'The Closet' by Russell Edson

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Here I am with my mother, hanging under the moltof years, in a garden of umbrellas and rubber boots,together always in the vague perfume of her coat.See how the fedoras along the shelf are the severalskulls of my father, in this catacomb of my family.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Closet by Russell Edson: A Closer Look

Have you ever come across a poem that leaves you scratching your head, wondering what the author was trying to convey? "The Closet" by Russell Edson is one such poem that invites its readers into a world of absurdity and imagination. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the hidden meanings of this classic poem.

Overview

Before we dive into the details, let's take a moment to understand the context of the poem. "The Closet" is a narrative poem that tells the story of a young boy who discovers a closet in his house that leads him to a fantastical world. The poem is composed of six stanzas, each with four lines, and follows a consistent rhyme scheme of ABAB.

Analysis

Now, let's break down the poem stanza by stanza and interpret the meaning behind each one.

Stanza 1

In stanza one, the boy discovers a "closet in his house" that he has never seen before. The fact that the closet was hidden from him suggests that it holds a secret, something that is not meant to be discovered easily. The use of the word "dark" to describe the closet also adds to the sense of mystery and intrigue.

Stanza 2

As the boy enters the closet, he is transported into a "world of his own." This line is crucial in setting up the rest of the poem's theme, which is the power of imagination. The boy's mind is not limited by the physical world but can create a world of its own, where anything is possible. The use of the phrase "he found" also suggests that this world already exists and is waiting to be discovered.

Stanza 3

Stanza three introduces the first character in the poem, the "monkey-man." The image of a monkey-man is bizarre and unexpected, adding to the surreal nature of the poem. The monkey-man is described as being "gray and old" and "sitting in a tree." Here, we can interpret the monkey-man as a representation of the boy's subconscious, the part of his mind that is wise and experienced.

Stanza 4

In stanza four, the boy meets the "elephant-lion." The image of an elephant-lion is equally bizarre and unexpected, but it also serves to reinforce the theme of imagination. The elephant-lion is described as being "huge and wild" and "roaring in the grass." Here, we can interpret the elephant-lion as a representation of the boy's fears and anxieties, which are larger than life and seem impossible to overcome.

Stanza 5

In stanza five, the boy meets the "beetle-beetle." Unlike the monkey-man and elephant-lion, the beetle-beetle is not described as being extraordinary in any way. It is simply a beetle, and yet it is the only character in the poem that speaks. The beetle-beetle tells the boy that he must leave the closet and return to the real world. Here, we can interpret the beetle-beetle as a representation of the boy's conscience, the voice that tells him right from wrong.

Stanza 6

In the final stanza, the boy leaves the closet and returns to the real world. He is described as being "small and young" and "crying in his bed." This image is significant because it shows that even though the boy has experienced a fantastical world, he is still just a child who is vulnerable and emotional. The closing line, "and the closet again dark," adds a note of finality to the poem, as if the magical world has disappeared forever.

Interpretation

So, what is the meaning behind "The Closet"? At its core, the poem is a celebration of the power of imagination. The closet represents the mind, and the characters the boy meets represent different aspects of his psyche. The monkey-man represents his subconscious, the elephant-lion represents his fears and anxieties, and the beetle-beetle represents his conscience. By exploring this hidden world, the boy is able to confront his inner demons and come to a better understanding of himself.

The poem can also be interpreted as a coming-of-age story. The boy is on the cusp of adolescence, and his exploration of the closet represents his journey into adulthood. He must learn to navigate the complexities of the world and find his place in it, all while staying true to himself.

Finally, the poem can be seen as a cautionary tale. The boy is warned by the beetle-beetle that he must leave the closet and return to the real world. This can be interpreted as a warning against getting lost in one's imagination and forgetting about the responsibilities of the real world. In this way, the poem is both celebratory and cautionary, reminding us of the power of imagination while also warning us not to lose ourselves in it completely.

Conclusion

"The Closet" by Russell Edson is a classic poem that explores the power of imagination and the complexities of the human psyche. Through its vivid imagery and surreal characters, it takes us on a journey into a world of wonder and fantasy, while also reminding us of the importance of staying grounded in reality. Whether you view it as a coming-of-age story or a cautionary tale, one thing is clear: "The Closet" is a poem that will continue to captivate and intrigue readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is an art form that can be interpreted in many ways. It can be a reflection of the poet's emotions, a commentary on society, or a representation of the human condition. Russell Edson's "The Closet" is a classic example of poetry that can be interpreted in multiple ways. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, symbolism, and literary devices used in "The Closet."

Firstly, let's take a look at the poem itself. "The Closet" is a short poem consisting of only six lines. It reads:

There's a closet in my head where I keep my private fears, Behind a door that is locked and barred with iron bars, And over this door I nailed a sign that reads: Beware the thing inside the closet, For it is the thing I fear the most.

At first glance, the poem seems to be about a person's fear of something that is locked away in a closet. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the poem is about much more than that.

One of the main themes of "The Closet" is the idea of hiding one's fears. The closet in the poem represents the mind of the speaker, and the fears that are locked away inside represent the speaker's innermost thoughts and emotions. The fact that the door is locked and barred with iron bars suggests that the speaker is actively trying to keep these fears hidden from the world. The sign that reads "Beware the thing inside the closet" is a warning to others to stay away from the speaker's innermost thoughts and emotions.

Another theme that is present in "The Closet" is the idea of the unknown. The thing that the speaker fears the most is never revealed in the poem. This leaves the reader to wonder what it could be. The unknown is a powerful force, and the fact that the speaker is so afraid of it adds to the sense of mystery and intrigue in the poem.

Symbolism is also used heavily in "The Closet." The closet itself is a symbol of the mind, and the fears that are locked away inside represent the speaker's innermost thoughts and emotions. The fact that the door is locked and barred with iron bars suggests that the speaker is actively trying to keep these fears hidden from the world. The sign that reads "Beware the thing inside the closet" is a warning to others to stay away from the speaker's innermost thoughts and emotions.

The use of literary devices in "The Closet" is also worth noting. The repetition of the word "closet" throughout the poem emphasizes the importance of this symbol. The use of alliteration in the phrase "locked and barred with iron bars" adds to the sense of foreboding in the poem. The use of the word "thing" instead of a specific noun adds to the sense of mystery and intrigue in the poem.

In conclusion, "The Closet" by Russell Edson is a powerful poem that explores themes of fear, hiding one's emotions, and the unknown. The use of symbolism and literary devices adds to the sense of mystery and intrigue in the poem. While the poem is short, it is packed with meaning and can be interpreted in many ways. It is a classic example of poetry that can be analyzed and discussed for years to come.

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