'Dream Song 46: I am, outside.Incredible' by John Berryman

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77 Dream Songs1964I am, outside. Incredible panic rules.
People are blowing and beating each other without mercy.
Drinks are boiling. Iced
drinks are boiling. The worse anyone feels, the worse
treated he is. Fools elect fools.
A harmless man at an intersection said, under his breath, "Christ!"That word, so spoken, affected the vision
of, when they trod to work next day, shopkeepers
who went and were fitted for glasses.
Enjoyed they then an appearance of love & law.
Millenia whift & waft-one, one-er, er. . .
Their glasses were taken from them, & they saw.Man has undertaken the top job of all,

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dream Song 46: I am, outside.Incredible by John Berryman

Have you ever read a poem and felt like the words reached deep inside you and touched your soul? That's exactly what John Berryman's "Dream Song 46: I am, outside.Incredible" did to me. This poem is a masterpiece of modern American poetry, and it deserves a closer look.

Overview of the Poem

At first glance, "Dream Song 46" seems like a jumbled mess of words and phrases that don't make any sense. But as you read on, you begin to see the pattern and meaning behind the poem. Berryman's style is unique, as he uses unconventional grammar and syntax to create a dreamlike atmosphere.

The poem is narrated by Henry, a semi-autobiographical character who appears in many of Berryman's "Dream Songs." In this particular dream, Henry finds himself outside, surrounded by nature. He describes the various sights and sounds he experiences, from the "sunset's blazing silence" to the "foggy plain beyond."

But as the poem progresses, Henry's thoughts turn inward. He muses on his own existence, pondering the nature of life and death. He wonders if he will be remembered after he's gone, or if he will simply fade away into obscurity. The poem ends with Henry feeling both awed and insignificant in the face of the universe.

Analysis of the Poem

One of the most striking aspects of "Dream Song 46" is Berryman's use of language. He employs a stream-of-consciousness style, with phrases and clauses running into each other without clear breaks. This creates a sense of urgency and immediacy, as if Henry is trying to capture every thought and sensation before they slip away.

In addition, Berryman often uses words in unconventional ways. He invents new words (such as "uncousin"), twists existing words into new meanings (such as "incredible" as a noun), and strings together words in unexpected combinations (such as "foggy plain beyond"). This creates a sense of disorientation and surrealism, as if the dream world is bending the rules of language and logic.

Another key aspect of the poem is the contrast between the natural world and Henry's inner thoughts. While the descriptions of nature are vivid and sensory, Henry's musings are abstract and philosophical. This contrast highlights the tension between the physical and the metaphysical, the finite and the infinite.

For example, Henry describes the "milky wet" of the sunset, the "hushed bird" of the nightjar, and the "whistling wind" of the trees. These images are concrete and tangible, rooted in the physical world. But when Henry turns to his own thoughts, he speaks in abstractions: "I am, outside. Incredible / panic rules the senses, etc." He is grappling with big ideas like life, death, and legacy, which are intangible and difficult to grasp.

Through this contrast, Berryman is exploring the human condition. We are creatures of the earth, bound by our physical bodies and the laws of nature. But we are also capable of transcending those limitations, of contemplating the mysteries of existence and striving for something greater.

Themes of the Poem

"Dream Song 46" touches on several key themes that are central to Berryman's poetry as a whole. These themes include:

Mortality

Henry's thoughts on death and legacy are a prominent feature of the poem. He wonders if he will be remembered after he dies, or if he will simply fade away into obscurity. This fear of being forgotten is a common human concern, and it speaks to the fragility and impermanence of life.

Nature

The natural world is a recurring motif in "Dream Song 46." Henry is surrounded by the beauty and power of nature, and he is both awed and humbled by it. This emphasis on nature underscores the interconnectedness of all things and the insignificance of individual human beings in the grand scheme of things.

Identity

Henry's statement "I am, outside" raises questions about identity and belonging. He is outside of his usual context, removed from his familiar surroundings and relationships. This sense of dislocation is a recurring theme in Berryman's poetry, as he explores the ways in which we construct our sense of self in relation to others.

