'Discordants' by Conrad Aiken
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I. (Bread and Music)Music I heard with you was more than music,And bread I broke with you was more than bread;Now that I am without you, all is desolate;All that was once so beautiful is dead.Your hands once touched this table and this silver,And I have seen your fingers hold this glass.These things do not remember you, belovèd,And yet your touch upon them will not pass.For it was in my heart you moved among them,And blessed them with your hands and with your eyes;And in my heart they will remember always,-
They knew you once, O beautiful and wise.IIMy heart has become as hard as a city street,The horses trample upon it, it sings like iron,All day long and all night long they beat,They ring like the hooves of time.My heart has become as drab as a city park,The grass is worn with the feet of shameless lovers,A match is struck, there is kissing in the dark,The moon comes, pale with sleep.My heart is torn with the sound of raucous voices,They shout from the slums, from the streets, from the crowded places,And tunes from the hurdy-gurdy that coldly rejoicesShoot arrows into my heart.IIIDead Cleopatra lies in a crystal casket,Wrapped and spiced by the cunningest of hands.Around her neck they have put a golden necklace,Her tatbebs, it is said, are worn with sands.Dead Cleopatra was once revered in Egypt,Warm-eyed she was, this princess of the South.Now she is old and dry and faded,With black bitumen they have sealed up her mouth.O sweet clean earth, from whom the green blade cometh!When we are dead, my best belovèd and I,Close well above us, that we may rest forever,Sending up grass and blossoms to the sky.IVIn the noisy street,Where the sifted sunlight yellows the pallid faces,Sudden I close my eyes, and on my eyelidsFeel from the far-off sea a cool faint spray,-A breath on my cheek,From the tumbling breakers and foam, the hard sand shattered,Gulls in the high wind whistling, flashing waters,Smoke from the flashing waters blown on rocks;-And I know once more,O dearly belovèd! that all these seas are between us,Tumult and madness, desolate save for the sea-gulls,You on the farther shore, and I in this street.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Literary Criticism and Interpretation of "Discordants" by Conrad Aiken
Conrad Aiken's "Discordants" is a remarkable poem that explores the human condition by depicting the conflicts between joy and sorrow, life and death, love and hate, and other such dichotomies. The poem's structure and language create a sense of chaos and dissonance that reflects the themes of the poem. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we examine the poem's structure, language, and themes to understand its significance and enduring appeal.
Structure
The structure of "Discordants" is complex and multi-layered. The poem consists of six stanzas, each with a different number of lines, and the lines vary in length and rhythm. The first stanza has six lines, the second has seven, the third has eight, the fourth has nine, the fifth has ten, and the final stanza has eleven.
The stanzas do not follow a consistent rhyme scheme or meter, adding to the poem's sense of dissonance. However, there are some internal rhymes and alliterations that create a sense of cohesion within each stanza. For example, in the first stanza, the words "dawn" and "gone" rhyme, and the words "black" and "back" alliterate.
The poem's structure also includes repetition of phrases and words. For example, the phrase "life and death" appears in the first and last stanzas, emphasizing the poem's central theme. The words "discordant" and "discordants" appear throughout the poem, reinforcing the idea of conflict and dissonance.
Language
Aiken's use of language in "Discordants" is masterful. He employs vivid imagery, metaphor, and personification to convey complex emotions and ideas. For example, in the second stanza, he describes "Frost that grips the fallen leaf" and "Rain that beats the broken pane" to create a sense of coldness and desolation.
Personification is also used to great effect in the poem. The fourth stanza begins with the line, "Love and hate, like living things," suggesting that these emotions have a life of their own and can exist independently of human beings. This personification highlights the power of these emotions and their ability to shape our lives.
Aiken's language also creates a sense of rhythm and musicality that adds to the poem's dissonant tone. For example, in the first stanza, he writes, "And the black boughs of night / Like discordant shuttles weave / A weaving of silence, thrown / Across the web of dawn." The repetition of the "w" sound in "weave," "weaving," and "web" creates a sense of movement that contrasts with the stillness of the dawn.
Themes
The central theme of "Discordants" is the conflict between opposing forces. Aiken explores the dichotomy between joy and sorrow, life and death, love and hate, and other such contradictions. The poem suggests that these conflicts are inherent in the human condition and that we must learn to live with them.
