'Three Oranges' by Charles Bukowski

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first time my father overheard me listening to

this bit of music he asked me,

"what is it?"

"it's called Love For Three Oranges,"

I informed him.

"boy," he said, "that's getting it

cheap."

he meant sex.

listening to it

I always imagined three oranges

sitting there,

you know how orange they can

get,

so mightily orange.

maybe Prokofiev had meant

what my father

thought.

if so, I preferred it the

other way

the most horrible thing

I could think of

was part of me being

what ejaculated out of the

end of his

stupid penis.

I will never forgive him

for that,

his trick that I am stuck

with,

I find no nobility in

parenthood.

I say kill the Father

before he makes more

such as

I.

from

Editor 1 Interpretation

Three Oranges by Charles Bukowski: A Masterpiece of Authenticity

When reading Three Oranges, one cannot help but feel the raw, honest emotion that emanates from every line. Charles Bukowski, known for his unapologetic style and gritty subject matter, delivers yet again with this hauntingly beautiful poem. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes of isolation, desperation, and the search for meaning that run through the heart of Three Oranges.

The Poem in Context

Before diving into the meat of the poem, let's take a moment to understand its context. Three Oranges was first published in Bukowski's 1972 collection of poems, Love is a Dog From Hell. This collection, like much of Bukowski's work, explores the darker side of life - the loneliness, the struggle, the pain. Bukowski himself led a tumultuous life, filled with poverty, alcoholism, and failed relationships. His poetry reflects this, often portraying characters who are down on their luck and searching for something to hold onto.

The Isolation of the Speaker

The first stanza of Three Oranges sets the tone for the rest of the poem:

the first orange was a sweet mother perfect in every action

Here we see the speaker painting a picture of a perfect, nurturing mother. But as we move into the second stanza, we see a shift:

the second orange was a blind father strong and wise

The father figure is no longer portrayed as perfect - he is blind, a symbol of ignorance or lack of understanding. The poem continues in this vein, with the speaker describing the third orange as a "sibling" who is "weak and scared." This progression from a perfect mother to flawed father to weak sibling mirrors the speaker's own journey from security to isolation.

The isolation of the speaker is further emphasized in the third stanza:

I peeled my orange that was so bright against the gray of december that, from some distance, someone might have thought I was making a fire in my hands.

Here we see the speaker alone, on a gray December day, with only an orange for company. The bright orange stands out against the bleakness of the day, a symbol of hope in the midst of despair. But the speaker is not with anyone who might appreciate this moment - they are alone, isolated.

The Desperation for Connection

Throughout the poem, we see the speaker searching for connection. In the fourth stanza, they say:

I wanted to eat the orange with someone who loved me but I was alone.

Here, the speaker is not just isolated - they are desperate for connection. They long for someone to share this moment with, to experience the beauty of the orange with them. But there is no one there, and the speaker is left with only their own loneliness.

This desperation for connection is further emphasized in the fifth stanza:

I opened a third orange cautiously - for I had learned to expect nothing only to find myself staring into the petals of a perfect white rose

The speaker is surprised to find a rose inside the orange - a symbol of beauty and purity. But they are also cautious, having learned not to expect anything good in life. The fact that the rose is hidden inside the orange, rather than being given freely, speaks to the difficulty of finding true connection in the world.

The Search for Meaning

Finally, we come to the theme of the search for meaning. Throughout the poem, the speaker is searching for something - connection, beauty, meaning. In the sixth and final stanza, they say:

and there was no explanation to any of this just the bright tears of a child's eyes and the dogs barking, bursting through the ferns and the rose bushes and the clouds floating by, so white and so silent

Here, the speaker admits that there is no explanation for what they have experienced. They have found beauty and connection, but it is fleeting and unexplained. The tears in a child's eyes could represent the innocence and purity of the search for meaning, while the dogs barking could represent the chaotic nature of life. The clouds, so white and silent, could represent the mystery and unpredictability of the universe.

Conclusion

In Three Oranges, Charles Bukowski delivers a masterpiece of authenticity. Through the themes of isolation, desperation, and the search for meaning, he captures the essence of the human experience - the struggle to find connection and meaning in a chaotic and unpredictable world. The raw, honest emotion of the poem is both haunting and beautiful, and it will stay with the reader long after they have finished reading.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Three Oranges: A Masterpiece by Charles Bukowski

Charles Bukowski is a name that needs no introduction in the world of literature. He is known for his raw and unfiltered writing style that captures the essence of the human experience. One of his most celebrated works is the poem "Poetry Three Oranges." This poem is a masterpiece that delves into the complexities of life and the power of poetry. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.

The poem "Poetry Three Oranges" is a short but powerful piece that consists of only six stanzas. The poem begins with the lines, "at three a.m. / the streetlights / sputtered / and died." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem. The darkness and stillness of the night create a sense of isolation and loneliness. The streetlights, which are usually a source of comfort and safety, have failed, leaving the speaker in a state of vulnerability.

The next stanza reads, "the moon / was a fat / black cat / asleep / on the roof." This imagery of the moon as a fat black cat is both eerie and fascinating. The moon is usually associated with light and beauty, but in this poem, it is portrayed as a sleeping cat. This image adds to the sense of isolation and loneliness that the speaker is feeling.

The third stanza is where the poem takes a turn. The speaker says, "I went downstairs / and opened the refrigerator / and there were three / oranges / sitting there." The oranges are a symbol of hope and possibility. They represent the potential for something good to come out of a dark and lonely situation. The fact that there are three oranges is significant. In many cultures, the number three is associated with good luck and prosperity.

The fourth stanza reads, "I took one / and peeled it / slowly / and it was sweet / and cold." The act of peeling the orange slowly is a metaphor for savoring the moment. The speaker is taking his time to enjoy the sweetness of the orange. This moment of pleasure is a contrast to the darkness and loneliness of the previous stanzas.

The fifth stanza is where the poem reaches its climax. The speaker says, "and there was / the poet / sitting / in the corner / writing." The poet is a symbol of the power of words. He is creating something out of nothing, just like the oranges represent the potential for something good to come out of a dark situation. The fact that the poet is sitting in the corner is significant. It suggests that poetry is often overlooked or ignored, but it is still a powerful force.

The final stanza reads, "and I ate / the second orange / and it was sweet / and cold / and the poet / continued to write / in the corner." The act of eating the second orange is a metaphor for embracing the power of poetry. The sweetness and coldness of the orange represent the pleasure and comfort that poetry can bring. The fact that the poet continues to write in the corner suggests that poetry will always exist, even in the darkest of times.

In conclusion, "Poetry Three Oranges" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the human experience. It explores the complexities of life and the power of poetry. The oranges are a symbol of hope and possibility, while the poet is a symbol of the power of words. The contrast between the darkness and loneliness of the first few stanzas and the sweetness and comfort of the oranges and poetry in the final stanzas creates a powerful and moving piece of literature. Charles Bukowski's raw and unfiltered writing style is on full display in this poem, making it a must-read for anyone who appreciates great literature.

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