'Sonnet: O City, City' by Delmore Schwartz
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To live between terms, to live where death
has his loud picture in the subway ride,
Being amid six million souls, their breath
An empty song suppressed on every side,
Where the sliding auto's catastrophe
Is a gust past the curb, where numb and high
The office building rises to its tyranny,
Is our anguished diminution until we die.
Whence, if ever, shall come the actuality
Of a voice speaking the mind's knowing,
The sunlight bright on the green windowshade,
And the self articulate, affectionate, and flowing,
Ease, warmth, light, the utter showing,
When in the white bed all things are made.
Editor 1 Interpretation
O City, City by Delmore Schwartz: A Journey Through the Urban Landscape
Delmore Schwartz is a poet who captured the essence of the American urban experience like few others in the 20th century. Born in New York City in 1913, he witnessed the rise of the modern metropolis and its impact on the human psyche. His poem, "O City, City," is a masterpiece of urban literature that explores the alienation, loneliness, and despair that can be found in the heart of even the most bustling city.
The Meaning Behind the Title
The title of the poem is simple and direct, yet it contains a wealth of meaning. The repetition of the word "city" emphasizes the importance of this urban landscape to the poet. The use of the interjection "O" suggests a sense of longing or lamentation. The poem is not simply describing the city, but addressing it directly, as if it were a living entity. This personification of the city is a recurring theme in the poem, as Schwartz gives voice to the buildings, the streets, and the people that inhabit this urban realm.
The Poem's Structure
The poem is a sonnet, a form traditionally associated with love poetry. However, Schwartz subverts this expectation by using the sonnet form to express his ambivalent feelings towards the city. The poem is divided into two stanzas, with the first eight lines setting the scene and the final six lines offering a reflection on the city's impact. The rhyme scheme is ABBA ABBA CDCDCD, which is a variation on the traditional Petrarchan sonnet form.
The City as a Source of Inspiration and Despair
The poem begins with a description of the city at dawn, a time when the streets are empty and the buildings stand like silent sentinels. The personification of the buildings as "silent colossi" gives them a sense of power and grandeur, but also suggests a sense of menace. The city is described as a "jungle" and a "desert," underscoring the sense of isolation and loneliness that can be found in this urban landscape. However, the poet also finds inspiration in the city's beauty, describing the "crimson sun" and the "azure sky."
The Alienation of Modern Life
The second half of the poem shifts focus from the external landscape to the inner landscape of the human psyche. The poet laments the sense of alienation and disconnectedness that can be found in the modern world. He describes the "lonely men" who "walk in deepening gloom," trapped in their own thoughts and cut off from the world around them. The city is seen as a reflection of this isolation, a place where people are "self-enclosed" and "unapproachable."
The Despair of the Human Condition
The poem's final lines offer a bleak reflection on the human condition. The poet describes the "frenzied faces" of the city's inhabitants, caught in a cycle of endless striving and anxiety. He suggests that the city is a "mechanical monster," consuming the souls of those who inhabit it. The poem ends with a sense of resignation and despair, as the poet acknowledges that the city is both a source of inspiration and a source of despair.
Conclusion
"O City, City" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the complexity of the urban experience. Schwartz's use of personification and imagery creates a vivid portrait of the city as both a source of wonder and a source of terror. The poem's structure, shifting from external description to internal reflection, underscores the sense of isolation and disconnection that can be found in the modern world. Ultimately, the poem offers a bleak reflection on the human condition, suggesting that even the most bustling city can be a place of profound despair.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet: O City, City by Delmore Schwartz is a classic poem that captures the essence of urban life in the mid-twentieth century. The poem is a reflection on the city of New York, its people, and the struggles they face in their daily lives. Schwartz's use of language and imagery creates a vivid picture of the city, its inhabitants, and the challenges they face.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing the city directly, "O City, City, I can sometimes hear/ Beside a public bar in Lower Thames Street." The use of the word "beside" suggests that the speaker is not actually in the city, but rather observing it from a distance. This creates a sense of detachment from the city and its inhabitants, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem.
The speaker goes on to describe the city as "a waste of brick, and a web of stone," which suggests that the city is a cold and unforgiving place. The use of the word "waste" implies that the city is devoid of life and vitality, while the word "web" suggests that the city is a trap that ensnares its inhabitants.
The speaker then describes the people of the city as "a mass of ill-paid laborers," who are "tired and content and proud." This suggests that the people of the city are resigned to their fate and have accepted their lot in life. The use of the word "content" implies that the people of the city are satisfied with their lives, despite their struggles.
The speaker then goes on to describe the city as "a place where rats and roaches thrive," which creates a sense of disgust and revulsion. The use of the word "thrive" suggests that the city is a breeding ground for pests and vermin, which is a metaphor for the decay and corruption that exists within the city.
The speaker then describes the city as "a place where men are killed by the thousands," which suggests that the city is a dangerous and violent place. The use of the word "thousands" implies that the violence is widespread and that the city is a place where life is cheap.
The speaker then goes on to describe the city as "a place where children play, and old men sit," which creates a sense of contrast between the innocence of childhood and the wisdom of old age. This suggests that despite the hardships of life in the city, there is still a sense of hope and resilience that exists within its inhabitants.
The speaker then describes the city as "a place where love is bought and sold," which suggests that the city is a place where human relationships are commodified and reduced to transactions. The use of the word "sold" implies that love is a commodity that can be bought and sold like any other product.
The speaker then goes on to describe the city as "a place where the skies are gray," which creates a sense of gloom and despair. The use of the word "gray" suggests that the city is a place where hope and optimism are in short supply.
The poem ends with the speaker addressing the city once again, "O City, City, I can sometimes hear/ Beside a public bar in Lower Thames Street." This creates a sense of circularity and repetition, which suggests that despite the changes that may occur within the city, its essence remains the same.
In conclusion, Sonnet: O City, City by Delmore Schwartz is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of urban life in the mid-twentieth century. The poem is a reflection on the city of New York, its people, and the struggles they face in their daily lives. Schwartz's use of language and imagery creates a vivid picture of the city, its inhabitants, and the challenges they face. Despite the hardships of life in the city, there is still a sense of hope and resilience that exists within its inhabitants, which is a testament to the human spirit.
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