'Dream Song 79: Op. posth. no. 2' by John Berryman

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His Toy, His Dream, His Rest1968Whence flew the litter whereon he was laid?
Of what heroic stuff was warlock Henry made?
and questions of that sort
perplexed the bulging cosmos, O in short
was sandalwood in good supply when he
flared out of history& the obituary in

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dream Song 79: Op. posth. no. 2 by John Berryman

Are you ready to delve into the complex and haunting world of Dream Song 79: Op. posth. no. 2 by John Berryman? This poem is a masterpiece of modernist poetry, and it showcases Berryman's unique and groundbreaking style. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, motifs, and symbols of Dream Song 79, as well as the form and structure of the poem. So, fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a wild ride!

Overview of the Poem

Dream Song 79: Op. posth. no. 2 is part of Berryman's acclaimed collection, The Dream Songs. The Dream Songs were written in the 1960s and 1970s, and they explore the themes of identity, mortality, and mental illness. Dream Song 79 is a particularly haunting and enigmatic poem, as it deals with the aftermath of the suicide of Berryman's friend, Robert Lowell. The poem is dedicated to Lowell, and it is a powerful elegy that captures the sense of loss and despair that Berryman felt after Lowell's death.

Themes and Motifs

One of the central themes of Dream Song 79 is death and mortality. Berryman is grappling with the reality of his own mortality, as well as the mortality of his friends and loved ones. In the poem, he describes the "bone-quiet bodies" of the dead, and he laments the fact that he will never see his friend again. The motif of death is reinforced by the repeated references to graves, coffins, and cemeteries throughout the poem.

Another important theme of Dream Song 79 is the theme of memory and nostalgia. Berryman is acutely aware of the transitory nature of life, and he is trying to hold on to the memories of his friend. He describes how he used to talk with Lowell about "life and art and the world we shared," and he longs to go back to those moments of connection and understanding. The motif of memory is reinforced by the refrain of the poem, which repeats the phrase "my heart" over and over again. This phrase serves as a reminder of the emotional core of the poem, which is Berryman's deep and abiding love for his friend.

Symbols and Imagery

One of the most striking features of Dream Song 79 is the vivid and evocative imagery. Berryman uses a range of symbols and metaphors to create a rich and complex poetic landscape. One of the most powerful symbols in the poem is the image of the river. The river is a powerful symbol of the passage of time, and it represents the relentless flow of life towards death. Berryman describes the river as "an old man's river," and he contrasts its slow and steady movement with the frantic pace of modern life.

Another important symbol in the poem is the image of the coffin. The coffin represents death and finality, and Berryman uses it to explore the concept of mortality. He describes how "the coffin closes on the man," and he uses this image to drive home the idea that death is an inescapable reality. The motif of the coffin is reinforced by the repeated references to graves and cemeteries throughout the poem.

Form and Structure

Dream Song 79 is a complex and challenging poem, both in terms of form and structure. The poem is written in free verse, and it is structured around a series of repeating refrains. The refrain of the poem is the phrase "my heart," which is repeated throughout the poem. The repetition of this phrase serves to anchor the poem emotionally, and it reinforces the idea that the poem is a deeply personal and heartfelt elegy.

The poem is also structured around a series of images and symbols, which are woven together in a complex and multilayered way. The river, the coffin, and the graveyard are all recurring symbols in the poem, and they serve to create a rich and evocative poetic landscape. The use of these symbols is particularly effective in conveying the sense of loss and grief that Berryman feels after the death of his friend.

Conclusion

Dream Song 79: Op. posth. no. 2 by John Berryman is a powerful and haunting elegy that captures the sense of loss and despair that follows the death of a loved one. The poem is a masterpiece of modernist poetry, and it showcases Berryman's unique and groundbreaking style. Through his use of vivid imagery, symbols, and refrains, Berryman creates a complex and multilayered poetic landscape that explores the themes of death, memory, and mortality. Dream Song 79 is a moving and deeply personal poem, and it stands as a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexities of the human experience.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

John Berryman’s Dream Song 79: Op. posth. no. 2 is a classic poem that has been celebrated for its unique style and powerful imagery. The poem is part of Berryman’s Dream Songs collection, which is known for its surreal and dreamlike quality. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in Dream Song 79 to understand its significance and impact on modern poetry.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a dream he had about a woman named Emily. The dream is vivid and surreal, with the speaker describing Emily as a “luminous girl” who is “dressed in light.” The dream is interrupted by the sound of a train, which the speaker describes as “a great beast” that shakes the ground. The speaker then wakes up and realizes that he is alone in his room.

The first theme that emerges in Dream Song 79 is the idea of loneliness and isolation. The speaker is alone in his room, and the dream he had only serves to emphasize his solitude. The image of the train, which is often associated with travel and movement, serves as a contrast to the speaker’s stillness and isolation. The train represents the outside world, which the speaker is unable to connect with.

Another theme that emerges in the poem is the idea of memory and the past. The speaker’s dream is a memory of a past encounter with Emily, and the train represents the passage of time. The speaker is unable to escape his memories, and they continue to haunt him even in his dreams. The dream serves as a reminder of the past, and the speaker is unable to move on from it.

The structure of Dream Song 79 is unique and adds to the dreamlike quality of the poem. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter. The lines are short and fragmented, which adds to the surreal and disjointed feeling of the poem. The poem is also divided into three stanzas, with each stanza representing a different aspect of the dream.

The first stanza describes the dream itself, with the speaker describing Emily as a “luminous girl” who is “dressed in light.” The second stanza introduces the train, which interrupts the dream and serves as a reminder of the outside world. The third stanza describes the speaker’s awakening and realization that he is alone in his room. The structure of the poem mirrors the structure of a dream, with different images and ideas blending together in a disjointed and surreal way.

The literary devices used in Dream Song 79 are also significant. The poem is full of vivid imagery, with the speaker describing Emily as a “luminous girl” and the train as a “great beast.” The use of metaphor and personification adds to the dreamlike quality of the poem, with objects and ideas taking on a life of their own.

The poem also uses repetition and alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and musicality. The repetition of the phrase “Emily dressed in light” adds to the dreamlike quality of the poem, with the image of Emily becoming more and more vivid with each repetition. The alliteration in the phrase “great beast” adds to the sense of power and movement associated with the train.

In conclusion, Dream Song 79: Op. posth. no. 2 is a powerful and surreal poem that explores themes of loneliness, memory, and the passage of time. The unique structure and literary devices used in the poem add to its dreamlike quality, with vivid imagery and repetition creating a sense of rhythm and musicality. The poem is a testament to John Berryman’s skill as a poet and his ability to capture the complexity of human emotion and experience in his writing.

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