'Dream Song 105: As a kid I believed in democracy: I' by John Berryman
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As a kid I believed in democracy: I
'saw no alternative'—teaching at The Big Place I ah
put it in practice:
we'd time for one long novel: to a vote—
Gone with the Wind they voted: I crunched 'No'
and we sat down with War & Peace.
As a man I believed in democracy (nobody
ever learns anything): only one lazy day
my assistant, called James Dow,
& I were chatting, in a failure of meeting of minds,
and I said curious 'What are your real politics?'
'Oh, I'm a monarchist.'
Finishing his dissertation, in Political Science.
I resign. The universal contempt for Mr Nixon,
whom never I liked but who
alert & gutsy served us years under a dope,
since dynasty K swarmed in. Let's have a King
maybe, before a few mindless votes.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dream Song 105: As a kid I believed in democracy:
Introduction
Dream Song 105 is a poem by John Berryman that explores the disillusionment of the speaker with democracy. As the title suggests, the speaker, as a child, believed in democracy but as he grows older, he realizes that it is not the ideal system of government he thought it was. This poem is a part of Berryman's larger collection of poems, The Dream Songs. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, style, and symbolism of the poem.
Themes
The primary theme of Dream Song 105 is disillusionment with democracy. The speaker, as a child, believed in the ideal of democracy, where power was in the hands of the people. However, as he grows older and experiences the realities of life, he realizes that democracy is not a perfect system, and it is often manipulated by the powerful for their own interests. The poem is, therefore, a critique of democracy and the corruption that can arise within it.
Another theme that emerges in the poem is the idea of childhood innocence. The speaker's belief in democracy as a child is portrayed as a product of his innocence and naivety. The poem suggests that as we grow older and become more aware of the world's complexities, we lose our innocence and idealism.
Style
Berryman's style in Dream Song 105 is characterized by his use of free verse and irregular meter. The poem is composed of three stanzas, each with varying line lengths and rhythms. This style gives the poem a sense of spontaneity and unpredictability, mirroring the speaker's disillusionment with democracy.
The poem also makes use of repetition, particularly in the first stanza, where the phrase "As a kid I believed in democracy" is repeated five times. This repetition serves to emphasize the speaker's initial belief in democracy and his subsequent disillusionment.
Symbolism
The title of the poem, Dream Song 105, suggests that the poem is a dream or a reflection of the speaker's subconscious. The use of dreams and subconscious imagery is a recurring motif in The Dream Songs.
The image of the "elephant in the room" in the second stanza is a symbolic representation of the corruption that can occur within democracy. The elephant is a metaphor for the powerful interests that manipulate the system to their advantage, while the speaker is powerless to stop them.
The final line of the poem, "My head knocks against the stars," is a symbolic expression of the speaker's frustration and disillusionment. The stars represent the unattainable ideals of democracy, which the speaker has come to realize are out of reach.
Interpretation
Dream Song 105 can be interpreted as a reflection of Berryman's own disillusionment with democracy. Berryman was a politically active individual who believed in the ideals of democracy, but as he grew older, he became increasingly skeptical of the system. The poem, therefore, can be seen as a personal reflection on Berryman's own political beliefs.
The use of repetition in the poem serves to emphasize the speaker's initial belief in democracy and his subsequent disillusionment. The repetition of the phrase "As a kid I believed in democracy" suggests that the speaker's belief in democracy was deeply ingrained in him, but as he grew older, he came to realize that it was not the perfect system he thought it was.
The image of the elephant in the room is a powerful metaphor for the corruption that can occur within democracy. The elephant is a symbol of the powerful interests that manipulate the system to their advantage, while the speaker is powerless to stop them. This image highlights the inherent flaws in democracy and the challenge of creating a truly just and equitable system of government.
The final line of the poem, "My head knocks against the stars," is a poignant expression of the speaker's frustration and disillusionment. The stars represent the unattainable ideals of democracy, which the speaker has come to realize are out of reach. This line suggests that the speaker has come to accept the limitations of democracy, but he still strives for a better world.
Conclusion
Dream Song 105 is a powerful reflection on the disillusionment that can arise within democracy. Berryman's use of repetition, symbolism, and free verse creates a sense of spontaneity and unpredictability, mirroring the speaker's disillusionment with democracy. The poem is a personal reflection on Berryman's own political beliefs and serves as a critique of the flaws inherent in democracy. Ultimately, however, the poem suggests that while democracy may be flawed, it is still the best system of government we have, and we must continue to strive for a better world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dream Song 105: As a kid I believed in democracy: I is a classic poem written by John Berryman, an American poet known for his confessional style of writing. In this poem, Berryman reflects on his childhood beliefs in democracy and how they have been shattered by the harsh realities of life. The poem is a powerful commentary on the disillusionment and loss of innocence that often accompanies the transition from childhood to adulthood.
The poem begins with the speaker reminiscing about his childhood and how he used to believe in democracy. He recalls how he used to think that everyone had an equal say in how things were run and that the majority always ruled. However, as he grew older, he began to realize that this was not the case. He saw how the rich and powerful often had more influence than the common people and how the system was rigged in their favor.
The second stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as the speaker reflects on the injustices he has witnessed in his life. He talks about how he has seen people suffer and die because of the greed and corruption of those in power. He talks about how the system is designed to benefit the few at the expense of the many and how this has led to a sense of hopelessness and despair among the people.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poignant, as the speaker reflects on his own sense of disillusionment and loss of faith in democracy. He talks about how he used to believe that his vote mattered and that he could make a difference, but now he sees that this is not the case. He talks about how he has become cynical and jaded, and how he no longer believes in the ideals that he once held so dear.
The final stanza of the poem is a powerful call to action, as the speaker urges the reader to not give up on democracy. He acknowledges that the system is flawed and that there are many injustices in the world, but he also reminds us that democracy is still the best hope we have for a better future. He urges us to keep fighting for what we believe in and to never give up on our dreams of a more just and equitable society.
Overall, Dream Song 105: As a kid I believed in democracy: I is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that speaks to the disillusionment and loss of faith that many people experience in their lives. It is a reminder that the world is not always fair or just, but that we must never give up on our ideals and our dreams. It is a call to action to keep fighting for what we believe in and to never lose hope in the power of democracy to bring about positive change in the world.
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