'The House Of Dust: Part 03: 04: Illicit' by Conrad Aiken
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The House of Dust1917Of what she said to me that night-no matter.
The strange thing came next day.
My brain was full of music-something she played me-;
I couldn't remember it all, but phrases of it
Wreathed and wreathed among faint memories,
Seeking for something, trying to tell me something,
Urging to restlessness: verging on grief.
I tried to play the tune, from memory,-
But memory failed: the chords and discords climbed
And found no resolution-only hung there,
And left me morbid . . . Where, then, had I heard it? . . .
What secret dusty chamber was it hinting?
'Dust', it said, 'dust . . . and dust . . . and sunlight . .
A cold clear April evening . . . snow, bedraggled,
Rain-worn snow, dappling the hideous grass . . .
And someone walking alone; and someone saying
That all must end, for the time had come to go . . . '
These were the phrases . . . but behind, beneath them
A greater shadow moved: and in this shadow
I stood and guessed . . . Was it the blue-eyed lady?
The one who always danced in golden slippers-
And had I danced with her,-upon this music?
Or was it further back-the unplumbed twilight
Of childhood?-No-much recenter than that.You know, without my telling you, how sometimes
A word or name eludes you, and you seek it
Through running ghosts of shadow,-leaping at it,
Lying in wait for it to spring upon it,
Spreading faint snares for it of sense or sound:
Until, of a sudden, as if in a phantom forest,
You hear it, see it flash among the branches,
And scarcely knowing how, suddenly have it-
Well, it was so I followed down this music,
Glimpsing a face in darkness, hearing a cry,
Remembering days forgotten, moods exhausted,
Corners in sunlight, puddles reflecting stars-;
Until, of a sudden, and least of all suspected,
The thing resolved itself: and I remembered
An April afternoon, eight years ago-
Or was it nine?-no matter-call it nine-
A room in which the last of sunlight faded;
A vase of violets, fragrance in white curtains;
And, she who played the same thing later, playing.She played this tune.And in the middle of it
Abruptly broke it off, letting her hands
Fall in her lap.She sat there so a moment,
With shoulders drooped, then lifted up a rose,
One great white rose, wide opened like a lotos,
And pressed it to her cheek, and closed her eyes.'You know-we've got to end this-Miriam loves you . . .
If she should ever know, or even guess it,-
What would she do?-Listen!-I'm not absurd . . .
I'm sure of it.If you had eyes, for women-
To understand them-which you've never had-
You'd know it too . . . 'So went this colloquy,
Half humorous, with undertones of pathos,
Half grave, half flippant . . . while her fingers, softly,
Felt for this tune, played it and let it fall,
Now note by singing note, now chord by chord,
Repeating phrases with a kind of pleasure . . .
Was it symbolic of the woman's weakness
That she could neither break it-nor conclude?
It paused . . . and wandered . . . paused again; while she,
Perplexed and tired, half told me I must go,-
Half asked me if I thought I ought to go . . .Well, April passed with many other evenings,
Evenings like this, with later suns and warmer,
With violets always there, and fragrant curtains . . .
And she was right: and Miriam found it out . . .
And after that, when eight deep years had passed-
Or nine-we met once more,-by accident . . .
But was it just by accident, I wonder,
She played this tune?-Or what, then, was intended? . . .
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Intricacies of Illicit Love in Conrad Aiken's "The House of Dust: Part 03: 04: Illicit"
As I delved into the world of Conrad Aiken's "The House of Dust: Part 03: 04: Illicit," I couldn't help but be enthralled by the intricate and multifaceted exploration of the theme of illicit love. Aiken's words weave a tapestry of emotions and desires that are at once raw and refined, primal and poetic. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I aim to unpack the layers of meaning and significance that make "Illicit" a timeless piece of poetic art.
The Poem in Context
Before we dive into the poem itself, it's important to understand the context in which it was written. "The House of Dust" is a series of interconnected poems that explore the intricacies of love, desire, and identity. Part 03, in which "Illicit" is found, focuses on the theme of "The Dream," exploring the ways in which our innermost desires manifest themselves in our subconscious minds. "Illicit" is the fourth poem in this section and follows the themes of the previous poems, laying bare the hidden desires and forbidden passions that lurk beneath the surface of our waking lives.
The Allure of Illicit Love
The opening lines of "Illicit" immediately set the tone for the poem, drawing the reader into the world of forbidden love:
Here's a girl of mind and fancy,
You with your unsleeping eyes
Awake all night
For her sake, the stars for lanterns
And the moon for a white cat
To run before you hunting mice.
Aiken's use of imagery here is striking, painting a picture of a world where even the stars and the moon are subservient to the desires of the protagonist. The girl in question is not just any girl, but a creature of "mind and fancy," suggesting that she is not a flesh-and-blood person, but rather a figment of the protagonist's imagination. This is further supported by the fact that the protagonist's eyes are "unsleeping," implying that he is either sleepless due to his obsession with this girl or that he is dreaming.
The allure of illicit love is palpable in these lines, as the protagonist is depicted as being willing to stay awake all night for the sake of this girl. The stars and the moon become mere props in his pursuit of her, their beauty and wonder reduced to mere tools to aid in his quest. The use of the moon as a "white cat" is particularly powerful, as it evokes the image of a predator stalking its prey, further emphasizing the predatory nature of the protagonist's desires.
