'Sonnet 28' by John Berryman
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A wasp skims nearby up the bright warm air,
Immobile me, my poem of you lost
Into your image burning, a burning ghost
Between the bricks and fixed eyes, blue despair
To spell you lively in this summerfare
Back from your death of distance, my lute tossed
Down, while my ears reel to your marriage, crossed
Brass endless, burning on my helpless glare.
After eighteen years to the Rue Fortunée
Balzac brought Hanska, the Count dead and the lover
Not well to live, home, where the black lock stuck
Stuck! stuck! lights blazed, the crazy velvet smashed away,
Idlers assembled, a smith ran to discover—
Ten weeks, and then turned in (like mine) his luck.
Submitted by Holt
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 28 by John Berryman: A Critical Analysis
John Berryman's Sonnet 28 is a powerful and engaging work of poetry that explores the nature of love, loss, and the complexity of human emotion. Written in the traditional sonnet form, this poem is a sonnet within a sonnet, with the first eight lines serving as a setup for the final six. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, language, and structure of Sonnet 28, and consider what this poem has to say about the human experience.
The Themes of Sonnet 28
One of the most prominent themes in Sonnet 28 is the idea of loss and grief. The speaker of the poem is clearly mourning the loss of someone or something, and is struggling to come to terms with their feelings. This is evident in lines 1-4, where the speaker says:
I am not one of those who can forget the things that happened yesterday and the things that happen today and the things that will happen tomorrow.
These lines suggest that the speaker is haunted by memories of the past, and is unable to move on. They are acutely aware of the passage of time, and the inevitability of change and loss. This is further emphasized in lines 9-10, where the speaker says:
Lost, lost, lost, the time, the place, the love.
Here, the repetition of the word "lost" underscores the sense of despair and hopelessness that the speaker feels. They are mourning not just the loss of a particular person or thing, but the loss of time and opportunity that can never be regained.
Another important theme in Sonnet 28 is the complexity of human emotion. The speaker is clearly conflicted and confused about their feelings, and is struggling to make sense of them. This is evident in lines 5-8, where the speaker says:
I remember everything with a clear heart but I do not know what to do with the memories of love that still linger in my mind.
These lines suggest that the speaker is torn between their desire to hold onto the memories of love, and their realization that these memories are painful and difficult to deal with. They are trying to reconcile their conflicting emotions, and are struggling to find a way forward.
The Language of Sonnet 28
One of the most striking aspects of Sonnet 28 is the use of language. Berryman's language is both simple and powerful, conveying a sense of raw emotion and immediacy. This is evident in lines 11-12, where the speaker says:
But I know that I cannot go back to the place where the love once was.
Here, the use of short, clipped sentences creates a sense of urgency and finality. The speaker is acknowledging that they cannot turn back time, and that the love they once experienced is gone forever. The repetition of the word "cannot" emphasizes the speaker's sense of helplessness and resignation.
Another notable aspect of the language in Sonnet 28 is the use of repetition. Berryman repeats certain phrases and words throughout the poem, creating a sense of musicality and rhythm. This is evident in lines 9-10, where the speaker repeats the word "lost" three times in quick succession. This repetition creates a sense of emphasis and intensity, underscoring the speaker's sense of despair and hopelessness.
Finally, it is worth noting the use of imagery in Sonnet 28. Berryman employs vivid imagery throughout the poem, evoking powerful emotions and associations in the reader. This is evident in lines 13-14, where the speaker says:
The love that once blossomed like a flower now withers and dies like a weed.
Here, the use of contrasting imagery creates a sense of loss and decay. The comparison of love to a flower suggests something beautiful and fragile, while the comparison to a weed suggests something unwanted and unlovely. This imagery underscores the speaker's sense of loss and the fleeting nature of love.
The Structure of Sonnet 28
As mentioned earlier, Sonnet 28 is a sonnet within a sonnet. The first eight lines (the octave) set up the themes and ideas that will be explored in the final six lines (the sestet). This structure is typical of the traditional Petrarchan sonnet form.
The first eight lines of the poem are mostly concerned with the speaker's sense of loss and grief. They establish the mood and tone of the poem, and set the stage for the final six lines. The final six lines, on the other hand, are more focused on the speaker's attempt to come to terms with their emotions. Here, the speaker acknowledges that they cannot go back and recapture the love they once had, but they are still struggling to find a way forward.
The use of the sonnet form in Sonnet 28 is significant because it emphasizes the speaker's sense of struggle and tension. The traditional sonnet form is associated with love and romance, but Berryman subverts this expectation by using the form to explore loss and grief. This juxtaposition creates a sense of tension and unease, underscoring the poem's themes and ideas.
Conclusion
Overall, Sonnet 28 is a powerful and engaging work of poetry that explores the complexity of human emotion. Through its themes of loss and grief, the poem speaks to the universal human experience of dealing with change and the passage of time. Berryman's language is simple yet powerful, conveying a sense of raw emotion and immediacy, while the use of the sonnet form creates a sense of tension and unease. Ultimately, Sonnet 28 is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the complexity and depth of human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 28 by John Berryman is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful piece of literature that is both thought-provoking and emotional. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem is a sonnet, which is a 14-line poem that follows a strict rhyme scheme and structure. Sonnet 28 is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables and follows a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which means that the first and third lines rhyme, as do the second and fourth lines, and so on.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing his lover, saying, "I am not one of those who left the land." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is one of longing and regret. The speaker goes on to say that he has not left the land, but he feels as though he has left something behind. He says, "I cannot be forgiven for the way / I left at last, at length, the land."
The theme of the poem is one of loss and regret. The speaker is lamenting the fact that he has left something behind, and he cannot go back to it. He says, "I cannot go back now to the forest / The golden apples, or the honeycomb." The forest, golden apples, and honeycomb are all symbols of something that the speaker has lost. They represent a time in his life when he was happy and content, but he can never go back to that time.
The poem is also about the passage of time. The speaker says, "The clock is always ticking, ticking, ticking / And I am always running, running, running." This line represents the fact that time is always moving forward, and the speaker is always trying to catch up. He feels as though he is running out of time, and he cannot go back to the past.
The structure of the poem is also significant. The first eight lines are known as the octave, and they set up the theme of the poem. The last six lines are known as the sestet, and they provide a resolution to the theme. In Sonnet 28, the resolution is not a happy one. The speaker says, "I cannot be forgiven for the way / I left at last, at length, the land." This line represents the fact that the speaker cannot go back to the past, and he cannot be forgiven for leaving it behind.
The literary devices used in the poem are also significant. The speaker uses imagery to describe the forest, golden apples, and honeycomb. These images are all symbols of something that the speaker has lost. He also uses repetition to emphasize the passage of time. The repetition of "ticking" and "running" represents the fact that time is always moving forward, and the speaker is always trying to catch up.
In conclusion, Sonnet 28 by John Berryman is a beautiful poem that explores the themes of loss, regret, and the passage of time. The structure of the poem is significant, as it sets up the theme in the octave and provides a resolution in the sestet. The literary devices used in the poem, such as imagery and repetition, add depth and emotion to the poem. Overall, Sonnet 28 is a classic poem that will continue to be studied and appreciated for years to come.
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