'Freedom' by Charles Bukowski
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he drank wine all night of the
28th, and he kept thinking of her:
the way she walked and talked and loved
the way she told him things that seemed true
but were not, and he knew the color of each
of her dresses
and her shoes-he knew the stock and curve of
each heel
as well as the leg shaped by it.
and she was out again and whe he came home,and
she'd come back with that special stink again,
and she did
she came in at 3 a.m in the morning
filthy like a dung eating swine
and
he took out a butchers knife
and she screamed
backing into the roominghouse wall
still pretty somehow
in spite of love's reek
and he finished the glass of wine.
that yellow dress
his favorite
and she screamed again.
and he took up the knife
and unhooked his belt
and tore away the cloth before her
and cut off his balls.
and carried them in his hands
like apricots
and flushed them down the
toilet bowl
and she kept screaming
as the room became red
GOD O GOD!
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
and he sat there holding 3 towels
between his legs
no caring now wether she lft or
stayed
wore yellow or green or
anything at all.
and one hand holding and one hand
lifting he poured
another wine
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Freedom" by Charles Bukowski: A Raw and Unapologetic Exploration of the Human Condition
Are you tired of sugar-coated and flowery poetry that fails to capture the rawness of human existence? Then look no further than Charles Bukowski's "Freedom."
This poem delves deep into the psyche of a man desperate for true freedom. The speaker's voice is harsh and unrelenting, a reflection of the pain and frustration he feels in his search for liberation.
The Struggle for Freedom
The opening lines of "Freedom" immediately set the tone for the poem:
he drank wine all night of the 28th, and he kept thinking of her: the way she walked and talked and loved the way she told him things that seemed true but weren't, and he knew the color of each of her dresses
Here we see the speaker drowning his sorrows in wine, unable to escape the memory of a woman who represents the freedom he desires. He describes her in great detail, emphasizing her physical attributes and her ability to deceive him with false truths. This suggests that the speaker is not only seeking freedom from external constraints but also from his own illusions and self-deception.
Throughout the poem, the speaker's struggle for freedom is portrayed as a constant battle against oppressive forces. He describes the city as a "cancer" and a "trap," and rails against societal expectations and norms that he sees as limiting his ability to be truly free.
but he couldn't find that thing and so he-went on-throwing himself against the walls climbing up the walls falling back down it was something-that he wanted— something! not love or hate or the drink or the drug. . .
Here, the speaker's desperation is palpable. He is willing to throw himself against walls, to climb and fall, all in pursuit of the elusive "something" that he believes will bring him freedom. This something seems to be a sense of purpose or meaning that he cannot find in his current existence.
The Role of Women in the Search for Freedom
One of the most striking features of "Freedom" is the way women are portrayed. They are often seen as obstacles to the speaker's quest for freedom, or as objects to be possessed rather than individuals with agency and autonomy.
he remembered the good times. she was the best thing that ever happened to him but that was a long time ago, and he had taken many wrong turnings since then.
Here, the speaker romanticizes the past and his relationship with the woman, but admits that he has since made mistakes. He seems to blame her absence for his current predicament, suggesting that her departure was the catalyst for his search for freedom.
Furthermore, the speaker often objectifies women, reducing them to their physical appearance and their ability to satisfy his desires. For example:
he watched the sun go down and the moon come up. and he watched her walk away.
The woman here is reduced to a mere image, a silhouette walking away as the sun sets and the moon rises. She is not given a voice or an identity beyond her ability to evoke a feeling in the speaker.
This portrayal of women is certainly problematic, and it is important to note that Bukowski has been criticized in the past for his treatment of women in his writing. However, it is also possible to interpret this aspect of the poem as a commentary on the toxic masculinity that can arise in the quest for freedom. The speaker's objectification of women may be seen as a symptom of his own sense of powerlessness and frustration.
The Role of Language in "Freedom"
One of the most striking features of "Freedom" is its use of language. Bukowski's prose-like style is raw and unfiltered, with little regard for traditional poetic conventions such as rhyme and meter.
