'Cinema Screen' by A.S.J. Tessimond
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Light's patterns freeze:
Frost on our faces.
Light's pollen sifts
Through the lids of our eyes ...
Light sinks and rusts
In water; is broken
By glass ... rests
On deserted dust.
Light lies like torn
Paper in corners:
A rock-pool's pledge
Of the sea's return.
Light, wrenched at the edges
By wind, looks down
At itself in wrinkled
Mirrors from bridges.
Light thinly unweaves
Itself through darkness
Like foam's unknotting
Strings in waves ...
Now light is again
Accumulated
Swords against us ...
Now it is gone.
Submitted by Stephen Fryer
Editor 1 Interpretation
Cinema Screen by A.S.J. Tessimond: A Masterpiece of Imagery and Irony
Introduction
Cinema Screen by A.S.J. Tessimond is a poem that has stood the test of time. It was published in 1936, and yet, its relevance and resonance persist to this day. The poem is a satirical take on the escapist tendencies of the masses, who seek refuge in the world of cinema.
In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the poem's themes, language, symbolism, and imagery. We will explore how Tessimond employs irony to critique societal norms and conventions.
Summary
The poem is a succinct commentary on the human condition, especially in the modern age. The speaker presents a contrast between the artificiality of cinema and the complexities of real life. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem:
"I cannot bring a world quite round, Although I patch it as I can."
The speaker acknowledges the limitations of their imagination and the futility of trying to make sense of the world. They see the world as a broken and fragmented place, and cinema as a means to escape it.
The speaker then goes on to describe the cinema screen as a window to another world, a world that is "round and whole and coloured". The use of the word "coloured" signifies the vibrancy and richness of the cinematic experience, which is far removed from the dullness of everyday life.
The speaker is not content with merely describing the screen; they delve into the intricacies of what happens on it:
"I show you love, rage, laughter's gall, And quivering, breathless, deadpan faces; I bring you fear and hope and all The changing passions that time traces."
Here, we see the range of emotions that cinema can evoke in the viewer. The speaker highlights the fact that cinema can be a cathartic experience, allowing people to experience a range of emotions that they may not be able to in their daily lives.
However, the speaker is quick to point out that this experience is fleeting and temporary:
"But when the show is over, all The passion fades, the joys depart; I am a screen, I have no heart."
The poem's title, Cinema Screen, takes on a new meaning here. The screen is not just a physical object; it becomes a metaphor for the emptiness and hollowness of the cinematic experience. The screen is a blank canvas on which the audience projects their desires and emotions, but it has no inherent meaning or value.
The final lines of the poem are a powerful commentary on the human condition:
"You seek escape, you seek relief, But all my world is make-believe."
The speaker acknowledges that the audience seeks refuge in cinema because they are dissatisfied with their own lives. They want to escape the mundanity and difficulties of reality, but in doing so, they immerse themselves in a world that is equally unreal and unsatisfying.
Themes
The poem touches on several themes that are relevant even today.
Escape: The poem critiques the escapist tendencies of the masses, who seek refuge in cinema. The audience wants to escape their mundane lives and immerse themselves in a world that is more exciting and vibrant. However, the speaker highlights the fact that this escape is temporary and ultimately unsatisfying.
Artificiality: The poem contrasts the artificiality of cinema with the complexities of real life. The screen is a blank canvas on which the audience projects their desires and emotions, but it has no inherent meaning or value. The speaker highlights the fact that cinema is a make-believe world, and by seeking refuge in it, the audience is denying the complexities of real life.
Irony: The poem employs irony to critique societal norms and conventions. The speaker presents a contrast between the artificiality of cinema and the complexities of real life. However, this contrast is not straightforward; the speaker acknowledges that cinema can be a cathartic experience, allowing people to experience a range of emotions that they may not be able to in their daily lives.
Language and Imagery
Tessimond employs a range of literary devices to convey the poem's themes.
