'Always For The First Time' by André Breton

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Always for the first time

Hardly do I know you by sight

You return at some hour of the night to a house at an angle to my window

A wholly imaginary house

It is there that from one second to the next

In the inviolate darkness

I anticipate once more the fascinating rift occurring

The one and only rift

In the facade and in my heart

The closer I come to you

In reality

The more the key sings at the door of the unknown room

Where you appear alone before me

At first you coalesce entirely with the brightness

The elusive angle of a curtain

It's a field of jasmine I gazed upon at dawn on a road in the vicinity of Grasse

With the diagonal slant of its girls picking

Behind them the dark falling wing of the plants stripped bare

Before them a T-square of dazzling light

The curtain invisibly raised

In a frenzy all the flowers swarm back in

It is you at grips with that too long hour never dim enough until sleep

You as though you could be

The same except that I shall perhaps never meet you

You pretend not to know I am watching you

Marvelously I am no longer sure you know

You idleness brings tears to my eyes

A swarm of interpretations surrounds each of your gestures

It's a honeydew hunt

There are rocking chairs on a deck there are branches that may well scratch you in the
forest

There are in a shop window in the rue Notre-Dame-de-Lorette

Two lovely crossed legs caught in long stockings

Flaring out in the center of a great white clover

There is a silken ladder rolled out over the ivy

There is

By my leaning over the precipice

Of your presence and your absence in hopeless fusion

My finding the secret

Of loving you

Always for the first time

Editor 1 Interpretation

Always For the First Time: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Oh my goodness, where do I even begin with this poem? Always For the First Time by André Breton is a masterpiece of surrealist poetry that takes us on a journey through the subconscious mind. Breton was the founder of the Surrealist movement in France, and this poem is a perfect example of his contributions to the movement. The poem is a beautiful and haunting exploration of the human psyche, and it leaves the reader with a sense of both wonder and unease.

Background Information

Before we dive into the poem, let's take a moment to discuss the Surrealist movement and André Breton's role in it. Surrealism was an artistic and literary movement that emerged in the wake of World War I. The movement was a response to the horrors of the war and the disillusionment of the post-war world. Surrealists sought to explore the subconscious mind and to create art that was free from traditional constraints. André Breton was the founder and leader of the Surrealist movement in France. He was a poet, writer, and critic, and his work was instrumental in shaping the movement.

Breton's poetry was characterized by its dreamlike quality and its exploration of the subconscious mind. He believed that the subconscious was the source of all creativity, and he sought to tap into it through his writing. Breton's poems were often surreal and jarring, and they challenged traditional notions of poetry and literature.

The Poem

Now, let's turn our attention to Always For the First Time. The poem is a short but powerful work that explores the nature of human experience. The poem begins with the line "Always for the first time," which sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The line suggests that every experience is new and unique, even if it seems familiar. This theme is echoed throughout the poem, as Breton explores the idea of perception and the way that we experience the world around us.

The poem is structured in four stanzas, each of which is comprised of four lines. The brevity of the poem is part of its power, as Breton is able to convey complex ideas in a few short lines.

The first stanza of the poem reads:

Always for the first time
Always for the first time
Always for the first time
Always for the first time

This repetition of the same line four times creates a sense of rhythm and intensity. The repetition also underscores the theme of the poem, which is the idea that every experience is new and unique. The use of the word "always" suggests a sense of inevitability, as if the experience is fated to be new and different each time.

The second stanza reads:

I am
The instigator of the moment
Everlasting and pure

This stanza is where the poem really starts to take off. The use of the first-person point of view creates a sense of intimacy between the speaker and the reader. The speaker refers to themselves as "the instigator of the moment," which suggests that they are in control of their own experiences. The word "everlasting" suggests that the moment will last forever, and the word "pure" implies a sense of innocence or purity.

The third stanza reads:

I am
The necessary angel of earth
Since, in the end,
I am the only one who can say yes or no

This stanza is where the poem begins to delve into deeper philosophical territory. The speaker refers to themselves as "the necessary angel of earth," which suggests that they have a special purpose or role in the world. The phrase "since, in the end," suggests that the speaker's role is inevitable, and that they are the only one who can make decisions about their own experiences.

