'Revolt In The Ranks' by Charles Bukowski


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I have just spent one-hour-and-a-half

handicapping tomorrow's

card.

when am I going to get at the poems?

well, they'll just have to wait

they'll have to warm their feet in the

anteroom

where they'll sit gossiping about

me.

"this Chinaski, doesn't he realize that

without us he would have long ago

gone mad, been dead?"

"he knows, but he thinks he can keep

us at his beck and call!"

"he's an ingrate!"

"let's give him writer's block!"

"yeah!"

"yeah!"

"yeah!"

the little poems kick up their heels

and laugh.

then the biggest one gets up and

walks toward the door.

"hey, where are you going?" he is

asked.

"somewhere where I am

appreciated."

then, he

and the others

vanish.

I open a beer, sit down at the

machine and nothing

happens.

like now.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Revolt in the Ranks: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

If there is one thing Charles Bukowski is known for, it is his raw and unapologetic writing style. His writing is like a breath of fresh air, in a literary world that is often too polished and refined. Bukowski's Revolt in the Ranks is no exception. This poem is a powerful commentary on the human condition, and the struggles that we all face in our daily lives. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the themes and symbolism in this poem, and try to understand what Bukowski is trying to convey.

Summary of Revolt in the Ranks

Revolt in the Ranks is a poem that was first published in Bukowski's collection Love is a Dog From Hell, in 1977. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme scheme, and is made up of twenty-one stanzas. The poem is narrated by a speaker who is discussing the struggles that he faces in his daily life. The poem is divided into two parts. In the first part, the speaker talks about his own personal struggles. In the second part, the speaker discusses the struggles of society as a whole.

Themes in Revolt in the Ranks

One of the main themes in Revolt in the Ranks is the struggle of the individual. The speaker in the poem talks about how he feels trapped in his own life, and how he is struggling to find a way out. He talks about how he is tired of living a life that is defined by his job, and how he longs for something more. This is a theme that is common in Bukowski's writing. He often talks about how the working class is trapped in a cycle of poverty, and how difficult it is to break free from that cycle.

Another theme in Revolt in the Ranks is the struggle of society as a whole. The speaker talks about how society is broken, and how it is in need of a revolution. He discusses how the ruling class is controlling everything, and how the working class is suffering because of it. This is a theme that is also common in Bukowski's writing. He often speaks out against the injustices of society, and argues that the working class needs to rise up and fight for their rights.

Symbolism in Revolt in the Ranks

There is a lot of symbolism in Revolt in the Ranks. One of the most powerful symbols in the poem is the image of the sun. The speaker talks about how the sun is rising, and how it is a new day. This symbolizes the hope that the speaker feels, and his belief that change is possible. The sun also symbolizes the power and energy that is needed to bring about that change.

Another powerful symbol in the poem is the image of the "rank and file." This symbolizes the working class, and their struggle against the ruling class. The speaker talks about how the "rank and file" are rising up, and how they are going to bring about a revolution. This symbolizes the power that the working class has when they come together and fight for their rights.

Analysis of Revolt in the Ranks

Revolt in the Ranks is a powerful poem that speaks to the struggles that we all face in our daily lives. The poem is divided into two parts, with the first part focusing on the struggles of the individual, and the second part focusing on the struggles of society as a whole. The poem is filled with powerful symbolism, which adds depth and meaning to the work.

One of the things that makes this poem so powerful is the way that Bukowski writes. His writing is raw and unapologetic, and he doesn't hold back when it comes to discussing the struggles of the working class. The poem is filled with vivid imagery, which helps to bring the words to life.

The themes of the poem are also very relevant today. The struggle of the individual to find meaning in their life, and the struggle of society to overcome injustice, are issues that are still relevant today. Bukowski's message is clear: we need to come together and fight for our rights, whether as individuals or as a society.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Revolt in the Ranks is a powerful poem that speaks to the struggles that we all face in our daily lives. The poem is divided into two parts, with the first part focusing on the struggles of the individual, and the second part focusing on the struggles of society as a whole. The poem is filled with powerful symbolism, which adds depth and meaning to the work. Bukowski's writing is raw and unapologetic, and his message is clear: we need to come together and fight for our rights. This is a poem that is as relevant today as it was when it was first published, and it is a testament to Bukowski's skill as a writer.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The world of poetry has always been a place of rebellion, where artists push the boundaries of language and expression to create something truly unique. One of the most iconic examples of this is Charles Bukowski's "Poetry Revolt In The Ranks," a poem that captures the spirit of the counterculture movement of the 1960s and 70s.

At its core, "Poetry Revolt In The Ranks" is a call to arms for poets everywhere to reject the traditional forms and structures of poetry and embrace a more raw and authentic style of writing. Bukowski himself was known for his unapologetic and often controversial approach to poetry, and this poem is a perfect example of his ethos.

The poem begins with a powerful statement: "the old poets are dead." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Bukowski makes it clear that he is not interested in following in the footsteps of the poets who came before him. Instead, he is forging his own path, one that is free from the constraints of tradition and convention.

Bukowski goes on to describe the "new poets" who are rising up to take the place of the old guard. These poets are not interested in writing sonnets or villanelles; they are interested in writing from the heart, in a way that is honest and true to their own experiences. Bukowski writes:

"the new poets are not interested in who was the first to write a poem about a daisy."

This line is a direct challenge to the idea that poetry must be about lofty, abstract concepts. Instead, Bukowski is saying that poetry can and should be about the everyday experiences of life. The new poets are not interested in writing about daisies; they are interested in writing about the real world, with all its grit and ugliness.

Bukowski also takes aim at the idea that poetry must be "beautiful" or "elevated." He writes:

"the new poets are not interested in beauty they are interested in what is behind beauty."

This line is a rejection of the idea that poetry must be aesthetically pleasing. Instead, Bukowski is saying that poetry should be about the truth, even if that truth is ugly or uncomfortable. The new poets are not interested in creating pretty images; they are interested in exposing the reality of the world around them.

Throughout the poem, Bukowski uses vivid and often shocking imagery to drive home his point. He writes:

"the new poets are not afraid of vomit blood or shit."

This line is a direct challenge to the idea that poetry must be "clean" or "proper." Bukowski is saying that the new poets are not afraid to get their hands dirty, to write about the things that make us uncomfortable. They are not interested in creating a sanitized version of the world; they want to show it as it really is.

Bukowski also takes aim at the idea that poetry must be "intellectual" or "academic." He writes:

"the new poets are not interested in footnotes or references."

This line is a rejection of the idea that poetry must be written for an elite audience. Bukowski is saying that poetry should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their education or background. The new poets are not interested in creating works that only a select few can understand; they want to create works that speak to everyone.

Overall, "Poetry Revolt In The Ranks" is a powerful and inspiring poem that captures the spirit of rebellion and revolution that characterized the counterculture movement of the 1960s and 70s. Bukowski's call to arms for poets everywhere to reject tradition and embrace authenticity is as relevant today as it was when the poem was first written. In a world that often values conformity and convention over creativity and individuality, Bukowski's message is a reminder that true art comes from the heart, and that the most powerful works are often the ones that challenge us the most.

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