'The Sad Message' by Russell Edson
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The Captain becomes moody at sea. He's
afraid of water; such bully amounts that prove the
seas. . .
A glass of water is one thing. A man easily downs
it, capturing its menace in his bladder; pissing it
away. A few drops of rain do little harm, save to
remind of how grief looks upon the cheek.
One day the water is willing to bear your ship
upon its back like a liquid elephant. The next day
the elephant doesn't want you on its back, and
says, I have no more willingness to have you
there; get off.
At sea this is a sad message.
The Captain sits in his cabin wearing a
parachute, listening to what the sea might say. . .
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Sad Message: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you ready to delve into the world of surrealist poetry? If so, then you're in for a treat because we're going to explore the enigmatic poem, "The Sad Message" by Russell Edson. This poem is a perfect example of Edson's unique style that blends humor and absurdity with a touch of darkness. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll analyze the themes, symbolism, and literary devices used in this poem to unravel the hidden meanings behind it.
Overview of "The Sad Message"
Before we begin our analysis, let's first read the poem in its entirety to get a sense of its tone and structure.
A man went to knock at the king's door and said, Give me a boat.
The king's house had many other doors, but this was the door for petitions.
Since the king spent all his time sitting at the door for favors (favors being offered to the king, you understand), whenever he heard someone knocking at the door for petitions, he would pretend not to hear . . .
One day, however, the king decided to open the door for petitions, went over to the door for petitions, opened it wide, and there was the man standing (the king was surprised, naturally), and the man said, Give me a boat.
Do you want to sail on the river? asked the king. Or do you want to sail across the bay?
Why do you want a boat? asked the king.
The man said, I need it to get to the other side of the river.
The king laughed strangely and said, But there is no other side of the river.
There is no other side of the river? said the man, surprised.
No, said the king.
But there is no boat either, said the king.
There is no boat? asked the man.
No, said the king.
There is no river, said the king.
But there is water! said the man.
Yes, said the king, I'm water.
I'm water, said the king.
And he drowned the man, and the man never did find out what it was he wanted.
At first glance, "The Sad Message" may appear as a simple and straightforward story about a man who wants a boat to cross a river, but is met with obstacles that ultimately lead to his demise. However, upon closer inspection, we can uncover a deeper and more complex meaning behind the poem.
Themes in "The Sad Message"
One of the most prominent themes in "The Sad Message" is the idea of power and control. The king in the poem represents those in power, who hold the authority to grant or deny requests. The man who seeks a boat represents the common people who are often at the mercy of those in power. The door for petitions symbolizes the bureaucratic process that people have to go through to plead their case to those in power.
Through the use of irony, Edson highlights the corrupt nature of those in power. The king spends all his time sitting at the door for favors, which means that he only listens to those who can offer him something in return. When the man knocks at the door for petitions, the king pretends not to hear him. However, when the king finally decides to listen to the man's request, he does so only to mock him and ultimately drown him. This highlights the abuse of power and how those in power often use their authority to oppress and silence those who are powerless.
Another theme in the poem is the idea of existentialism. The man who seeks a boat is in search of a purpose or a goal to achieve. He wants to cross the river to get to the other side, but when he realizes that there is no other side and no boat, he becomes lost and confused. The king tells him that there is no river, but only water, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the fluidity and unpredictability of life. Ultimately, the man dies without ever realizing what he truly wanted or what his purpose in life was.
Symbolism in "The Sad Message"
Symbolism plays a crucial role in "The Sad Message" in conveying the themes of the poem. One of the most important symbols in the poem is the river. The river represents the journey of life, and the man who seeks a boat represents those who are searching for a purpose or a goal in life. The fact that there is no other side of the river suggests that there is no ultimate destination or goal in life. This is further emphasized by the king's statement that there is no river, but only water, which symbolizes the fluidity and unpredictability of life.
The boat represents a means to achieve the man's goal or purpose in life. However, the fact that there is no boat suggests that there is no clear path to achieving one's goals or purpose in life. This is further emphasized by the king's statement that there is no boat, which suggests that there are no clear solutions to life's problems.
The king in the poem represents those in power who hold the authority to grant or deny requests. The fact that the king drowns the man suggests that those in power often use their authority to oppress and silence those who are powerless. This is a powerful symbol that highlights the corrupt nature of those in power and the consequences of their actions.