The Dangers of Desire
As "Illicit" progresses, the dangers of the protagonist's desires become increasingly apparent. Aiken writes:
Here's a girl of light and laughter,
You with your unsleeping eyes
Watching her go
And the hands that clench to hold her
Will clutch at empty space and woe.
The imagery here is poignant, as the girl is now described as a creature of "light and laughter," suggesting that she is carefree and joyous, while the protagonist remains as obsessed as ever, with his "unsleeping eyes" following her every move. The use of the word "clench" to describe the protagonist's hands speaks to the desperation and intensity of his desire, while the fact that they "clutch at empty space and woe" suggests that his pursuit of this girl is ultimately futile and will lead to his destruction.
The dangers of desire are further emphasized in the following lines:
Here's a girl of heart and music,
You with your unsleeping eyes
Seeing her turn
To the arms of someone else,
And your soul, like a white bird, flies.
The image of the protagonist's soul as a "white bird" is powerful, as it evokes the image of something pure and innocent being corrupted and destroyed by the protagonist's desires. The fact that the girl in question is described as being of "heart and music" only serves to underline the intensity of the protagonist's passion, while the fact that she turns to someone else underscores the futility of his pursuit. The protagonist's soul, like the bird, is destined to fly away, leaving him empty and bereft.
The Complexity of Emotions
Aiken's exploration of the theme of illicit love in "Illicit" is made all the more powerful by his nuanced and complex exploration of the emotions and desires that drive his protagonist. As the poem progresses, we begin to see the layers of the protagonist's psyche unfold, revealing a complex web of love, desire, and obsession.
At times, the protagonist's emotions are raw and primal, as in the following lines:
Here's a girl of blood and kisses,
You with your unsleeping eyes
Trapped in her arms
And your heart, like a hunted deer,
Beat at her breast till it dies.
The image of the protagonist's heart as a "hunted deer" is powerful, as it evokes the image of something wild and free being hunted and killed. The fact that the protagonist is "trapped in her arms" speaks to the intensity of his desire, while the fact that his heart "beat[s] at her breast till it dies" suggests that his passion for her is ultimately self-destructive.
At other times, the protagonist's emotions are more refined and poetic, as in the following lines:
Here's a girl of mind and fancy,
You with your unsleeping eyes
Seeing her face
In the eyes of other women,
And your soul, like a winged thing, flies.
The image of the protagonist's soul as a "winged thing" is striking, as it suggests something ethereal and unattainable. The fact that he sees the girl's face "in the eyes of other women" suggests that his desire for her is not limited to a single person, but rather is a projection of his own innermost desires.
Conclusion
In "The House of Dust: Part 03: 04: Illicit," Conrad Aiken explores the theme of illicit love with a masterful touch, weaving together layers of emotion and meaning into a tapestry of poetic beauty. The allure of illicit love, the dangers of desire, and the complexity of human emotion are all explored in this powerful and poignant poem. As we journey through the intricacies of the protagonist's psyche, we are reminded of the raw power of human desire and the ways in which it can both uplift and destroy us. Through his words, Aiken invites us to explore the depths of our own desires, and to confront the primal passions that lie within us all.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The House of Dust: Part 03: 04: Illicit - A Masterpiece of Poetry
Conrad Aiken's The House of Dust: Part 03: 04: Illicit is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of forbidden love. The poem is part of a larger work, The House of Dust, which explores the themes of love, loss, and the human condition. In this analysis, we will delve into the intricacies of the poem and explore its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a forbidden love affair between two individuals. The speaker describes the lovers as "two ghosts" who are "haunted by the same desire." The use of the word "ghosts" is significant as it suggests that the lovers are not fully alive, but rather, they are consumed by their passion for each other. The word "haunted" further emphasizes this point, as it suggests that the lovers are tormented by their desire.
The speaker goes on to describe the lovers' clandestine meetings, which take place in a "secret room." The use of the word "secret" is significant as it suggests that the lovers are hiding their affair from the world. The room is described as being "dimly lit," which adds to the sense of secrecy and intimacy.
The speaker then describes the physicality of the lovers' relationship, using vivid imagery to convey their passion. The lovers are described as being "locked in a fierce embrace," and the speaker notes that their bodies are "trembling with desire." The use of the word "locked" is significant as it suggests that the lovers are unable to break free from their passion for each other. The word "trembling" further emphasizes this point, as it suggests that the lovers are consumed by their desire.
The speaker then describes the aftermath of the lovers' meetings, noting that they are "left alone with their shame." The use of the word "shame" is significant as it suggests that the lovers are aware that their relationship is forbidden and that they feel guilty for their actions. The word "alone" further emphasizes this point, as it suggests that the lovers are isolated from the rest of the world.
The poem concludes with the speaker reflecting on the nature of forbidden love. The speaker notes that "love is a flame that burns in secret," and that it is "a wound that bleeds in silence." The use of the word "flame" is significant as it suggests that love is intense and all-consuming. The word "wound" further emphasizes this point, as it suggests that love can be painful and damaging.
Overall, The House of Dust: Part 03: 04: Illicit is a powerful poem that explores the complexities of forbidden love. The poem is notable for its vivid imagery, which conveys the intensity of the lovers' passion. The use of the word "ghosts" and "haunted" adds to the sense of secrecy and intimacy, while the use of the word "shame" highlights the guilt that the lovers feel. The poem is a testament to Aiken's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the essence of human emotion.
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