'Dream Song 71: Spellbound held subtle Henry all his four' by John Berryman

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77 Dream Songs1964Spellbound held subtle Henry all his four
hearers in the racket of the market
with ancient signs, infamous characters,
new rythms. On the steps he was beloved,
hours a day, by all his four, or more,
depending. And they paid him.It was not, so, like no one listening
but critics famed & Henry's pals or other
tellers at all
chiefly in another country. No.
He by the heart & brains & tail, because
of their love for it, had them.Junk he said to all them open-mouthed.
Weather w�uld govern. When the monsoon spread
its floods, few came, two.
Came a day when none, though he began
in his accustomed way on the filthy steps
in a crash of waters, came.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dream Song 71: Spellbound held subtle Henry all his four

John Berryman’s Dream Song 71: Spellbound held subtle Henry all his four is a complex and intriguing poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and identity. The poem is part of Berryman’s Dream Songs collection, which is known for its experimental style and surreal imagery. Dream Song 71 is no exception, as it features a fragmented narrative and a speaker who shifts between different perspectives and voices. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various literary devices and themes that Berryman uses in Dream Song 71 and the ways in which they contribute to the overall meaning of the poem.

Context and Background

Before delving into the poem itself, it is important to understand some of the context and background surrounding the Dream Songs collection. Berryman wrote the Dream Songs in the 1960s, during a period of great personal turmoil. He was struggling with alcoholism, depression, and a failing marriage, and these issues are reflected in the Dream Songs. The collection is known for its confessional style, with many of the poems drawing on Berryman’s own experiences and emotions.

Dream Song 71 is particularly significant because it is one of the few poems in the collection that features a named character, Henry. Henry is a recurring figure in the Dream Songs, and is often interpreted as a stand-in for Berryman himself. However, the Henry in Dream Song 71 is not necessarily the same Henry as in other poems, and there is some ambiguity around his identity.

Form and Structure

Dream Song 71 is a relatively short poem, consisting of 18 lines that are divided into three stanzas. The poem is written in free verse, with no regular rhyme scheme or meter. However, there are some recurring sounds and patterns that create a sense of unity and coherence throughout the poem. For example, the repeated use of the “s” and “f” sounds in the first stanza (“Spellbound held subtle Henry all his four”) creates a sense of slowness and heaviness that mirrors Henry’s sense of being trapped or weighed down.

The poem also features a fragmented narrative structure, with the speaker shifting between different perspectives and voices. In the first stanza, the speaker describes Henry as being “spellbound” and “subtle,” but it is not clear who or what is holding him in this state. The second stanza introduces a new voice, which seems to be addressing Henry directly: “O the black phone off the wall, O satin bride”. The third stanza shifts back to the original speaker, who describes Henry’s confusion and sense of detachment: “he looked and saw nothing, & looked & died”.

Overall, the form and structure of Dream Song 71 reflect the themes of fragmentation and disorientation that are central to the poem. The lack of regularity in the verse mirrors Henry’s sense of being trapped and weighed down, while the shifting perspectives and voices create a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty.

Themes and Motifs

Dream Song 71 explores a number of themes and motifs that are central to the Dream Songs collection as a whole. One of the most prominent themes is love, or more specifically, the loss of love. The poem begins with the line “Spellbound held subtle Henry all his four,” which suggests that Henry is trapped or held captive by something. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for his feelings of love or desire, which have rendered him powerless and unable to move on.

The second stanza introduces the motif of the “black phone off the wall” and the “satin bride”. These images suggest a sense of longing or desire that is unfulfilled, as the phone is off the hook and the bride is absent. The phone could be interpreted as symbolizing communication or connection, while the bride represents the ideal of love or marriage. The fact that both of these images are absent or incomplete suggests that Henry is unable to achieve the kind of love or connection that he desires.

The third stanza introduces the theme of identity, as Henry looks and sees “nothing” and then “dies”. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for his sense of detachment or disorientation, as he is unable to find meaning or purpose in his life. The fact that he “dies” at the end of the poem could be interpreted as a metaphor for his sense of despair or hopelessness, as he is unable to find a way out of his current situation.

Literary Devices

Dream Song 71 is rich in literary devices that contribute to its overall meaning and impact. One of the most prominent devices is imagery, with Berryman using vivid and often surreal images to create a sense of disorientation and fragmentation. For example, the line “Spellbound held subtle Henry all his four” creates a sense of heaviness and entrapment, while the image of the “black phone off the wall” and the “satin bride” creates a sense of longing and unfulfilled desire.

