'Elephant Dormitory' by Russell Edson
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PloughsharesSummer/Fall 1982An elephant went to bed and pulled a crazy quilt up under
its tusks.But just as the great gray head began filling with the gray
wrinkles of sleep it was awakened by the thud of its tail
falling out of bed.Would you get my tail? said the elephant to another
elephant also tucked up under a crazy quilt.I was just in the gray wrinkles of my sleep, sighed the other
elephant.But I can't sleep without my tail, said the first elephant, I
like it stuck just above my anus; I feel more secure that way,
that it holds my anus from drifting out to heaven.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Enigmatic World of Russell Edson's "Elephant Dormitory"
There are certain poets who defy traditional categorization, and Russell Edson is certainly one of them. His work is marked by a surreal and absurd sensibility, but it is also infused with a deep humanity and pathos that makes it resonate on a profound level. "Elephant Dormitory," one of Edson's most celebrated poems, is a prime example of his unique style and vision.
At first glance, "Elephant Dormitory" seems like a whimsical and playful piece. It describes a group of elephants who live in a dormitory and have a variety of eccentric habits and rituals. For example, they like to stand on their heads, and they take great pleasure in smashing fruit with their trunks. But as one reads deeper into the poem, it becomes clear that there is much more going on beneath the surface.
One of the key themes in "Elephant Dormitory" is the idea of isolation and loneliness. The elephants are described as living in a "cold and sterile room," and they are said to be "unhappy with their long, lonely lives." This sense of alienation is accentuated by the fact that the elephants are unable to communicate with each other in any meaningful way. They are trapped within their own individual worlds, unable to break out and connect with others.
This theme of alienation is further emphasized by the surreal imagery that Edson employs. For example, he describes the elephants as having "eyes like small poached eggs," and he talks about their "tongues like furled flags." These strange and unsettling descriptions serve to underscore the sense of disconnection that pervades the poem.
Another important theme in "Elephant Dormitory" is the idea of conformity and the pressure to fit in. The elephants are all expected to follow certain rules and routines, such as standing on their heads and smashing fruit. Those who deviate from the norm are ostracized and punished. This pressure to conform is reflected in the poem's repeated use of the phrase "as is the custom." This phrase is used to justify all sorts of odd behaviors, suggesting that the elephants are following these rituals simply because they are expected to, rather than because they derive any real pleasure or meaning from them.
Despite the bleakness of some of these themes, "Elephant Dormitory" is far from a depressing or hopeless poem. There is a sense of wonder and magic that permeates the piece, as well as a deep sense of humanity and compassion. The elephants may be trapped and isolated, but Edson makes it clear that they are still capable of moments of beauty and joy. For example, he describes the elephants as "singing to themselves," and he talks about the way they "dance in the moonlight." These moments of beauty offer a glimmer of hope and suggest that even in the most difficult and challenging of circumstances, there is still room for wonder and grace.
One of the most intriguing aspects of "Elephant Dormitory" is the way that it blurs the line between reality and fantasy. The poem is filled with surreal and absurd imagery, such as the elephants standing on their heads and their tongues like furled flags. But at the same time, there is a sense of realism that underlies the piece. The elephants may be fantastical creatures, but they are also imbued with a sense of emotional truth that makes them feel real and tangible.
This blurring of reality and fantasy is perhaps best exemplified by the poem's closing lines:
And after ten thousand years in one room Some elephant turned And said, Oh, this is useless, I'm going outside to die.
These lines are simultaneously absurd and deeply poignant. They suggest that even in the most fantastical of situations, there is still a fundamental truth that transcends the boundaries of fiction and reality. The fact that the poem ends on this note of existential despair only emphasizes the sense of emotional resonance that Edson is able to achieve.
In conclusion, "Elephant Dormitory" is a complex and enigmatic work that defies easy categorization. It is a poem that is both playful and profound, surreal and emotionally resonant. Through its depiction of a group of isolated and alienated elephants, it explores themes of loneliness, conformity, and the struggle to find meaning and purpose in life. And yet, despite the bleakness of some of these themes, the poem is ultimately a celebration of the beauty and wonder of the world, even in the face of overwhelming despair. Russell Edson may be an enigmatic and unconventional poet, but "Elephant Dormitory" is a masterpiece that deserves to be celebrated and cherished for years to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Elephant Dormitory: A Masterpiece of Surrealism
Russell Edson's "Poetry Elephant Dormitory" is a surrealistic masterpiece that defies conventional interpretation. The poem is a complex and multi-layered work that explores the relationship between language, reality, and imagination. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, symbolism, and literary devices.
The poem begins with a simple and straightforward statement: "The elephant dormitory is empty." This opening line sets the stage for the surrealistic journey that follows. The image of an empty elephant dormitory is both absurd and intriguing, inviting the reader to enter a world of imagination and wonder.
The second line of the poem introduces a new element: "The poets have all gone to the zoo." This line establishes a connection between the elephant dormitory and the zoo, suggesting that the two are somehow related. The use of the word "poets" is significant, as it suggests that the poem is not just about elephants and zoos, but also about the creative process of writing poetry.
As the poem progresses, the imagery becomes increasingly surreal and dreamlike. We are told that "The elephants are writing poetry in the zoo," and that "The poets are sleeping in the elephant dormitory." These lines blur the boundaries between reality and imagination, suggesting that the elephants and poets have switched places, or that they are somehow interconnected.
The poem continues with a series of bizarre and fantastical images, such as "The elephants are wearing berets and smoking cigarettes," and "The poets are eating hay and trumpeting." These images are both humorous and unsettling, as they challenge our expectations and assumptions about the world.
One of the key themes of the poem is the relationship between language and reality. The poem suggests that language is not just a tool for describing reality, but that it can also create new realities and worlds. The image of the elephants writing poetry in the zoo is a powerful example of this, as it suggests that language can transform even the most mundane and ordinary things into something magical and extraordinary.
Another important theme of the poem is the creative process of writing poetry. The poem suggests that writing poetry is not just a solitary activity, but that it is also a communal and collaborative process. The image of the poets sleeping in the elephant dormitory suggests that they are part of a larger community of writers, and that they draw inspiration from each other and from the world around them.
The poem also makes use of a number of literary devices, such as metaphor, imagery, and personification. The use of metaphor is particularly effective in creating a sense of surrealism and wonder. For example, the image of the elephants wearing berets and smoking cigarettes is a metaphor for the creative process of writing poetry, suggesting that it is both sophisticated and rebellious.
The use of imagery is also important in creating the surrealistic atmosphere of the poem. The image of the poets eating hay and trumpeting is particularly striking, as it suggests that they have become one with the elephants, blurring the boundaries between human and animal.
Finally, the use of personification is also significant in the poem. The elephants are given human qualities, such as the ability to write poetry and wear berets, while the poets are given animal qualities, such as eating hay and trumpeting. This blurring of the boundaries between human and animal suggests that the poem is not just about elephants and poets, but also about the larger relationship between humans and the natural world.
In conclusion, "Poetry Elephant Dormitory" is a surrealistic masterpiece that challenges our assumptions about language, reality, and creativity. The poem is a complex and multi-layered work that invites the reader to enter a world of imagination and wonder. Through its use of metaphor, imagery, and personification, the poem creates a sense of surrealism and magic that is both humorous and unsettling. Ultimately, the poem suggests that the creative process of writing poetry is not just a solitary activity, but that it is also a communal and collaborative process that draws inspiration from the world around us.
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