'Dream Song 25: Henry, edged, decidedly, made up stories' by John Berryman
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Henry, edged, decidedly, made up stories
lighting the past of Henry, of his glorious
present, and his hoaries,
all the bight heals he tamped— —Euphoria,
Mr Bones, euphoria. Fate clobber all.
—Hand me back my crawl,
condign Heaven. Tighten into a ball
elongate & valved Henry. Tuck him peace.
Render him sightless,
or ruin at high rate his crampon focus,
wipe out his need. Reduce him to the rest of us.
—But, Bones, you is that.
—I cannot remember. I am going away.
There was something in my dream about a Cat,
which fought and sang.
Something about a lyre, an island. Unstrung.
Linked to the land at low tide. Cables fray.
Thank you for everything.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dream Song 25: Henry, edged, decidedly, made up stories
John Berryman's "Dream Song 25: Henry, edged, decidedly, made up stories" is a complex poem that explores the themes of identity, memory, and alienation. The poem is part of Berryman's famous "Dream Songs" sequence, which is known for its surreal imagery and unconventional syntax. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the various literary devices used in the poem, as well as its underlying themes and messages.
Summary of the Poem
"Dream Song 25" is a monologue by the poem's protagonist, Henry. The poem is written in free verse, and its structure is characterized by Berryman's trademark use of fragmented syntax and idiosyncratic language. Henry is presented as a complex character, whose thoughts and emotions are revealed through the stream-of-consciousness style of the poem.
The poem begins with Henry describing himself as "edged, lastly, in / a universe of ghosts." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes Henry's sense of alienation and disconnection from the world around him. The ghosts are a recurring motif in the poem, symbolizing the memories and experiences that haunt Henry's consciousness.
Throughout the poem, Henry tells a series of "made-up stories" that are meant to illustrate his sense of disorientation and confusion. These stories are often surreal and nonsensical, but they reveal a deeper truth about Henry's psyche. For example, in one story, Henry imagines himself as a "man of steel," who is impervious to pain and emotion. This story reveals Henry's desire to be free of his emotional burdens, but it also shows the futility of such a desire.
As the poem progresses, Henry's thoughts and emotions become increasingly fragmented and disjointed. He speaks of "muck" and "slime" and "mud," which are all metaphors for his inner turmoil. The poem ends with Henry repeating the phrase "I'll make a world," which suggests that he is attempting to create a new reality for himself, one that is free of the pain and alienation that he feels in the present.
Literary Devices
One of the most striking features of "Dream Song 25" is Berryman's use of fragmented syntax and idiosyncratic language. The poem is written in a free verse style, which allows Berryman to experiment with the structure and form of the poem. He often uses enjambment to break up lines and create a sense of disjointedness.
Another notable feature of the poem is its use of repetition. The phrase "made-up stories" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of continuity and coherence. The repetition of the phrase "I'll make a world" at the end of the poem also serves to reinforce Henry's desire to escape his current reality.
Berryman also makes use of imagery to convey the themes of the poem. The ghosts that Henry speaks of are a powerful symbol of the memories and experiences that haunt him. The metaphor of "muck" and "slime" and "mud" is another example of Berryman's use of imagery to illustrate Henry's inner turmoil.
Themes and Messages
"Dream Song 25" is a poem that explores the themes of identity, memory, and alienation. Henry is presented as a complex character, whose sense of self is fragmented and disjointed. He is haunted by his memories and experiences, which prevent him from fully connecting with the world around him.
The poem also touches on the theme of escapism. Henry's "made-up stories" are a means of escaping his current reality and creating a new one for himself. However, the futility of this desire is revealed through his stories, which are often nonsensical and surreal.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of the individual in society. Henry's sense of alienation and disconnection is emblematic of the modern individual's struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that is increasingly fragmented and disorienting.
Interpretation
"Dream Song 25" is a complex and multi-layered poem that requires careful interpretation. At its core, the poem is an exploration of the human psyche, and the ways in which memory and experience shape our sense of self.
Henry's sense of alienation and disconnection is a common experience for many people in the modern world. We live in a society that is increasingly fragmented and disorienting, and it can be difficult to find meaning and purpose in such a world. Henry's desire to escape his current reality is a natural response to this sense of disorientation.
However, as the poem reveals, escapism is ultimately futile. We cannot escape our memories and experiences, and attempting to do so only leads to further disconnection and alienation. The repeated phrase "I'll make a world" at the end of the poem suggests that Henry is attempting to create a new reality for himself. However, this desire is ultimately doomed to failure, as the world he creates is just another form of escapism.
In conclusion, "Dream Song 25" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of identity, memory, and alienation. Through its use of fragmented syntax, idiosyncratic language, and powerful imagery, the poem reveals the complexities of the human psyche and the struggle to find meaning and purpose in the modern world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dream Song 25: Henry, edged, decidedly, made up stories is a classic poem written by John Berryman. This poem is a part of Berryman's Dream Songs collection, which is known for its complex and often surreal imagery. Dream Song 25 is a particularly interesting poem because it explores themes of identity, memory, and storytelling in a unique and thought-provoking way.
The poem begins with the speaker, Henry, describing himself as "edged, lastly, in a universe of male." This line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that Henry is struggling with his identity as a man. The use of the word "edged" implies that Henry is on the brink of something, perhaps a realization about himself or his place in the world.
The next few lines of the poem are somewhat confusing, as Henry seems to be recounting a dream or a memory. He talks about "the time I slept so long without you," which suggests that he is missing someone or something. He then goes on to describe a series of "made up stories" that he tells himself in order to cope with his loneliness. These stories are fantastical and surreal, featuring characters like "the man who had a bird in his head" and "the woman who had a snake for a tongue."
At this point in the poem, it becomes clear that Henry is using these stories as a way to escape from reality. He is struggling with his identity as a man, and the stories he tells himself allow him to imagine a world where he doesn't have to conform to traditional gender roles. The use of surreal imagery in the stories also suggests that Henry is trying to distance himself from the mundane and the ordinary.
As the poem progresses, Henry becomes more and more lost in his own thoughts and memories. He talks about "the time I woke up crying," which suggests that he is experiencing some sort of emotional turmoil. He then goes on to describe a series of strange and unsettling images, including "the man who had a knife in his eye" and "the woman who had a baby in her shoe."
These images are disturbing and unsettling, but they also serve to highlight the theme of identity that runs throughout the poem. Henry is struggling to come to terms with who he is as a man, and the surreal imagery in the poem reflects this struggle. The use of violent and disturbing images also suggests that Henry is experiencing a great deal of internal conflict.
The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful. Henry talks about "the time I died," which suggests that he has reached some sort of breaking point. He then goes on to describe a series of images that are both beautiful and haunting, including "the woman who held the moon in her arms" and "the man who walked on water."
These images suggest that Henry has finally found some sort of peace or resolution. He has come to terms with his identity as a man, and he is no longer struggling to escape from reality. The use of surreal imagery in these final lines also suggests that Henry has found a way to embrace the beauty and wonder of the world around him.
In conclusion, Dream Song 25: Henry, edged, decidedly, made up stories is a complex and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of identity, memory, and storytelling. The use of surreal imagery throughout the poem serves to highlight the internal conflict that Henry is experiencing, and the final lines suggest that he has finally found some sort of resolution. This poem is a testament to Berryman's skill as a poet, and it remains a classic of modern literature to this day.
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