'A Historical Breakfast' by Russell Edson


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A man is bringing a cup of coffee to his face,
tilting it to his mouth. It's historical, he thinks.
He scratches his head: another historical event.
He really ought to rest, he's making an awful lot of
history this morning.
Oh my, now he's buttering toast, another piece of
history is being made.
He wonders why it should have fallen on him to be
so historical. Others probably just don't have it,
he thinks, it is, after all, a talent.
He thinks one of his shoelaces needs tying. Oh well,
another important historical event is about to take
place. He just can't help it. Perhaps he's taking up
too large an area of history? But he has to live, hasn't
he? Toast needs buttering and he can't go around with
one of his shoelaces needing to be tied, can he?
Certainly it's true, when the 20th century gets written
in full it will be mainly about him. That's the way the
cookie crumbles--ah, there's a phrase that'll be quoted
for centuries to come.
Self-conscious? A little; how can one help it with all
those yet-to-be-born eyes of the future watching him?
Uh oh, he feels another historical event coming . . .
Ah, there it is, a cup of coffee approaching his face at
the end of his arm. If only they could catch it on film,
how much it would mean to the future. Oops, spilled it all
over his lap. One of those historical accidents that will
influence the next thousand years; unpredictable, and
really rather uncomfortable . . . But history is never easy,
he thinks . . .

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Historical Breakfast: A Delectable Satire by Russell Edson

Russell Edson, the American surrealist poet, has infused his satirical wit in his poem 'A Historical Breakfast.' The poem is a creative and humorous interpretation of the historical and cultural significance of breakfast. Through his absurd and playful language, he challenges the traditional notions of history and its significance, indicating that history is a subjective and malleable concept.

The Poem's Structure and Style

The poem's structure is free-form, without any clear rhyme or meter. Instead, Edson's style employs short, concise sentences that are often humorous, while some are even absurd. The poem begins with a description of a historical breakfast, where the individuals consuming the meal mimic the historical figures they are discussing.

The poem's first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with a humorous and absurd description of the meal's participants. The second stanza focuses on the meal's contents, with the third and fourth stanzas discussing the historical figures represented at the breakfast table. The fifth stanza concludes the poem with a satirical reflection on the nature of history.

The Poem's Interpretation

Edson's 'A Historical Breakfast' is a satire that explores the nature of history and how it is created, interpreted, and passed down through generations. The poem's opening line, "At breakfast history is served," sets the scene for the poem's central theme.

Through the poem's humorous and absurd description of the breakfast, Edson highlights how history is a subjective and malleable concept. Each participant's interpretation of history is biased by their perspective and intentions, shaping the stories they tell and the way they perceive reality.

The poem's contents are equally important, with the meal's offerings representing the historical events and cultural values that shape our understanding of history. The "toast," for example, represents the written word, which has a lasting impact on our understanding of history. The "coffee" and "rum" represent the stimulants that fuel the morning conversations and debates, shaping our interpretations of the past.

The historical figures mentioned in the poem, including Napoleon, Cleopatra, and Julius Caesar, represent the historical events and cultural values that shape our understanding of history. However, the way each participant perceives these figures is subjective and biased, reflecting their own perspectives and values.

The poem's final stanza is a satirical reflection on the nature of history. Edson suggests that history is a fluid concept, shaped by the storytellers who pass it down through generations. By mocking the idea of a "historical breakfast," Edson challenges the notion that there is a singular and objective account of history.

The Significance of the Poem

Edson's 'A Historical Breakfast' is a significant poem that challenges traditional notions of history and its interpretation. By using humor and absurdity, Edson highlights the subjective and malleable nature of history, suggesting that there is no singular and objective account of the past.

The poem's significance extends beyond its exploration of history, highlighting the role of storytelling in shaping our perceptions of reality. By mocking the idea of a "historical breakfast," Edson encourages us to question the stories we tell ourselves and the biases and values that shape our perceptions of reality.

In conclusion, Edson's 'A Historical Breakfast' is a delectable, humorous, and thought-provoking poem that challenges traditional notions of history, storytelling, and the nature of reality. It encourages readers to question the stories they tell themselves and the biases that shape their perceptions, urging them to embrace the fluid and subjective nature of history.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

A Historical Breakfast: A Poem That Will Leave You Pondering

Russell Edson's "A Historical Breakfast" is a poem that will leave you pondering. It is a poem that is both humorous and thought-provoking, and it is a poem that will make you question the very nature of history itself. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its themes, its structure, and its meaning.

The poem begins with a simple premise: a man is having breakfast. However, as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that this is no ordinary breakfast. The man is eating "a piece of history," and as he chews, he is transported back in time. He experiences the events of history firsthand, from the fall of Rome to the French Revolution to the Civil War.

The structure of the poem is simple but effective. It is divided into four stanzas, each of which describes a different historical event. The first stanza describes the fall of Rome, the second the French Revolution, the third the Civil War, and the fourth the end of the world. Each stanza is written in a similar style, with short, simple sentences that convey the chaos and violence of each event.

The language of the poem is also simple but powerful. Edson uses vivid imagery to describe each event, from the "screaming of the dying" in the fall of Rome to the "crack of the guillotine" in the French Revolution. The language is visceral and evocative, and it creates a sense of immediacy that draws the reader in.

But what is the poem really about? On the surface, it is a humorous take on the idea of time travel. But as we delve deeper, we can see that it is about much more than that. It is about the nature of history itself, and the way that we experience it.

The man in the poem is not just experiencing history, he is consuming it. He is literally eating a piece of history, and as he does so, he becomes a part of it. This is a powerful metaphor for the way that we experience history. We don't just read about it or study it, we internalize it. We make it a part of ourselves.

But the poem also raises questions about the nature of history itself. Is history something that can be consumed and digested like a piece of food? Or is it something more complex and nuanced? The poem suggests that history is both of these things. It is something that we can experience and internalize, but it is also something that is complex and multifaceted.

The poem also raises questions about the way that we view history. The man in the poem experiences history as a series of violent and chaotic events. But is this an accurate portrayal of history? Is history really just a series of wars and revolutions? Or is there more to it than that?

Ultimately, "A Historical Breakfast" is a poem that will leave you with more questions than answers. It is a poem that challenges our assumptions about history and the way that we experience it. It is a poem that will make you think, and it is a poem that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

In conclusion, "A Historical Breakfast" is a classic poem that is both humorous and thought-provoking. It is a poem that challenges our assumptions about history and the way that we experience it. It is a poem that will leave you with more questions than answers, and it is a poem that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend that you do so. You won't be disappointed.

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