'Dream Song 10: There were strange gatherings. A vote would come' by John Berryman
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There were strange gatherings. A vote would come
that would be no vote. There would come a rope.
Yes. There would come a rope.
Men have their hats down. "Dancing in the Dark"
will see him up, car-radio-wise. So many, some
won't find a rut to park.
It is in the occasions, that—not the fathomless heart—
the thinky death consists;
his chest is pinched. The enemy are sick,
and so is us of. Often, to rising trysts,
like this one, drove he out
and gasps of love, after all, had got him ready.
However things hurt, men hurt worse. He's stark
to be jerked onward?
Yes. In the headlights he got' keep him steady,
leak not, look out over. This' hard work,
boss, wait' for The Word.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dream Song 10: There were strange gatherings. A vote would come
John Berryman's Dream Song 10: There were strange gatherings. A vote would come is a powerful and complex poem that delves deep into the psyche of the speaker, Henry, as he grapples with his past, his present, and his uncertain future. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the various themes and motifs present in the poem, as well as the stylistic and formal elements that make it such a remarkable work of literature.
Overview
First, let's take a look at the poem itself. Dream Song 10 consists of three stanzas, each with six three-line stanzas. The poem is written in free verse, with no consistent rhyme scheme or meter. The language is often surreal and fragmented, with phrases and images that are sometimes difficult to parse. However, despite its apparent obscurity, the poem is rich in symbolism and metaphor, and rewards close attention and analysis.
Themes and Motifs
One of the central themes of Dream Song 10 is the fragmentation of the self. Throughout the poem, Henry is portrayed as a fractured and unstable character, with multiple personalities and conflicting desires. He speaks in a disjointed and often nonsensical manner, as if struggling to articulate his thoughts and emotions. This fragmentation is reflected in the structure of the poem itself, with its short, fragmented lines and lack of a coherent narrative.
Another important theme is the search for identity and meaning in a chaotic and uncertain world. Henry is adrift in a sea of confusion and doubt, struggling to make sense of his past and present. His memories and dreams are jumbled together, with no clear distinction between reality and fantasy. He seeks solace in various forms of escape, whether it be through drugs, sex, or the company of strangers. But ultimately, he is unable to find any lasting sense of purpose or fulfillment.
A related motif is the idea of masks and personas. Henry is constantly shifting his identity, assuming different roles and personas depending on his circumstances. He uses drugs and alcohol to numb his pain, but also to enhance his sense of self. He is both the observer and the observed, the subject and the object, constantly struggling to reconcile his conflicting desires and impulses.
Stylistic and Formal Elements
One of the most striking aspects of Dream Song 10 is its use of language. Berryman employs a wide range of poetic techniques, from alliteration and assonance to neologisms and puns. He also incorporates elements of popular culture and slang, such as the reference to "jive" in the first stanza. This creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy, as if Henry is speaking directly to the reader.
The poem's structure is also noteworthy. The use of short, fragmented lines and stanzas creates a sense of dislocation and instability, mirroring Henry's fractured psyche. The lack of a consistent rhyme scheme or meter reinforces this sense of chaos and uncertainty. However, there are also moments of lyricism and beauty, such as the lines "Her & him, in turn, each one, embraced / Till human tenderness should satisfy / Absurdity or fright."
Interpretation
So what can we make of Dream Song 10? At its core, the poem is a meditation on the human condition, on the struggle to find meaning and identity in a world that seems increasingly fragmented and incomprehensible. Henry represents the modern individual, adrift in a sea of confusion and doubt, seeking solace and meaning in various forms of escape.
But the poem also suggests that there is no easy answer, no simple solution to the problem of existence. Henry's attempts to find meaning in drugs, sex, and the company of strangers are ultimately futile, leaving him more lost and alone than ever. The poem's fragmented structure reinforces this sense of emptiness and despair, with no clear resolution or conclusion.
However, there are also moments of tenderness and beauty in the poem, such as the scene where Henry imagines the embrace of his parents. This suggests that there is still hope for human connection and tenderness, even in the midst of chaos and confusion. Ultimately, Dream Song 10 is a powerful and complex work of poetry that rewards close attention and analysis, and invites us to reflect on the nature of our own existence.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dream Song 10: There were strange gatherings. A vote would come, written by John Berryman, is a classic poem that has captivated readers for decades. This poem is a perfect example of Berryman's unique style, which combines humor, wit, and profound insights into the human condition. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line, "There were strange gatherings." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with surreal and bizarre imagery. The gatherings that the speaker describes are not ordinary ones; they are gatherings of the dead. The speaker tells us that "the dead men were voting," which is a strange and unsettling image. The fact that the dead are voting suggests that there is something wrong with the world, that the natural order of things has been disrupted.
The next few lines of the poem describe the dead men's behavior. They are "dressed in suits, / the sizes of men, and moved / as such." This description is both humorous and eerie. The dead men are dressed in suits, which suggests that they are trying to appear normal and respectable. However, the fact that they are dead and still moving is unsettling. The image of the dead men moving as if they were alive is a powerful one, and it suggests that death is not the end, that there is something beyond it.
The speaker then tells us that "a few quick strokes / voted the balances." This line is a reference to the way in which elections are often decided by a few key votes. The fact that the dead men are able to vote and influence the outcome of the election suggests that the world is not as it should be. The natural order of things has been disrupted, and the dead are now able to influence the living.
The next few lines of the poem describe the aftermath of the vote. The speaker tells us that "it was quiet in the polls." This line suggests that the vote was decisive, that there was no doubt about the outcome. The dead men had made their choice, and there was nothing anyone could do to change it. The fact that the polls were quiet also suggests that the living were not aware of what was happening. They were going about their business, unaware that the dead were voting and influencing their lives.
The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful. The speaker tells us that "tallies were gathered and siphoned into tanks." This line is a reference to the way in which votes are counted and recorded. The fact that the tallies are being siphoned into tanks suggests that they are being stored for future use. The dead men's votes are not just a one-time event; they will continue to influence the world long after the election is over.
The final line of the poem is perhaps the most enigmatic. The speaker tells us that "for the rest of us, voting is hopeless." This line suggests that the living are powerless, that they have no say in the world. The fact that the dead are able to influence the world suggests that there is something beyond death, that there is a power greater than the living.
In conclusion, Dream Song 10: There were strange gatherings. A vote would come is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of death, power, and the human condition. Berryman's unique style, which combines humor, wit, and profound insights, makes this poem a classic of modern literature. The surreal and bizarre imagery of the dead men voting and influencing the world is both unsettling and profound, and it suggests that there is something beyond death, something that we cannot fully understand. This poem is a testament to Berryman's genius and to the power of poetry to explore the deepest mysteries of the human experience.
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