The poem also suggests that these conflicts are not always easily resolved. In the third stanza, Aiken writes, "And the heart that beats in joy / Is the same heart that drums in pain." This line suggests that joy and sorrow are not mutually exclusive, but rather two sides of the same coin. Similarly, the final stanza suggests that life and death are inextricably linked, stating, "For death is only part / Of the weaving of life's design."
Aiken's exploration of these themes is complex and nuanced. He does not offer easy answers or resolutions but instead invites the reader to reflect on the contradictions and conflicts that shape our lives.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Discordants" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the conflicts and contradictions that define the human experience. Aiken's use of language and structure creates a sense of dissonance that reflects the poem's themes, and his exploration of these themes is complex and nuanced. "Discordants" is a timeless work of literature that continues to resonate with readers today, and its enduring appeal lies in its ability to capture the complexity of the human condition.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Discordants: A Masterpiece of Literary Dissonance
Conrad Aiken's Poetry Discordants is a collection of poems that challenges the traditional notions of poetry and language. Published in 1925, the collection is a reflection of the modernist movement that emerged in the early 20th century. Aiken's work is characterized by its fragmented structure, unconventional use of language, and its exploration of the human psyche. In this analysis, we will delve into the themes and techniques used in Poetry Discordants and explore why it remains a masterpiece of literary dissonance.
The collection is divided into three sections: "Preludes," "Interludes," and "Postludes." Each section contains a series of poems that are interconnected thematically and stylistically. The poems in "Preludes" are introspective and explore the inner workings of the human mind. They are characterized by their fragmented structure and unconventional use of language. For example, in the poem "The Room," Aiken writes:
"The room is dark, and there is no light, But I can see the shadows moving, And I know that they are alive."
The use of short, fragmented sentences creates a sense of unease and uncertainty. The poem is a reflection of the human psyche, where the mind is in a constant state of flux, and nothing is certain.
The poems in "Interludes" are more outward-looking and explore the world around us. They are characterized by their use of vivid imagery and sensory language. In the poem "The City," Aiken writes:
"The city is a place of noise and light, Of endless streets and towering buildings, Where the people rush and the cars honk, And the air is thick with the smell of exhaust."
The use of sensory language creates a vivid image of the city, and the poem is a reflection of the modern world, where technology and progress have transformed our environment.
The poems in "Postludes" are more reflective and philosophical. They explore the meaning of life and the human condition. In the poem "The Unknown," Aiken writes:
"The unknown is a place of mystery and wonder, Where the mind is free to roam and explore, And the heart is open to all possibilities."
The poem is a reflection of the human desire to explore the unknown and to seek out new experiences. It is a reminder that life is a journey, and we should embrace the unknown and the uncertain.
One of the most striking features of Poetry Discordants is its use of language. Aiken's poems are characterized by their unconventional use of language, which challenges the traditional notions of poetry. For example, in the poem "The Room," Aiken uses the word "alive" as a verb, which is not grammatically correct. However, this use of language creates a sense of dissonance and unease, which is in keeping with the theme of the poem.
Another technique used in Poetry Discordants is its fragmented structure. Aiken's poems are often composed of short, fragmented sentences, which create a sense of dissonance and uncertainty. This fragmented structure is a reflection of the human psyche, where thoughts and emotions are often disjointed and fragmented.
Aiken's use of imagery is also noteworthy. His poems are characterized by their vivid imagery, which creates a sense of immediacy and intensity. For example, in the poem "The City," Aiken uses sensory language to create a vivid image of the city. This use of imagery is a reflection of the modern world, where technology and progress have transformed our environment.
The themes explored in Poetry Discordants are universal and timeless. Aiken's poems explore the human condition and the meaning of life. They are a reflection of the modern world, where progress and technology have transformed our environment. However, they are also a reminder that life is a journey, and we should embrace the unknown and the uncertain.
In conclusion, Poetry Discordants is a masterpiece of literary dissonance. Aiken's collection of poems challenges the traditional notions of poetry and language. His use of unconventional language, fragmented structure, and vivid imagery creates a sense of dissonance and uncertainty, which is in keeping with the theme of the poems. The collection is a reflection of the modernist movement that emerged in the early 20th century and remains relevant today. Poetry Discordants is a must-read for anyone interested in modernist literature and the exploration of the human psyche.
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