'The Burnt Child' by W.S. Merwin
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Matches among other things that were not allowed
never would be
lying high in a cool blue box
that opened in other hands and there they all were
bodies clean and smooth blue heads white crowns
white sandpaper on the sides of the box scoring
fire after fire gone beforeI could hear the scratch and flare
when they were over
and catch the smell of the striking
I knew what the match would feel like
lighting
when I was very younga fire engine came and parked
in the shadow of the big poplar tree
of Fourth Street one night
keeping its engine running
pumping oxygen to the old woman
in the basement
when she died the red lights went on burning
Editor 1 Interpretation
"The Burnt Child" by W.S. Merwin: An Exploration of Trauma and Memory
Introduction
"The Burnt Child" is a haunting and deeply introspective poem by W.S. Merwin that explores the themes of trauma and memory. The poem is written in free verse, which allows the poet to experiment with form and structure, and to create a sense of intimacy and vulnerability that draws the reader into the speaker's world.
Analysis
The poem begins with an evocative image of a "burnt child" who "dreads the fire." The child is a metaphor for the speaker, who has experienced some kind of trauma that has left him emotionally scarred. The repetition of the word "burnt" creates a sense of unease and discomfort, and suggests that the trauma is deeply ingrained in the speaker's psyche.
The next stanza introduces the idea of memory, which is a recurring theme in the poem. The speaker says that he "remembers the fire," but it is not clear whether he is referring to a literal fire or to the trauma itself. The ambiguity of this line is typical of the poem, which often blurs the line between reality and memory.
The third stanza is one of the most powerful in the poem. The speaker says that he "feels it happening again," and describes a sense of panic and dread that washes over him. The imagery in this stanza is vivid and intense, with the speaker comparing himself to "a deer that hears / The sound of the gun." The use of the word "gun" is significant, as it suggests that the trauma was caused by an act of violence or aggression.
The fourth stanza introduces the idea of escape. The speaker says that he wishes he could "run away," but he knows that the trauma will always be with him. The use of the word "knows" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker has come to accept his trauma and to understand that it is a part of him.
The fifth stanza is the shortest in the poem, but it is also one of the most powerful. The speaker says simply, "It happened." This line suggests that the trauma is something that cannot be undone or forgotten, but must be accepted and integrated into the speaker's life.
The final stanza is perhaps the most enigmatic in the poem. The speaker says that he "watches it happen / Again and again," but it is not clear what he is referring to. Is he watching the trauma happen again in his mind, or is he referring to some other kind of repetition or cycle? The ambiguity of this line is typical of the poem, which often leaves the reader with more questions than answers.
Interpretation
"The Burnt Child" is a deeply personal and introspective poem that explores the themes of trauma and memory. The speaker is clearly someone who has experienced some kind of trauma, and the repetition of the word "burnt" suggests that this trauma is deeply ingrained in his psyche.
The poem is also full of ambiguity and uncertainty, with the line between reality and memory often blurred. The speaker "remembers the fire," but it is not clear whether he is referring to a literal fire or to the trauma itself. This ambiguity creates a sense of disorientation and unease, which is appropriate given the subject matter of the poem.
At its core, "The Burnt Child" is a poem about acceptance. The speaker wishes he could "run away" from the trauma, but he knows that it will always be with him. He has come to accept that the trauma is a part of him, and that he must learn to integrate it into his life.
The final stanza is perhaps the most enigmatic in the poem, but it is also the most hopeful. The speaker "watches it happen / Again and again," but there is a sense that he is no longer afraid. He has come to terms with his trauma and is able to observe it from a distance, without being consumed by it.
Conclusion
"The Burnt Child" is a powerful and introspective poem that explores the themes of trauma and memory. The ambiguity of the poem creates a sense of disorientation and unease, but it also allows the reader to enter into the mind of the speaker and to experience his trauma for themselves. At its core, the poem is about acceptance and learning to live with the scars that trauma can leave behind. It is a deeply personal and moving work that will resonate with anyone who has experienced trauma or loss.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Burnt Child: A Masterpiece of Poetry by W.S. Merwin
W.S. Merwin is a renowned poet who has won numerous awards for his works. One of his most famous poems is The Burnt Child, which was published in 1960. This poem is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the themes of loss, grief, and the human condition. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.
The Burnt Child is a short poem that consists of only six stanzas. However, despite its brevity, the poem is rich in meaning and symbolism. The poem begins with the image of a burnt child who is "running in the rain" and "calling out." This image immediately evokes a sense of tragedy and loss. The burnt child is a metaphor for someone who has been through a traumatic experience and is now trying to cope with the aftermath.
The second stanza of the poem describes the burnt child's mother, who is "watching from the kitchen window." The mother's presence in the poem is significant because it highlights the theme of maternal love and protection. The mother is a symbol of comfort and safety, and her presence suggests that the burnt child is not alone in his suffering.
In the third stanza, the poem takes a darker turn as the burnt child is described as "crying out something he cannot say." This line is particularly poignant because it suggests that the burnt child is unable to articulate his pain and is therefore trapped in his own suffering. The line also highlights the theme of communication and the importance of being able to express oneself.
The fourth stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. It describes the burnt child's father, who "stands with his arms around a tree." This image is significant because it suggests that the father is unable to comfort his child and is instead seeking solace in nature. The father's inability to help his child highlights the theme of helplessness and the limitations of human beings in the face of tragedy.
The fifth stanza of the poem describes the burnt child's sister, who is "calling to him from the doorway." The sister's presence in the poem is significant because it suggests that the burnt child is not alone in his suffering. The sister is a symbol of hope and support, and her presence suggests that there is still a chance for healing and recovery.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most enigmatic. It describes the burnt child as "running on the wet stones, slipping and crying." This image is significant because it suggests that the burnt child is still struggling to cope with his trauma. The line also highlights the theme of resilience and the human capacity to endure even in the face of great adversity.
Overall, The Burnt Child is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the themes of loss, grief, and the human condition. The poem is rich in meaning and symbolism, and each line is carefully crafted to evoke a sense of tragedy and hope. The burnt child is a powerful metaphor for anyone who has been through a traumatic experience, and the poem offers a message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
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