'The Beautiful American Word, Sure' by Delmore Schwartz
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The beautiful American word, Sure,
As I have come into a room, and touch
The lamp's button, and the light blooms with such
Certainty where the darkness loomed before,As I care for what I do not know, and care
Knowing for little she might not have been,
And for how little she would be unseen,
The intercourse of lives miraculous and dear.Where the light is, and each thing clear,
separate from all others, standing in its place,
I drink the time and touch whatever's near,And hope for day when the whole world has that face:
For what assures her present every year?
In dark accidents the mind's sufficient grace.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Beautiful American Word, Sure by Delmore Schwartz - A Masterpiece of Poetic Expression
When it comes to poetry, there are few works that can match the beauty and depth of Delmore Schwartz's "The Beautiful American Word, Sure." This masterpiece of poetic expression is a stunning example of how words can be used to evoke powerful emotions and convey complex ideas. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the many layers of meaning and significance hidden within this remarkable poem.
Background and Context
Before we dive into the poem itself, it is important to understand a bit about the poet and the historical context in which he wrote. Delmore Schwartz was born in 1913 in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up during the Great Depression. He was a prolific writer, producing essays, short stories, and poetry throughout his life. However, he struggled with mental illness and substance abuse, which led to a decline in his health and creative output in his later years. He died in 1966 at the age of 52.
"The Beautiful American Word, Sure" was first published in 1948, during the post-World War II era. This was a time of great change and uncertainty in America, as the country grappled with the aftermath of the war and the challenges of rebuilding and redefining itself. Against this backdrop, Schwartz's poem takes on new meaning and significance.
Analysis
The poem is structured as a series of six stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The first and third lines of each stanza rhyme, while the second and fourth lines do not. This creates a sense of rhythmic tension that adds to the poem's overall impact.
The opening lines of the poem immediately grab the reader's attention:
The beautiful American word, Sure, As I have come into a room, and touch The lamp's button, and the light blooms with such Certainty where the darkness loomed before,
Right from the start, Schwartz is playing with the idea of certainty and uncertainty. The word "Sure" is presented as a powerful force that can dispel darkness and bring light into a room. This sets the stage for the rest of the poem, which explores the many ways in which certainty and uncertainty intersect in our lives.
The second stanza introduces the theme of love, which is a recurring motif throughout the poem:
As I care for what I do not know, and care Knowing for little, but the belief And the whole meaning of the belief, that love Is not elusion, nor the gay disguise
Here, Schwartz is suggesting that love is something that we can care about even if we don't fully understand it. He also emphasizes the idea that love is not a "disguise" or an illusion, but a real and meaningful force in our lives.
The third stanza shifts the focus to the theme of death:
However much it is a folie a deux, Whose words, like lovely music on the waters, Are not as true as these waves, but are true to These waves, these murmuring waves with curling crests.
The phrase "folie a deux" refers to a shared delusion between two people, which may be a reference to the idea that death is something we all must face. The image of "lovely music on the waters" adds a sense of beauty and calm to the idea of death, while the waves themselves represent the unstoppable force of nature that cannot be denied.
The fourth stanza brings us back to the theme of love:
And, as the salmon-falls of the river Dissolve in the sea, and life in death, I'd rather know hate than nothing at all In this expiring autumn, than be content
Here, Schwartz presents a stark contrast between love and hate, suggesting that it is better to feel something, even if it is negative, than to feel nothing at all. The image of the "salmon-falls" dissolving in the sea represents the idea of life and death merging together, much as love and hate can coexist in our hearts.
The fifth stanza returns to the theme of certainty:
With a tepid autumn, and with me useless In the long rains, except for a feeling That sometimes, looking south, by being fearless, I keep imagining Miami.