Instead, the poem relies on repetition and juxtaposition to create a sense of rhythm and structure. For example:
he stopped- suddenly- the room became filled with the sound of birds he counted them: one, two, three, four then there were more birds, and they were leaping
Here, the repetition of "birds" creates a sense of movement and energy, while the sudden change in tone from the bleakness of the previous lines is jarring and unexpected.
The poem also makes use of imagery and metaphor to convey its themes. For example:
he felt like vomiting. he felt like a fool. he walked through the streets in a strange delirium, imagining himself knife in hand, completely insane
The speaker's feeling of nausea and foolishness is conveyed through vivid imagery, while his delirium is compared to madness through the metaphor of the knife.
Conclusion: A Powerful and Unapologetic Poem
"Freedom" is a powerful and unapologetic exploration of the human condition. It portrays the struggle for liberation as a constant battle against oppressive forces, both external and internal. The role of women in this struggle is complex and often problematic, but it can also be seen as a commentary on toxic masculinity.
Bukowski's use of language is raw and unfiltered, eschewing traditional poetic conventions in favor of repetition, juxtaposition, and vivid imagery. The result is a poem that is both challenging and rewarding, a reflection of the complexities of the search for freedom.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Freedom by Charles Bukowski: A Poem of Liberation and Self-Discovery
Charles Bukowski is a name that needs no introduction in the world of literature. His works are known for their rawness, honesty, and unapologetic portrayal of the human condition. One of his most famous poems, "Freedom," is a powerful piece that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever felt trapped or confined by society's expectations. In this analysis, we will delve deep into the themes and motifs of this classic poem and explore its relevance in today's world.
The poem begins with the speaker declaring his desire for freedom. He says, "Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose." This line is a reference to the popular song "Me and Bobby McGee" by Janis Joplin, which Bukowski was known to be a fan of. The speaker is essentially saying that when you have nothing left to lose, you are free to do as you please. This sentiment is echoed throughout the poem, as the speaker describes his longing to break free from the constraints of society and live life on his own terms.
The second stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as the speaker describes the ways in which society tries to control and manipulate us. He says, "They'll trap you in a system, and use you till you die." This line speaks to the idea that we are all cogs in a machine, working tirelessly to keep the system running. We are told what to do, how to think, and what to believe, and if we don't comply, we are cast aside. The speaker is rejecting this notion, and instead, he longs to break free from the system and live a life of his own choosing.
The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker really starts to come into his own. He says, "I'd rather die on my feet, than live on my knees." This line is a powerful statement of defiance, and it speaks to the idea that it is better to stand up for what you believe in, even if it means risking everything, than to live a life of subservience and conformity. The speaker is rejecting the idea that we should just accept our lot in life and do as we're told. Instead, he is advocating for a life of passion, purpose, and self-discovery.
The fourth stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poignant, as the speaker describes the ways in which he has been held back by society. He says, "I've been held back too long, I've got to break free." This line speaks to the idea that we are all capable of so much more than we realize, but we are often held back by our own fears and insecurities. The speaker is acknowledging that he has been held back in the past, but he is determined to break free and live the life he was meant to live.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem is a triumphant declaration of the speaker's newfound freedom. He says, "I'm free, I'm free, and freedom tastes of reality." This line speaks to the idea that true freedom is not just a concept, but a tangible reality that can be tasted, felt, and experienced. The speaker has broken free from the constraints of society and is now living life on his own terms. He is no longer a slave to the system, but a free and independent individual.
In conclusion, "Freedom" by Charles Bukowski is a powerful poem that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever felt trapped or confined by society's expectations. The speaker is rejecting the idea that we should just accept our lot in life and do as we're told. Instead, he is advocating for a life of passion, purpose, and self-discovery. The poem is a call to arms for anyone who has ever felt held back by their own fears and insecurities. It is a reminder that we are all capable of so much more than we realize, and that true freedom is not just a concept, but a tangible reality that can be tasted, felt, and experienced.
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