'A Historical Breakfast' by Russell Edson

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A man is bringing a cup of coffee to his face,tilting it to his mouth. It's historical, he thinks.He scratches his head: another historical event.He really ought to rest, he's making an awful lot ofhistory this morning.Oh my, now he's buttering toast, another piece ofhistory is being made.He wonders why it should have fallen on him to beso historical. Others probably just don't have it,he thinks, it is, after all, a talent.He thinks one of his shoelaces needs tying. Oh well,another important historical event is about to takeplace. He just can't help it. Perhaps he's taking uptoo large an area of history? But he has to live, hasn'the? Toast needs buttering and he can't go around withone of his shoelaces needing to be tied, can he?Certainly it's true, when the 20th century gets writtenin full it will be mainly about him. That's the way thecookie crumbles--ah, there's a phrase that'll be quotedfor centuries to come.Self-conscious? A little; how can one help it with allthose yet-to-be-born eyes of the future watching him?Uh oh, he feels another historical event coming . . .Ah, there it is, a cup of coffee approaching his face atthe end of his arm. If only they could catch it on film,how much it would mean to the future. Oops, spilled it allover his lap. One of those historical accidents that willinfluence the next thousand years; unpredictable, andreally rather uncomfortable . . . But history is never easy,he thinks . . .

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, A Historical Breakfast by Russell Edson

Have you ever read a poem so surreal that it takes you on a wild ride through seemingly unrelated images and metaphors? If you haven’t, then you need to read Russell Edson’s “Poetry, A Historical Breakfast.” This poem is a masterpiece of surrealism, and in this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into its complexities and uncover its hidden meanings.

Background Information

Russell Edson was an American poet and playwright who was born in Connecticut in 1935. He wrote over a dozen collections of poetry and several plays, and his work is known for its surrealism and absurdity. Edson passed away in 2014, but his legacy lives on through his work, including “Poetry, A Historical Breakfast.”

Poem Analysis

“Poetry, A Historical Breakfast” is a short poem, consisting of only 12 lines. However, don’t let its brevity deceive you – this poem is packed with complex metaphors and imagery.

The poem begins with the line, “Poetry is a historical breakfast.” This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it immediately introduces the surrealism that is to come. How can poetry be a breakfast? And what does it mean for this breakfast to be historical?

The next line reads, “A metaphysical lunch awaits us.” Here, Edson continues the theme of meals, but this time he introduces the concept of metaphysics. Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of reality, so Edson is essentially saying that poetry is a historical breakfast that leads to a deep understanding of reality.

The third line is where things really start to get surreal. It reads, “And a transcendental dinner is in the oven.” Transcendentalism is a philosophical movement that emphasizes the importance of intuition, individualism, and spirituality. So, Edson is saying that poetry not only leads to a deep understanding of reality but also to a spiritual awakening.

The next three lines are a bit more straightforward. Edson writes, “But alas, I am only a poet’s assistant, / And it is my job to wash the dishes, / The historical dishes that have been piling up since time immemorial.” Here, Edson brings the reader back to reality (or at least a version of it) by introducing the speaker, who is just a poet’s assistant. However, even in this mundane task of washing dishes, there is still a sense of grandeur as the dishes are “historical” and have been piling up “since time immemorial.”

The final three lines of the poem are perhaps the most surreal. Edson writes, “I wash them with tears, / For we have run out of soap, / And the dishes are growing ever more historical.” Here, the speaker is washing the dishes with tears because they have run out of soap. This is a bizarre image, but it also adds to the grandeur of the dishes, as they are so historical that they require special treatment. The final line, “growing ever more historical,” is a bit confusing, but it adds to the overall sense of surrealism and absurdity.

Interpretation

So, what does “Poetry, A Historical Breakfast” mean? As with any work of art, there are many possible interpretations, but here are a few that stand out:

Poetry as a Path to Enlightenment

One interpretation of the poem is that poetry is a path to enlightenment. The metaphor of meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) suggests a progression, with each meal building upon the last. Breakfast (poetry as a historical breakfast) is the first step, leading to lunch (a metaphysical lunch awaits us) and dinner (a transcendental dinner is in the oven). This progression suggests that poetry can lead to a deeper understanding of reality and even a spiritual awakening.

The Mundane and the Grand

Another interpretation of the poem is that it explores the tension between the mundane and the grand. The speaker is just a poet’s assistant, tasked with washing the dishes, but even this mundane task takes on a sense of grandeur because the dishes are historical. The juxtaposition of the mundane (washing dishes) and the grand (historical dishes) creates a sense of absurdity and surrealism.

The Limits of Language

Finally, the poem may be exploring the limits of language. The surreal imagery and metaphors suggest that language may not be enough to fully express the ideas that Edson is trying to convey. The final line, “growing ever more historical,” is particularly interesting in this regard, as it seems to suggest that language (represented by the dishes) is not enough to capture the grandeur of the ideas being explored.

Conclusion

In conclusion, “Poetry, A Historical Breakfast” is a masterpiece of surrealism that explores a variety of themes, including the role of poetry in enlightenment, the tension between the mundane and the grand, and the limits of language. Despite its brevity, this poem is packed with complex imagery and metaphors that will leave you thinking long after you finish reading it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry A Historical Breakfast: An Analysis of Russell Edson's Masterpiece

Russell Edson's Poetry A Historical Breakfast is a masterpiece of modern poetry that has captured the hearts and minds of readers for generations. This poem is a perfect example of Edson's unique style, which combines surrealism, absurdity, and humor to create a work that is both thought-provoking and entertaining.

The poem begins with a description of a historical breakfast, which is being served to a group of historical figures. The breakfast includes "a slice of Napoleon's brain, a piece of Shakespeare's heart, and a cup of Joan of Arc's blood." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with bizarre and unexpected images.

One of the most striking aspects of this poem is the way that Edson uses language. His use of metaphor and simile is particularly effective, as he compares the breakfast to "a museum of horrors" and "a feast for the gods." These comparisons help to create a sense of unease and discomfort, as the reader is forced to confront the gruesome nature of the breakfast.

Another key element of the poem is its use of irony. Despite the fact that the breakfast is being served to historical figures, it is clear that they are not actually present. Instead, they are represented by their body parts, which have been preserved and served as food. This irony serves to highlight the absurdity of the situation, as well as the way that history can be distorted and manipulated.

Throughout the poem, Edson also plays with the idea of identity. The historical figures are reduced to their body parts, which are then consumed by the living. This raises questions about the nature of identity and the relationship between the past and the present. Are we defined by our physical bodies, or by our actions and accomplishments? Can we truly understand the past, or are we always limited by our own perspectives and biases?

One of the most memorable images in the poem is the "cup of Joan of Arc's blood." This image is particularly powerful, as it represents both the sacrifice and the violence that are often associated with historical figures. Joan of Arc was a martyr who was burned at the stake, and her blood represents both her suffering and her courage. By including this image in the poem, Edson is able to capture the complexity of history and the way that it can be both inspiring and horrifying.

Overall, Poetry A Historical Breakfast is a powerful and thought-provoking work of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today. Through its use of surrealism, irony, and metaphor, the poem challenges us to think about the nature of history, identity, and the human experience. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply interested in exploring new ideas, this poem is a must-read.

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