'The Philosophers' by Russell Edson


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The Tunnel1994I think, therefore I am, said a man whose mother quicklyhit him on the head, saying, I hit my son on the head,therefore I am.No no, you've got it all wrong, cried the man.So she hit him on the head again and cried, therefore I am.You're not, not that way; you're supposed to think, not hit,cried the man.. . . I think, therefore I am, said the man.
I hit, therefore we both are, the hitter and the one who getshit, said the man's mother.But at this point the man had ceased to be; unconscious hecould not think. But his mother could. So she thought, I am,and so is my unconscious son, even if he doesn't know it . . .

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Philosophers: A Masterpiece of Surrealist Poetry

Russell Edson's "The Philosophers" is a masterpiece of surrealist poetry that challenges conventional notions of reality, identity, and meaning. Published in 1974, the collection of poems features an array of bizarre characters and situations that defy logic and reason, and yet, manage to convey a profound sense of existential angst and despair. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the key themes and motifs of "The Philosophers," and analyze how the poems subvert traditional literary and philosophical tropes to create a unique and enduring work of art.

Overview

"The Philosophers" is a collection of 29 poems that explores the absurdity of human existence and the limitations of language and thought. The poems are characterized by their surreal imagery, dark humor, and existential themes, and are written in a style that is both playful and profound. The collection features a cast of recurring characters, including a man who turns into a chair, a woman who gives birth to a dress, and a philosopher who lives in a tree. These characters are used to explore complex philosophical concepts, such as identity, consciousness, and the nature of reality, in a way that is both accessible and thought-provoking.

Surrealism and the Absurd

At its core, "The Philosophers" is a work of surrealism, which is a literary and artistic movement that seeks to explore the unconscious mind and the irrational elements of human experience. The poems in the collection are filled with strange and dreamlike imagery, such as a man who has "a head of bees," a woman who "swims in a swimming pool of blood," and a philosopher who "wears a hat made of clouds." These images are used to create a sense of disorientation and confusion, and to challenge conventional thinking and perception.

In addition to surrealism, "The Philosophers" also draws heavily on the absurdist tradition, which is a literary and philosophical movement that emphasizes the meaningless and irrational nature of human existence. The poems in the collection are filled with absurd situations and events, such as a man who "turns into a chair," a woman who "gives birth to a dress," and a philosopher who "lives in a tree." These events are used to underscore the futility of human endeavor and to challenge the idea of a rational and ordered universe.

Themes and Motifs

One of the key themes of "The Philosophers" is the nature of identity and the self. Throughout the collection, Edson uses a variety of techniques to explore the fluid and mutable nature of identity, such as having characters transform into objects, animals, and even other people. In "The Philosophers," identity is shown to be a fragile and unstable construct that is constantly in flux, and that is ultimately subject to the whims of fate and circumstance.

Another important theme of the collection is the limitations of language and thought. Edson often uses wordplay, puns, and paradoxes to challenge the conventional meanings of words and to create a sense of linguistic disorientation. In addition, many of the poems feature characters who struggle to articulate their thoughts and emotions, and who are ultimately left feeling frustrated and alienated from the world around them. This theme is particularly evident in the title poem, "The Philosophers," which features a group of philosophers who are unable to communicate with each other due to their differing perspectives and worldviews.

A third theme of the collection is the search for meaning and purpose in a seemingly meaningless world. The characters in "The Philosophers" are often portrayed as being adrift in a world that is chaotic and indifferent to their struggles. Many of the poems explore the existential angst and despair that arises from this sense of meaninglessness, and the ways in which people try to make sense of their lives in the face of overwhelming uncertainty.

Analysis

One of the most striking aspects of "The Philosophers" is its use of surreal imagery and absurd situations to explore complex philosophical concepts. For example, in the poem "The Man Who Turned into a Chair," Edson uses the transformation of a man into a piece of furniture to explore the fluid and mutable nature of identity. In this poem, the man's transformation is portrayed as a natural and inevitable process, and is ultimately accepted by those around him as a normal part of life.

