'The Closet' by Russell Edson
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Here I am with my mother, hanging under the molt
of years, in a garden of umbrellas and rubber boots,
together always in the vague perfume of her coat.
See how the fedoras along the shelf are the several
skulls of my father, in this catacomb of my family.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Closet by Russell Edson: A Poem of Dark and Surreal Imagery
Are you ready to enter the strange and twisted world of Russell Edson's poetry? Brace yourself for a journey into the depths of the human psyche, where nothing is quite as it seems and everything is possible. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, motifs, and symbols that make The Closet such a haunting and memorable work of art.
The Poem: A Brief Overview
Before we delve into the analysis, let's take a moment to appreciate the poem itself. The Closet consists of fourteen lines, arranged in three stanzas of four, four, and six lines respectively. The structure is reminiscent of a sonnet, but the content is far from traditional love poetry.
The first stanza sets the scene in a matter-of-fact tone, describing a closet with a door that opens and closes. The second stanza introduces the first surreal element, as the speaker mentions a "man with a beard" who lives in the closet. The third stanza takes us even deeper into the strange and unsettling world of the poem, as we learn that the man in the closet is not alone but surrounded by "a great many things."
Now, let's take a closer look at the themes and symbols that make The Closet such a powerful and memorable poem.
Theme 1: The Human Condition
At its core, The Closet is a poem about the human condition. It explores the dark and hidden corners of the human psyche, where fear, desire, and imagination collide. The closet itself can be seen as a metaphor for the human mind, with its secrets, fears, and repressed desires. The fact that the door opens and closes suggests that the contents of the closet are not always visible or accessible, and that they can be both inviting and terrifying at the same time.
The man with the beard can be interpreted in different ways, depending on how we see him. Is he a symbol of the speaker's own subconscious, a projection of his fears and desires? Or is he a real person, living in the closet and hiding from the outside world? Either way, the man represents a part of the human psyche that is often overlooked or ignored.
The line "he does not speak" is particularly telling, as it suggests that the man is either unable or unwilling to communicate with the outside world. This can be seen as a commentary on the isolation and loneliness that many people experience, as well as on the difficulty of expressing oneself and being understood.
Theme 2: Surrealism and the Absurd
One of the most striking aspects of The Closet is its surreal and absurd imagery. The man with the beard is just the first of many strange and unsettling elements that populate the poem. The fact that he lives in a closet, surrounded by "a great many things," suggests that the boundaries between reality and fantasy are blurred in this world.
The line "he is very hairy" is both amusing and disturbing, as it conjures up an image of a wild and unkempt creature. The fact that the man is described as "very" hairy suggests that his hairiness is both excessive and significant, perhaps representing a primal or animalistic aspect of the human psyche.
The image of the man "crouched" in the closet is another example of the poem's surrealism, as it suggests a posture that is both defensive and submissive. This can be interpreted as a commentary on the power dynamics of human relationships, where some people are forced to hide or retreat in order to survive.
Theme 3: Death and Decay
A third theme that runs through The Closet is that of death and decay. The fact that the man in the closet is surrounded by "a great many things" suggests that he is not alone but in the company of other objects or creatures. The fact that these things are not described in detail leaves room for interpretation, but the overall impression is one of darkness and decay.
The line "he has been there a long time" suggests that the man is trapped in the closet, unable or unwilling to leave. This can be seen as a metaphor for the human condition, where people are often trapped in their own minds or circumstances, unable to break free.
The final line of the poem, "and they are beginning to smell," is both gruesome and poignant, as it suggests that the man and his surroundings are in a state of decay. This can be interpreted as a commentary on the fragility and impermanence of human life, as well as on the inevitability of death.
Conclusion: A Poem of Dark and Surreal Imagery
In conclusion, The Closet is a poem that explores the dark and hidden corners of the human psyche, where fear, desire, and imagination collide. It uses surreal and absurd imagery to create a haunting and memorable work of art, filled with themes of the human condition, surrealism and the absurd, and death and decay.
