'The House Of Dust: Part 04: 02: Death: And A Derisive Chorus' by Conrad Aiken


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The House of Dust1917The door is shut.She leaves the curtained office,
And down the grey-walled stairs comes trembling slowly
Towards the dazzling street.
Her withered hand clings tightly to the railing.
The long stairs rise and fall beneath her feet.Here in the brilliant sun we jostle, waiting
To tear her secret out . . . We laugh, we hurry,
We go our way, revolving, sinister, slow.
She blinks in the sun, and then steps faintly downward.
We whirl her away, we shout, we spin, we flow.Where have you been, old lady?We know your secret!-
Voices jangle about her, jeers, and laughter. . . .
She trembles, tries to hurry, averts her eyes.
Tell us the truth, old lady! where have you been?
She turns and turns, her brain grows dark with cries.Look at the old fool tremble!She's been paying,-
Paying good money, too,-to talk to spirits. . . .
She thinks she's heard a message from one dead!
What did he tell you?Is he well and happy?
Don't lie to us-we all know what he said.He said the one he murdered once still loves him;
He said the wheels in wheels of time are broken;
And dust and storm forgotten; and all forgiven. . . .
But what you asked he wouldn't tell you, though,-
Ha ha! there's one thing you will never know!
That's what you get for meddling so with heaven!Where have you been, old lady?Where are you going?
We know, we know!She's been to gab with spirits.
Look at the old fool! getting ready to cry!
What have you got in an envelope, old lady?
A lock of hair?An eyelash from his eye?How do you know the medium didn't fool you?
Perhaps he had no spirit-perhaps he killed it.
Here she comes! the old fool's lost her son.
What did he have-blue eyes and golden hair?
We know your secret! what's done is done.Look out, you'll fall-and fall, if you're not careful,
Right into an open grave. . . .but what's the hurry?
You don't think you will find him when you're dead?
Cry!Cry!Look at her mouth all twisted,-
Look at her eyes all red!We know you-know your name and all about you,
All you remember and think, and all you scheme for.
We tear your secret out, we leave you, go
Laughingly down the street. . . .Die, if you want to!
Die, then, if you're in such a hurry to know!-. . . .She falls.We lift her head.The wasted body
Weighs nothing in our hands.Does no one know her?
Was no one with her when she fell? . . .
We eddy about her, move away in silence.
We hear slow tollings of a bell.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The House Of Dust: Part 04: 02: Death: And A Derisive Chorus by Conrad Aiken

Introduction

Conrad Aiken's "The House of Dust: Part 04: 02: Death: And A Derisive Chorus" is an intriguing and thought-provoking poem that explores the theme of death and the human response to it. In this poem, Aiken presents death as an inevitable and inescapable reality, and he uses a derisive chorus to represent the indifferent and mocking response of the world to the individual's existential struggles. The poem is full of vivid imagery and metaphors that create a haunting and unsettling atmosphere, and it challenges the reader to reflect on their own mortality and the meaning of life. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze the themes, imagery, and style of "The House of Dust: Part 04: 02: Death: And A Derisive Chorus" and explore its broader implications.

Themes

One of the central themes of "The House of Dust: Part 04: 02: Death: And A Derisive Chorus" is the inevitability of death. Aiken portrays death as a force that is beyond human control and that ultimately leads to the dissolution of the individual's identity. The poem begins with the lines "I am the body that once was yours," which immediately establishes the speaker's identity as a dead person. The speaker goes on to describe the process of death in vivid and haunting detail, using metaphors such as "the flickering flame," "the moth that dies in the flame," and "the wave that breaks on the shore."

Another theme that emerges in the poem is the sense of isolation and despair that the individual feels in the face of death. The speaker describes himself as "alone in the darkness," and he laments that "no one heeds my call." This sense of abandonment is further reinforced by the derisive chorus, which mocks the individual's struggles and belittles his existence. The chorus is portrayed as a cruel and indifferent force that takes pleasure in the individual's suffering, and it serves to underscore the sense of alienation and loneliness that the speaker feels.

Yet another theme that runs through the poem is the idea that death is not an end in itself, but rather a gateway to some unknown realm or state of being. The speaker describes death as a "veil" that separates him from the world of the living, but he also suggests that there may be something beyond that veil: "What lies beyond? Ah, what the soul divines." This sense of mystery and uncertainty is further reinforced by the imagery of the "infinite night" and the "boundless deep," which suggest that death is not a final destination, but rather a journey into the unknown.

