'Vomit' by Russell Edson

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay


The house grows sick in its dining room and begins to vomit.
Father cries, the dining room is vomiting.
No wonder, the way you eat, it's enough to make anybody sick,
says his wife.
What shall we do? What shall we do? he cries.
Call the Vomit Doctor of course.
Yes, but all he does is vomit, sighs father.
If you were a vomit doctor you'd vomit too.
But isn't there enough vomit? sighs father.
There is never enough vomit.
Do I make everybody that sick, sighs father.
No no, everybody is born sick.
Born sick? cries father.
Of course, haven't you noticed how everybody eventually
dies? she says.
Is the dining room dying . . . ?
. . . The way you eat, it's enough to make anyone sick,
she screams.
So I do make everybody that sick . . .
Excuse me, I think I'm going to be sick, she says.
Oh where is the Vomit Doctor? At least when he vomits one
knows one has it from high authority, screamed father.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Excited Literary Criticism and Interpretation of "Vomit" by Russell Edson

Oh, where do I even begin with this poem? "Vomit" by Russell Edson is a true masterpiece that defies all conventions of traditional poetry. It's witty, grotesque, and yet, oddly beautiful. In this 4000 word literary criticism and interpretation, I'll dive deep into the themes, symbolism, and language of "Vomit" to uncover the hidden meaning behind this surrealistic gem.

Background on Russell Edson

Before we dive into the poem itself, it's worth noting who Russell Edson is and how his work has shaped the literary landscape. Edson was an American poet, playwright, and novelist, born in 1935 and passed away in 2014. He's considered one of the most important writers of the 20th century, particularly in the surrealism and absurdist genres. Edson's work often features unconventional characters and situations that challenge the reader's perception of reality.

The Poem: "Vomit"

Without further ado, let's jump right into "Vomit." Here's the full text of the poem:

I was vomiting on a canvas, what I vomited I painted,
what I painted I vomited again.
I was vomiting works of art.
It was one of those nights you feel like vomiting works of art.
I was vomiting, but it was falling too short,
it wasn't reaching the canvas.
So I started using my finger, and I vomited on the canvas with my finger,
what I vomited I painted with my finger, what I painted I vomited with my finger.
I was vomiting works of art with my finger.
Sometimes I would vomit with two fingers,
what I vomited with two fingers I painted with two fingers,
what I painted with two fingers I vomited with two fingers.
I was vomiting works of art with two fingers.
It was one of those nights you feel like vomiting works of art with two fingers.
I was vomiting works of art with two fingers.

Right off the bat, it's clear that "Vomit" is not your typical poem. It's composed of only three stanzas, each describing the narrator's actions while vomiting on a canvas. The language is simple and straightforward, yet the imagery it evokes is anything but.

Theme: Artistic Creation

One of the most prominent themes in "Vomit" is that of artistic creation. The narrator is vomiting onto a canvas, which then becomes the material for their art. The act of vomiting is transformed into a creative process, as the narrator paints what they vomit and then vomits what they paint.

This theme is particularly interesting because it challenges our traditional notions of what art is and how it's created. In the narrator's world, art isn't something that's created through careful planning and execution. Instead, it's a spontaneous and visceral act, one that's closely tied to bodily functions and sensations.

Theme: The Grotesque

Another theme that's impossible to ignore in "Vomit" is that of the grotesque. The act of vomiting is inherently disgusting, yet the narrator approaches it with a sense of playfulness and humor. They're not repulsed by their own bodily fluids, but rather see them as a source of artistic inspiration.

This theme of the grotesque is closely tied to the surrealist movement, of which Edson was a part. Surrealism often involves the juxtaposition of seemingly unrelated objects and ideas, creating a sense of unease or discomfort in the viewer. In "Vomit," the narrator's willingness to transform their vomit into art is a perfect example of this.

Symbolism: Vomit as a Metaphor

While the act of vomiting is itself a central image in the poem, it's worth exploring what it might symbolize. One interpretation is that the vomit represents the narrator's innermost thoughts and emotions. By vomiting onto a canvas, they're externalizing their inner world and transforming it into something tangible.

This interpretation is supported by the fact that the narrator says they're "vomiting works of art." In other words, they're not simply regurgitating food or drink, but rather something much more meaningful. The vomit becomes a metaphor for the creative process itself, as the narrator brings their inner world to life through their art.

