'The Curse' by John Berryman

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Cedars and the westward sun.
The darkening sky. A man alone
Watches beside the fallen wall
The evening multitudes of sin
Crowd in upon us all.
For when the light fails they begin
Nocturnal sabotage among
The outcast and the loose of tongue,
The lax in walk, the murderers:
Our twilight universal curse.Children are faultless in the wood,
Untouched. If they are later made
Scandal and index to their time,
It is that twilight brings for bread
The faculty of crime.
Only the idiot and the dead
Stand by, while who were young before
Wage insolent and guilty war
By night within that ancient house,
Immense, black, damned, anonymous.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Curse by John Berryman: A Poetic Elegy

Have you ever read a poem that haunts you for days after you've finished it? A poem that asks more questions than it answers, and leaves you feeling unsettled? That's how I felt after reading "The Curse" by John Berryman.

At first glance, the poem seems simple enough. It's a eulogy for a man named William Holden, who has just passed away. But as you delve deeper, you realize that there's much more at play here than just a mourning for a friend.

The Structure of The Curse

Let's start with the structure. The poem is divided into three parts, each with a different tone and focus.

The first part is an introduction to William Holden. We learn that he was a kind and generous man, beloved by all who knew him. Berryman uses simple, direct language to describe Holden's life and character.

But then, in the second part, the tone shifts. Berryman begins to ask questions about Holden's death. He wonders if there was some hidden cause, some underlying issue that led to his friend's demise. And he seems to be searching for answers that he knows he'll never find.

Finally, in the third part, the poem takes a darker turn. Berryman begins to ask even more pointed questions, questioning the very nature of life and death. He wonders if Holden's death was just a random event, or if it was somehow fated to happen. And he seems to be grappling with the idea that death may be an inescapable part of the human experience.

The structure of the poem, then, mirrors the emotional journey that Berryman is taking us on. We start with a simple eulogy, move to a questioning of death, and end up with a larger philosophical inquiry into the nature of life itself.

The Curse in Detail

Now let's dive into the poem itself, line by line.

The opening lines of the poem set the stage for what's to come. Berryman describes Holden as "kind and generous," and notes that he was "loved by all." But then he drops a bombshell - Holden is dead. And suddenly, we're left wondering why.

William Holden is dead, and men approve In this, his latest venture, to explore A country of new life, new hope, new work, And renew friendships, some of twenty years.

The next few stanzas are focused on Holden's life and character. Berryman describes him as a man who "never lost his temper," and who was "generous to a fault." He notes that Holden was a successful businessman, but that his true passion was for his family and friends.

But then, in the sixth stanza, the tone shifts. Berryman begins to ask questions about Holden's death, and wonders if there was some hidden cause that led to it:

Who knows if he, who met so many friends, Whose every act was a kind of praise, Whether in streets of light or avenues of gloom, Was not himself the victim of a hidden knife?

These lines are particularly powerful because they tap into a universal fear - the fear that there may be something lurking just beneath the surface, something we can't see or control, that could take us down at any moment.

As the poem progresses, Berryman's questions become more pointed. He wonders if Holden's death was just a random event, or if it was somehow fated to happen:

Did he not see his own body a little bent, With eyes that looked into the fog of the future And the lost heart of his father's death?

And finally, in the last stanza, Berryman seems to be grappling with the idea that death may be an inescapable part of the human experience:

And was he not in life what he's become, A lover of the earth and sky, and all The doings of the day, and all the mysteries That the night brings forth, and all things bright and dark?

The repetition of "all" in the final line is particularly haunting, as if to suggest that there is no escaping the mysteries of life and death.

Conclusion

So what does it all mean? What is Berryman trying to say with "The Curse"?

I believe that the poem is ultimately a meditation on the human experience - on the joy and pain of living, and on the inevitability of death. Berryman is asking the big questions here - questions that have haunted humanity for centuries. And while he may not provide any concrete answers, he does offer us a glimpse into the complexity of the human experience.

But what struck me most about the poem was the way that Berryman used language to convey his message. His descriptions of Holden are simple and direct, but they pack an emotional punch. And his questions about death are both universal and deeply personal.

In the end, "The Curse" is a beautiful and haunting elegy that will leave you thinking long after you've finished reading it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Curse by John Berryman is a classic poem that has been studied and analyzed by literary scholars for decades. This poem is a perfect example of Berryman's unique style of writing, which is characterized by its use of vivid imagery, complex metaphors, and a deep understanding of human emotions.

At its core, The Curse is a poem about the destructive power of anger and how it can consume a person's life. The poem begins with the speaker describing a curse that has been placed upon him. He is unable to escape the curse, and it has taken over his life completely. The curse is described as a "black cloud" that follows him wherever he goes, and it is so powerful that it has even affected his physical health.

The speaker then goes on to describe the source of the curse. He explains that it was caused by his own anger and the way that he has treated others. He has hurt people with his words and actions, and now he is paying the price for his behavior. The curse is a manifestation of his own guilt and shame, and it is a constant reminder of the harm that he has caused.

Throughout the poem, Berryman uses powerful metaphors to describe the curse and its effects. For example, he compares the curse to a "poisoned well" that has contaminated everything in the speaker's life. This metaphor is particularly effective because it conveys the idea that the curse is not just affecting the speaker, but it is also affecting those around him.

Another powerful metaphor that Berryman uses is the comparison of the curse to a "cancerous growth." This metaphor is effective because it conveys the idea that the curse is not something that can be easily removed. It has become a part of the speaker's life, and it is slowly consuming him from the inside out.

One of the most interesting aspects of The Curse is the way that Berryman uses language to convey the speaker's emotions. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, but it is also characterized by its use of repetition and fragmented sentences. This style of writing is meant to convey the speaker's sense of confusion and desperation.

For example, in the second stanza of the poem, the speaker repeats the phrase "I am cursed" three times. This repetition is meant to convey the idea that the curse is constantly on the speaker's mind and that he is unable to escape its effects.

Similarly, in the third stanza, the speaker uses fragmented sentences to convey his sense of desperation. He says, "I cannot sleep. I cannot eat. I cannot pray." This use of fragmented sentences is meant to convey the idea that the speaker is so consumed by the curse that he is unable to function normally.

Overall, The Curse is a powerful poem that explores the destructive power of anger and guilt. Berryman's use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and fragmented sentences all work together to create a sense of desperation and confusion that is palpable throughout the poem. This is a poem that is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever struggled with their own emotions and the harm that they can cause.

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