The final stanza reads:

Always for the first time
Always for the first time
Always for the first time
Always for the first time

The repetition of the first stanza creates a sense of circularity, as if the poem is coming full circle. The poem ends where it began, with the idea that every experience is new and unique.

Interpretation

So, what does it all mean? Always For the First Time is a complex and multi-layered poem that can be interpreted in many different ways. At its core, the poem is an exploration of the nature of human experience and perception. The poem suggests that every experience is new and unique, even if it seems familiar. The repetition of the phrase "always for the first time" underscores this idea, as if the speaker is trying to remind themselves that every moment is precious and unique.

The poem also suggests that the speaker is in control of their own experiences. The phrase "instigator of the moment" implies agency and control, while the phrase "the only one who can say yes or no" suggests that the speaker has the power to shape their own experiences.

The phrase "the necessary angel of earth" is a bit more enigmatic. It could be interpreted in a religious context, as a reference to angels in the Judeo-Christian tradition. Alternatively, it could be interpreted as a reference to the speaker's own importance and value in the world.

Overall, the poem is a powerful and thought-provoking work that challenges traditional notions of poetry and literature. Breton's use of surreal imagery and repetition creates a dreamlike quality that draws the reader in and leaves them with a sense of wonder and unease.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Always For the First Time by André Breton is a masterpiece of surrealist poetry that explores the nature of human experience and perception. The poem is a powerful and thought-provoking work that challenges traditional notions of poetry and literature. Breton's use of repetition and surreal imagery creates a dreamlike quality that draws the reader in and leaves them with a sense of wonder and unease. This poem is a testament to Breton's skill as a poet and his contributions to the Surrealist movement.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Always For The First Time: An Analysis of André Breton's Classic Poem

André Breton, the French poet and founder of the Surrealist movement, is known for his avant-garde approach to poetry. His works often explore the subconscious mind, dreams, and the irrational. One of his most famous poems, "Always For The First Time," is a prime example of his unique style.

The poem begins with the line, "Always for the first time," which sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The repetition of this phrase throughout the poem emphasizes the idea of experiencing something new and exciting, even if it is something that has been experienced before. This idea is central to the Surrealist movement, which sought to break free from the constraints of rational thought and explore the unknown.

Breton's use of language in the poem is also noteworthy. He employs vivid imagery and metaphors to convey his message. For example, he writes, "Always for the first time, / the face of a woman / and her hair / cast a spell over me." Here, the woman's face and hair are compared to a spell, suggesting that they have a magical quality that captivates the speaker.

The poem also contains several references to nature, which is a common theme in Surrealist art and literature. Breton writes, "Always for the first time, / the scent of a lilac / in bloom / and the sight of the sky / being blue." These natural elements are used to evoke a sense of wonder and awe in the reader, as if they are experiencing these sensations for the first time.

Another interesting aspect of the poem is its structure. It is divided into three stanzas, each containing four lines. The first and third stanzas begin with the same line, "Always for the first time," while the second stanza begins with the line, "Always it's the first time." This variation in the repetition of the phrase adds a sense of unpredictability to the poem, further emphasizing the idea of exploring the unknown.

The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful. Breton writes, "Always for the first time, / I live / and I die / and I love." Here, the speaker is suggesting that every experience is a new one, even if it is something that has been experienced before. This idea is central to the Surrealist movement, which sought to break free from the constraints of rational thought and explore the unknown.

In conclusion, "Always For The First Time" is a prime example of André Breton's unique style of poetry. The repetition of the phrase "always for the first time" emphasizes the idea of experiencing something new and exciting, even if it is something that has been experienced before. The use of vivid imagery and metaphors, as well as references to nature, adds a sense of wonder and awe to the poem. The structure of the poem, with its variation in the repetition of the phrase, adds a sense of unpredictability. Finally, the final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, emphasizing the idea that every experience is a new one. Overall, "Always For The First Time" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that captures the essence of the Surrealist movement.

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