'Someone Is Harshly Coughing As Before' by Delmore Schwartz

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Someone is harshly coughing on the next floor,
Sudden excitement catching the flesh of his throat:
Who is the sick one?
Who will knock at the door,
Ask what is wrong and sweetly pay attention,
The shy withdrawal of the sensitive face
Embarrassing both, but double shame is tender
--We will mind our ignorant business, keep our place.But it is God, who has caught cold again,
Wandering helplessly in the world once more,
Now he is phthisic, and he is, poor Keats
(Pardon, O Father, unknowable Dear, this word,
Only the cartoon is lucid, only the curse is heard),
Longing for Eden, afraid of the coming war.The past, a giant shadow like the twilight,
The moving street on which the autos slide,
The buildings' heights, like broken teeth,
Repeat necessity on every side,
The age requires death and is not denied,
He has come as a young man to be hanged once more!Another exile bare his complex care,
(When smoke in silence curvesfrom every fallen side)
Pity and Peace return, padding the broken floor
With heavy feet.Their linen hands will hide
In the stupid opiate the exhausted war.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Delving into the Grim World of Delmore Schwartz's "Someone Is Harshly Coughing As Before"

Delmore Schwartz's poem "Someone Is Harshly Coughing As Before" is a haunting and grim exploration of human mortality and the ephemeral nature of life. It is a reflection on the inevitability of death, the futility of human struggles and the meaninglessness of existence. The poem is structured in three stanzas, each of which presents a distinct perspective on the central theme. Through a close reading of the poem, we can gain a deeper insight into the author's intention and the literary techniques that he employs to convey his message.

Stanza 1: The Harsh Reality of Mortality

The first stanza of the poem presents a stark image of human mortality. The opening line "Someone is harshly coughing as before" immediately sets a tone of morbidity and impending doom. The use of the present tense suggests that death is an ongoing process, and that the speaker is attuned to the sounds of suffering around him. The image of the coughing individual is a universal one, and the reader can easily identify with the physical discomfort and psychological distress that it evokes.

The second and third lines of the stanza deepen the sense of foreboding. The speaker notes that "The sun is rising in a sky that looks like a wounded beast" and that "The rain comes in a smell of tragedy". The juxtaposition of the rising sun with the wounded sky creates a sense of paradoxical hopelessness, while the "smell of tragedy" subtly hints at the looming danger. The use of personification in these lines is particularly effective in conveying the sense of desolation that pervades the scene.

The final line of the stanza, "Steadily the general air of the world grows chilled and dark", serves as a summary of the preceding lines. The use of the word "steadily" suggests an unstoppable and irreversible process, while the phrases "general air of the world" and "chilled and dark" convey a sense of pervasive despair. The first stanza thus establishes the central theme of the poem and sets the tone for the subsequent stanzas.

Stanza 2: The Futility of Human Struggles

The second stanza of the poem presents a more explicit commentary on the futility of human struggles. The opening lines, "Those who live are gradually reducing / Their wishes, and growing used to earth and pain", suggest that life is a process of gradual decay and acceptance of suffering. The use of the word "reducing" connotes a sense of diminishment, while the phrase "growing used to" implies a resignation to the inevitable.

The third and fourth lines of the stanza introduce a more complex metaphor of human existence. The speaker notes that "The body knows what words cannot express / And the world's long sickness is one's very own". The metaphor of the body as a vessel of knowledge that transcends language is a common one in literature, and here it serves to reinforce the sense of human frailty and vulnerability. The phrase "world's long sickness" suggests a universal condition of suffering, while the final line, "one's very own", emphasizes the subjective nature of human experience.

The final two lines of the stanza shift the focus to the speaker's own perspective. The phrase "And I, who have told myself so often / It is all over, find the struggle renewed" introduces a sense of personal struggle and conflict. The repetition of the word "struggle" emphasizes the central theme of the stanza, while the phrase "find the struggle renewed" suggests a sense of frustration and despair. The second stanza thus presents a more nuanced exploration of the human condition, and introduces a sense of personal agency and responsibility.

Stanza 3: The Meaninglessness of Existence

The final stanza of the poem presents a bleak and uncompromising view of human existence. The opening lines, "There is no hope for the world, / Except that we be sane, and calm, and clear", suggest that the only possible response to the futility of existence is a stoic and rational acceptance. The use of the word "hope" is ironic, as it implies a possibility of change or improvement that is immediately negated by the following lines.

The third and fourth lines of the stanza introduce a more philosophical perspective. The speaker notes that "Realization of life might leave one cracked / But Death, in which no crack is, does not move". The use of the word "realization" suggests a moment of epiphany or enlightenment, while the reference to "cracks" emphasizes the fragility of human consciousness. The phrase "Death, in which no crack is" serves as a contrast to the preceding lines, and suggests a state of perfect stillness and finality.

The final lines of the stanza, "Since nothing is available, we must act / As if nothing were unavailable", present a paradoxical conclusion to the poem. The use of the word "since" implies a logical inference, while the phrase "nothing is available" suggests a sense of nihilistic emptiness. The final phrase, "as if nothing were unavailable", is both a call to action and a recognition of the futility of action. The third stanza thus presents a more abstract and philosophical perspective on the central theme of the poem, and leaves the reader with a sense of existential uncertainty.

Conclusion

In "Someone Is Harshly Coughing As Before", Delmore Schwartz presents a complex and multi-layered exploration of the themes of human mortality, futility, and meaninglessness. Through a careful use of language, imagery, and metaphor, he creates a grim and haunting atmosphere that reflects the universal human condition. The three stanzas of the poem present distinct perspectives on the central theme, and together they weave a powerful narrative that leaves a deep impression on the reader. Ultimately, the poem serves as a reminder of the transience of life, and the need to face our mortality with stoicism and acceptance.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Delmore Schwartz's poem "Someone Is Harshly Coughing As Before" is a masterpiece of modern poetry. It is a profound and moving work that explores themes of mortality, memory, and the human condition. In this analysis, we will examine the poem's structure, language, and imagery to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.

The poem is composed of three stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The first stanza sets the scene, describing the sound of someone coughing harshly. The second stanza delves into the speaker's memories of the past, while the third stanza brings the poem to a close with a reflection on the inevitability of death.

The language of the poem is simple and direct, yet it is also rich in imagery and metaphor. The coughing is described as "harsh" and "unforgiving," suggesting that it is a painful and unpleasant experience. The use of the word "before" in the title and throughout the poem implies that this is a recurring event, something that has happened many times in the past.

The second stanza is where the poem really comes to life. The speaker recalls a time when they were young and carefree, "when the world was green and the sky was blue." This idyllic image is contrasted with the harsh reality of the present, where the speaker is confronted with the sound of someone coughing. The juxtaposition of these two images highlights the fleeting nature of happiness and the inevitability of change.

The third stanza brings the poem to a close with a reflection on the inevitability of death. The speaker acknowledges that "we all must die," and that even the most beautiful things in life are temporary. The final line of the poem, "and the coughing will go on," is a powerful reminder that life goes on, even in the face of death.

Overall, "Someone Is Harshly Coughing As Before" is a deeply moving and thought-provoking poem. It explores themes that are universal and timeless, and it does so with a simplicity and directness that is both refreshing and powerful. Delmore Schwartz was a master of modern poetry, and this poem is a testament to his skill and talent.

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