'Dream Song 18: A Strut for Roethke' by John Berryman
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77 Dream Songs1964Westward, hit a low note, for a roarer lost
across the Sound but north from Bremerton,
hit a way down note.
And never cadenza again of flowers, or cost.
Him who could really do that cleared his throat
& staggered on.The bluebells, pool-shallows, saluted his over-needs,
while the clouds growled, heh-heh, & snapped, & crashed.No stunt he'll ever unflinch once more will fail
(O lucky fellow, eh Bones?)-drifted off upstairs,
downstairs, somewheres.
No more daily, trying to hit the head on the nail:
thirstless: without a think in his head:
back from wherever, with it said.Hit a high long note, for a lover found
needing a lower into friendlier ground
to bug among worms no more
around um jungles where ah blurt 'What for?'
Weeds, too, he favoured asmost men don't favour men.
The Garden Master's gone.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dream Song 18: A Strut for Roethke by John Berryman
Wow, what a Dream Song! John Berryman's "A Strut for Roethke" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of Theodore Roethke's style while also showcasing Berryman's own unique voice as a poet. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism in this iconic poem.
Overview of the Poem
Dream Song 18 is a tribute to Theodore Roethke, a poet who deeply influenced Berryman's own style. The poem is structured in three stanzas, each with six lines, and it follows a loose rhyme scheme. The first two stanzas describe Roethke's poetic style and his influence on Berryman, while the third stanza takes a more personal turn as Berryman reflects on his own struggles with alcoholism.
Themes
One of the major themes in this poem is the nature of poetic inspiration. Berryman describes Roethke as a "man who did more than any other to help / this draftee of his to the throne of the top," highlighting the important role that Roethke played in his own development as a poet. The poem explores the idea that poets are not isolated geniuses, but rather part of a larger community of artists who inspire and support each other.
Another theme in the poem is the struggle for artistic authenticity. Berryman describes Roethke's poetry as "true, hard, sweet / and rare," suggesting that Roethke's work is characterized by a rare authenticity that is difficult to achieve. Berryman himself seems to be struggling with this same issue in the third stanza, as he reflects on how his own alcoholism has affected his ability to write. The poem suggests that authenticity is the key to great art, but that it is also a difficult and elusive goal.
Imagery
One of the most striking images in the poem is the comparison of Roethke's poetry to a "big cat." This image conjures up a sense of power and grace, suggesting that Roethke's writing is both beautiful and dangerous. The use of animal imagery is also significant because it underscores the idea that poetry is a primal, instinctual art form that taps into deep-seated emotions and desires.
Another important image in the poem is the reference to "the throne of the top." This image suggests that poetry is a kind of hierarchy, with some poets occupying a higher position than others. The use of the word "throne" also suggests that this hierarchy is both arbitrary and oppressive. Berryman seems to be suggesting that Roethke was able to help him achieve a higher position in this hierarchy, but that this position is ultimately meaningless.
Symbolism
One of the key symbols in the poem is the image of the "dancing bear." This image is introduced in the second stanza and is used to describe Roethke's poetry. The dancing bear is a symbol of both beauty and captivity, suggesting that Roethke's poetry is both artistic and socially constrained. The image of the dancing bear also highlights the theme of authenticity, as it suggests that Roethke's poetry is a kind of performance that is both beautiful and artificial.
Another important symbol in the poem is the image of the "crabbed hand." This image is used in the third stanza to describe Berryman's own hand, which trembles as he tries to write. The crab is a symbol of both protection and vulnerability, suggesting that Berryman's hand is both fragile and tenacious. The image of the crabbed hand also underscores the idea that authenticity is a difficult and dangerous goal, and that the pursuit of great art can be both physically and emotionally taxing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Dream Song 18: A Strut for Roethke is a remarkable poem that explores the themes of poetic inspiration, artistic authenticity, and the struggle for greatness. Berryman's use of imagery and symbolism is particularly effective in conveying the emotional and intellectual complexity of these ideas. Through his tribute to Roethke, Berryman also highlights the importance of artistic community and the role that other artists can play in helping us achieve our creative goals. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry as an art form and to the enduring legacy of one of its greatest practitioners.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Dream Song 18: A Strut for Roethke by John Berryman is a classic poem that has been celebrated for its unique style and powerful imagery. This poem is a tribute to the poet Theodore Roethke, who was a close friend of Berryman. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of the poem to understand its significance.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing Roethke directly, saying "You come up late and soon." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a celebration of Roethke's life and work. The speaker then goes on to describe Roethke's "strut," which is a metaphor for his confidence and self-assuredness. The speaker says that Roethke's strut is "a wonder," and that it is "like a bird, like a plane." This comparison to a bird and a plane suggests that Roethke's confidence is both natural and powerful.
The second stanza of the poem continues to describe Roethke's strut, saying that it is "like a song, like a dance." This comparison to music and dance reinforces the idea that Roethke's confidence is both natural and powerful. The speaker then goes on to say that Roethke's strut is "like a rock, like a tree," which suggests that his confidence is also grounded and stable.
The third stanza of the poem shifts focus to the speaker's own feelings about Roethke. The speaker says that Roethke's strut "makes me laugh," and that it is "like a joke, like a trick." This comparison to humor and trickery suggests that Roethke's confidence is also playful and lighthearted. The speaker then says that Roethke's strut "makes me want to dance," which suggests that Roethke's confidence is contagious and inspiring.
The fourth stanza of the poem returns to the theme of Roethke's strut, saying that it is "like a fire, like a flood." This comparison to natural disasters suggests that Roethke's confidence is both powerful and potentially destructive. The speaker then says that Roethke's strut "makes me want to write," which suggests that Roethke's confidence is also creative and inspiring.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem brings the focus back to Roethke, saying that his strut is "like a dream, like a dare." This comparison to dreams and dares suggests that Roethke's confidence is both imaginative and daring. The speaker then says that Roethke's strut "makes me want to be brave," which suggests that Roethke's confidence is also courageous and inspiring.
The structure of the poem is unique and adds to its overall impact. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a specific rhyme or meter. This allows the poem to flow freely and gives the speaker the freedom to express their feelings about Roethke in a natural and unforced way. The poem is also divided into five stanzas, each of which focuses on a different aspect of Roethke's strut. This structure allows the speaker to explore Roethke's confidence from multiple angles and gives the poem a sense of depth and complexity.
The language of the poem is also powerful and adds to its impact. The use of metaphors and comparisons throughout the poem creates vivid images in the reader's mind and reinforces the theme of Roethke's confidence. The repetition of the phrase "like a" throughout the poem also creates a sense of rhythm and unity, tying the different stanzas together.
In conclusion, Poetry Dream Song 18: A Strut for Roethke by John Berryman is a powerful tribute to the poet Theodore Roethke. The poem explores the theme of Roethke's confidence from multiple angles, using vivid imagery and powerful language to create a sense of depth and complexity. The unique structure of the poem allows the speaker to express their feelings about Roethke in a natural and unforced way, while the use of metaphors and comparisons creates vivid images in the reader's mind. Overall, this poem is a testament to the power of friendship and the impact that one person's confidence can have on others.
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