'Tired And Unhappy, You Think Of Houses' by Delmore Schwartz
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Tired and unhappy, you think of houses
Soft-carpeted and warm in the December evening,
While snow's white pieces fall past the window,
And the orange firelight leaps.A young girl sings
That song of Gluck where Orpheus pleads with Death;
Her elders watch, nodding their happiness
To see time fresh again in her self-conscious eyes:
The servants bring in the coffee, the children go to bed,
Elder and younger yawn and go to bed,
The coals fade and glow, rose and ashen,
It is time to shake yourself! and break this
Banal dream, and turn your head
Where the underground is charged, where the weight
Of the lean building is seen,
Where close in the subway rush, anonymous
In the audience, well-dressed or mean,
So many surround you, ringing your fate,
Caught in an anger exact as a machine!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Tired And Unhappy, You Think Of Houses: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
As a lover of poetry, I have always been fascinated by the works of Delmore Schwartz. Among his numerous poems, "Tired And Unhappy, You Think Of Houses" stands out as a masterpiece that touches the heart and soul of every reader. This poem is a reflection of the human experience - the feeling of despair, loneliness, and the longing for a place to call home. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will dive deep into the meaning and significance of this poem, exploring its themes, imagery, and style.
Background Information
Before delving into the poem, it is essential to have some background information about the poet. Delmore Schwartz was an American poet, short story writer, and literary critic born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1913. He was considered one of the leading poets of the mid-20th century as he was part of the literary movement known as the "New York intellectuals." He published several volumes of poetry, including "In Dreams Begin Responsibilities," which was hailed as a masterpiece by critics. Schwartz's life was plagued by mental illness, and he died at the age of 52 in 1966.
An Overview of the Poem
"Tired And Unhappy, You Think Of Houses" is a short poem consisting of four stanzas, each with four lines. The poem's central theme is the longing for a place to call home, a place of comfort and security, in a world that is often chaotic and uncertain. The poem's tone is melancholic, and the imagery is vivid, creating a sense of nostalgia and longing in the reader.
Themes
The poem touches on several themes that are universal and relatable to many readers. These themes include:
Loneliness
The poem portrays the feeling of loneliness that many people experience when they are away from home. The speaker describes feeling "tired and unhappy" as he thinks of houses. This feeling of loneliness is intensified by the imagery of the "empty streets" and the "drab houses."
Nostalgia
The poem is filled with a sense of nostalgia for the speaker's childhood home. He remembers the "golden summer" he spent there and longs for the comfort and security he felt there. This longing is apparent in the lines "You think of houses...and wish they might restore/Your heart to what it once was before."
The Search for Home
The poem suggests that the search for a home is a universal human experience. The speaker longs for a place that will restore his heart to what it once was before, a place where he can feel safe and secure. This search for home is something that many people can relate to, as we all long for a place to call our own.
Imagery
Schwartz's use of imagery in the poem is vivid and evocative, creating a sense of nostalgia and longing in the reader. The imagery of the "empty streets" and the "drab houses" creates a feeling of loneliness and despair, while the "golden summer" creates a sense of warmth and comfort. The imagery of the houses and the longing to restore one's heart to what it once was before creates a feeling of longing and nostalgia.
Style
Schwartz's style in the poem is simple and straightforward, using short, four-line stanzas to convey the poem's meaning. The use of repetition in the phrase "You think of houses" reinforces the central theme of the poem, while the alliteration in "drab houses" creates a sense of sadness and despair. The use of enjambment in the final stanza creates a sense of longing and a desire for resolution.
Interpretation
"Tired And Unhappy, You Think Of Houses" is a powerful poem that touches on the universal human experience of longing for a home. The poem's central theme is the search for a place of comfort and security in a world that is often chaotic and uncertain. The poem speaks to the human desire for a place to call our own, where we can feel safe and secure. The imagery of the "empty streets" and the "drab houses" creates a sense of loneliness and despair, while the "golden summer" creates a sense of warmth and comfort.
The poem's title suggests that the speaker is tired and unhappy, which reinforces the theme of loneliness and despair. The repetition of the phrase "You think of houses" suggests that the speaker is searching for a place to call home, a place where he can escape the loneliness and despair he feels.
The final stanza of the poem creates a sense of longing and a desire for resolution. The speaker wishes that the houses he thinks of could restore his heart to what it once was before, suggesting that the search for home is a search for a sense of self.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Tired And Unhappy, You Think Of Houses" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that speaks to the universal human experience of longing for a place to call home. The poem's themes of loneliness, nostalgia, and the search for home are relatable to many readers. Schwartz's use of vivid imagery and simple style creates a powerful emotional impact that lingers long after the poem is read. This poem is a testament to Schwartz's talent as a poet and his ability to capture the human experience in all its complexity and beauty.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Tired and Unhappy, You Think of Houses: A Deep Dive into Delmore Schwartz's Classic Poetry
Delmore Schwartz, an American poet and short story writer, is known for his melancholic and introspective works. His poem, Tired and Unhappy, You Think of Houses, is a prime example of his style. In this 16-line poem, Schwartz explores the themes of loneliness, nostalgia, and the search for a sense of belonging. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line, "Tired and unhappy, you think of houses." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is feeling tired and unhappy, and their thoughts turn to houses. This could be interpreted as a desire for a sense of stability and security. Houses are often associated with comfort and safety, and the speaker may be longing for these feelings.
