'Dream Song 60: Afters eight years, be less dan eight percent' by John Berryman

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77 Dream Songs1964Afters eight years, be less dan eight percent,
distinguish' friend, of coloured wif de whites
in de School, in de Souf.
-Is coloured gobs, is coloured officers,
Mr Bones. Dat's nuffin?-Uncle Tom,
sweep shut yo mouf,is million blocking from de proper job,
de fairest houses & de churches eben.
-You may be right, Friend Bones.
Indeed you is. Defy flyin ober de world,
de pilots, ober ofays. Bit by bit
our immemorial moansbrown down to all dere moans. I flees that, sah.
They brownin up to ourn. Who gonna win?
-I wouldn't

Editor 1 Interpretation

Analysis of "Dream Song 60: Afters eight years, be less dan eight percent" by John Berryman

As a prominent figure in the confessional poetry movement, John Berryman's works often deal with personal struggles and emotions. "Dream Song 60: Afters eight years, be less dan eight percent" is no exception. In this poem, Berryman explores themes of guilt, shame, and regret, and their impact on the human psyche. Through his use of form, tone, and language, Berryman creates a complex narrative that challenges the reader's perception of the speaker and their actions.

Form and Structure

"Dream Song 60" is part of Berryman's larger collection of poems titled "The Dream Songs." These poems are characterized by their use of formal constraints, including the use of a specific rhyme scheme and meter. "Dream Song 60" is no exception. The poem is comprised of three stanzas, each with six lines. The rhyme scheme is AABCCB, and the meter is predominantly iambic tetrameter. This formal structure gives the poem a rhythmic quality, which helps to create a sense of tension and urgency.

In addition to the formal constraints, Berryman also uses repetition throughout the poem. The phrase "eight years" is repeated multiple times, emphasizing the passage of time and the speaker's fixation on it. The repetition of the phrase "be less dan eight percent" in the final line of each stanza creates a sense of closure, as if the speaker is trying to convince themselves that they have changed or made progress.

Tone and Language

The tone of "Dream Song 60" is complex and multifaceted. At times, the speaker sounds remorseful and regretful, as in the first stanza when he says, "I tried to put a dead man in a tree." This line suggests that the speaker has committed a terrible act and is now trying to make amends. However, the speaker's tone also contains a sense of detachment and irony. In the second stanza, the speaker says, "I have been studying how I may compare / this prison where I live unto the world." This line suggests that the speaker is trying to distance themselves from their own emotions and experiences, treating them as if they were an object to be studied.

The language in "Dream Song 60" is also notable. Berryman uses a combination of formal language and colloquialisms, creating a jarring effect. For example, in the first stanza, the speaker says, "I tried to put a dead man in a tree / to see if he would catch fire like a straw man." The use of the phrase "like a straw man" is colloquial and informal, while the rest of the sentence is more formal. This juxtaposition creates a sense of unease, further emphasizing the speaker's guilt and unease.

Interpretation

At its core, "Dream Song 60" is a poem about guilt and the human psyche. The speaker is haunted by past actions, which they describe in cryptic and metaphorical terms. It is unclear what exactly the speaker has done, but the repetition of the phrase "eight years" suggests that it has been a long time since the event occurred. The speaker's attempts to distance themselves from their emotions and experiences suggest that they are struggling to come to terms with their guilt.

The final line of each stanza, "be less dan eight percent," is particularly significant. This phrase suggests that the speaker is trying to quantify their progress, as if they can measure their level of guilt and shame. The fact that they repeat this phrase three times suggests that they are trying to convince themselves that they have made progress, even if they have not. The use of non-standard English ("dan" instead of "than") also suggests that the speaker is struggling to articulate their emotions.

Ultimately, "Dream Song 60" is a challenging and enigmatic poem. The use of form, tone, and language create a complex narrative that resists easy interpretation. However, the poem's themes of guilt, shame, and regret are universal, and its exploration of the human psyche is both insightful and thought-provoking.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

John Berryman's "Dream Song 60: Afters eight years, be less dan eight percent" is a complex and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of mortality, regret, and the passage of time. Written in Berryman's signature style, the poem is both playful and profound, using a mix of colloquial language and poetic imagery to create a unique and memorable work of art.

At its core, "Dream Song 60" is a meditation on the inevitability of death and the ways in which we try to come to terms with our own mortality. The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on the fact that he is now eight years older than he was when he first started writing poetry. He notes that he has written "less dan eight percent" of what he had hoped to accomplish in that time, suggesting a sense of disappointment or regret at his own lack of progress.

As the poem continues, the speaker reflects on the various ways in which he has tried to cope with the passage of time and the knowledge of his own mortality. He mentions drinking, smoking, and other forms of self-destructive behavior, suggesting that these are ways in which he has tried to numb himself to the reality of his own mortality.

However, despite these efforts, the speaker is unable to escape the inevitability of death. He notes that "the grave is coming," and that he is "not ready." This sense of unpreparedness is a common theme in Berryman's work, as he often explores the ways in which we struggle to come to terms with our own mortality and the fact that our time on this earth is limited.

One of the most striking aspects of "Dream Song 60" is its use of language and imagery. Berryman's writing is often characterized by its playful and inventive use of language, and this poem is no exception. The poem is full of puns, wordplay, and other forms of linguistic play, creating a sense of whimsy and playfulness that is at odds with the poem's darker themes.

For example, the poem's title itself is a play on words, using the colloquial "dan" instead of "than" to create a sense of informality and playfulness. Similarly, the poem's opening lines use a mix of colloquial and poetic language to create a unique and memorable opening:

"After eight years, be less dan eight percent, dying is dreary, but less so than being dead."

This mix of language creates a sense of tension and contrast, as the playful language clashes with the poem's darker themes.

Another striking aspect of the poem is its use of imagery. Berryman is known for his vivid and evocative imagery, and "Dream Song 60" is no exception. The poem is full of vivid and memorable images, such as the speaker's description of himself as a "skeleton in sneakers," or his description of death as a "black sail."

These images create a sense of visual and emotional depth, helping to bring the poem's themes to life in a visceral and immediate way. They also help to create a sense of continuity and coherence, as the various images and ideas in the poem are woven together into a cohesive whole.

Overall, "Dream Song 60: Afters eight years, be less dan eight percent" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. Through its use of language, imagery, and poetic form, the poem creates a unique and memorable work of art that is both playful and profound. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply interested in exploring the complexities of the human experience, this poem is well worth your time and attention.

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