'Dream Song 97: Henry of Donnybrook bred like a pig' by John Berryman

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His Toy, His Dream, His Rest1968Henry of Donnybrook bred like a pig,
bred when he was brittle, bred when big,
how he's sweating to support them.
Which birthday of the brighter darker man,
the Goya of the Globe & Blackfriars, whom-
our full earth smiled on himsqueezing his old heart with a daughter loose
(hostages they �re)-the world's produced,
so far, alarms, alarms.
Fancy the chill & fatigue four hundred years
award a warm one. All we know is ears.
My slab lifts up its armsin a solicitude entire, too late.
Of brutal revelry gap your mouth to state:
Front back & backside go bare!
Cats' blackness, booze,blows, grunts, grand groans.
Yo-bad y�m i-oowaled bov'ha'l lail awmer h're gawber!
-Now, now, poor Bones.

Editor 1 Interpretation

#Dream Song 97: Henry of Donnybrook bred like a pig by John Berryman

John Berryman’s Dream Song 97: Henry of Donnybrook bred like a pig is a poem that can be interpreted in many ways. It’s a complex piece that touches on themes of identity, self-loathing, and the burdens of the past. The poem also showcases Berryman’s unique style of writing, which combines elements of confessional poetry, surrealism, and stream-of-consciousness writing. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we’ll take a closer look at the various themes and motifs in the poem, as well as the underlying symbolism and imagery that Berryman employs.

Overview of the poem

Dream Song 97: Henry of Donnybrook bred like a pig is part of the Dream Songs collection, which consists of 385 poems that Berryman wrote between 1955 and 1967. The Dream Songs are known for their experimental style and their exploration of Berryman’s own life and experiences. In this particular poem, Berryman adopts the voice of his alter-ego, Henry, who is a character that appears in many of the Dream Songs.

The poem begins with a vivid description of Henry’s appearance, which is not flattering. He is described as being “fat” and having “red hair” and a “balding pate.” The second stanza then shifts to Henry’s past, specifically his ancestors. According to the poem, Henry’s family was “bred like pigs” in Donnybrook, which is a reference to a neighborhood in Dublin, Ireland. This detail is significant because it establishes Henry’s Irish heritage and his sense of shame and self-loathing that comes with it.

The third stanza introduces a new character, “Nell,” who is Henry’s wife. Nell is described as being “plain” and “kind,” but also “dumb” and “gentle.” This description is important because it sets up the dynamic between Henry and Nell. Henry is depicted as being cruel and abusive towards Nell, which is a recurring theme in the Dream Songs.

The fourth and final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most surreal and abstract. It features a series of disjointed images and phrases that are difficult to interpret. However, one interpretation is that the final stanza represents Henry’s internal thoughts and feelings. The repetition of the phrase “I am” suggests that Henry is struggling with his sense of self and his identity. The final line of the poem, “I am of Ireland,” reinforces this idea and suggests that Henry’s struggles are tied to his Irish heritage.

Themes and motifs

Dream Song 97: Henry of Donnybrook bred like a pig touches on several themes that are common in Berryman’s poetry. One of the most prominent themes is identity. Throughout the poem, Henry grapples with his sense of self and his place in the world. His appearance, his heritage, and his relationships all contribute to his sense of self, but also his sense of shame and self-loathing.

Another theme that is present in the poem is the burden of the past. Henry’s family history and his Irish heritage weigh heavily on him and contribute to his feelings of inadequacy and self-loathing. This theme is reinforced by the reference to Donnybrook, which is a real place with a complex history. The use of the verb “bred” to describe Henry’s ancestors also suggests that he feels like he is part of a lineage that is predetermined and inescapable.

The poem also touches on themes of power and control. Henry’s relationship with Nell is fraught with tension and abuse. He is depicted as being cruel and dismissive towards her, which suggests that he feels a sense of power over her. However, Nell’s “dumb” and “gentle” nature also suggests that she is powerless to resist Henry’s abuse.

