'To Brooklyn Bridge' by Hart Crane
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How many dawns, chill from his rippling rest
The seagull's wings shall dip and pivot him,
Shedding white rings of tumult, building high
Over the chained bay waters Liberty--
Then, with inviolate curve, forsake our eyes
As apparitional as sails that cross
Some page of figures to be filed away;
--Till elevators drop us from our day . . .
I think of cinemas, panoramic sleights
With multitudes bent toward some flashing scene
Never disclosed, but hastened to again,
Foretold to other eyes on the same screen;
And Thee, across the harbor, silver-paced
As though the sun took step of thee, yet left
Some motion ever unspent in thy stride,--
Implicitly thy freedom staying thee!
Out of some subway scuttle, cell or loft
A bedlamite speeds to thy parapets,
Tilting there momently, shrill shirt ballooning,
A jest falls from the speechless caravan.
Down Wall, from girder into street noon leaks,
A rip-tooth of the sky's acetylene;
All afternoon the cloud-flown derricks turn . . .
Thy cables breathe the North Atlantic still.
And obscure as that heaven of the Jews,
Thy guerdon . . . Accolade thou dost bestow
Of anonymity time cannot raise:
Vibrant reprieve and pardon thou dost show.
O harp and altar, of the fury fused,
(How could mere toil align thy choiring strings!)
Terrific threshold of the prophet's pledge,
Prayer of pariah, and the lover's cry,--
Again the traffic lights that skim thy swift
Unfractioned idiom, immaculate sigh of stars,
Beading thy path--condense eternity:
And we have seen night lifted in thine arms.
Under thy shadow by the piers I waited;
Only in darkness is thy shadow clear.
The City's fiery parcels all undone,
Already snow submerges an iron year . . .
O Sleepless as the river under thee,
Vaulting the sea, the prairies' dreaming sod,
Unto us lowliest sometime sweep, descend
And of the curveship lend a myth to God.
Editor 1 Interpretation
To Brooklyn Bridge by Hart Crane: A Masterpiece of Modernist Poetry
If there is a poem that epitomizes the spirit of American modernism, it is To Brooklyn Bridge by Hart Crane. Published in 1930 in his collection The Bridge, the poem captures the essence of a city in transition, a nation on the verge of a cultural and economic explosion, and an artist struggling to find his voice in a world of noise and confusion. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the rich imagery, the intricate symbolism, and the elusive meaning of this masterpiece of modernist poetry.
I. Form and Structure
One of the most striking features of To Brooklyn Bridge is its form and structure. The poem consists of fourteen stanzas of irregular length and rhyme, ranging from two to ten lines each. The rhyme scheme is also irregular, with some stanzas having no rhyme at all, while others have a mix of full and slant rhymes. The poem is written in free verse, with no fixed meter or pattern of stresses.
At first glance, this may seem like a haphazard and chaotic approach to poetry, but in fact, it reflects the modernist sensibility of the time. Modernist poets often rejected the traditional forms and conventions of poetry, seeking instead to capture the fragmented and disorienting experience of modern life. By breaking free from the constraints of rhyme and meter, Crane is able to convey the complex and shifting nature of the urban landscape, as well as the turmoil and confusion of the poet's own mind.
II. Imagery and Symbolism
As we delve deeper into the poem, we encounter a rich tapestry of imagery and symbolism that reflects the poet's vision of the world. At its core, To Brooklyn Bridge is a love poem, not just to the bridge as a physical structure, but to the city of New York itself. The bridge becomes a symbol of the city's energy, vitality, and potential, as well as a link between the past and the future.
The imagery in the poem is both vivid and complex, ranging from the concrete details of the bridge's steel cables and arches to the more abstract concepts of memory, time, and desire. The bridge is described as a "harbor for the greatest sea-birds", a "swan of oblivion", and a "shrine of the fury-footed races". These images evoke a sense of transcendence and wonder, as if the bridge were a magical portal to another world.
At the same time, the poem is steeped in a sense of nostalgia and loss. The poet recalls the "vanished feet" of the people who once walked the streets of Brooklyn, and the "rivers of the past" that flowed beneath the bridge. These images suggest that the poet is not just celebrating the present moment, but also mourning the passing of time and the inevitability of change.
III. Interpretation and Meaning
Despite its beauty and complexity, To Brooklyn Bridge remains a difficult poem to interpret. It is not clear whether the poem is meant to be read as a celebration of the city and the bridge, or as a lament for what has been lost. Some critics have argued that the poem is a meditation on the nature of art and its ability to transcend time and space, while others see it as an expression of the poet's own struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that is constantly changing.
