'Dream Song 107: Three 'coons come at his garbage. He be cross' by John Berryman


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His Toy, His Dream, His Rest1968Three 'coons come at his garbage. He be cross,
I figuring porcupine & took Sir poker
unbarring Mr door,
& then screen door. Ah, but the little 'coon,
hardly a foot (not counting tail) got in withtwo more at the porch-edgeand they swirled, before some two swerve off
this side of crab tree, and my dear friend held
with the torch in his tiny eyes
two feet off, banded, but then he gave &
shot away too. They were all the same size,
maybe they were brothers,it seems, and is, clear to me we are brothers.
I wish the rabbit & the 'coons could be friends,
I'm sorry about the poker
but I'm too busy now for nipping or quills
I've given up literature & taken down pills,
and that rabbit doesn't trust me

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dream Song 107: Three 'coons come at his garbage. He be cross by John Berryman

Wow, Dream Song 107 by John Berryman is a literary masterpiece that is worth a thorough literary criticism and interpretation. This poem is part of Berryman's Dream Songs collection that won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1965. Dream Song 107 is a multi-layered poem that explores themes of racism, violence, and identity. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the meaning and significance of the poem's title, form, language, imagery, and symbolism.

Title

The title of this poem, "Dream Song 107: Three 'coons come at his garbage. He be cross," is significant in several ways. Firstly, the phrase "Dream Song" indicates that this poem is part of a larger collection of poems that are linked by a common theme or motif. Secondly, the number "107" suggests that this is the 107th poem in the collection, which implies that the poet has been exploring this theme for a long time. Thirdly, the phrase "Three 'coons come at his garbage" is a provocative and racially charged image that suggests that the poem is about race relations in America. Finally, the phrase "He be cross" suggests that the speaker of the poem is angry or frustrated about something.

Form

The form of Dream Song 107 is a free verse that consists of six stanzas, each with six lines. The poem has a loose, informal structure that mirrors the speaker's stream of consciousness. The lines are relatively short, with irregular meter and rhyme scheme. The form of the poem is significant because it reflects the fragmented and disjointed nature of the speaker's thoughts and emotions.

Language

The language of Dream Song 107 is colloquial and informal, with a mix of standard English and African American Vernacular English (AAVE). The use of AAVE is significant because it reflects the speaker's racial identity and cultural background. The poem is full of slang, contractions, and non-standard grammar, which give the poem a raw and authentic feel. The language also conveys the speaker's emotional state, which is angry, frustrated, and confused.

Imagery

The imagery of Dream Song 107 is vivid and visceral, with a mix of natural and urban images. The opening image of "Three 'coons come at his garbage" is a powerful and provocative image that immediately puts the reader on edge. The use of the term "coons" is offensive and derogatory, which highlights the racial tensions in the poem. The image of the speaker "sweating green" is also significant because it suggests that the speaker is sick or contaminated in some way. The image of the garbage truck "backing up" is also significant because it suggests that the speaker is trapped or cornered in some way. The urban imagery of the poem also reflects the speaker's environment and social context.

Symbolism

The symbolism of Dream Song 107 is complex and multi-layered, with a mix of personal and universal symbols. The image of the "Three 'coons" is a symbol of racism and prejudice in America. The speaker's anger and frustration are also symbolic of the larger social and political issues that plague America. The image of the "garbage" is also symbolic of the speaker's own sense of worthlessness and alienation. The "garbage" is a metaphor for the speaker's own sense of identity and self-worth, which is being attacked by the "Three 'coons." The garbage truck is also a symbol of the larger social and economic forces that are crushing the speaker's sense of self.

Interpretation

Dream Song 107 is a powerful and provocative poem that explores themes of racism, violence, and identity. The poem is a commentary on the racial tensions and prejudices that continue to plague America. The poem is also a reflection of the speaker's own sense of worthlessness and alienation. The speaker's anger and frustration are a response to the larger social and political issues that are affecting his life. The poem is a reminder that racism and prejudice continue to be pervasive and destructive forces in America.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dream Song 107 by John Berryman is a literary masterpiece that deserves careful consideration and interpretation. The poem is a reflection of the racial tensions and prejudices that continue to plague America. The poem is also a personal statement of the speaker's own sense of worthlessness and alienation. The poem is a reminder that racism and prejudice continue to be pervasive and destructive forces in America. Berryman's use of form, language, imagery, and symbolism are significant in conveying the poem's themes and message. Dream Song 107 is a powerful and important poem that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Dream Song 107: Three 'coons come at his garbage. He be cross, written by John Berryman, is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of anger, frustration, and the struggle to maintain control in the face of chaos. Through vivid imagery and a masterful use of language, Berryman creates a world that is both familiar and unsettling, inviting the reader to confront their own emotions and experiences.

At its core, the poem is a meditation on the human condition, and the ways in which we respond to the challenges and obstacles that life throws our way. The speaker of the poem is confronted with a trio of raccoons who are raiding his garbage, and his initial response is one of anger and frustration. He feels violated and disrespected, and he lashes out at the animals in an attempt to assert his dominance and control.

However, as the poem progresses, we see the speaker's emotions begin to shift and evolve. He begins to recognize the futility of his anger, and the ways in which it only serves to exacerbate the situation. He realizes that the raccoons are simply following their instincts, and that his anger is ultimately directed at a force that is beyond his control.

This realization leads to a moment of clarity for the speaker, as he begins to see the world in a new light. He recognizes the interconnectedness of all things, and the ways in which our actions and emotions can have far-reaching consequences. He understands that his anger is not just directed at the raccoons, but at the entire universe, and that his struggle for control is ultimately futile.

Through its use of vivid imagery and powerful language, Poetry Dream Song 107: Three 'coons come at his garbage. He be cross, captures the essence of the human experience in all its complexity and nuance. It is a poem that speaks to the universal struggles that we all face, and invites us to confront our own emotions and experiences in a profound and meaningful way.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of imagery. Berryman paints a vivid picture of the raccoons as they raid the speaker's garbage, describing them as "three 'coons, one big, one middle-sized, one wee." This simple description is incredibly effective, as it immediately conjures up an image in the reader's mind and sets the tone for the rest of the poem.

The use of the word "garbage" is also significant, as it serves as a metaphor for the chaos and disorder that we all encounter in our lives. The speaker's garbage represents the things that we try to keep hidden or discarded, but that inevitably come back to haunt us. The raccoons, then, represent the forces of chaos and disorder that threaten to disrupt our carefully constructed lives.

Another key element of the poem is its use of language. Berryman's writing is both powerful and evocative, and he uses a variety of techniques to convey the speaker's emotions and experiences. For example, he employs repetition to emphasize the speaker's frustration and anger, repeating the phrase "he be cross" throughout the poem.

He also uses alliteration and assonance to create a sense of rhythm and musicality, as in the line "they clambered and pitched the cans." This use of language serves to heighten the emotional impact of the poem, and to draw the reader deeper into the speaker's experience.

Ultimately, Poetry Dream Song 107: Three 'coons come at his garbage. He be cross, is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that speaks to the universal struggles that we all face. Through its use of vivid imagery and powerful language, it invites us to confront our own emotions and experiences, and to recognize the interconnectedness of all things.

It is a poem that reminds us of the futility of our struggle for control, and the importance of accepting the chaos and disorder that is an inherent part of the human experience. It is a poem that speaks to the very heart of what it means to be human, and invites us to embrace our own complexity and nuance.

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