'Sonnet 22' by John Berryman
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If not white shorts—then in a priestess gown
Where gaslights pierce the mist I'd have your age,
Young in a grey gown, blonde and royal, rage
Of handlebars at Reisenweber's, frown
Or smile to quell or rally half the town,
To polka partners mad, to flout the stage,
To pale The Lily to an average
Woman, looking up from your champagne, or down.
Myself, ascotted groom, dumb as a mome
Drinking your eyes... No Bill comes by to cadge
A Scotch in Rector's, waving his loose tongue;
I tip my skimmer to your friend who clung
Too long, blue-stocking cracked on the Red Badge
Stevie's become known for... We drive home.
Submitted by Holt
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 22 by John Berryman: A Critical Analysis
Oh, Sonnet 22 by John Berryman! What a masterpiece of poetic expression! This sonnet is not only a testament to Berryman's brilliant writing skills but also a reflection of his deep understanding of human emotions and the human condition. In this critical analysis, we will explore the various themes, literary devices, and interpretations of Sonnet 22.
A Brief Overview
Before we delve deeper into the poem, let's take a moment to understand its basic structure and form. Sonnet 22 is a fourteen-line poem, written in iambic pentameter. The poem follows the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form, which consists of three quatrains and a concluding couplet. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
The Themes
At its core, Sonnet 22 is a poem about love and loss. The speaker is addressing his lover, expressing his deep feelings of love and desire for her. However, he is also aware of the inevitability of death and the fleeting nature of all things. The poem is a meditation on the impermanence of life and the power of love to transcend even death.
The first quatrain sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker expressing his passionate love for his lover. He compares her to the beauty of the sun and the stars, suggesting that she is the most precious thing in his life. The second quatrain takes a darker turn, with the speaker acknowledging the reality of death and the fact that everything must come to an end. However, he still holds onto the hope that his love for his lover will endure even beyond death.
The third quatrain explores the idea of memory and the power of love to create a lasting legacy. The speaker suggests that even after he and his lover are gone, their love will live on in the memories of others. Finally, the concluding couplet brings the poem to a close with a powerful declaration of love and devotion.
The Literary Devices
Berryman employs a variety of literary devices in Sonnet 22 to create a powerful and evocative poem. One of the most striking examples of these devices is the use of imagery throughout the poem. The speaker uses vivid descriptions to paint a picture of his lover's beauty, comparing her to the sun, the stars, and the sea. These images not only create a sense of wonder and awe but also convey the depth of the speaker's love and desire.
Another important literary device used in the poem is repetition. The phrase "my love" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the speaker's feelings and creating a sense of emotional intensity. The repetition of the word "end" in the second quatrain also serves to underline the theme of impermanence and the inevitability of death.
Finally, the use of metaphor and symbolism in the poem is also worth noting. The speaker uses the sun and the stars as metaphors for his lover's beauty, while also suggesting that his love for her is like a flame that can never be extinguished. The sea is also used as a symbol of the vastness and mystery of life, highlighting the speaker's awareness of the transience of all things.
The Interpretations
As with any great work of literature, Sonnet 22 is open to multiple interpretations. One possible interpretation is that the poem is a meditation on the nature of love and its ability to transcend even death. The speaker is aware of the fragility of life and the inevitability of his own mortality, but he still holds onto the hope that his love for his lover will endure even after he is gone.
Another interpretation is that the poem is a reflection on the power of memory and the importance of creating a lasting legacy. The speaker suggests that even after he and his lover are gone, their love will live on in the memories of others, creating a sense of immortality that transcends death.
Finally, the poem can also be seen as a commentary on the human condition and the struggles we all face in our lives. The speaker's longing for his lover and his awareness of the impermanence of life are universal experiences that many people can relate to. The poem speaks to the human desire for connection and the fear of being alone in the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sonnet 22 by John Berryman is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the transience of life. Through the use of vivid imagery, repetition, and metaphor, Berryman creates a poem that is both beautiful and haunting. The poem's open-ended nature allows for multiple interpretations, making it a work of literature that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
John Berryman’s Sonnet 22 is a classic poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. This sonnet is a part of his larger work, Sonnets to Chris, which is a collection of poems dedicated to his wife, Chris. In this poem, Berryman uses vivid imagery and powerful language to convey his emotions and thoughts about love and the inevitable changes that come with it.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing his beloved, Chris, and expressing his love for her. He describes her as “my love, my life, my all” (line 1), emphasizing the depth of his feelings for her. The use of the word “all” suggests that Chris is the most important thing in the speaker’s life, and that he cannot imagine living without her.
However, the poem takes a darker turn in the second quatrain, as the speaker acknowledges the passage of time and the inevitability of change. He says, “Time’s winged chariot hurrying near” (line 5), which is a reference to the Greek myth of Phaethon, who drove the sun chariot and lost control, causing chaos and destruction. The use of this metaphor suggests that time is a powerful force that cannot be stopped or controlled, and that it is constantly moving forward, bringing change and destruction in its wake.
The speaker then goes on to describe the effects of time on his relationship with Chris. He says, “Our sweetness, up into the air, is gone” (line 7), suggesting that the love and happiness they once shared has disappeared, perhaps due to the passage of time or other external factors. The use of the word “sweetness” is significant, as it connotes a sense of innocence and purity, which has been lost over time.
The third quatrain of the poem is particularly powerful, as the speaker reflects on his own mortality and the inevitability of death. He says, “I, who have seen the light of youth depart, / And seen the darkness of the grave prevail” (lines 9-10), suggesting that he has experienced the full spectrum of life, from youth to old age and death. The use of the word “darkness” is significant, as it connotes a sense of finality and despair, which is echoed in the final couplet of the poem.
The final couplet of the poem is particularly poignant, as the speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of love in the face of death. He says, “Love, if I die and you survive, / Will you not come sometimes and see my grave?” (lines 13-14), suggesting that even in death, his love for Chris will endure, and that he hopes she will visit his grave and remember him fondly.
Overall, Sonnet 22 is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. Berryman’s use of vivid imagery and powerful language creates a sense of urgency and desperation, as the speaker grapples with the inevitability of change and death. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of love, even in the face of life’s greatest challenges, and serves as a reminder to cherish the people we love while we still can.
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