'The House Of Dust: Part 02: 08: The Box With Silver Handles' by Conrad Aiken
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The House of Dust1917Well,-it was two days after my husband died-
Two days!And the earth still raw above him.
And I was sweeping the carpet in their hall.
In number four-the room with the red wall-paper-
Some chorus girls and men were singing that song
'They'll soon be lighting candles
Round a box with silver handles'-and hearing them sing it
I started to cry.Just then he came along
And stopped on the stairs and turned and looked at me,
And took the cigar from his mouth and sort of smiled
And said, 'Say, what's the matter?' and then came down
Where I was leaning against the wall,
And touched my shoulder, and put his arm around me . . .
And I was so sad, thinking about it,-
Thinking that it was raining, and a cold night,
With Jim so unaccustomed to being dead,-
That I was happy to have him sympathize,
To feel his arm, and leaned against him and cried.
And before I knew it, he got me into a room
Where a table was set, and no one there,
And sat me down on a sofa, and held me close,
And talked to me, telling me not to cry,
That it was all right, he'd look after me,-
But not to cry, my eyes were getting red,
Which didn't make me pretty.And he was so nice,
That when he turned my face between his hands,
And looked at me, with those blue eyes of his,
And smiled, and leaned, and kissed me-
Somehow I couldn't tell him not to do it,
Somehow I didn't mind, I let him kiss me,
And closed my eyes! . . . Well, that was how it started.
For when my heart was eased with crying, and grief
Had passed and left me quiet, somehow it seemed
As if it wasn't honest to change my mind,
To send him away, or say I hadn't meant it-
And, anyway, it seemed so hard to explain!
And so we sat and talked, not talking much,
But meaning as much in silence as in words,
There in that empty room with palms about us,
That private dining-room . . . And as we sat there
I felt my future changing, day by day,
With unknown streets opening left and right,
New streets with farther lights, new taller houses,
Doors swinging into hallways filled with light,
Half-opened luminous windows, with white curtains
Streaming out in the night, and sudden music,-
And thinking of this, and through it half remembering
A quick and horrible death, my husband's eyes,
The broken-plastered walls, my boy asleep,-
It seemed as if my brain would break in two.
My voice began to tremble . . . and when I stood,
And told him I must go, and said good-night-
I couldn't see the end.How would it end?
Would he return to-morrow?Or would he not?
And did I want him to-or would I rather
Look for another job?-He took my shoulders
Between his hands, and looked down into my eyes,
And smiled, and said good-night.If he had kissed me,
That would have-well, I don't know; but he didn't . .
And so I went downstairs, then, half elated,
Hoping to close the door before that party
In number four should sing that song again-
'They'll soon be lighting candles round a box with silver handles'-
And sure enough, I did.I faced the darkness.
And my eyes were filled with tears.And I was happy.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The House Of Dust: Part 02: 08: The Box With Silver Handles
By Conrad Aiken
I have always been enamored with poetry that tells a story. The House Of Dust: Part 02: 08: The Box With Silver Handles by Conrad Aiken is one such poem. This poem, which is a part of the larger poem, The House of Dust, tells the story of a woman who is packing a box with silver handles. The poem is full of rich imagery and symbolism, and I cannot wait to dive deeper into its meaning.
Summary
The poem begins with a woman packing a box with silver handles. She is surrounded by objects that hold memories of her past. The woman is described as being beautiful and mysterious, and her actions are almost ritualistic. The narrator of the poem is watching her from afar, and he is captivated by her actions.
The woman takes great care in packing the box. She wraps each item in tissue paper and places them carefully in the box. The objects that she packs include a hairbrush, a pair of gloves, and a silver mirror. Each of these objects holds a special meaning for the woman.
As the woman packs the box, the narrator muses on the passing of time and the memories that we hold onto. He also reflects on the beauty of the woman and the mystery that surrounds her. The poem ends with the woman closing the box and walking away, leaving the narrator to ponder the meaning of her actions.