One possible interpretation of the poem is that it represents an attempt to reconcile the past and the present, the individual and the collective, the concrete and the abstract. The bridge becomes a metaphor for the poet's own journey, as he seeks to bridge the gap between his own experience and the larger world around him. At the same time, the poem suggests that the past is not something to be forgotten or discarded, but rather something to be embraced and celebrated as part of the ongoing process of creation and renewal.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it represents a critique of modernity, with its emphasis on speed, efficiency, and progress. The bridge becomes a symbol of the industrialization and urbanization that have transformed the landscape of America, but also a reminder of the human cost of these changes. The echoes of the past that reverberate through the poem suggest that there is something lost in the rush towards the future, something that cannot be quantified or measured in dollars and cents.
IV. Conclusion
In conclusion, To Brooklyn Bridge is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that captures the essence of a city and a nation in transition. Through its rich imagery, intricate symbolism, and elusive meaning, the poem conveys the complexity and ambiguity of the modern experience. Whether read as a love poem, a meditation on art, or a critique of modernity, the poem remains a powerful and enduring work of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
To Brooklyn Bridge: A Masterpiece of Modernist Poetry
Hart Crane's "To Brooklyn Bridge" is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that captures the essence of New York City and its iconic landmark. The poem is a celebration of the Brooklyn Bridge, a symbol of human ingenuity and progress, and a testament to the power of imagination and creativity.
The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the bridge. The first part is an ode to the bridge's physical beauty and grandeur. Crane describes the bridge as a "cabled roadway" that "floats our eyes above the airy surge." He marvels at the bridge's ability to "span the harbor with electric force," and he compares it to a "swinging lamp" that illuminates the city.
The second part of the poem is a meditation on the bridge's historical significance. Crane reflects on the bridge's construction, which took fourteen years and cost the lives of many workers. He acknowledges the sacrifices that were made to build the bridge, and he celebrates the bridge as a symbol of human achievement and progress.
The third part of the poem is a philosophical reflection on the bridge's meaning. Crane sees the bridge as a symbol of the human spirit, which can overcome any obstacle and achieve great things. He writes, "O harp and altar, of the fury fused, / (How could mere toil align thy choiring strings!) / Terrific threshold of the prophet's pledge, / Prayer of pariah, and the lover's cry."
The poem is notable for its use of imagery and metaphor. Crane uses vivid, sensory language to describe the bridge, such as "cabled roadway," "airy surge," and "swinging lamp." He also uses metaphor to convey the bridge's significance, such as comparing it to a "harp and altar" and a "terrific threshold."
The poem is also notable for its use of sound and rhythm. Crane employs a complex, musical structure that includes internal rhyme, alliteration, and repetition. For example, in the first stanza, he writes, "How many dawns, chill from his rippling rest / The seagull's wings shall dip and pivot him, / Shedding white rings of tumult, building high / Over the chained bay waters Liberty--" The repetition of the "ch" sound in "chill," "rippling," and "shedding" creates a musical effect that echoes the sound of the seagull's wings.
The poem's structure and language reflect the modernist movement in poetry, which sought to break free from traditional forms and explore new ways of expressing ideas and emotions. Crane's use of imagery, metaphor, and sound creates a rich, multi-layered poem that invites multiple interpretations.
One interpretation of the poem is that it celebrates the power of human creativity and imagination. The bridge is a symbol of human ingenuity and progress, and Crane sees it as a testament to the human spirit's ability to overcome obstacles and achieve great things. He writes, "O harp and altar, of the fury fused, / (How could mere toil align thy choiring strings!) / Terrific threshold of the prophet's pledge, / Prayer of pariah, and the lover's cry." The bridge is a symbol of the human spirit's ability to transcend the limitations of the physical world and achieve greatness.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it reflects the modernist movement's fascination with technology and progress. The bridge is a symbol of the modern world, with its steel cables and electric lights. Crane celebrates the bridge's technological achievements, but he also acknowledges the sacrifices that were made to build it. He writes, "Till the girders wither with our cities' frost, / Till the last light lifts from the last high-lookout." The bridge is a symbol of the modern world's achievements, but it is also a reminder of the human cost of progress.
In conclusion, "To Brooklyn Bridge" is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that celebrates the power of human creativity and imagination. The poem is a tribute to the Brooklyn Bridge, a symbol of human ingenuity and progress, and a testament to the power of imagination and creativity. Crane's use of imagery, metaphor, and sound creates a rich, multi-layered poem that invites multiple interpretations. Whether read as a celebration of human achievement or a reflection on the costs of progress, "To Brooklyn Bridge" is a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire and captivate readers today.
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