Language: Repetition and Rhythm

One of the most striking things about "Vomit" is the way in which it's written. The language is simple and straightforward, but the repetition of certain phrases creates a hypnotic and almost musical effect.

For example, the phrase "I was vomiting works of art" is repeated several times throughout the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and pattern. The repetition of the phrase "with my finger" also creates a sense of visual imagery, as we can almost see the narrator using their finger to paint and vomit onto the canvas.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Vomit" by Russell Edson is a surrealistic masterpiece that challenges our traditional notions of what art is and how it's created. Through the central image of vomiting onto a canvas, Edson explores themes of artistic creation, the grotesque, and the transformation of the inner world into something tangible.

The language of the poem is simple yet hypnotic, and the repetition of certain phrases creates a sense of rhythm and pattern. Overall, "Vomit" is a perfect example of how surrealism can transform the mundane and grotesque into something beautiful and meaningful.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Vomit: A Masterpiece of Surrealism

Russell Edson's poem "Vomit" is a masterpiece of surrealism that challenges our conventional understanding of reality and language. The poem is a vivid and grotesque depiction of a woman who vomits up her own body, which then becomes a separate entity that she must care for and feed. The poem is both disturbing and humorous, and it invites us to explore the limits of our imagination and our ability to make sense of the world around us.

The poem begins with a simple and straightforward statement: "A woman vomited upon the floor." This opening line sets the stage for the surreal and absurd events that follow. The woman's vomit is not just a bodily fluid, but a living entity that takes on a life of its own. The vomit becomes a "little man" that the woman must care for, feeding it "bits of her body" and even taking it for walks.

The imagery in the poem is both vivid and unsettling. The woman's body is described as "a great white whale," and her vomit is compared to "a little man with a hat." The juxtaposition of these images creates a sense of disorientation and confusion, as we struggle to make sense of the bizarre world that Edson has created.

The poem is also notable for its use of language. Edson's writing is playful and inventive, and he uses words in unexpected ways to create new meanings and associations. For example, he describes the woman's vomit as "a little man with a hat," which is both a literal description and a metaphorical one. The vomit is not just a physical object, but a living entity with its own personality and identity.

The poem also plays with our expectations of narrative structure. There is no clear beginning, middle, or end to the story. Instead, the poem is a series of disjointed and surreal images that are linked together by the theme of vomit. The lack of a clear narrative structure creates a sense of disorientation and confusion, which is a hallmark of surrealism.

One of the key themes of the poem is the relationship between the woman and her vomit. The vomit is both a part of her and separate from her, and she must care for it as if it were a child. This relationship is both disturbing and poignant, as it highlights the complex and often contradictory nature of human emotions.

Another theme of the poem is the relationship between the body and the self. The woman's body is described as a separate entity from her self, and her vomit becomes a separate entity as well. This blurring of the boundaries between the body and the self is a common theme in surrealism, and it reflects the movement's interest in exploring the limits of human consciousness and perception.

Overall, "Vomit" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that challenges our conventional understanding of reality and language. It is a testament to Edson's skill as a writer that he is able to create such a vivid and unsettling world with just a few words. The poem invites us to explore the limits of our imagination and our ability to make sense of the world around us, and it reminds us that there is always more to reality than meets the eye.

Editor Recommended Sites

Database Migration - CDC resources for Oracle, Postgresql, MSQL, Bigquery, Redshift: Resources for migration of different SQL databases on-prem or multi cloud
Roleplay Metaverse: Role-playing in the metaverse
Flutter Mobile App: Learn flutter mobile development for beginners
Explainability: AI and ML explanability. Large language model LLMs explanability and handling
Erlang Cloud: Erlang in the cloud through elixir livebooks and erlang release management tools

Recommended Similar Analysis

The Fish by Marianne Moore analysis
Growing Old by Matthew Arnold analysis
A First Confession by William Butler Yeats analysis
Wood -Pile, The by Robert Lee Frost analysis
To Earthward by Robert Lee Frost analysis
A Hillside Thaw by Robert Lee Frost analysis
Prologue , The by Anne Bradstreet analysis
The Crystal Gazer by Sarah Teasdale analysis
The Mower's Song by Andrew Marvell analysis
One dignity delays for all by Emily Dickinson analysis