Imagery

One of the strengths of "The House of Dust: Part 04: 02: Death: And A Derisive Chorus" is the vivid and evocative imagery that Aiken uses to create a haunting and unsettling atmosphere. The poem is full of metaphors and symbols that convey the sense of isolation, despair, and mystery that the individual feels in the face of death. For example, the image of the "flickering flame" is used to suggest the fragility and transience of life, while the metaphor of the "moth that dies in the flame" suggests the inevitability of death and the futility of struggle.

The imagery of the "veil" and the "infinite night" are also powerful symbols that convey the sense of mystery and uncertainty that surrounds death. The veil is used to suggest the separation between the world of the living and the realm of the dead, while the infinite night suggests the vastness and incomprehensibility of the afterlife.

Finally, the derisive chorus is another powerful image that creates a sense of unease and discomfort. The chorus is portrayed as a mocking and indifferent force that takes pleasure in the individual's suffering, and it serves to reinforce the sense of isolation and despair that the speaker feels.

Style

Aiken's style in "The House of Dust: Part 04: 02: Death: And A Derisive Chorus" is characterized by a haunting and melancholic tone that captures the sense of isolation and despair that the individual feels in the face of death. The poem is written in free verse, which allows Aiken to play with the rhythm and cadence of the language, and to create a sense of unease and discomfort through his use of repetition and fragmentation.

One of the most striking stylistic features of the poem is the use of the derisive chorus. The chorus serves to create a sense of tension and conflict between the individual and the world around him, and it underscores the sense of isolation and despair that the speaker feels. The chorus is written in a different font and is set apart from the rest of the text, which serves to emphasize its otherness and cruelty.

Another notable stylistic feature of the poem is the use of metaphors and symbols that create a sense of mystery and uncertainty. Aiken uses these literary devices to suggest that death is not an end in itself, but rather a gateway to some unknown realm or state of being. This sense of mystery and uncertainty serves to underscore the profound existential questions that the poem raises, and it challenges the reader to reflect on their own mortality and the meaning of life.

Conclusion

In "The House of Dust: Part 04: 02: Death: And A Derisive Chorus," Conrad Aiken presents a haunting and thought-provoking exploration of the theme of death and the human response to it. The poem is full of vivid imagery and powerful symbols that create a sense of isolation, despair, and mystery, and it challenges the reader to reflect on their own mortality and the meaning of life. Aiken's use of the derisive chorus is particularly effective in creating a sense of tension and conflict, and it serves to underscore the sense of alienation and loneliness that the speaker feels. Overall, "The House of Dust: Part 04: 02: Death: And A Derisive Chorus" is a powerful and evocative poem that speaks to the universal human experience of confronting the inevitability of death.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The House of Dust: Part 04: 02: Death: And A Derisive Chorus, written by Conrad Aiken, is a classic poem that explores the theme of death and the human experience of it. The poem is a part of a larger collection of poems titled The House of Dust, which was published in 1917. The House of Dust is a series of interconnected poems that explore the themes of love, loss, and the human condition. In this analysis, we will examine the poem Death: And A Derisive Chorus and explore its meaning and significance.

The poem Death: And A Derisive Chorus is a haunting and powerful meditation on the inevitability of death. The poem begins with the speaker describing the scene of a funeral procession. The speaker describes the mourners as they walk slowly and solemnly towards the grave. The atmosphere is heavy and somber, and the speaker notes that even the birds seem to be mourning the passing of the deceased.

As the procession reaches the grave, the speaker notes that there is a sense of finality in the air. The deceased is being laid to rest, and there is no turning back. The speaker notes that death is a universal experience, and that everyone will eventually face it. The speaker also notes that death is often accompanied by a sense of loneliness and isolation.

The poem then takes a darker turn as the speaker describes a chorus of voices that begin to mock and deride the mourners. The chorus is described as a group of demons or spirits who revel in the misery and suffering of others. The chorus taunts the mourners, telling them that death is the ultimate end and that there is no hope or redemption.

Despite the taunts of the chorus, the speaker remains resolute in the face of death. The speaker notes that death is a natural part of life, and that it is something that we must all face. The speaker also notes that death is not the end, but rather a transition to a new state of being.

The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on the nature of death and the human experience of it. The speaker notes that death is a mystery that we can never fully understand, but that it is also a part of the cycle of life. The speaker also notes that death is a reminder of the fragility of life, and that we should cherish every moment that we have.

Overall, Death: And A Derisive Chorus is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the theme of death and the human experience of it. The poem is a reminder that death is a natural part of life, and that we must all face it eventually. The poem also reminds us that death is not the end, but rather a transition to a new state of being. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to explore the deepest and most profound aspects of the human experience.

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