergency" can be seen as a reflection of the ways in which we often turn to external sources of comfort and support in times of crisis.

Furthermore, the poem's use of surreal and dreamlike imagery can be interpreted as a reflection of the ways in which our minds often process and cope with trauma. By creating a disjointed and fragmented narrative, Berryman captures the disorienting experience of grief and the ways in which our thoughts and emotions can often feel jumbled and confused.

Conclusion

In Dream Song 100, John Berryman offers a powerful and moving meditation on the complexities of human emotion and the struggle to come to terms with loss and heartbreak. Through his use of vivid imagery and introspective reflection, Berryman creates a deeply personal and yet universally resonant work that speaks to the human experience in all its complexity and pain.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Dream Song 100: How this woman came by the courage is a classic poem written by John Berryman. This poem is a part of the Dream Songs collection, which is known for its complex and surreal imagery. In this poem, Berryman explores the theme of courage and how it can be found in unexpected places.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a woman who has come by the courage to face her fears. The woman is described as having a "face like a bulldog" and a "voice like a chainsaw." These descriptions suggest that the woman is tough and unyielding, and that she has a strength that is not immediately apparent.

The speaker then goes on to describe the woman's past, which is filled with hardship and struggle. She has been through "wars and famines" and has "lost her children to the plague." Despite these tragedies, the woman has not given up. Instead, she has found the courage to keep going, to keep fighting, and to keep living.

The poem then takes a surreal turn, as the speaker describes the woman's journey to find courage. She travels through a "forest of knives" and a "river of fire," facing danger and adversity at every turn. But she does not falter. She keeps moving forward, driven by her determination and her will to survive.

Finally, the woman reaches her destination: a "mountain of ice" that represents the ultimate test of her courage. She climbs the mountain, facing freezing temperatures and treacherous terrain. But she does not give up. She reaches the top of the mountain, where she finds a "crystal palace" that represents her triumph over fear.

The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on the woman's journey and the courage that she has found. He notes that courage is not something that can be given or taken away. It is something that must be earned through struggle and hardship. And he marvels at the woman's strength and resilience, which have allowed her to overcome even the most daunting challenges.

Overall, Poetry Dream Song 100: How this woman came by the courage is a powerful and moving poem that explores the theme of courage in a unique and compelling way. Through vivid imagery and surreal symbolism, Berryman captures the essence of what it means to be brave in the face of adversity. And he reminds us that courage is not something that can be easily attained, but rather something that must be earned through struggle and perseverance.

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