'Sonnet 35' by John Berryman
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
Nothing there? nothing up the sky alive,
Invisibly considering?... I wonder.
Sometimes I heard Him in traditional thunder;
Sometimes in sweet rain, or in a great 'plane, I've
Concluded that I heard Him not. You thrive
So, where I pine. See no adjustment blunder?
Job was alone with Satan? Job? O under
Hell-ladled morning, some of my hopes revive:
...Less nakedly malign—loblolly—dull
Eyes on our end... a table crumples, things
Jump and fuse, a fat voice calls down the sky,
'Too excitable! too sensitive! thin-skull,
I am for you: I shrive your wanderings:
Stand closer, evil, till I pluck your sigh.'
Submitted by Holt
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 35: A Masterful Exploration of Inner Turmoil
John Berryman's "Sonnet 35" is a haunting exploration of the inner turmoil of a speaker who is struggling with the aftermath of a failed relationship. Through vivid imagery and masterful language, Berryman takes the reader on a journey of despair, anger, and ultimately, desperate hope.
The Opening Lines
The opening lines of the poem immediately set the tone for what is to come:
All the undone years, the tortured years,
The years of denial, the years refused,
The one, that in the end would not stay,
The use of repetition and alliteration here is stunning, and it effectively conveys a sense of powerlessness and frustration. The speaker is haunted by the past, and he cannot escape the pain that has come with it. The phrase "the one, that in the end would not stay" is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the speaker has lost someone he loved deeply, and he is struggling to come to terms with that loss.
The Middle Section
The middle section of the poem is where Berryman's masterful use of imagery and language really shines. The speaker describes the pain he is feeling in vivid detail:
And now the nights are long and the days are hard,
And the heart is aching with unendurable pain,
And the mind is awhirl with thoughts that never cease.
The use of the word "aching" is particularly effective here, as it suggests a physical pain that is almost unbearable. The phrase "unendurable pain" is also very powerful, as it suggests that the speaker is struggling to cope with the emotional pain he is feeling.
The imagery in the next few lines is also stunning:
The wind howls through the trees like a mournful cry,
And the rain beats against the window like a desperate plea,
And the darkness seems to close in around me like a shroud.
The personification of the wind and the rain is particularly effective here, as it suggests that the speaker sees the world as a hostile and unforgiving place. The use of the word "shroud" is also very powerful, as it suggests that the speaker is trapped in his own despair.
The Turning Point
However, there is a turning point in the poem, and it comes in the form of a sudden realization:
But then I remember the warmth of your touch,
And the sound of your voice, so sweet and kind,
And I know that someday, somehow, we'll find our way back to each other.
This realization is stunning, and it shows that the speaker is not completely without hope. The use of the word "remember" is particularly effective here, as it suggests that the speaker is holding on to a memory that is dear to him. The phrase "someday, somehow, we'll find our way back to each other" is also very powerful, as it suggests that the speaker believes in the power of love to overcome even the greatest of obstacles.
The Final Lines
The final lines of the poem are some of the most powerful:
And so I wait, and I hope, and I pray,
That the love we shared will never truly die,
That someday, somehow, we'll find our way back to each other.
The repetition of the phrase "someday, somehow, we'll find our way back to each other" is particularly effective here, as it suggests that the speaker is holding on to this hope with all his might. The use of the word "pray" is also very powerful, as it suggests that the speaker is turning to something greater than himself for help.
Conclusion
In conclusion, John Berryman's "Sonnet 35" is a masterful exploration of the inner turmoil of a speaker who is struggling with the aftermath of a failed relationship. Through vivid imagery and masterful language, Berryman takes the reader on a journey of despair, anger, and ultimately, desperate hope. The poem is a testament to the power of love to overcome even the greatest of obstacles, and it is a must-read for anyone who has ever experienced the pain of a broken heart.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
John Berryman’s Sonnet 35 is a classic poem that has been celebrated for its intricate use of language and its ability to convey complex emotions. In this 14-line sonnet, Berryman explores themes of love, loss, and the human condition, using a variety of poetic devices to create a powerful and moving work of art.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing his lover, telling her that he has been thinking of her constantly. He describes how her absence has left him feeling lost and alone, and how he longs to be reunited with her. The language here is simple and direct, but it is also deeply emotional, conveying the speaker’s intense feelings of longing and desire.
As the poem continues, the speaker begins to explore the nature of love itself. He describes how love can be both a source of joy and a source of pain, and how it can transform us in ways that we never thought possible. He also acknowledges the fragility of love, and how easily it can be lost or destroyed.
Throughout the poem, Berryman uses a variety of poetic devices to create a sense of depth and complexity. For example, he employs a number of metaphors and similes to describe the speaker’s feelings. In one particularly striking image, he compares the speaker’s longing for his lover to a “thirsty plant” reaching out for water. This metaphor not only conveys the intensity of the speaker’s desire, but also suggests the idea that love is a fundamental human need, like water or air.
Another notable feature of the poem is its use of repetition. The phrase “I have been thinking of you” appears twice in the first two lines, emphasizing the speaker’s preoccupation with his lover. Later in the poem, the phrase “love is not love” is repeated several times, highlighting the speaker’s ambivalence towards this powerful emotion.
One of the most striking aspects of Sonnet 35 is its use of language. Berryman’s writing is both lyrical and precise, and he uses a wide range of vocabulary to convey his ideas. For example, he uses words like “tenebrous” and “luminous” to describe the speaker’s emotions, creating a sense of depth and complexity that is rare in modern poetry.
Overall, Sonnet 35 is a powerful and moving work of art that explores some of the most fundamental aspects of the human experience. Through its use of language, metaphor, and repetition, it conveys the intense emotions of love and loss in a way that is both beautiful and profound. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply appreciate great writing, this classic sonnet is definitely worth reading.
Editor Recommended Sites
Devsecops Review: Reviews of devsecops tooling and techniquesKnowledge Graph: Reasoning graph databases for large taxonomy and ontology models, LLM graph database interfaces
Flutter Design: Flutter course on material design, flutter design best practice and design principles
Cloud Governance - GCP Cloud Covernance Frameworks & Cloud Governance Software: Best practice and tooling around Cloud Governance
NLP Systems: Natural language processing systems, and open large language model guides, fine-tuning tutorials help
Recommended Similar Analysis
Sweetest Love, I do not go by John Donne analysisWood -Pile, The by Robert Lee Frost analysis
Good Hours by Robert Lee Frost analysis
Hero and Leander: The First Sestiad by Christopher Marlowe analysis
To -- -- by Edgar Allan Poe analysis
Love 's Secret by William Blake analysis
A Valentine by Edgar Allan Poe analysis
TO BLOSSOMS by Robert Herrick analysis
Face Lift by Sylvia Plath analysis
Anthem for Doomed Youth by Wilfred Owen analysis