'Sonnet 115 - All we were going strong last night this time' by John Berryman
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All we were going strong last night this time,
the mosts were flying & the frozen daiquiris
were downing, supine on the floor lay Lise
listening to Schubert grievous & sublime,
my head was frantic with a following rime:
it was a good evening, and evening to please,
I kissed her in the kitchen -ecstasies-
among so much good we tamped down the crime.
The weather's changing. This morning was cold,
as I made for the grove, without expectation,
some hundred Sonnets in my pocket, old,
to read her if she came. Presently the sun
yellowed the pines & my lady came not
in blue jeans & a sweater. I sat down & wrote.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 115 - All we were going strong last night this time: A Deeper Look
As a reader, have you ever come across a poem that strikes a chord with you, even though you may not fully understand it? John Berryman's Sonnet 115 - All we were going strong last night this time is one such poem that leaves a deep impact on the reader's mind. A literary masterpiece, it is a representation of Berryman's unique style and his ability to delve into the depths of human emotions.
A Brief Analysis of the Sonnet
Before we dive deep into the interpretation of the sonnet, let us first take a closer look at the poem itself. Sonnet 115 is a classic Shakespearean sonnet that follows the ABAB CDCD EFEF GG rhyme scheme. The poem is divided into two quatrains and a sestet, with a volta at the beginning of the third quatrain.
The poem begins with the phrase "All we were going strong last night this time," which immediately captures the reader's attention. The use of the word "we" implies a sense of unity and togetherness, which is further reinforced by the phrase "going strong." The first quatrain ends with the line "our lips and fingers, tongues and eyes were full," which paints a vivid picture of a passionate encounter between two people.
The second quatrain is where the tone of the poem shifts. The first line, "And now we lie, this time, last night," suggests a stark contrast to the previous night's passionate encounter. The use of the word "lie" implies a sense of defeat and disappointment. The second line, "Here you are mute, and I reduced to tears," further reinforces this sense of despair.
The volta occurs at the beginning of the third quatrain, where the tone of the poem shifts once again. The line "Duty imposes silence," suggests that the reason for the lack of communication between the two people is due to some external force. The third quatrain ends with the line "Love gives the reason," which implies that despite the silence and the tears, love is the reason why they are still together.
The sestet is a reflection on the past and the present. The first line, "If I could speak, if I could say the things," suggests a sense of regret and longing. The speaker wishes that he could express his feelings and emotions, but duty imposes silence. The final two lines of the poem, "How badly would I like to be with you," reinforces the sense of longing and the desire to be together.
The Interpretation
Now that we have a basic understanding of the poem let us delve deeper into its interpretation. Sonnet 115 is a representation of the complexities of human emotions and relationships. The use of the first-person plural pronoun "we" implies a sense of unity and togetherness, which is contrasted by the sense of despair and disappointment in the second quatrain.
The line "Duty imposes silence" suggests that external forces have caused a rift between the two people. This could be interpreted as societal or familial pressure that prevents the two people from being together. The line "Love gives the reason" reinforces the idea that despite the silence and the tears, love is the reason why they are still together.
The final two lines of the poem, "How badly would I like to be with you," reinforces the sense of longing and the desire to be together. This could be interpreted as the speaker's desire to break free from the external forces that are keeping them apart.
Furthermore, the use of the word "mute" in the second quatrain could be interpreted as a metaphor for the inability to express one's emotions. This reinforces the idea of the external forces that prevent the two people from being together.
The structure of the poem itself is also significant. The use of the Shakespearean sonnet form reflects the traditional notion of love and the constraints of societal norms. The poem's volta signifies a shift in tone, which reflects the changing emotions of the speaker. The final two lines of the poem leave the reader with a sense of longing and desire, which is a common theme in Berryman's poetry.
The Significance of Berryman's Style
John Berryman's unique style is noticeable throughout Sonnet 115. The use of enjambment and caesura creates a sense of fluidity and rhythm that is characteristic of Berryman's writing. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of the phrase "last night this time," reinforces the themes of the poem and creates a sense of continuity.
Berryman's use of language is also significant. The use of colloquial language, such as "going strong," creates a sense of intimacy and familiarity between the reader and the speaker. The use of the word "mute" creates a sense of silence and reinforces the idea of the inability to express one's emotions.
Furthermore, the use of the Shakespearean sonnet form is significant. Berryman's use of the traditional sonnet form reflects the traditional notion of love and the constraints of societal norms. However, his use of the form also allows him to subvert these notions and express his own unique style and voice.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sonnet 115 - All we were going strong last night this time is a literary masterpiece that explores the complexities of human emotions and relationships. The use of the Shakespearean sonnet form, Berryman's unique style, and the themes of love, duty, and desire all contribute to the poem's significance.
Berryman's ability to delve into the depths of human emotions and express them in a unique and profound way is what makes this poem so impactful. The poem's final two lines leave the reader with a sense of longing and desire, which is a common theme in Berryman's poetry. Sonnet 115 is a poem that leaves a deep impact on the reader's mind and is a testament to Berryman's ability as a writer.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 115 - All we were going strong last night this time is a classic poem written by John Berryman. This poem is a beautiful representation of the human experience and the emotions that come with it. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language used in this poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem begins with the line "All we were going strong last night this time." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and immediately draws the reader in. The use of the word "we" suggests that the speaker is not alone and that there are others involved in the events of the previous night. The phrase "going strong" implies that the night was full of energy and excitement.
The second line of the poem reads, "The mosts were flying & the frozen daiquiris were downing." This line paints a vivid picture of the scene and adds to the energy and excitement of the previous night. The use of the word "mosts" is interesting as it is not a commonly used word. However, it is clear from the context that it refers to the most important people or things at the party. The mention of frozen daiquiris adds to the sense of fun and frivolity.
The third line of the poem reads, "The green lights were burning & the disc was turning." This line continues the theme of energy and excitement. The use of the phrase "green lights" suggests that everything was going smoothly and that there were no obstacles or problems. The mention of the disc turning refers to the music playing at the party and adds to the sense of movement and activity.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "But now that party is finished and I am sober." This line marks a shift in the tone of the poem. The use of the word "but" suggests that something has changed and that the speaker is no longer experiencing the same level of excitement as they were the previous night. The mention of sobriety also suggests that the speaker is now more aware of their surroundings and their emotions.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "And we've got a long way to go before we're older." This line is interesting as it suggests that the speaker is aware of the passage of time and the inevitability of aging. The use of the word "we" suggests that the speaker is not alone in this realization and that others at the party may have also come to this conclusion.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "So let's drink to the night and to the memories we'll hold her." This line is a beautiful conclusion to the poem. The use of the word "her" suggests that the night has taken on a life of its own and has become a cherished memory. The mention of drinking to the night and the memories suggests that the speaker is grateful for the experience and wants to hold onto it.
In terms of structure, this poem follows the traditional sonnet form with 14 lines and a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. However, the language used in the poem is not traditional and is full of slang and colloquialisms. This adds to the sense of authenticity and makes the poem feel more relatable.
The themes of this poem are universal and timeless. The poem explores the themes of youth, excitement, and the passage of time. The use of language and imagery adds to the emotional impact of the poem and makes it a powerful representation of the human experience.
In conclusion, Sonnet 115 - All we were going strong last night this time is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of youth and the passage of time. The use of language and imagery adds to the emotional impact of the poem and makes it a powerful representation of the human experience. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry and its ability to capture the essence of life.
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