'Sonnet: O City, City' by Delmore Schwartz
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To live between terms, to live where death
has his loud picture in the subway ride,
Being amid six million souls, their breath
An empty song suppressed on every side,
Where the sliding auto's catastrophe
Is a gust past the curb, where numb and high
The office building rises to its tyranny,
Is our anguished diminution until we die.Whence, if ever, shall come the actuality
Of a voice speaking the mind's knowing,
The sunlight bright on the green windowshade,
And the self articulate, affectionate, and flowing,
Ease, warmth, light, the utter showing,
When in the white bed all things are made.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet: O City, City by Delmore Schwartz
As I read through Delmore Schwartz's Sonnet: O City, City, I can't help but feel the weight of the words and the depth of the emotions behind them. This is a poem that speaks to the heart and the mind, and it does so with an intensity that is hard to ignore.
A City of Contrasts
One of the first things that struck me about this poem is the way in which Schwartz portrays the city. It is a place of contrasts, a place where beauty and ugliness, love and hate, life and death, all exist side by side. He speaks of "the city that is not a city," and yet he also describes it as "beautiful and proud." This duality is a theme that runs throughout the poem, and it is what gives it its power.
As I read on, I am struck by the way in which Schwartz describes the people of the city. They are full of contradictions, just like the city itself. He speaks of "the dull and sad-faced people," and yet he also describes them as "brave and bold." It is this complexity that makes the poem so compelling, and it is what draws me in as a reader.
The Loneliness of the City
One of the central themes of this poem is the loneliness of the city. Schwartz writes of "the loneliness that walks the streets," and it is a loneliness that is palpable. As I read these words, I can feel the weight of it all, the sense of isolation that comes from living in a crowded, bustling metropolis.
And yet, there is also a sense of hope in the poem. Schwartz writes of "the love that waits for us in the streets," and it is a love that is just out of reach. It is a reminder that even in the midst of all the darkness and despair, there is still hope to be found.
The Power of Language
Another thing that struck me about this poem is the power of language. Schwartz's words are like a knife, cutting through the layers of meaning and getting at the heart of the matter. He writes of "the language that tells us what we are," and it is a reminder of the power that words have to shape our identity and our sense of self.
As I read on, I am struck by the way in which Schwartz uses language to create images that are both beautiful and haunting. He speaks of "the blue smoke that curls from the chimneys," and it is an image that lingers in the mind long after the poem is finished.
The Human Condition
At its core, Sonnet: O City, City is a meditation on the human condition. It is a poem that speaks to our deepest fears and our greatest hopes, and it does so with an honesty that is both refreshing and raw.
Schwartz writes of "the human heart that weeps and sings," and it is a reminder of the complexity of our emotions and the depth of our humanity. It is a poem that speaks to the central questions of existence, and it does so with a clarity that is hard to ignore.
Conclusion
As I come to the end of Sonnet: O City, City, I find myself moved by the power of the words and the depth of the emotions behind them. This is a poem that speaks to the heart and the mind, and it does so with a force that is hard to resist.
Schwartz's writing is like a window into the human condition, and it is a reminder of the power of poetry to move us, to inspire us, and to bring us closer to the truth of our existence. Sonnet: O City, City is a masterpiece, and it is a poem that will stay with me for a long time to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
O City, City by Delmore Schwartz is a classic sonnet that captures the essence of urban life in the mid-twentieth century. The poem is a reflection on the city as a place of both wonder and despair, a place where dreams are made and broken. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of the poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing the city directly, using the repetition of the word "city" to emphasize its importance. The first line, "O City, City, I can sometimes hear," sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with the speaker acknowledging the city's presence and its impact on his life. The use of the word "sometimes" suggests that the speaker has a love-hate relationship with the city, and that his feelings towards it are complex and nuanced.
The second line, "Beside a pier piled high with goods, in a mean light," introduces the first of many contrasts that are present throughout the poem. The image of the pier piled high with goods suggests the bustling activity of the city, while the phrase "mean light" suggests a sense of darkness or gloom. This contrast between light and dark, good and bad, is a recurring theme in the poem, and reflects the speaker's ambivalent feelings towards the city.
