'The House Of Dust: Part 01: 04: Up high black walls, up sombre terraces' by Conrad Aiken

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The House of Dust1917Up high black walls, up sombre terraces,
Clinging like luminous birds to the sides of cliffs,
The yellow lights went climbing towards the sky.
From high black walls, gleaming vaguely with rain,
Each yellow light looked down like a golden eye.They trembled from coign to coign, and tower to tower,
Along high terraces quicker than dream they flew.
And some of them steadily glowed, and some soon vanished,
And some strange shadows threw.And behind them all the ghosts of thoughts went moving,
Restlessly moving in each lamplit room,
From chair to mirror, from mirror to fire;
From some, the light was scarcely more than a gloom:
From some, a dazzling desire.And there was one, beneath black eaves, who thought,
Combing with lifted arms her golden hair,
Of the lover who hurried towards her through the night;
And there was one who dreamed of a sudden death
As she blew out her light.And there was one who turned from clamoring streets,
And walked in lamplit gardens among black trees,
And looked at the windy sky,
And thought with terror how stones and roots would freeze
And birds in the dead boughs cry . . .And she hurried back, as snow fell, mixed with rain,
To mingle among the crowds again,
To jostle beneath blue lamps along the street;
And lost herself in the warm bright coiling dream,
With a sound of murmuring voices and shuffling feet.And one, from his high bright window looking down
On luminous chasms that cleft the basalt town,
Hearing a sea-like murmur rise,
Desired to leave his dream, descend from the tower,
And drown in waves of shouts and laughter and cries.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The House Of Dust: Part 01: 04: Up high black walls, up sombre terraces - A Literary Criticism

Conrad Aiken's poem "The House of Dust: Part 01: 04: Up high black walls, up sombre terraces" is a haunting exploration of the human psyche and the search for meaning in a world of darkness and despair. Through vivid imagery and rich symbolism, Aiken paints a picture of a desolate world where the walls are high and black, and the terraces are sombre and foreboding. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes and symbols of this poem and their significance to the overall meaning of the work.

The Setting

The poem begins with a description of the setting, which is presented as a dark and foreboding world. The walls are "high and black," and the terraces are "sombre" and "foreboding." The use of these dark and ominous adjectives sets the tone for the entire poem, conveying a sense of gloom and impending doom. The setting is also described as being "lonely," which further emphasizes the isolation and despair of the world the speaker is describing.

The description of the setting in this poem is reminiscent of Gothic literature, which often features dark, foreboding settings that are reflective of the psychological state of the characters. In "The House of Dust," the setting serves to mirror the speaker's sense of despair and hopelessness.

The Speaker

The speaker in this poem is not explicitly identified, but it is clear that they are a solitary figure in this desolate world. The speaker is searching for something, but it is not clear what that something is. They are described as "wandering," "lost," and "alone," which emphasizes their sense of isolation and disconnection from the world around them.

The speaker's search for meaning in this poem is a common theme in literature, particularly in modernist and postmodernist works. The speaker's sense of isolation and disconnection is representative of the existential crisis that many modern and postmodern writers explored in their works.

The Symbols

Throughout the poem, Aiken makes use of rich symbolism to explore the themes of isolation, despair, and the search for meaning. The most prominent symbol in the poem is the house of dust itself, which serves as a metaphor for the human psyche. The house of dust is described as being "ruined," "crumbling," and "desolate." These adjectives suggest that the human psyche is fragile and easily damaged, and that it is subject to decay and destruction.

The "black walls" and "sombre terraces" of the house of dust represent the barriers that exist within the human psyche. These barriers prevent the speaker from finding the meaning or connection that they are searching for, and reinforce their sense of isolation and despair.

Another important symbol in the poem is the "wind," which is described as "whining" and "moaning." The wind serves as a metaphor for the speaker's internal turmoil, representing the anxiety and restlessness that they feel as they search for meaning.

The Interpretation

"The House of Dust: Part 01: 04: Up high black walls, up sombre terraces" is a powerful exploration of the human psyche and the search for meaning in a world of darkness and despair. The poem's use of rich symbolism and vivid imagery creates a haunting and memorable atmosphere that stays with the reader long after they have finished reading.

The poem's themes of isolation, despair, and the search for meaning are universal and timeless, and are just as relevant today as they were when the poem was first published in 1920. The speaker's sense of disconnection from the world around them is something that many people can relate to, particularly in today's fast-paced and often isolating society.

Overall, "The House of Dust: Part 01: 04: Up high black walls, up sombre terraces" is a powerful and thought-provoking work of poetry that explores the depths of the human psyche and the universal human search for meaning and connection.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The House of Dust: Part 01: 04: Up high black walls, up sombre terraces is a hauntingly beautiful poem written by Conrad Aiken. This classic piece of poetry is a perfect example of how words can be used to create vivid imagery and evoke powerful emotions in the reader.

The poem begins with the line "Up high black walls, up sombre terraces" which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the words "black" and "sombre" create a sense of foreboding and darkness, which is further emphasized by the image of the walls and terraces rising up high. This creates a feeling of being trapped or confined, as if the speaker is surrounded by these walls and cannot escape.

As the poem continues, we are introduced to the image of "the moon's white rays" shining down on the scene. This contrast between the darkness of the walls and the brightness of the moon creates a sense of tension and conflict. It is as if the moon is trying to break through the darkness and bring light to the scene, but is being held back by the walls.

The next few lines of the poem describe the "ghostly stairs" that lead up to the top of the walls. This image of stairs that are not quite solid or real adds to the sense of unease and uncertainty that has been building throughout the poem. It is as if the speaker is not quite sure if they are really there, or if they are just a figment of their imagination.

As the speaker climbs the stairs, they are met with the image of "the silent roof-tops" stretching out before them. This image of rooftops that are silent and still adds to the sense of isolation and loneliness that has been present throughout the poem. It is as if the speaker is the only one in this world, and there is no one else around to share their experiences with.

The final lines of the poem describe the speaker looking out over the rooftops and seeing "the pale sky" stretching out before them. This image of the sky being pale and colorless adds to the sense of emptiness and desolation that has been present throughout the poem. It is as if the speaker has reached the end of their journey, only to find that there is nothing there for them.

Overall, The House of Dust: Part 01: 04: Up high black walls, up sombre terraces is a powerful and evocative piece of poetry. Through the use of vivid imagery and carefully chosen words, Conrad Aiken is able to create a sense of darkness, isolation, and uncertainty that is both haunting and beautiful. This poem is a testament to the power of language and the ability of words to move and inspire us.

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