'Conjugal' by Russell Edson
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A man is bending his wife. He is bending heraround something that she has bent herselfaround. She is around it, bent as he has benther.He is convincing her. It is all so private.He is bending her around the bedpost. No, heis bending her around the tripod of his camera.It is as if he teaches her to swim. As if he teachesacrobatics. As if he could form her into somethingwet that he delivers out of one life into another.And it is such a private thing the thing they do.He is forming her into the wallpaper. He issmoothing her down into the flowers there. He is findingher nipples there. And he is kissing her pubis there.He climbs into the wallpaper among the flowers. Andhis buttocks move in and out of the wall.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Conjugal: A Masterpiece of Surreal Poetry
Is it possible for a poem to be both hilarious and heartbreaking? Can a piece of literature be both absurd and profound? Russell Edson certainly proves so in his surreal masterpiece, "Conjugal".
In this 28-line poem, Edson presents a disturbing yet comical portrait of a dysfunctional couple trapped in a loveless marriage. The poem defies conventional narrative and language, inviting the reader into a realm of absurdity and paradox.
At first glance, the poem appears to be a simple dialogue between a husband and wife. The wife, who is described as "fat and slovenly", complains about her husband's lack of affection, while the husband, who is "gaunt and sullen", retorts with bitter sarcasm. However, as the poem progresses, the conversation takes an unexpected turn, revealing the bizarre and surreal nature of their relationship.
The poem opens with a description of the couple's bedroom, which is "a square of light in the darkness". This image sets the stage for the dark and claustrophobic atmosphere that dominates the poem. The couple is confined within the walls of their bedroom, both physically and emotionally.
The husband's opening line, "I'll tell you what you're going to do", immediately establishes the power dynamic in their relationship. He is the dominant figure, controlling and manipulative, while the wife is submissive and passive. However, as the poem unfolds, the wife's passive-aggressive tendencies emerge, and we see that she too has a degree of power over her husband.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of surreal imagery. Edson blends the mundane with the fantastical, creating a world that is both familiar and alien. For example, the husband describes his wife as having "a face like a plate of oatmeal", a simile that is both absurd and grotesque. He later refers to her as a "proud horse in harness", a metaphor that is equally bizarre and unsettling.
The wife, on the other hand, compares her husband to "a chicken without feathers", a comparison that is both comical and sad. She also describes the "red wheelbarrow" that she bought with her own money, an allusion to William Carlos Williams' famous poem, which adds a layer of intertextuality to the poem.
Despite the absurdity of the imagery, the poem is ultimately a powerful commentary on the human condition. It portrays the emptiness and loneliness that can plague even the closest of relationships. The husband and wife are trapped in a cycle of bitterness and resentment, unable to connect with each other on a deeper level.
One of the most poignant moments in the poem comes when the wife asks her husband, "Do you love me?", to which he replies, "Define love." This exchange highlights the ambiguity and elusiveness of love, a concept that is often difficult to define or grasp.
The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most haunting. The husband tells his wife, "I'm going to stick my head in the toilet", and she responds, "That's where you belong". This exchange is both macabre and surreal, yet it also speaks to the couple's deep-seated unhappiness and despair.
In conclusion, "Conjugal" is a masterful work of surreal poetry that defies easy categorization. It is both absurd and profound, hilarious and heartbreaking. Through its use of surreal imagery and unconventional language, it offers a powerful commentary on the complexities of human relationships. Russell Edson's unique voice and vision make "Conjugal" a true masterpiece of modern literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Conjugal: A Masterpiece of Surrealism
Russell Edson's Poetry Conjugal is a surrealistic masterpiece that explores the complexities of marriage and the human psyche. The poem is a perfect example of Edson's unique style, which combines humor, absurdity, and a deep understanding of the human condition. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, symbolism, and literary devices.
The poem begins with a simple statement: "My wife and I were married in the sky." This opening line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with surreal and fantastical imagery. The sky, a symbol of freedom and limitless possibilities, is the perfect setting for a marriage that defies the laws of gravity and convention.
As the poem progresses, we are introduced to a series of bizarre and humorous situations that highlight the absurdity of marriage. For example, the speaker describes how his wife "gave birth to a kite," which they then flew together. This image is both comical and poignant, as it suggests the joy and freedom that can come from a successful marriage.
Another memorable image in the poem is the "house of bread" that the couple lives in. This symbolizes the idea of a home as a place of sustenance and nourishment, both physical and emotional. However, the fact that the house is made of bread also suggests the fragility and impermanence of domestic life.
Throughout the poem, Edson uses a variety of literary devices to create a sense of surrealism and disorientation. For example, he often employs paradoxes and contradictions, such as when the speaker describes his wife as "a bird with a broken wing that could fly." This image is both beautiful and tragic, suggesting the idea of a marriage that is both empowering and limiting.
Edson also uses repetition and fragmentation to create a sense of dislocation and confusion. For example, the phrase "my wife and I" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the idea of the couple as a unit. However, the repetition also creates a sense of monotony and routine, suggesting the challenges of maintaining a long-term relationship.
One of the most striking aspects of Poetry Conjugal is its use of symbolism. Edson employs a wide range of symbols, from the sky and the kite to the bread and the broken wing. These symbols are rich in meaning and suggest a variety of themes, such as freedom, nourishment, and limitation.
Perhaps the most important symbol in the poem is the kite. The kite represents the couple's shared sense of adventure and freedom, as well as their ability to soar above the constraints of everyday life. However, the kite also suggests the fragility and impermanence of their relationship, as it is easily broken or lost.
Another important symbol in the poem is the bread. The bread represents the couple's need for sustenance and nourishment, both physical and emotional. However, the fact that the house is made of bread also suggests the fragility and impermanence of domestic life, as well as the idea that the couple's relationship is built on a foundation that is both nourishing and precarious.
Overall, Poetry Conjugal is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complexities of marriage and the human psyche. Through its use of surrealism, humor, and symbolism, the poem offers a unique perspective on the joys and challenges of long-term relationships. Whether you are married or single, young or old, this poem is sure to resonate with you and leave you with a deeper understanding of the human experience.
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