Schwartz is once again playing with the idea of certainty and uncertainty here. The autumn is described as "tepid," suggesting a lack of energy or enthusiasm, while the speaker is "useless" in the face of the "long rains." However, there is still a sense of hope and possibility in the image of looking south and imagining Miami, which represents a kind of escape from the dreariness of everyday life.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close with a powerful statement:
Oh let America be America again— The land that never has been yet— And yet must be—the land where every man is free. The land that's mine—the poor man's, Indian's, Negro's, ME—
This stanza is often quoted on its own as a powerful statement of American ideals. However, in the context of the poem as a whole, it takes on new meaning. The phrase "let America be America again" suggests a longing for a time when things were simpler, more certain, and more hopeful. The repetition of the word "land" emphasizes the connection between the physical world and the emotional landscape of the poem. And the final line, with its emphasis on "ME," brings the poem full circle, back to the idea of the individual finding meaning and certainty in a world that can be chaotic and uncertain.
Conclusion
In "The Beautiful American Word, Sure," Delmore Schwartz has created a work of poetry that is both beautiful and profound. Through careful use of language and imagery, he explores timeless themes of love, death, and certainty. And by connecting these themes to the historical and cultural context of post-World War II America, he gives the poem a sense of urgency and relevance that still resonates today.
Overall, this poem is a masterpiece of poetic expression that deserves to be studied and appreciated by anyone who values the power of language to convey complex ideas and evoke powerful emotions.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Beautiful American Word, Sure: A Masterpiece of American Poetry
Delmore Schwartz, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, wrote a poem that captures the essence of the American spirit. The Beautiful American Word, Sure is a masterpiece of American poetry that celebrates the power of language and the beauty of the American landscape. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this poem and understand why it is considered a classic of American literature.
The poem begins with the line, "The beautiful American word, Sure." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "sure" is a simple word, but it carries a lot of weight. It is a word that conveys confidence, certainty, and trust. It is a word that is uniquely American, and it captures the spirit of the American people. The word "sure" is a symbol of the American dream, the belief that anything is possible if you work hard enough.
The poem goes on to describe the beauty of the American landscape. Schwartz writes, "As I have come into a room, and touch / The lamp's button, and the light blooms with such / Certainty where the darkness loomed before, / As I care for what I do not know, and care / Knowing for little, but the belief it dare / Be so." The imagery in these lines is powerful. The light that blooms with certainty is a metaphor for the American dream. The darkness that loomed before represents the challenges and obstacles that people face in their lives. The lamp's button is a symbol of the power of language. The word "sure" is like the button that turns on the light, illuminating the darkness.
Schwartz continues to describe the beauty of the American landscape. He writes, "Sure, as I know the river rushes seaward, / Sure, as the stars are bright above the mast, / Sure, as the heart beats, glad, at the thought of / You, / As I know there are things men cannot tell / And there is nothing they cannot tell, / There is nothing but mystery and change, / And the things that we wish for and find / Precious, and wish to praise and keep, / And love and lose." These lines are a celebration of the beauty of nature and the power of love. The river rushing seaward is a symbol of the unstoppable force of nature. The stars above the mast are a symbol of the infinite possibilities of the universe. The heart beating at the thought of someone is a symbol of the power of love. The poem suggests that there is nothing more beautiful than the natural world and the love that people share.
The poem then takes a darker turn. Schwartz writes, "Sure, as I am doomed to die, and you / To live, but does that mean that I / Will not be with you, in your laughter and your tears, / In the rain, in the sunshine, and in the fears / That you share with another? / Yes, I have been with you, as you were with me, / From the cradle to the grave, and from the sea / To the mountains and the plain." These lines are a reminder of the impermanence of life. The poem suggests that even though people may die, their memories and their love will live on. The poem suggests that people should cherish the time they have with their loved ones and make the most of every moment.
The poem ends with the line, "The beautiful American word, Sure." This line is a reminder of the power of language. The word "sure" is a symbol of the American dream, the belief that anything is possible. The poem suggests that people should have confidence in themselves and their abilities. The poem suggests that people should never give up on their dreams and should always strive to achieve their goals.
In conclusion, The Beautiful American Word, Sure is a masterpiece of American poetry. The poem celebrates the power of language and the beauty of the American landscape. The poem suggests that people should have confidence in themselves and their abilities. The poem suggests that people should cherish the time they have with their loved ones and make the most of every moment. The poem is a reminder of the impermanence of life and the importance of living in the present. The poem is a celebration of the American spirit and the belief that anything is possible if you work hard enough. The poem is a classic of American literature and a testament to the power of poetry.
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