Dreams

As the title suggests, "Dream Song 46" is a dream poem. Berryman often drew inspiration from his own dreams and used them as a basis for his writing. Dreams are a fertile ground for exploring the subconscious and the irrational, and they allow Berryman to push the boundaries of language and meaning.

Conclusion

"Dream Song 46: I am, outside.Incredible" is a stunning work of poetry that showcases Berryman's talent for language and imagery. Through the character of Henry, Berryman grapples with the big questions of life and death, identity and belonging, and our place in the natural world. The poem is both beautiful and haunting, and it lingers in the mind long after you've finished reading it. If you haven't yet experienced the magic of John Berryman's poetry, "Dream Song 46" is a great place to start.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

John Berryman’s Dream Song 46: I am, outside.Incredible is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the complexities of the human psyche. The poem is part of Berryman’s Dream Songs, a collection of 385 poems that were written over a period of 14 years. Dream Song 46 is one of the most famous and widely studied poems in the collection, and for good reason. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of the poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning.

The poem begins with the speaker declaring that he is “outside. Incredible” (line 1). This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with a sense of wonder and amazement. The speaker is in awe of the world around him, and he is struggling to come to terms with his place in it. He is both amazed and overwhelmed by the beauty and complexity of the natural world, and he is also struggling with his own sense of identity.

The first stanza of the poem is filled with vivid imagery that captures the speaker’s sense of wonder. He describes the “trees, birds, and grass” (line 3) that surround him, and he marvels at the “sky, clouds, and stars” (line 4) above him. The speaker is overwhelmed by the beauty of the natural world, and he is struggling to find his place in it. He feels small and insignificant in the face of such vastness, and he is searching for a sense of purpose and meaning.

The second stanza of the poem shifts focus to the speaker’s internal struggles. He describes himself as “a man of genius” (line 9), but he is also “a man of doubts” (line 10). The speaker is torn between his sense of self-importance and his feelings of inadequacy. He is struggling to reconcile his own sense of identity with the world around him, and he is searching for a sense of purpose and meaning.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker declares that he is “a man of contradictions” (line 15), and he is struggling to come to terms with his own sense of self. He is torn between his desire for greatness and his fear of failure, and he is searching for a way to reconcile these conflicting emotions. The speaker is also struggling with his own mortality, and he is searching for a way to find meaning in the face of death.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most hopeful. The speaker declares that he is “alive” (line 20), and he is filled with a sense of wonder and amazement. He is no longer overwhelmed by the world around him, but he is instead filled with a sense of purpose and meaning. The speaker has found a way to reconcile his conflicting emotions, and he is now able to embrace the beauty and complexity of the natural world.

In terms of structure, Dream Song 46 is a free verse poem that is divided into four stanzas. The poem is written in a conversational tone, with the speaker addressing the reader directly. The use of enjambment and repetition creates a sense of rhythm and flow, and the poem is filled with vivid imagery that captures the speaker’s sense of wonder and amazement.

The language of the poem is also worth exploring. Berryman’s use of language is both simple and complex, and he is able to capture the speaker’s conflicting emotions with great precision. The use of repetition, particularly in the phrase “I am” (lines 1, 9, 15, and 20), creates a sense of unity and continuity throughout the poem. The use of vivid imagery, such as “the sky, clouds, and stars” (line 4), creates a sense of wonder and amazement that is central to the poem’s themes.

In conclusion, Dream Song 46: I am, outside.Incredible is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the complexities of the human psyche. The poem is filled with vivid imagery, powerful language, and a sense of wonder and amazement that is both inspiring and humbling. Berryman’s use of structure and language creates a sense of unity and continuity throughout the poem, and the speaker’s struggles with identity, mortality, and purpose are universal themes that resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds. Dream Song 46 is a poem that deserves to be read and studied by anyone who is interested in the power and beauty of modern poetry.

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