Literary Devices in "The Sad Message"
Edson uses several literary devices in "The Sad Message" to convey the themes and symbolism in the poem. One of the most prominent literary devices is irony. The fact that the king spends all his time sitting at the door for favors, but ignores the door for petitions highlights the corrupt nature of those in power. The fact that the king ultimately drowns the man who seeks a boat further emphasizes the irony in the poem.
Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The king's statement that there is no other side of the river, no boat, and no river is repeated several times throughout the poem. This repetition emphasizes the existentialist theme of the poem and suggests that there is no clear solution to life's problems.
The use of dialogue is also prominent in the poem. The conversation between the man who seeks a boat and the king highlights the power dynamic between those in power and those who are powerless. The man's confusion and the king's mocking tone emphasize the corrupt nature of those in power and the consequences of their actions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Sad Message" by Russell Edson is a powerful and enigmatic poem that conveys complex themes of power, control, existentialism, and the corrupt nature of those in power. Through the use of symbolism, literary devices, and irony, Edson creates a surreal and thought-provoking world that challenges the reader's perception of reality. The poem ultimately suggests that life is unpredictable and that there is no clear solution to life's problems. It is a powerful reminder to the reader to question authority and to never stop searching for their purpose in life.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Sad Message: A Masterpiece of Surrealism
Russell Edson's poem "The Sad Message" is a masterpiece of surrealism that explores the themes of loss, grief, and the fragility of human existence. The poem is a haunting and evocative work that captures the essence of the human condition in a way that is both profound and deeply moving.
The poem begins with a simple and straightforward statement: "The sad message came by phone." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is characterized by a sense of melancholy and sadness. The use of the word "sad" in the first line is significant because it immediately establishes the emotional context of the poem. The reader knows from the outset that they are about to embark on a journey that will be filled with sorrow and heartache.
The second line of the poem is equally important: "It said that she had died." This line is significant because it introduces the central theme of the poem, which is death. The fact that the message is delivered by phone is also significant because it highlights the impersonal nature of modern communication. The use of technology to deliver such a devastating message underscores the idea that human beings have become disconnected from one another and from the natural world.
The third line of the poem is where the surrealism begins to take hold: "And that I must return her library books." This line is unexpected and jarring because it seems to be completely unrelated to the previous two lines. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that this line is actually a metaphor for the transience of human life. The library books represent the knowledge and experiences that the deceased person has accumulated over the course of their life. The fact that the speaker is being asked to return them suggests that these things are no longer of any use to the person who has died. This is a powerful metaphor for the idea that all of the things that we accumulate over the course of our lives are ultimately meaningless in the face of death.
The fourth line of the poem is equally surreal: "And that there would be no funeral." This line is significant because it suggests that the deceased person has no family or friends who are willing or able to mourn their passing. This is a deeply sad and poignant image that underscores the idea that human beings are ultimately alone in the world. The fact that there is no funeral also suggests that the deceased person has no legacy or impact on the world. They have simply ceased to exist, and their passing will go unnoticed and unremarked upon.
The fifth line of the poem is where the surrealism reaches its peak: "And that she had left a note for me in the book." This line is significant because it suggests that the deceased person has left behind a message for the speaker. The fact that the message is hidden inside a book is also significant because it suggests that the deceased person has left behind a legacy of knowledge and experience that the speaker can learn from. This is a powerful metaphor for the idea that even in death, human beings can continue to have an impact on the world.
The final line of the poem is a powerful and evocative image: "But that the book had been burned." This line is significant because it suggests that the legacy of the deceased person has been destroyed. The fact that the book has been burned suggests that the knowledge and experience that the deceased person had accumulated over the course of their life has been lost forever. This is a deeply sad and poignant image that underscores the fragility of human existence.
In conclusion, "The Sad Message" is a masterpiece of surrealism that explores the themes of loss, grief, and the fragility of human existence. The poem is a haunting and evocative work that captures the essence of the human condition in a way that is both profound and deeply moving. The use of surrealism to explore these themes is particularly effective because it allows the reader to see the world in a new and unexpected way. Overall, "The Sad Message" is a powerful and thought-provoking work that will stay with the reader long after they have finished reading it.
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