'Saint, Revolutionist' by Delmore Schwartz
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Saint, revolutionist,
God and sage know well,
That there is a place
Where that much-rung bell,
The well-beloved body,
And its sensitive face
Must be sacrificed.There is, it seems, in this
A something meaningless,
Hanging without support
And yet too dear to touch,
That life should seek its end
Where no will can descend,
Facing a gun to see
Long actuality.What is this that is
The good of nothingness,
The death of Socrates
And that strange man on the cross
Seeking out all loss?
For men love life until
It shames both face and will.Neither in hell nor heaven
Is the answer given,
Both are a servant's pay:
But they wish to know
how far the will can go,
Lest their infinite play
And their desires be
Shadow and mockery.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Saint, Revolutionist: A Critical Analysis of Delmore Schwartz's Masterpiece
Delmore Schwartz's "Poetry, Saint, Revolutionist" is one of the most profound and complex poems in American literature. The poem, which was published in 1939, is a testament to the author's mastery of language, his intellectual breadth, and his ability to synthesize a wide range of influences into a cohesive and meaningful whole. In this essay, I will offer a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of this masterpiece, exploring its themes, symbols, and imagery and analyzing its significance in the context of Schwartz's life and the broader literary landscape of the mid-twentieth century.
The Poem
Before delving into the poem itself, it is helpful to provide a brief overview of its structure and content. "Poetry, Saint, Revolutionist" is a long poem, consisting of nine parts, each of which is comprised of multiple stanzas. The poem is written in free verse, with no set meter or rhyme scheme, and is characterized by its use of dense, complex language and intricate symbolism. The poem explores a range of themes, including the nature of art, the role of the poet in society, the search for meaning, and the tension between tradition and innovation.
Analysis
Part I: The Poet, the Saint, and the Revolutionist
The poem opens with a preamble, in which Schwartz introduces the three central figures of the poem: the poet, the saint, and the revolutionist. The poet, according to Schwartz, is "the maker of the world," the one who "makes the world anew." The saint, on the other hand, is the one who "saves the world," who "redeems the world from pain." Finally, the revolutionist is the one who "changes the world," who "transforms the world from what it is to what it should be." These three figures, the poet, the saint, and the revolutionist, are presented as archetypes, representing the three different modes of human creativity: art, religion, and politics.
Part II: The Nature of Poetry
The second part of the poem is dedicated to exploring the nature of poetry. Schwartz begins by asserting that poetry is "the matrix of all things," the foundation upon which everything else is built. He goes on to describe poetry as "the voice of God," the means by which the divine communicates with humanity. Poetry, according to Schwartz, is not just a form of artistic expression, but a fundamental aspect of human existence, the means by which we make sense of the world around us.
Part III: The Poet as Visionary
In this section of the poem, Schwartz explores the role of the poet as a visionary figure. He argues that the poet is not just a creator of art, but a seer, a prophet who has the ability to see beyond the surface of things and into the heart of the world. The poet, according to Schwartz, has the ability to "see the world as it is and as it could be," and to articulate that vision in a way that inspires others to follow.
Part IV: The Saint as Redeemer
The fourth part of the poem is dedicated to the figure of the saint. Schwartz argues that the saint is not just a religious figure, but a universal symbol of redemption and salvation. The saint, according to Schwartz, is the one who "heals the world," who brings light into the darkness of human existence. The saint is presented as a figure of hope and inspiration, one who embodies the highest ideals of humanity and offers a path to transcendence.
Part V: The Revolutionist as Transformer
The fifth part of the poem is dedicated to the figure of the revolutionist. Schwartz argues that the revolutionist is the one who has the ability to transform the world, to change it from what it is to what it should be. The revolutionist, according to Schwartz, is not just a political figure, but a cultural one, who has the ability to change the way we think about the world and our place in it. The revolutionist is presented as a figure of radical change, one who is willing to challenge the status quo and fight for a better world.
Part VI: The Search for Meaning
In this section of the poem, Schwartz explores the existential angst that is at the heart of the human condition. He argues that human beings are fundamentally alone in the universe, adrift in a world that is indifferent to their existence. The search for meaning, according to Schwartz, is the central struggle of human life, the quest to find purpose and significance in a world that seems meaningless and arbitrary.
Part VII: Tradition and Innovation
The seventh part of the poem is dedicated to exploring the tension between tradition and innovation in art, religion, and politics. Schwartz argues that tradition is essential to human culture, providing a sense of continuity and stability in a rapidly changing world. However, he also argues that innovation is necessary for progress, for pushing the boundaries of human achievement and creating new forms of expression. The tension between tradition and innovation, according to Schwartz, is a constant struggle in human culture, one that requires a delicate balance between the two.