Analysis
The House Of Dust: Part 02: 08: The Box With Silver Handles is a complex poem that is full of symbolism and imagery. One of the dominant themes in the poem is the passing of time and the importance of memories. The objects that the woman packs into the box are all items that hold memories for her. The hairbrush may remind her of a lover who once brushed her hair, the gloves may remind her of a special occasion, and the silver mirror may remind her of a time when she was youthful and beautiful.
The silver handles on the box also hold symbolic meaning. Silver is often associated with the moon, which is a symbol of femininity and intuition. The handles could represent the woman's intuition and her ability to hold onto her memories. The fact that the handles are silver also suggests that the memories that the woman is packing away are valuable and precious to her.
Another theme in the poem is the beauty and mystery of the woman. The narrator is captivated by the woman's actions and her beauty. He describes her as being mysterious, which suggests that there is more to her than what meets the eye. The fact that the woman is packing a box suggests that she is preparing for a journey or a new phase in her life. This adds to her mystery and makes the reader wonder what her intentions are.
The poem also has a melancholic tone. The narrator reflects on the passing of time and the importance of memories. He suggests that memories are all that we have left as we age and that they are precious. The fact that the woman is packing away her memories suggests that she is letting go of the past and moving on. This is a universal theme that many readers can relate to.
One of the most striking things about the poem is its use of language and imagery. Aiken uses rich, descriptive language to create a vivid picture of the woman and her actions. He also uses symbolism and metaphor to add depth to the poem. For example, the tissue paper that the woman uses to wrap her objects could represent the fragility of memories. The fact that the woman is packing her memories away suggests that she is protecting them, just as she is protecting the fragile tissue paper.
The poem is also full of sensory imagery. Aiken describes the sound of the tissue paper rustling and the feel of the silver handles in the woman's hands. This adds to the overall mood of the poem and makes it more tangible for the reader.
Conclusion
The House Of Dust: Part 02: 08: The Box With Silver Handles is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the themes of memory, time, and beauty. Aiken's use of rich, descriptive language and symbolism creates a vivid picture of the woman and her actions. The poem has a melancholic tone that many readers can relate to, and it is full of sensory imagery that makes it more tangible. Overall, this is a stunning poem that is well worth reading and interpreting.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The House of Dust: Part 02: 08: The Box With Silver Handles by Conrad Aiken is a classic poem that takes the reader on a journey through the mind of a person who is struggling with their emotions. The poem is a beautiful and haunting exploration of the human psyche, and it is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a box with silver handles. The box is described as being old and worn, but still beautiful. The speaker then goes on to describe the contents of the box, which are memories of a lost love. The memories are described as being painful, but also beautiful, and the speaker is torn between wanting to hold onto them and wanting to let them go.
The poem is full of vivid imagery and powerful emotions. The box with silver handles is a symbol of the speaker's past, and the memories inside represent the pain and beauty of lost love. The poem is a meditation on the nature of memory and the power that it holds over us.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way that it captures the complexity of human emotions. The speaker is torn between wanting to hold onto the memories of their lost love and wanting to let them go. This is a feeling that many people can relate to, and the poem captures it perfectly.
The imagery in the poem is also incredibly powerful. The box with silver handles is described in great detail, and the memories inside are described as being both beautiful and painful. This creates a sense of tension in the poem, as the speaker struggles to come to terms with their emotions.
The poem also has a strong sense of rhythm and flow. The lines are short and punchy, which gives the poem a sense of urgency. This urgency is mirrored in the emotions of the speaker, who is struggling to come to terms with their feelings.
Overall, The House of Dust: Part 02: 08: The Box With Silver Handles is a beautiful and haunting poem that captures the complexity of human emotions. The imagery is vivid and powerful, and the rhythm and flow of the poem create a sense of urgency that draws the reader in. This is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry, and it is a testament to the power of language to capture the human experience.
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