'Dream Song 84: Op. posth. no. 7' by John Berryman


AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay

His Toy, His Dream, His Rest1968Plop, plop. The lobster toppled in the pot,
fulfilling, dislike man, his destiny,
glowing fire-red,
succulent, and on the whole becoming what
man wants. I crack my final claw singly,
wind up the grave, & to bed.-Sound good, Mr Bones. I wish I had me some.
(I spose you got a lessen up your slave.)
-O no no no.
Sole I remember; where no lobster swine,-
pots hot or cold is none. With you I grieve
lightly, and I have no lesson.Bodies are relishy, they say. Here's mine,
was. What ever happened to Political Economy,
leaving me here?
Is a rare-in my opinion-responsibility.
The military establishments perpetuate themselves forever.
Have a bite, for a sign.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dream Song 84: Op. posth. no. 7

by John Berryman

Dream Song 84: Op. posth. no. 7 is a beautiful piece of poetry that captures the essence of life and death. Written by the famous poet John Berryman, this poem is a part of his Dream Songs collection. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve deeper into the themes, symbols, and motifs that Berryman uses in this poem to convey his message.

Themes

The primary themes of Dream Song 84: Op. posth. no. 7 are mortality, memory, and loss. Berryman uses the persona of Henry, his alter ego, to explore these themes. Throughout the poem, Henry reflects on his mortality and the inevitability of death. He also grapples with the loss of his loved ones.

Berryman's exploration of these themes is particularly poignant given that the poem was written posthumously. In this sense, Dream Song 84: Op. posth. no. 7 is Berryman's final reflection on life, death, and everything in between. As such, the poem is imbued with a sense of urgency and poignancy that is not found in many other poems.

Symbols

One of the primary symbols that Berryman uses in Dream Song 84: Op. posth. no. 7 is the tree. The tree is a symbol of life and growth, but it is also a symbol of mortality. As the tree grows, it sheds its leaves and eventually dies. In this sense, the tree is a metaphor for human life.

Berryman uses the tree to reflect on Henry's mortality. In the poem, Henry describes the tree as "yourself & you", suggesting that the tree is a representation of his own life. He also notes that the tree "will come down", suggesting that death is inevitable.

Another symbol that Berryman uses in the poem is the river. The river is a symbol of time and the passage of life. As the river flows, it carries everything with it, including memories and experiences. In this sense, the river is a metaphor for the passage of time.

Berryman uses the river to reflect on Henry's memories. In the poem, Henry notes that "the river remembers nothing", suggesting that memories are fleeting and impermanent. He also notes that "the river flows past the tree", suggesting that memories are carried away by time.

Motifs

One of the primary motifs in Dream Song 84: Op. posth. no. 7 is repetition. Berryman repeats certain phrases and words throughout the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and emphasis. For example, he repeats the phrase "tree outside" several times, emphasizing the importance of the tree as a symbol.

Repetition is also used to emphasize certain themes and ideas. For example, Berryman repeats the phrase "I forget" several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the impermanence of memory and the inevitability of forgetting.

Another motif in the poem is the use of dream imagery. Berryman frequently uses dream imagery in his Dream Songs collection, and Dream Song 84: Op. posth. no. 7 is no exception. In the poem, Henry reflects on his dreams and the way in which they reflect his subconscious thoughts and fears.

Interpretation

Dream Song 84: Op. posth. no. 7 is a powerful poem that explores themes of mortality, memory, and loss. Berryman uses a variety of symbols and motifs to convey his message, creating a sense of urgency and poignancy that is not found in many other poems.

At its core, the poem is a reflection on the human condition. Berryman uses the persona of Henry to explore what it means to be human, to live, and to die. He grapples with the inevitability of death and the impermanence of memory, suggesting that these are fundamental aspects of the human experience.

In this sense, Dream Song 84: Op. posth. no. 7 is a reminder of our own mortality and the importance of living in the present moment. It is a call to cherish our memories and experiences, knowing that they are fleeting and impermanent. And it is a celebration of life, in all its beauty and complexity.

Conclusion

Dream Song 84: Op. posth. no. 7 is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores themes of mortality, memory, and loss. Berryman's use of symbols and motifs creates a sense of urgency and poignancy, while his exploration of the human condition is both insightful and moving.