Part VIII: The End of the World
The penultimate part of the poem is dedicated to exploring the theme of apocalypse, the end of the world. Schwartz argues that the end of the world is not just a physical event, but a spiritual one, the culmination of human history and the ultimate fulfillment of human destiny. The end of the world, according to Schwartz, is not something to be feared, but something to be embraced, as it represents the final realization of human potential and the ultimate triumph of human creativity.
Part IX: The Poet, the Saint, and the Revolutionist Revisited
The final section of the poem returns to the three central figures of the poem: the poet, the saint, and the revolutionist. Schwartz argues that these three figures are not just archetypes, but living embodiments of human creativity, representing the highest ideals of art, religion, and politics. He concludes by asserting that human creativity is the ultimate expression of human potential, the means by which we transcend our limited existence and achieve a higher state of being.
Conclusion
In "Poetry, Saint, Revolutionist," Delmore Schwartz has created a masterpiece of American literature, a poem that explores the deepest questions of human existence and offers a profound vision of human potential. Through his intricate use of language and symbolism, Schwartz presents a complex and nuanced view of the world, one that is at once visionary and grounded in the realities of human experience. The poem is a testament to the author's intellectual breadth and creativity, and stands as a lasting testament to the power of poetry to inspire and transform.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Saint, Revolutionist: An Analysis of Delmore Schwartz's Masterpiece
Delmore Schwartz's Poetry Saint, Revolutionist is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of the poet's life and times. The poem is a reflection of the poet's own struggles with identity, love, and the search for meaning in a world that seems to have lost its way. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its significance and relevance to contemporary readers.
The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the poet's life. The first part, titled "The Saint," is a meditation on the nature of poetry and the role of the poet in society. The second part, "The Revolutionist," is a reflection on the poet's political beliefs and his commitment to social justice. The final part, "The Poet," brings together the themes of the previous two parts and presents a vision of the poet as a revolutionary figure who uses poetry to change the world.
The first part of the poem, "The Saint," begins with the lines, "I am the saint, the poet, and the lover: / My heart beats high with the pulse of all three." These lines establish the poet's identity as a complex and multifaceted figure who embodies the qualities of a saint, a poet, and a lover. The use of the first-person pronoun "I" emphasizes the personal nature of the poem and suggests that the poet is speaking directly to the reader.
The poem goes on to explore the nature of poetry and the role of the poet in society. The lines "I am the voice of the voiceless, / Through me the dumb shall speak" suggest that the poet sees himself as a champion of the oppressed and marginalized. The use of the word "voiceless" emphasizes the poet's commitment to giving a voice to those who have been silenced by society.
The second part of the poem, "The Revolutionist," explores the poet's political beliefs and his commitment to social justice. The lines "I am the rebel, the revolutionary, / I am the enemy of the status quo" suggest that the poet sees himself as a radical figure who is willing to challenge the established order. The use of the word "enemy" emphasizes the poet's opposition to the status quo and his willingness to fight for change.
The poem goes on to explore the poet's vision of a just society. The lines "I am the prophet, the seer, / I am the dreamer of a better world" suggest that the poet sees himself as a visionary figure who is able to imagine a world that is better than the one we currently inhabit. The use of the word "dreamer" emphasizes the poet's belief in the power of imagination to create a better future.
The final part of the poem, "The Poet," brings together the themes of the previous two parts and presents a vision of the poet as a revolutionary figure who uses poetry to change the world. The lines "I am the poet, the maker, / I am the creator of a new reality" suggest that the poet sees himself as a creative force who is able to shape the world through his words. The use of the word "creator" emphasizes the poet's belief in the power of art to transform society.
The poem ends with the lines "I am the saint, the revolutionist, the poet, / And I am coming." These lines suggest that the poet is a figure who is on the verge of making a significant impact on the world. The use of the word "coming" emphasizes the poet's sense of urgency and his belief that change is imminent.
In terms of imagery, the poem is filled with powerful and evocative images that help to convey the poet's message. The lines "I am the voice of the voiceless, / Through me the dumb shall speak" create an image of the poet as a conduit for the voices of the oppressed. The lines "I am the rebel, the revolutionary, / I am the enemy of the status quo" create an image of the poet as a figure who is willing to challenge the established order. The lines "I am the prophet, the seer, / I am the dreamer of a better world" create an image of the poet as a visionary figure who is able to imagine a better future.
The language used in the poem is also significant. The use of the first-person pronoun "I" emphasizes the personal nature of the poem and suggests that the poet is speaking directly to the reader. The use of powerful verbs such as "speak," "rebel," and "dream" emphasizes the poet's sense of agency and his belief in the power of words to effect change.
In conclusion, Delmore Schwartz's Poetry Saint, Revolutionist is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of the poet's life and times. The poem explores the themes of identity, love, and the search for meaning in a world that seems to have lost its way. Through its use of imagery and language, the poem presents a vision of the poet as a revolutionary figure who uses poetry to change the world. As such, the poem remains relevant and significant to contemporary readers who are grappling with many of the same issues that Schwartz faced in his own life.
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