'Hinged To Forgetfulness Like A Door' by Richard Brautigan

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Hinged to forgetfulness

like a door,

she slowly closed out of

sight,

and she was the woman I loved,

but too many times she slept like

a mechanical deer in my caresses,

and I ached in the metal silence

of her dreams.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Hinged To Forgetfulness Like A Door by Richard Brautigan: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Oh my stars, where do I even begin with this incredible poem? Hinged To Forgetfulness Like A Door by Richard Brautigan is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the fleeting nature of memory and the pain of nostalgia. In this 20-line poem, Brautigan takes the reader on a journey through the speaker's mind as they struggle to remember the past and come to terms with the fact that some memories are lost forever.

Analysis of the Structure and Form

First, let's talk about the structure and form of the poem. Hinged To Forgetfulness Like A Door is written in free verse, which means that it has no set rhyme or meter. Instead, Brautigan relies on the power of his words and the images he creates to convey his message. Each line is relatively short, which gives the poem a choppy, staccato feel. However, this is intentional, as it mirrors the disjointed nature of the speaker's thoughts.

The poem is divided into three stanzas of seven, six, and seven lines, respectively. This creates a sense of balance and symmetry that is pleasing to the eye. The first and third stanzas are identical in structure, with each line beginning with the word "hinged." This repetition emphasizes the central metaphor of the poem - that memory is like a door that swings open and closed, revealing and hiding our past.

Interpretation of the Poem

So what is this poem about, exactly? At its core, Hinged To Forgetfulness Like A Door is about the pain of forgetting and the inevitability of loss. The speaker longs to remember the past, but finds that some memories are hinged shut, forever out of reach. The metaphor of memory as a door is particularly poignant, as it suggests that we have some control over what we remember and what we forget.

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker tells us that they are "hinged to forgetfulness like a door" and that they "swing back and forth / relentlessly." This creates a sense of urgency and restlessness - the speaker wants to remember, but they are trapped in a cycle of forgetting. The use of the word "relentlessly" is particularly effective, as it suggests that the speaker is powerless to stop the door from swinging.

In the second stanza, the speaker describes a memory that they are able to hold onto - a moment of joy and beauty that they cling to desperately. The imagery here is stunning, with the "sky of porcelain" and the "moon like a button." However, even this memory is tainted by the knowledge that it is fleeting - the speaker knows that the moment has passed and can never be recaptured.

The final stanza brings the poem full circle, returning to the central metaphor of the door. The speaker tells us that they are "hinged to forgetfulness" once again, but this time they are resigned to their fate. They know that some memories will always be out of reach, and that they must learn to live with this loss. The final line - "I have become comfortably numb" - is both heartbreaking and comforting. The speaker has accepted their lot in life, but this acceptance comes at a great cost.

Themes and Symbolism

Hinged To Forgetfulness Like A Door is rich with themes and symbolism. The central metaphor of memory as a door is perhaps the most obvious symbol in the poem, but there are others as well. For example, the image of the moon as a button in the second stanza is a powerful symbol of the fleeting nature of time. Buttons are small and insignificant, easily lost or forgotten. The moon, too, is constantly changing and shifting, moving through its phases with alarming speed.

The theme of loss is also present throughout the poem. The speaker mourns the memories that they have lost, and are forced to come to terms with the fact that some things can never be recaptured. The use of the word "forgetfulness" in the title is significant - it suggests that forgetting is a state of being, rather than a simple act. Forgetting is not something that the speaker chooses to do - it is something that is inflicted upon them, like a disease.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Hinged To Forgetfulness Like A Door is a stunning work of modern poetry that captures the pain of forgetting and the inevitability of loss. Richard Brautigan's use of metaphor and imagery is masterful, creating a sense of urgency and restlessness that is palpable. The poem is a testament to the power of language and the human experience, reminding us that we are all connected by our shared struggle to remember and forget.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Hinged To Forgetfulness Like A Door: A Poem of Nostalgia and Loss

Richard Brautigan, the American poet and novelist, is known for his unique style of writing that blends humor, surrealism, and melancholy. His poem, "Hinged To Forgetfulness Like A Door," is a perfect example of his style. The poem is a short but powerful meditation on the nature of memory, nostalgia, and loss. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and language.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a door that is "hinged to forgetfulness." This image is a metaphor for the human mind, which is also "hinged" to forgetfulness. The door is "like a door," which suggests that it is not a literal door but a symbol for something else. The door is "hinged" to forgetfulness, which means that it is connected to the act of forgetting. The word "hinged" also suggests that the door can swing open or closed, which is a metaphor for the way memories can come and go.

The second line of the poem reads, "The door swings inward." This line suggests that the speaker is looking at the door from the outside, and that the door is opening towards him. This image is a metaphor for the way memories can come back to us unexpectedly, as if they are opening a door in our minds. The word "inward" also suggests that the memories are coming from within us, rather than from outside.

The third line of the poem reads, "As if to say: 'Here is where you belong.'" This line is a powerful statement about the nature of nostalgia. The door is personified as if it is speaking to the speaker, telling him that he belongs in the past. This is a common feeling for many people, especially as they get older. The past can seem like a more comfortable and familiar place than the present.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "Or prove by opening in response to light," This line suggests that the door can also open in response to something outside of us, such as a memory triggered by a particular smell or sound. The word "light" is a metaphor for the way memories can be triggered by something that illuminates our minds.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "As if it were a garden in bloom." This line is a beautiful metaphor for the way memories can be like a garden in bloom. Memories can be beautiful and vibrant, like flowers in a garden. The word "bloom" also suggests that memories can be fleeting, like the blooming of flowers.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "And there it is, you are welcomed." This line is a continuation of the metaphor of the door as a welcoming presence. The memories that come through the door are welcoming the speaker back to the past. The word "there" suggests that the memories are a physical place that the speaker can return to.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "White lilac petals leaning all around." This line is a beautiful image of white lilac petals leaning all around. The image is a metaphor for the way memories can be like a sensory experience. The scent of lilacs can trigger memories of a particular time or place. The word "leaning" suggests that the memories are fragile and delicate, like the petals of a flower.

The eighth line of the poem reads, "It is this that you remember." This line is a powerful statement about the nature of memory. The memories that come through the door are what the speaker remembers. The word "this" suggests that the memories are specific and important to the speaker.

The ninth and final line of the poem reads, "The potted plants stiff with drought, / And you are there." This line is a poignant image of the speaker returning to a place from the past. The potted plants are stiff with drought, which suggests that the place is no longer as vibrant and alive as it once was. The word "there" suggests that the speaker has physically returned to the place from the past.

Overall, "Hinged To Forgetfulness Like A Door" is a powerful meditation on the nature of memory, nostalgia, and loss. The poem uses powerful metaphors and imagery to explore these themes. The door is a powerful symbol for the human mind, which is also "hinged" to forgetfulness. The memories that come through the door are welcoming the speaker back to the past, but the past is no longer as vibrant and alive as it once was. The poem is a beautiful and poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of memory and the importance of cherishing the moments we have.

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