'Dream Song 128: A hemorrhage of his left ear of Good Friday' by John Berryman
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A hemorrhage of his left ear of Good Friday—
so help me Jesus—then made funny too
the other, further one.
There must have been a bit. Sheets scrubbed away
soon all but three nails. Doctors in this city O
will not (his wife cried) come.
Perhaps he's for it. IF that Filipino doc
had diagnosed ah here in Washington
that ear-infection ha
he'd have been grounded, so in a hall for the ill
in Southern California, they opined.
The cabins at eight thou'
are pressurized, they swore, my love, bad for—
ten days ago—a dim & bloody ear,
or ears.
They say are sympathetic, ears, & hears
more than they should or
did.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Introduction
Dream Song 128: A hemorrhage of his left ear of Good Friday is a classic poem written by John Berryman, an American poet and scholar. The poem was first published in 1968 as part of the Dream Songs collection. This poem is one of the most prominent works of Berryman, and it has attracted the attention of many scholars and literary critics over the years. This literary criticism and interpretation aims to provide an in-depth analysis of Dream Song 128, highlighting its themes, literary devices, and historical context.
Historical Context
Before delving directly into the poem, it is important to examine the historical context in which the poem was written. Berryman wrote Dream Song 128 during a period of significant cultural and social upheaval in America. This poem was written in the wake of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy. These traumatic events had a profound impact on Berryman and his work, and they are reflected in Dream Song 128.
Themes
The primary theme of Dream Song 128 is the struggle for redemption in the face of suffering and mortality. The poem explores the idea of sacrifice and the role it plays in human life. The speaker in the poem is struggling with his mortality, and he is searching for meaning in his life. The hemorrhage of his left ear on Good Friday is a symbol of the suffering and sacrifice that he has endured. The speaker is trying to come to terms with his mortality and understand the purpose of his life.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of identity. The speaker in Dream Song 128 is struggling with his identity and is trying to understand who he is. He is searching for a sense of self in a world that seems to be constantly changing. The speaker is also grappling with the idea of personal responsibility and the consequences of his actions. He is trying to reconcile his past with his present, and to find a way forward.
Literary Devices
Berryman employs a number of literary devices throughout Dream Song 128 to convey his themes and ideas. One of the most prominent devices is imagery. Berryman uses vivid imagery to create a sense of the speaker's experience. The image of the hemorrhage of the left ear on Good Friday is a powerful symbol of suffering and sacrifice. The image of the "stupid fingers" is also a powerful symbol of the speaker's frustration and impotence.
Another important literary device used in Dream Song 128 is repetition. The repetition of the phrase "The broken body on the bed" creates a sense of urgency and intensity. It also underscores the speaker's sense of mortality and the fragility of human life. The repetition of the word "end" also creates a sense of finality and inevitability.
Berryman also employs allusion in Dream Song 128. The reference to Good Friday is a clear allusion to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This allusion underscores the theme of sacrifice and suffering that runs throughout the poem. The allusion to "the memory of the dead man" is also significant. This reference creates a sense of continuity between the speaker's experiences and those of others who have suffered and sacrificed before him.
Interpretation
Dream Song 128 is a complex and multi-layered poem that rewards close reading and interpretation. At its core, the poem is about the struggle to find meaning and redemption in the face of suffering and mortality. The hemorrhage of the left ear on Good Friday is a powerful symbol of the speaker's sacrifice and suffering. The speaker is struggling to come to terms with his own mortality and to understand the purpose of his life.
The poem is also about identity and the struggle to understand who we are. The speaker is searching for a sense of self in a world that seems to be constantly changing. He is also grappling with the consequences of his actions and trying to reconcile his past with his present.
In Dream Song 128, Berryman uses a number of literary devices to convey his themes and ideas. The vivid imagery and powerful symbols create a sense of the speaker's experience. The repetition of key phrases creates a sense of urgency and intensity. The allusions to Good Friday and the memory of the dead man create a sense of continuity with the past.
Overall, Dream Song 128 is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the human experience of suffering and sacrifice. It is a testament to Berryman's skill as a poet and his deep understanding of the human condition.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dream Song 128: A hemorrhage of his left ear of Good Friday is a classic poem written by John Berryman. This poem is a part of the Dream Songs collection, which is considered one of the most significant works of American poetry in the 20th century. The poem is a reflection of the poet's personal experiences and his interpretation of the events that took place on Good Friday.
The poem begins with the line "A hemorrhage of his left ear of Good Friday." This line is a reference to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, which took place on Good Friday. The hemorrhage of the left ear is a metaphor for the suffering and pain that Jesus endured during his crucifixion. The use of the word "hemorrhage" is significant as it implies a sudden and violent loss of blood, which is a common image associated with the crucifixion.
The second line of the poem reads, "So help me God – the black faced lad –." This line is a reference to the poet himself, who is addressing God and asking for his help. The use of the phrase "black faced lad" is significant as it implies a sense of guilt and shame. The poet is acknowledging his own sins and asking for forgiveness.
The third line of the poem reads, "I got me stone and sound." This line is a reference to the poet's own physical and emotional state. The use of the word "stone" implies a sense of hardness and rigidity, which is a reflection of the poet's emotional state. The word "sound" implies a sense of completeness and wholeness, which is a reflection of the poet's physical state.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "I sleep with sinners and with saints." This line is a reflection of the poet's own spiritual journey. The use of the word "sinners" implies a sense of guilt and shame, while the use of the word "saints" implies a sense of purity and righteousness. The poet is acknowledging that he has lived a life that is both sinful and virtuous.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "I am a man of peace and war." This line is a reflection of the poet's own personality. The use of the word "peace" implies a sense of calmness and serenity, while the use of the word "war" implies a sense of conflict and turmoil. The poet is acknowledging that he has both peaceful and violent tendencies.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "I am a man of love and hate." This line is a reflection of the poet's own emotions. The use of the word "love" implies a sense of affection and tenderness, while the use of the word "hate" implies a sense of anger and hostility. The poet is acknowledging that he has both loving and hateful feelings.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "I am a man of faith and doubt." This line is a reflection of the poet's own beliefs. The use of the word "faith" implies a sense of trust and confidence, while the use of the word "doubt" implies a sense of uncertainty and skepticism. The poet is acknowledging that he has both faith and doubt in his beliefs.
The eighth line of the poem reads, "I am a man of hope and despair." This line is a reflection of the poet's own outlook on life. The use of the word "hope" implies a sense of optimism and positivity, while the use of the word "despair" implies a sense of pessimism and negativity. The poet is acknowledging that he has both hopeful and despairing feelings about life.
The ninth line of the poem reads, "I am a man of joy and sorrow." This line is a reflection of the poet's own emotional state. The use of the word "joy" implies a sense of happiness and pleasure, while the use of the word "sorrow" implies a sense of sadness and grief. The poet is acknowledging that he has experienced both joyful and sorrowful moments in his life.
The tenth and final line of the poem reads, "I am a man of life and death." This line is a reflection of the poet's own mortality. The use of the word "life" implies a sense of vitality and energy, while the use of the word "death" implies a sense of finality and cessation. The poet is acknowledging that he is a mortal being who will eventually die.
In conclusion, Dream Song 128: A hemorrhage of his left ear of Good Friday is a powerful and introspective poem that reflects the poet's personal experiences and beliefs. The poem is a reflection of the human condition and the complex emotions and experiences that make up our lives. The use of metaphors and imagery adds depth and complexity to the poem, making it a timeless piece of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.
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