As we reflect on our own mortality and the impermanence of memory, we are reminded of the importance of living in the present moment and cherishing our experiences. And as we celebrate life, we are reminded of its beauty and complexity, and the importance of living it to the fullest.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

John Berryman’s Dream Song 84: Op. posth. no. 7 is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the complexities of human relationships, the nature of love, and the inevitability of death. This poem is part of Berryman’s Dream Songs collection, which is widely regarded as one of the most important works of American poetry in the 20th century. In this analysis, we will delve into the themes, structure, and language of Dream Song 84 to understand its significance and impact on modern poetry.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing his lover, who is referred to as “Henry” throughout the Dream Songs collection. The speaker expresses his love for Henry and his desire to be with him forever, saying, “I’ll stay with you forever if I may.” However, the speaker is also aware of the impermanence of life and the inevitability of death, saying, “but death is what we have, as good as any.” This juxtaposition of love and death sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which explores the complexities of human relationships and the struggle to find meaning in a world that is ultimately fleeting.

The structure of Dream Song 84 is unique and complex, consisting of three stanzas of varying lengths and a refrain that repeats throughout the poem. The refrain, “I am, outside. Incredible,” is a powerful statement that emphasizes the speaker’s sense of isolation and detachment from the world around him. This sense of detachment is further emphasized by the use of the third person point of view, which creates a sense of distance between the speaker and the reader.

The first stanza of the poem is the longest and most complex, consisting of 14 lines that are filled with vivid imagery and powerful metaphors. The speaker describes his lover as a “golden bird” and a “singing tree,” emphasizing his beauty and his ability to bring joy and happiness to the speaker’s life. However, the speaker is also aware of the fragility of this beauty, saying, “but beauty dies, I know it, I have seen / it happen.” This acknowledgement of the impermanence of beauty and love is a recurring theme throughout the poem, and it highlights the speaker’s struggle to find meaning in a world that is ultimately fleeting.

The second stanza of the poem is much shorter than the first, consisting of only four lines. In this stanza, the speaker reflects on the nature of love and the difficulty of maintaining a relationship in the face of life’s challenges. The speaker says, “Love is not love, some say, but work,” emphasizing the idea that love requires effort and commitment in order to survive. This idea is further reinforced by the use of the metaphor of the “sweating horse,” which suggests that love is a difficult and arduous journey that requires perseverance and dedication.

The final stanza of the poem is the shortest, consisting of only three lines. In this stanza, the speaker reflects on the inevitability of death and the ultimate futility of human existence. The speaker says, “Death is what we have, as good as any,” emphasizing the idea that death is an inevitable part of life and that we must accept it as such. This acknowledgement of the inevitability of death is a powerful statement that highlights the speaker’s sense of resignation and acceptance in the face of life’s challenges.

The language of Dream Song 84 is rich and complex, filled with vivid imagery and powerful metaphors. The use of metaphors such as the “golden bird” and the “singing tree” emphasizes the beauty and fragility of love, while the metaphor of the “sweating horse” emphasizes the difficulty and perseverance required to maintain a relationship. The use of the refrain, “I am, outside. Incredible,” creates a sense of detachment and isolation that emphasizes the speaker’s struggle to find meaning in a world that is ultimately fleeting.

In conclusion, John Berryman’s Dream Song 84: Op. posth. no. 7 is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the complexities of human relationships, the nature of love, and the inevitability of death. The unique structure, rich language, and powerful metaphors of this poem make it a timeless work of art that continues to resonate with readers today. Through its exploration of the human condition, Dream Song 84 reminds us of the beauty and fragility of life, and the importance of finding meaning and purpose in a world that is ultimately fleeting.

Editor Recommended Sites

Site Reliability SRE: Guide to SRE: Tutorials, training, masterclass
Roleplay Metaverse: Role-playing in the metaverse
Developer Cheatsheets - Software Engineer Cheat sheet & Programming Cheatsheet: Developer Cheat sheets to learn any language, framework or cloud service
SRE Engineer: Guide to SRE engineering
Pert Chart App: Generate pert charts and find the critical paths

Recommended Similar Analysis

Heat by H.D. analysis
My Papa's Waltz by Theodore Roethke analysis
In The Secular Night by Margaret Atwood analysis
The dying need but little, dear,-- by Emily Dickinson analysis
Child by Sylvia Plath analysis
Says by Walt Whitman analysis
Among The Multitude by Walt Whitman analysis
Forgetfulness by Hart Crane analysis
Aire And Angles by John Donne analysis
London, 1802 by William Wordsworth analysis