The poem invites us to enter a world where nothing is quite as it seems and everything is possible, where the boundaries between reality and fantasy are blurred, and where the human psyche is both fascinating and terrifying. It challenges us to confront our own fears and desires, and to explore the depths of our own minds, where the man with the beard may be hiding, crouched and alone, surrounded by a great many things, and beginning to smell.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Closet: A Masterpiece of Surrealism
Russell Edson’s poem, The Closet, is a masterpiece of surrealism that takes the reader on a journey through the depths of the human psyche. The poem is a perfect example of how surrealism can be used to explore the hidden corners of the mind, and how it can reveal the strange and unexpected connections between seemingly unrelated things.
The Closet is a short poem, consisting of only 12 lines, but it is packed with meaning and symbolism. The poem begins with the line, “There’s a closet in my head where I keep all my fears,” which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The closet is a metaphor for the mind, and the fears that are kept inside represent the hidden anxieties and worries that we all carry with us.
The second line of the poem, “Sometimes I go in there and lock the door,” suggests that the speaker is actively trying to avoid confronting their fears. This is a common human tendency, as we often try to push our fears and anxieties to the back of our minds, hoping that they will go away on their own. However, as the poem goes on to show, this is not a sustainable solution.
The third line of the poem, “I turn off the light and sit in the dark,” is a powerful image that evokes a sense of isolation and despair. The speaker is alone in their closet, surrounded by their fears, and unable to see a way out. This image is a metaphor for the feeling of being trapped by our own anxieties, and the sense of hopelessness that can come with it.
The fourth line of the poem, “Sometimes I think I can hear them breathing,” is a chilling image that suggests that the fears inside the closet are alive and have a life of their own. This is a common experience for people who suffer from anxiety, as their fears can take on a life of their own and become overwhelming.
The fifth line of the poem, “I know they’re there, but I can’t see them,” is a powerful statement about the nature of fear. Fear is often irrational and illogical, and it can be difficult to identify the source of our anxieties. This line suggests that the speaker is aware of their fears, but they are unable to confront them directly.
The sixth line of the poem, “I try to ignore them, but they won’t go away,” is a common experience for people who suffer from anxiety. Ignoring our fears may provide temporary relief, but they will always come back stronger than before.
The seventh line of the poem, “They whisper to me in the dark,” is a haunting image that suggests that the fears inside the closet are trying to communicate with the speaker. This is a common experience for people who suffer from anxiety, as their fears can take on a life of their own and become overwhelming.
The eighth line of the poem, “Telling me things I don’t want to hear,” is a powerful statement about the nature of fear. Fear can be irrational and illogical, and it can make us believe things that are not true. This line suggests that the fears inside the closet are trying to manipulate the speaker and make them believe things that are not true.
The ninth line of the poem, “But I can’t help but listen,” is a common experience for people who suffer from anxiety. Our fears can be so overwhelming that we feel powerless to resist them.
The tenth line of the poem, “I know I should face them, but I’m too afraid,” is a powerful statement about the nature of fear. We know that we need to confront our fears, but we are often too afraid to do so. This line suggests that the speaker is aware of the need to confront their fears, but they are unable to do so.
The eleventh line of the poem, “So I sit in the dark, listening to their whispers,” is a haunting image that suggests that the speaker is trapped by their fears. They are unable to escape the closet, and they are unable to confront their fears directly.
The final line of the poem, “Hoping that someday I’ll find the courage to turn on the light,” is a powerful statement about the nature of hope. Even in the darkest moments, there is always a glimmer of hope that things will get better. This line suggests that the speaker is holding onto that hope, and that someday they will find the courage to confront their fears and turn on the light.
In conclusion, The Closet is a masterpiece of surrealism that explores the depths of the human psyche. The poem is a powerful statement about the nature of fear, and how it can trap us in our own minds. The images in the poem are haunting and powerful, and they evoke a sense of isolation and despair. However, the final line of the poem suggests that there is always hope, even in the darkest moments. The Closet is a timeless poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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