'This Is A Poem I Wrote At Night, Before The Dawn' by Delmore Schwartz

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1961This is a poem I wrote before I died and was reborn:
- After the years of the apples ripening and the eaglessoaring,
After the festival here the small flowers gleamed like thefirst stars,
And the horses cantered and romped away like theexperience of skill; mastered and serene
Power, grasped and governed by reins, lightly held byknowing hands.The horses had cantered away, far enough away
So that I saw the horses' heads farther and farther away
And saw that they had reached the black horizon on thedusk of day
And were or seemed black thunderheads, massy andominous waves in the doomed sky:
And it was then, for the first time, then that I said as Imust always say
All through living death of night:

Editor 1 Interpretation

Delving Into the Depths of Delmore Schwartz's "This Is A Poem I Wrote At Night, Before The Dawn"

As soon as one begins reading "This Is A Poem I Wrote At Night, Before The Dawn" by Delmore Schwartz, the striking features of the poem become apparent. The poem is imbued with a sense of melancholy that is palpable and seems to seep through every line. However, despite the despair that the poem exudes, there is a certain beauty that lies at its core. In this literary critique, we will explore the intricate layers of meaning and symbolism that make "This Is A Poem I Wrote At Night, Before The Dawn" a timeless piece of poetry.

A Brief Introduction to Delmore Schwartz

Before we delve into the poem, it is essential to have some background information about the author, Delmore Schwartz. Born in Brooklyn in 1913, Schwartz was a gifted writer, whose works ranged from poetry to fiction to essays. He was known for his introspective style and his ability to capture the complexities of the human psyche. Despite the critical acclaim that his work received during his lifetime, Schwartz struggled with mental illness and substance abuse, which eventually led to his untimely death at the age of 52.

The Structure of the Poem

"This Is A Poem I Wrote At Night, Before The Dawn" is a free-verse poem that is divided into six stanzas. Each stanza is comprised of varying numbers of lines, ranging from three to six. The poem employs a loose rhyme scheme that is not consistent throughout. The lack of strict form in the poem reflects the meandering thoughts of the speaker, who seems to be grappling with a range of emotions.

The Theme of Isolation

One of the central themes of the poem is isolation. From the very first stanza, the speaker conveys a sense of loneliness and detachment. The first line of the poem sets the tone for what follows: "The room is dark, and lonely." The use of the word "lonely" in the opening line underscores the speaker's sense of isolation. As the poem progresses, the speaker goes on to describe the darkness that envelops the room, which further enhances the feeling of seclusion.

The Struggle for Meaning

Another overarching theme in the poem is the search for meaning. The speaker seems to be grappling with questions of purpose and existence. In the second stanza, the speaker asks, "What difference does it make, / Whether I die to-morrow / Or fifty years hence?" This rhetorical question highlights the speaker's sense of disillusionment with life. The speaker goes on to describe the futility of existence, declaring that "Life is an empty dream / And death a silent shadow." The use of language here is significant, as it conveys a sense of hopelessness and despair.

The Symbolism of the Dawn

The title of the poem, "This Is A Poem I Wrote At Night, Before The Dawn," is significant in that it sets up the expectation that the dawn will have some bearing on the poem. The dawn is a powerful symbol that holds multiple meanings. In literature, the dawn often represents renewal, rebirth, and the start of a new day. In this poem, however, the dawn takes on a more ominous meaning. The speaker seems to be dreading the arrival of the dawn, which represents the end of the night and the return to reality.

The Contrast Between Light and Darkness

Throughout the poem, there is a stark contrast between light and darkness. The darkness of the room serves as a metaphor for the speaker's emotional state, which is characterized by despair and hopelessness. The dawn, on the other hand, represents the arrival of light and the end of darkness. The contrast between light and darkness is further emphasized in the final stanza, where the speaker declares, "The darkness breaks and the sky is born again / With rosy apprehension of the morn." The use of the word "breaks" suggests a sudden shift from darkness to light, which highlights the transformative power of the dawn.

The Role of Nature

Nature plays an important role in the poem, serving as a counterpoint to the speaker's inner turmoil. The speaker describes the night as "dark" and "lonely," but also notes the presence of the wind and the rain. The wind and the rain, which are natural phenomena, serve as a reminder that the world exists beyond the speaker's internal struggles. The wind and the rain also serve as a metaphor for the cyclical nature of life. Just as the wind and the rain come and go, so too do the speaker's emotions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "This Is A Poem I Wrote At Night, Before The Dawn" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of isolation, the struggle for meaning, and the transformative power of the dawn. The poem's free-verse structure and loose rhyme scheme reflect the meandering thoughts of the speaker, who is grappling with a range of emotions. Delmore Schwartz's use of language and symbolism is masterful, and the poem is a testament to his skill as a writer. Despite the despair that the poem exudes, there is a certain beauty that lies at its core, making it a timeless piece of poetry that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

This Is A Poem I Wrote At Night, Before The Dawn by Delmore Schwartz is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and haunting poem that captures the essence of the night and the emotions that come with it. In this analysis, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its themes, imagery, and structure.

The poem begins with the speaker stating that he is writing a poem at night, before the dawn. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with a sense of darkness and foreboding. The speaker then goes on to describe the night as a time of loneliness and despair, where the only sound is the ticking of the clock. This creates a sense of isolation and emptiness, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem.

The imagery in the poem is particularly striking. The speaker describes the night as a "blackness without end," which creates a sense of infinity and eternity. This is further emphasized by the use of the word "abyss," which suggests a bottomless pit or chasm. The speaker also describes the night as a "sea of darkness," which creates a sense of vastness and emptiness. This imagery is powerful and evocative, and it helps to create a sense of atmosphere and mood.

The poem also explores the theme of mortality and the fleeting nature of life. The speaker describes the night as a time when "the hours slip away like water," which suggests that time is passing quickly and that life is short. This is further emphasized by the use of the word "fleeting," which suggests that life is transitory and impermanent. The speaker also describes the night as a time when "the stars are dying," which creates a sense of sadness and loss. This theme of mortality is a common one in poetry, but Schwartz handles it with sensitivity and grace.

The structure of the poem is also worth noting. It is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a strict rhyme or meter. This gives the poem a sense of spontaneity and freedom, which is appropriate for a poem about the night. The poem is also divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the night. This creates a sense of progression and development, which helps to keep the reader engaged.

In conclusion, This Is A Poem I Wrote At Night, Before The Dawn by Delmore Schwartz is a beautiful and haunting poem that captures the essence of the night. It explores themes of loneliness, mortality, and the fleeting nature of life, and it does so with powerful imagery and a free verse structure. This is a classic piece of poetry that is well worth reading and studying, and it is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the human experience.

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