Symbolism and imagery

Dream Song 97: Henry of Donnybrook bred like a pig also employs several symbols and images that contribute to its overall meaning. One of the most striking images in the poem is the description of Henry’s appearance. His “fatness” and “red hair” are not just physical characteristics, but also symbols of his Irish heritage. The use of the adjective “fat” also suggests that Henry’s physical appearance is a source of shame and insecurity for him.

The reference to Donnybrook is also significant. As mentioned earlier, Donnybrook is a real place with a complex history. It was once a rural village, but over time it became absorbed into the city of Dublin. Today, it is known for its annual fair, which features carnival rides and games. The reference to Donnybrook in the poem suggests that Henry is struggling with his sense of place and his relationship to Ireland as a whole.

The final stanza of the poem features a series of disjointed images and phrases that are difficult to interpret. However, the repetition of the phrase “I am” suggests that Henry is struggling with his sense of self and his identity. The final line, “I am of Ireland,” reinforces this idea and suggests that Henry’s struggles are tied to his Irish heritage.

Conclusion

Dream Song 97: Henry of Donnybrook bred like a pig is a complex and challenging poem that touches on themes of identity, self-loathing, and the burdens of the past. The poem’s surreal and abstract style can be difficult to interpret, but the symbols and images that Berryman employs offer clues to its underlying meaning. Ultimately, the poem is a powerful exploration of the human psyche and the struggles that we all face in defining ourselves and our place in the world.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Dream Song 97: Henry of Donnybrook bred like a pig is a classic poem written by John Berryman. This poem is a part of the Dream Songs collection, which is a series of poems that Berryman wrote in the 1960s. The Dream Songs are known for their complex structure and their exploration of the human psyche. In this article, we will analyze and explain the meaning of Dream Song 97.

The poem begins with the line, "Henry of Donnybrook bred like a pig." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "bred" implies that Henry is not in control of his own destiny. He is being controlled by his environment, just like a pig is controlled by its owner. The word "pig" also has negative connotations. Pigs are often associated with dirtiness and gluttony. This line suggests that Henry is not a noble or virtuous character.

The next line reads, "Henry, my mammal, bred when I was away." This line is significant because it reveals that the speaker of the poem is not Henry. The speaker is addressing Henry as "my mammal," which suggests that Henry is not fully human. The fact that Henry bred when the speaker was away also suggests that the speaker has some control over Henry's actions. This line also implies that the speaker is not a responsible caretaker for Henry.

The third line reads, "Henry, in his cage, bred his mate." This line reinforces the idea that Henry is not in control of his own destiny. He is confined to a cage, which suggests that he is not free to make his own choices. The fact that he bred his mate also suggests that he is not capable of forming meaningful relationships. This line also implies that Henry is being used for his reproductive abilities, just like a farm animal.

The fourth line reads, "Henry, in the world, bred his wife." This line is significant because it suggests that Henry is not just a captive animal. He is also a part of the larger world. However, the fact that he bred his wife suggests that he is still being controlled by his instincts. He is not capable of making rational decisions. This line also implies that Henry is not capable of forming meaningful relationships with his wife.

The fifth line reads, "Henry out of his mind, bred all comers." This line is significant because it suggests that Henry has lost his sanity. He is no longer capable of making rational decisions. He is driven by his instincts, which leads him to breed with anyone who comes his way. This line also implies that Henry is not capable of forming meaningful relationships with anyone.

The sixth line reads, "Henry, till he died, bred his favorites." This line is significant because it suggests that Henry continued to breed until his death. This implies that he was never able to break free from his animalistic instincts. The fact that he bred his favorites also suggests that he had some level of preference, but it is unclear what this preference was based on.

Overall, Dream Song 97 is a complex poem that explores the idea of control and instinct. Henry is portrayed as a captive animal who is not in control of his own destiny. He is driven by his instincts, which leads him to breed with anyone who comes his way. The poem suggests that Henry is not capable of forming meaningful relationships with anyone. The speaker of the poem is also portrayed as irresponsible and lacking in empathy. The poem is a commentary on the human condition and the struggle between instinct and rationality.

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