Metaphor: The screen becomes a metaphor for the emptiness and hollowness of the cinematic experience. It is a blank canvas on which the audience projects their desires and emotions, but it has no inherent meaning or value.
Alliteration: The use of alliteration in the poem creates a rhythmic quality that adds to its musicality. Examples include "love, rage, laughter's gall" and "quivering, breathless, deadpan faces".
Symbolism: Tessimond uses symbolism to convey the artificiality of cinema. The screen represents the artificiality of the cinematic experience and the hollowness of the human desire to escape reality.
Imagery: The poem is full of vivid and evocative imagery. The speaker describes the world of cinema as "round and whole and coloured", which contrasts with the broken and fragmented world of reality. The use of the word "coloured" signifies the vibrancy and richness of the cinematic experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Cinema Screen by A.S.J. Tessimond is a masterpiece of imagery and irony. The poem critiques the escapist tendencies of the masses who seek refuge in cinema. The screen becomes a metaphor for the emptiness and hollowness of the cinematic experience, and the speaker employs irony to critique societal norms and conventions.
The poem's relevance and resonance persist to this day, and it serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers of seeking refuge in a make-believe world. Tessimond's use of language, symbolism, and imagery creates a powerful and evocative poem that continues to captivate readers, even after 85 years.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Cinema Screen: A Masterpiece of Poetic Imagery
As a lover of poetry, I have come across many works that have left me in awe of the power of words. However, few have had the same impact on me as A.S.J. Tessimond's "Cinema Screen." This classic poem, first published in 1937, is a masterpiece of poetic imagery that captures the essence of the human experience in a way that is both profound and relatable.
At its core, "Cinema Screen" is a meditation on the nature of reality and the human condition. The poem begins with the speaker describing a cinema screen, which serves as a metaphor for the world we inhabit. The screen is "a rectangle of light" that "shows life's shadows" and "plays all the films of joy and strife." This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which explores the ways in which we interact with the world around us and the impact that this has on our lives.
One of the most striking aspects of "Cinema Screen" is the vividness of its imagery. Tessimond's use of language is both evocative and precise, painting a picture of the world that is both beautiful and haunting. For example, in the second stanza, the speaker describes the "flicker of light" that illuminates the screen, creating "a world of shadows, a world of dreams." This image is both mesmerizing and unsettling, capturing the ephemeral nature of our existence and the fleeting nature of our experiences.
Throughout the poem, Tessimond uses a variety of poetic techniques to convey his message. One of the most effective of these is his use of repetition. The phrase "on the cinema screen" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the centrality of the screen to the speaker's understanding of the world. Similarly, the repetition of the word "life" in the final stanza serves to underscore the poem's central theme: that life is a fleeting and ephemeral thing, and that we must make the most of the time we have.
Another notable aspect of "Cinema Screen" is its use of metaphor. The cinema screen serves as a powerful metaphor for the world we inhabit, highlighting the ways in which our experiences are mediated by technology and the media. The screen is both a window onto the world and a barrier that separates us from it, creating a sense of distance and detachment that is both alluring and unsettling.
At the same time, however, the screen is also a source of wonder and beauty. The films that play on it are a testament to the power of human creativity and imagination, and they offer us a glimpse into worlds that we might never otherwise experience. In this way, the cinema screen serves as a symbol of both the limitations and the possibilities of the human experience.
Ultimately, what makes "Cinema Screen" such a powerful and enduring work of poetry is its ability to capture the complexity and richness of the human experience in just a few short stanzas. Through its vivid imagery, its use of metaphor, and its masterful use of language, the poem offers us a glimpse into the mysteries of life and the world around us. It reminds us that our time on this earth is fleeting, and that we must make the most of every moment that we have.
In conclusion, "Cinema Screen" is a true masterpiece of poetic imagery that deserves to be celebrated and studied for generations to come. Its message is as relevant today as it was when it was first published, and its power to move and inspire us remains undiminished. If you have not yet had the pleasure of reading this classic poem, I urge you to do so at your earliest opportunity. You will not be disappointed.
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