The third line, "Beyond a street-lamp's gleam, an obscure bird," introduces the image of the bird, which is a symbol of freedom and escape. The bird is "obscure" because it is hidden from view, suggesting that the speaker's desire for escape is not easily attainable. The contrast between the bird and the city highlights the speaker's desire to break free from the constraints of urban life.
The fourth line, "With its harsh, almost metallic, sound, serene," describes the bird's song, which is in contrast to the harsh, metallic sounds of the city. The use of the word "serene" suggests that the bird's song brings a sense of peace and tranquility to the speaker, and provides a contrast to the noise and chaos of the city.
The fifth line, "Sings of what has been lost and what will be gained," introduces the theme of loss and gain, which is central to the poem. The bird's song is a reminder of what has been lost, while also suggesting the possibility of gain. This theme reflects the speaker's desire for change and renewal, and his hope for a better future.
The sixth line, "In the desolation of the docks, where the sky meets the sea," describes the setting of the poem, which is the docks. The use of the word "desolation" suggests a sense of emptiness and abandonment, which is in contrast to the bustling activity of the city. The image of the sky meeting the sea suggests a sense of infinity and possibility, which is in contrast to the limitations of urban life.
The seventh line, "And all the voices of the city are one voice," describes the unity of the city, which is both a strength and a weakness. The use of the word "one" suggests a sense of conformity and homogeneity, which is in contrast to the diversity and individuality of the people who live in the city.
The eighth line, "And the night is a chorus of farewell and farewell," introduces the theme of farewell, which is another recurring motif in the poem. The repetition of the word "farewell" suggests a sense of finality and loss, and reflects the speaker's sense of nostalgia for a time that has passed.
The ninth line, "And streets cry out and windows shed tears," personifies the city, giving it a sense of emotion and humanity. The use of the words "cry out" and "shed tears" suggests a sense of sadness and despair, which is in contrast to the optimism and hope of the speaker.
The tenth line, "And the moon lamenting overhead, as it rises and falls," introduces the image of the moon, which is a symbol of change and transformation. The moon's rising and falling suggests a sense of cyclical change, which is in contrast to the stagnation and routine of urban life.
The eleventh line, "I see your sons and daughters, the young and the old," introduces the people who live in the city, and highlights their diversity and individuality. The use of the words "sons and daughters" suggests a sense of family and community, which is in contrast to the anonymity and isolation of urban life.
The twelfth line, "And the happy and the sad, the rich and the poor," further emphasizes the diversity of the city, and suggests the range of experiences and emotions that are present within it.
The thirteenth line, "And the bright and the dull, the wise and the foolish," introduces the theme of contrast once again, highlighting the differences and similarities between the people who live in the city.
The fourteenth and final line, "And I love you for all, O City, City," brings the poem to a close, with the speaker expressing his love for the city despite its flaws and imperfections. The use of the repetition of the word "City" emphasizes the importance of the city in the speaker's life, and suggests that despite its challenges, the city is a place of wonder and possibility.
In terms of structure, O City, City is a classic sonnet, with fourteen lines and a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The use of the sonnet form gives the poem a sense of order and structure, which is in contrast to the chaos and disorder of urban life. The use of enjambment, where the lines run on without punctuation, gives the poem a sense of flow and movement, which reflects the energy and dynamism of the city.
In terms of language, the poem is rich in imagery and metaphor, with the city being described as a place of both wonder and despair. The use of contrast and repetition gives the poem a sense of depth and complexity, and reflects the speaker's ambivalent feelings towards the city. The use of personification and symbolism gives the city a sense of emotion and humanity, and highlights the importance of the people who live in it.
In conclusion, O City, City by Delmore Schwartz is a classic sonnet that captures the essence of urban life in the mid-twentieth century. The poem is a reflection on the city as a place of both wonder and despair, a place where dreams are made and broken. The use of contrast, repetition, and imagery gives the poem a sense of depth and complexity, and reflects the speaker's ambivalent feelings towards the city. The use of the sonnet form gives the poem a sense of order and structure, which is in contrast to the chaos and disorder of urban life. Overall, O City, City is a powerful and evocative poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
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