Another important literary device is repetition, with Berryman using repeated sounds and phrases to create a sense of unity and coherence. For example, the repeated use of the “s” and “f” sounds in the first stanza creates a sense of heaviness and slowness, while the repetition of the word “looked” in the third stanza emphasizes Henry’s sense of detachment and confusion.

Finally, the poem also features a number of shifts in tone and perspective, with the speaker moving between different voices and points of view. This creates a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty, as it is not always clear who is speaking or what their relationship to Henry is.

Interpretation

Dream Song 71 is a complex and multilayered poem that can be interpreted in a number of different ways. One possible interpretation is that the poem is about the loss of love and the sense of disorientation and despair that can result from this. Henry is portrayed as being spellbound and trapped by his feelings of love or desire, and is unable to move on or find fulfillment. The motif of the “black phone off the wall” and the “satin bride” suggest that his desire is unfulfilled, while the final line “he looked and saw nothing, & looked & died” suggests that he is unable to find meaning or purpose in his life.

Another possible interpretation is that the poem is about the search for identity and the struggle to find meaning in a chaotic and fragmented world. Henry’s sense of detachment and confusion could be interpreted as a metaphor for the human condition, as we all struggle to find our place in the world and make sense of our experiences.

Regardless of the interpretation, it is clear that Dream Song 71 is a powerful and evocative poem that explores some of the most fundamental aspects of the human experience. Berryman’s use of imagery, repetition, and shifting voices creates a sense of disorientation and complexity that reflects the themes of the poem. Ultimately, Dream Song 71 is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complex and often contradictory nature of human emotions and experiences.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Dream Song 71: Spellbound held subtle Henry all his four is a masterpiece of modern poetry written by John Berryman. This poem is a part of his famous Dream Songs collection, which is known for its complex and surrealistic style. In this article, we will analyze and explain the meaning and significance of this poem.

The poem begins with the line "Spellbound held subtle Henry all his four," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "spellbound" suggests that Henry is under some kind of enchantment or magic, while the word "subtle" implies that this magic is not immediately apparent. The phrase "all his four" is a reference to Henry's four limbs, which suggests that he is completely immobilized by this spell.

The next line of the poem reads, "Love, like a lamb, his lady in its awe." This line is a bit more difficult to interpret, but it seems to suggest that Henry is in love with a woman who is the source of this spell. The comparison of love to a lamb is interesting because it suggests that love is innocent and vulnerable, much like a lamb. The phrase "in its awe" suggests that Henry is in awe of this woman and that his love for her is all-consuming.

The third line of the poem reads, "Her face, which Henry could not see, was raw." This line is particularly intriguing because it suggests that Henry is unable to see the face of the woman he loves. The word "raw" suggests that her face is exposed or vulnerable in some way, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for her emotional state. Perhaps she is hiding something from Henry, or perhaps she is simply too vulnerable to reveal herself fully.

The next line of the poem reads, "Long he had puzzled on it, but no more." This line suggests that Henry has been trying to understand the woman's spell for a long time, but he has given up. He is now resigned to his fate and is no longer trying to break free from the enchantment.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "His heart had bled from him in buckets, he is sure." This line is particularly powerful because it suggests that Henry has been deeply hurt by this woman. The phrase "bled from him in buckets" suggests that he has been emotionally drained by his love for her. He has given everything he has to this woman, and it has left him feeling empty and drained.

The next line of the poem reads, "Spellbound, ah, and can you blame him, who can cure." This line suggests that Henry is still under the woman's spell, and that he is unable to break free from it. The phrase "who can cure" suggests that there is no one who can help him, and that he is completely alone in his suffering.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "Remembering, Henry sighs, and then secure." This line suggests that Henry is remembering something from his past, and that it is bringing him some comfort. The word "secure" suggests that he is feeling safe and protected, perhaps because of this memory.

The final line of the poem reads, "No more, no more, no more, no more, no more." This line is repeated five times, which gives it a sense of finality and closure. It suggests that Henry is finally letting go of his love for this woman, and that he is ready to move on.

Overall, Poetry Dream Song 71: Spellbound held subtle Henry all his four is a powerful and complex poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and enchantment. The use of surrealistic imagery and repetition creates a dreamlike atmosphere that draws the reader in and leaves them with a sense of wonder and awe. John Berryman's masterful use of language and symbolism makes this poem a true masterpiece of modern poetry.

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