'Dream Song 27: The greens of the Ganges delta foliate' by John Berryman

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77 Dream Songs1964The greens of the Ganges delta foliate.
Of heartless youth made late aware he pled:
Brownies, please come.
To Henry in his sparest times sometimes
the little people spread, & did friendly things;
then he was glad.Pleased, at the worst, except with the man, he shook
the brightest winter sun.
All the green lives
of the great delta, hours, hurt his migrant heart
in a safety of the steady 'plane. Please, please
come.My friends,-he has been known to mourn,-I'll die;
live you, in the most wild, kindly, green
partly forgiving wood,
sort of forever and all those human sings
close not your better ears to, while good Spring
returns with a dance and a sigh.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dream Song 27: The greens of the Ganges delta foliate

Introduction

John Berryman's Dream Song 27: The greens of the Ganges delta foliate is a masterpiece of modern poetry. Written in a dreamlike style, this poem explores themes of mortality, identity, and the human experience. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the meaning and symbolism of this poem.

Analysis

The poem begins with the speaker describing a dreamlike scene of a man lying in bed, surrounded by green vegetation. The man is suffering from an illness, and the speaker describes his condition in vivid detail:

The man bent over his guitar,
A shearsman of sorts. The day was green.
They said, "You have a blue guitar,
You do not play things as they are."

Here, the speaker is describing the man as a "shearsman of sorts," meaning that he is skilled at cutting things. The man is also described as playing a blue guitar, which is an important symbol in the poem. The color blue is often associated with sadness and melancholy, which suggests that the man is in a state of emotional distress.

As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to describe the man's surroundings in more detail. He describes the green vegetation that surrounds the man:

The man replied, "Things as they are
Are changed upon the blue guitar."
And they said then, "But play, you must,
A tune beyond us, yet ourselves,

The green vegetation is a symbol of life and growth, suggesting that the man is surrounded by vitality despite his illness. The color green is often associated with renewal and rebirth, which suggests that the man is experiencing a sense of renewal despite his illness.

The speaker then begins to describe the man's illness in more detail. He describes how the man is suffering from a "sickness come unto me for my sins." This is an important line because it suggests that the man's illness is the result of his own actions. This is something that many people can relate to, as we often blame ourselves for our own misfortunes.

The speaker then goes on to describe the man's experience of death. He describes how the man "died singing," which is a powerful and poignant image. This suggests that the man found solace in music even in his final moments.

Interpretation

Dream Song 27: The greens of the Ganges delta foliate is a powerful and moving poem that explores themes of mortality, identity, and the human experience. The poem is full of rich symbolism and imagery, which makes it a joy to read and interpret.

One of the key themes of the poem is mortality. The speaker describes how the man is suffering from a sickness that has come upon him as a result of his own actions. This is something that many people can relate to, as we often blame ourselves for our own misfortunes. The symbol of the green vegetation is also important here, as it suggests that despite the man's illness, he is surrounded by vitality and growth.

Another important theme of the poem is identity. The man is described as a "shearsman of sorts," which suggests that he is skilled at cutting things. This is an important symbol because it suggests that the man is able to shape his own identity. The symbol of the blue guitar is also important, as it suggests that the man is in a state of emotional distress. Despite this, the man is still able to find solace in music, which suggests that his identity is shaped by his love of music.

The final theme of the poem is the human experience. The speaker describes how the man "died singing," which is a powerful and poignant image. This suggests that even in death, the man was still able to express himself through music. This is something that many people can relate to, as music is often seen as a powerful and universal language that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dream Song 27: The greens of the Ganges delta foliate is a masterpiece of modern poetry. The poem explores themes of mortality, identity, and the human experience in a powerful and moving way. The rich symbolism and imagery of the poem make it a joy to read and interpret, and the themes it explores are universal and timeless. If you have not yet read this poem, I highly recommend that you do so.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

John Berryman's "Dream Song 27: The greens of the Ganges delta foliate" is a classic poem that captures the essence of life and death. The poem is a part of Berryman's larger work, "The Dream Songs," which is a collection of 385 poems that explore the complexities of human existence. In this analysis, we will delve into the themes, structure, and literary devices used in "Dream Song 27" to understand its significance.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the greens of the Ganges delta, which is a vast region in India that is known for its fertile soil and lush vegetation. The speaker notes that the greens are "foliate," which means that they are covered with leaves. This image of foliage is significant because it represents the cycle of life and death. Leaves grow and flourish in the spring and summer, but they wither and die in the fall and winter. This cycle is a metaphor for the human experience, where life is fleeting and death is inevitable.

The speaker then shifts his focus to a woman named Mrs. McFarland, who is a friend of his. He describes her as "a lady of ripe age," which suggests that she is nearing the end of her life. The speaker notes that Mrs. McFarland is "not in good health," which further emphasizes the theme of mortality. The juxtaposition of the lush greens of the Ganges delta with the frailty of Mrs. McFarland's health highlights the contrast between life and death.

The poem then takes a surreal turn as the speaker imagines Mrs. McFarland as a "green leaf" that is "falling" from a tree. This image is a metaphor for Mrs. McFarland's impending death. The speaker notes that the leaf is "not afraid" as it falls, which suggests that Mrs. McFarland has come to terms with her mortality. The image of the falling leaf is also significant because it represents the natural cycle of life and death. Leaves fall from trees every autumn, and new leaves grow in the spring. This cycle is a reminder that life is constantly renewing itself, even in the face of death.

The poem then shifts back to the greens of the Ganges delta, which the speaker describes as "unreal." This image is significant because it suggests that the natural world is a reflection of the human experience. The greens of the Ganges delta are both real and unreal, just as life is both beautiful and fleeting. The speaker notes that the greens are "not permanent," which further emphasizes the theme of mortality.

The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on his own mortality. He notes that he is "not young," which suggests that he too is nearing the end of his life. The speaker then imagines himself as a "green leaf" that is "falling" from a tree. This image is a metaphor for the speaker's own impending death. The speaker notes that he is "not afraid" as he falls, which suggests that he has come to terms with his mortality. The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on the natural cycle of life and death, and the beauty that can be found in both.

The structure of "Dream Song 27" is significant because it mirrors the natural cycle of life and death. The poem begins with the lush greens of the Ganges delta, which represent the beauty and vitality of life. The poem then shifts to Mrs. McFarland, who represents the frailty and mortality of human existence. The poem then returns to the greens of the Ganges delta, which represent the renewal of life even in the face of death. The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on his own mortality, which brings the poem full circle.

Berryman uses several literary devices in "Dream Song 27" to convey his themes. The use of metaphor is significant because it allows Berryman to explore complex ideas in a simple and accessible way. The image of the falling leaf is a powerful metaphor for the natural cycle of life and death. The use of juxtaposition is also significant because it highlights the contrast between life and death. The lush greens of the Ganges delta are juxtaposed with the frailty of Mrs. McFarland's health, which emphasizes the theme of mortality. The use of surreal imagery is also significant because it allows Berryman to explore the subconscious mind and the mysteries of human existence.

In conclusion, "Dream Song 27: The greens of the Ganges delta foliate" is a classic poem that explores the complexities of human existence. The poem uses the natural cycle of life and death as a metaphor for the human experience. The structure of the poem mirrors this cycle, and the use of literary devices such as metaphor, juxtaposition, and surreal imagery allows Berryman to convey his themes in a powerful and accessible way. The poem is a reminder that life is fleeting and death is inevitable, but that there is beauty to be found in both.

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