Similarly, in the poem "The Woman Who Gave Birth to a Dress," Edson uses the absurdity of the situation to illustrate the futility of human endeavor in the face of an indifferent universe. The woman's act of creation is ultimately shown to be meaningless, as the dress is quickly discarded and forgotten, and the woman is left feeling empty and unfulfilled.

Another notable aspect of "The Philosophers" is its use of language to create a sense of disorientation and confusion. In the title poem, "The Philosophers," Edson uses wordplay and paradoxes to create a sense of linguistic alienation between the various philosophers. The poem is structured in a way that highlights the inherent limitations of language and the difficulty of truly understanding another person's perspective.

Finally, "The Philosophers" is notable for its use of dark humor and irony to explore existential themes. Many of the poems feature characters who are trapped in absurd or hopeless situations, and who are forced to confront the meaninglessness of their lives. However, rather than succumbing to despair, these characters often respond with a wry and ironic sense of humor that underscores the absurdity of their predicament.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Philosophers" is a masterful work of surrealist poetry that explores complex philosophical concepts in a way that is both accessible and profound. Through its use of surreal imagery, absurdist situations, and linguistic playfulness, the collection challenges conventional notions of reality, identity, and meaning, and offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective on the human condition. Whether read as a work of literary art or as a philosophical treatise, "The Philosophers" is a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate and inspire readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has been around for centuries, and it has always been a way for people to express their thoughts and emotions. One of the most intriguing and thought-provoking poems is "The Philosophers" by Russell Edson. This poem is a masterpiece of surrealism and absurdity, and it challenges the reader to think deeply about the nature of reality and the human condition.

At first glance, "The Philosophers" seems like a simple poem about a group of philosophers who are trying to understand the world around them. However, as one delves deeper into the poem, it becomes clear that there is much more going on beneath the surface. The poem is full of strange and surreal imagery, and it is not always clear what is real and what is not.

The poem begins with the line, "The philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways; the point is to change it." This line is a reference to Karl Marx's famous statement about philosophy, and it sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The philosophers in the poem are not content with simply understanding the world; they want to change it. This desire for change is a common theme in Edson's work, and it is one of the things that makes his poetry so powerful.

As the poem continues, we are introduced to the philosophers themselves. They are described as "old men with long white beards," which is a common stereotype of philosophers. However, Edson quickly subverts this stereotype by describing the philosophers as "dressed in black leather jackets and riding motorcycles." This image is both absurd and surreal, and it immediately challenges our expectations of what philosophers should look like.

The philosophers are also described as being "armed with chains and clubs," which is another subversion of the stereotype. Philosophers are usually seen as peaceful thinkers who use their minds to solve problems, but in this poem, they are portrayed as violent and aggressive. This image is both unsettling and thought-provoking, and it forces us to question our assumptions about the nature of philosophy.

As the poem progresses, we are introduced to a series of surreal and absurd images. The philosophers are described as riding their motorcycles through a "forest of giant mushrooms," and they encounter a "herd of elephants" who are "dressed in tutus and dancing ballet." These images are both humorous and unsettling, and they add to the overall sense of surrealism that permeates the poem.

One of the most striking images in the poem is the description of the philosophers "riding their motorcycles across a field of wheat, leaving behind a trail of fire." This image is both beautiful and terrifying, and it is a powerful metaphor for the destructive power of human beings. The philosophers are not content with simply understanding the world; they want to change it, even if that means destroying it in the process.

The poem ends with the line, "And so the philosophers rode on, seeking the truth, armed with chains and clubs, dressed in black leather jackets, riding their motorcycles through the world." This line is both ominous and hopeful, and it leaves the reader with a sense of uncertainty about the future. The philosophers are still seeking the truth, but it is not clear whether they will find it or whether their quest will lead to destruction.

In conclusion, "The Philosophers" is a masterpiece of surrealism and absurdity. It challenges our assumptions about the nature of philosophy and the human condition, and it forces us to question our beliefs about the world around us. The poem is full of strange and surreal imagery, and it is not always clear what is real and what is not. However, this ambiguity is part of what makes the poem so powerful. It forces us to think deeply about the nature of reality and the role that human beings play in shaping it. Overall, "The Philosophers" is a must-read for anyone who is interested in poetry, philosophy, or the human condition.

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