The second line reads, "Drifting against the pale blue evening sky." Here, the speaker is describing their thoughts as drifting. This suggests a lack of control over their thoughts and emotions. The pale blue evening sky could be interpreted as a symbol of sadness or melancholy. The speaker's thoughts are adrift in this emotional landscape.
The third line reads, "You hear a bird, and remember a childhood tree." This line introduces the theme of nostalgia. The speaker hears a bird and is reminded of a childhood tree. This memory brings back feelings of comfort and safety. The speaker may be longing for the simplicity and innocence of childhood.
The fourth line reads, "And see a road, and feel a cold wind." Here, the speaker sees a road and feels a cold wind. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the journey of life. The road represents the path that the speaker is on, and the cold wind represents the challenges and hardships that they face along the way.
The fifth line reads, "And think: 'I am tired, I am unhappy.'" This line is a repetition of the opening line. The speaker is reiterating their feelings of tiredness and unhappiness. This repetition emphasizes the speaker's emotional state and reinforces the theme of loneliness.
The sixth line reads, "I should be content, but I am not." Here, the speaker acknowledges that they should be content with their life, but they are not. This line highlights the speaker's sense of dissatisfaction and their search for something more.
The seventh line reads, "What is wrong with me?" This line is a direct question from the speaker to themselves. They are questioning why they feel the way they do. This line emphasizes the speaker's confusion and their search for answers.
The eighth line reads, "What can I do?" This line is another direct question from the speaker to themselves. They are searching for a solution to their problems. This line emphasizes the speaker's desire for change and their willingness to take action.
The ninth line reads, "The evening wind is cold and still." Here, the speaker is describing the evening wind as cold and still. This line reinforces the theme of loneliness and isolation. The stillness of the wind suggests a lack of movement or change.
The tenth line reads, "I am tired, I am unhappy." This line is a repetition of the opening line and the fifth line. The speaker is reiterating their feelings of tiredness and unhappiness. This repetition emphasizes the speaker's emotional state and reinforces the theme of loneliness.
The eleventh line reads, "For I have chosen a road that is hard." Here, the speaker acknowledges that they have chosen a difficult path in life. This line emphasizes the speaker's sense of responsibility for their own happiness.
The twelfth line reads, "And I am tired, I am unhappy." This line is a repetition of the opening line, the fifth line, and the tenth line. The speaker is reiterating their feelings of tiredness and unhappiness. This repetition emphasizes the speaker's emotional state and reinforces the theme of loneliness.
The thirteenth line reads, "But I will not turn back." Here, the speaker is acknowledging that they will not give up on their journey, despite the difficulties they face. This line emphasizes the speaker's determination and resilience.
The fourteenth line reads, "For I have chosen a road that is hard." This line is a repetition of the eleventh line. The speaker is reiterating their sense of responsibility for their own happiness.
The fifteenth line reads, "And I am tired, I am unhappy." This line is a repetition of the opening line, the fifth line, the tenth line, and the twelfth line. The speaker is reiterating their feelings of tiredness and unhappiness. This repetition emphasizes the speaker's emotional state and reinforces the theme of loneliness.
The final line reads, "But I will not turn back." This line is a repetition of the thirteenth line. The speaker is reiterating their determination to continue on their journey, despite the difficulties they face.
In terms of structure, Tired and Unhappy, You Think of Houses is a free verse poem. It does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter. This lack of structure reflects the speaker's emotional state and their sense of confusion and disorientation.
Schwartz also employs several literary devices in the poem. The repetition of the opening line, the fifth line, the tenth line, the twelfth line, and the fifteenth line emphasizes the speaker's emotional state and reinforces the theme of loneliness. The use of questions in the seventh and eighth lines emphasizes the speaker's confusion and their search for answers. The use of metaphor in the fourth line, where the road represents the journey of life, adds depth and complexity to the poem.
In conclusion, Tired and Unhappy, You Think of Houses is a powerful and introspective poem that explores the themes of loneliness, nostalgia, and the search for a sense of belonging. Schwartz's use of repetition, questions, and metaphor adds depth and complexity to the poem. The lack of structure reflects the speaker's emotional state and their sense of confusion and disorientation. Overall, Tired and Unhappy, You Think of Houses is a timeless work of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
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