'Dream Song 17: Muttered Henry:—Lord of matter, thus' by John Berryman
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Muttered Henry:—Lord of matter, thus:
upon some more unquiet spirit knock,
my madnesses have cease.
All the quarter astonishes a lonely out & back.
They set their clocks by Henry House,
the steadiest man on the block.
And Lucifer:—I smell you for my own,
by smug.—What have I tossed you but the least
(tho' hard); fit for your ears.
Your servant, bored with horror, sat alone
with busy teeth while his dislike increased
unto himself, in tears.
And he:—O promising despair,
in solitude— —End there.
Your avenues are dying: leave me: I dove
under the oaken arms of Brother Martin,
St Simeon the Lesser Theologian,
Bodhidharma, and Baal Shem Tov.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dream Song 17: Muttered Henry—Lord of Matter
Dream Song 17: Muttered Henry—Lord of Matter is a classic poem written by the American poet, John Berryman. This poem is one of the most intriguing and complex poems of the Dream Songs cycle. The Dream Songs cycle consists of 385 poems, written between 1955 and 1967. Dream Song 17 is one of the longest poems in the cycle and is often considered the most challenging. The poem is a representation of Berryman’s unique style of poetry that is characterized by its unconventional structure, themes, and tone.
Style and Structure
The structure of Dream Song 17 is unique, as it is written in a form of “dream song.” The poem is divided into three stanzas with 14 lines each. Each stanza consists of a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG, and follows Berryman’s signature style of poetry, the “Dream Song” form. The Dream Song form is a combination of the traditional sonnet and the blues form. Berryman’s use of the blues form in Dream Song 17 is particularly significant, as it provides a musicality and rhythm to the poem that carries the narrator’s feelings of pain and sorrow.
The poem is narrated by Henry, the persona of the poem, who is an alter-ego of Berryman himself. The narrative is fragmented and disjointed, making the poem difficult to follow. The poem is written in a stream-of-consciousness style, where the narrator’s thoughts and experiences are presented in a nonlinear fashion. The use of repetition, both in the form of the lyrics of the blues, and the repetition of phrases and words, is also a characteristic of Berryman’s poetry. The use of repetition serves to highlight the narrator’s desperation and sense of loss.
Themes
Dream Song 17 is a poem about loss, grief, and the inability to find solace. The poem is centered around the death of the narrator’s father and the impact that it has on the narrator’s life. The poem is also about the narrator’s struggle with identity and his relationship with his father. The theme of identity is represented through the use of the persona, Henry. The repetition of the phrase “Muttered Henry”, throughout the poem, serves to emphasize the narrator’s fragmented sense of self. The persona of Henry is both a representation of the narrator’s father and a reflection of the narrator himself.
The theme of death is also a major aspect of the poem. The narrator’s father’s death is presented as a traumatic event that has left the narrator feeling lost and alone. The narrator’s struggle to come to terms with his father’s death is represented through the repetition of the phrase “the dead father.” The use of repetition serves to highlight the narrator’s sense of loss and his inability to move on from his father’s death.
Interpretation
The poem is both a reflection of Berryman’s personal experience with loss and grief and a comment on the human experience of suffering. The poem is a representation of the struggles that all individuals face when dealing with grief and loss. The poem is a reflection of the human experience of loss, and the inability to find solace in the face of tragedy.
The use of the persona, Henry, is significant, as it provides a way for the narrator to distance himself from his own experiences. The use of the persona allows the narrator to explore his emotions from a different perspective, and to come to terms with his own feelings of grief and loss.
The theme of identity is also significant, as it highlights the narrator’s struggle to come to terms with his own sense of self. The repetition of the phrase “Muttered Henry,” throughout the poem, serves to emphasize the narrator’s fragmented sense of self. The persona of Henry is both a representation of the narrator’s father and a reflection of the narrator himself. The use of the persona allows the narrator to explore his own identity and to come to terms with his own sense of self.
The theme of death is also significant, as it represents the human experience of loss and grief. The narrator’s struggle to come to terms with his father’s death is a reflection of the human experience of loss. The poem is a commentary on the human experience of suffering, and the inability to find solace in the face of tragedy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Dream Song 17: Muttered Henry—Lord of matter is a classic poem that is both challenging and intriguing. The poem is a reflection of the human experience of loss and grief, and the inability to find solace in the face of tragedy. The use of the persona, Henry, serves to highlight the narrator’s struggle to come to terms with his own sense of self. The repetition of phrases and words throughout the poem serves to emphasize the narrator’s sense of loss and his inability to move on from his father’s death.
The poem is a commentary on the human experience of suffering, and the themes of loss, grief, and identity are significant in understanding the poem’s meaning. Dream Song 17 is a representation of Berryman’s signature style of poetry, characterized by its unconventional structure, themes, and tone. The poem is both a reflection of Berryman’s personal experience with loss and grief and a comment on the human experience of suffering.
Overall, Dream Song 17: Muttered Henry—Lord of matter is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today, as it captures the universal human experience of loss and grief.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dream Song 17: Muttered Henry—Lord of matter is a classic poem written by John Berryman that has captivated readers for decades. This poem is a part of Berryman's Dream Songs collection, which is known for its complex and surreal imagery. Dream Song 17 is a particularly intriguing poem that explores themes of mortality, identity, and the human condition. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this poem and explore the literary devices that Berryman employs to convey his message.
The poem begins with the speaker, who is referred to as "Henry," muttering to himself. The first line, "Muttered Henry: 'Jesus,'" sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the name "Jesus" immediately brings to mind religious connotations, and it is clear that Henry is grappling with some sort of existential crisis. The fact that he is muttering to himself suggests that he is lost in thought and struggling to come to terms with something.
The next few lines of the poem are particularly interesting because they introduce the concept of "Lord of matter." Henry refers to himself as the "Lord of matter," which is a bold claim. This phrase can be interpreted in a few different ways, but one possible interpretation is that Henry sees himself as the master of his own destiny. He is in control of his own life and is responsible for his own actions. However, this claim is immediately challenged by the next line, which reads, "I despair." This suggests that Henry is not as in control as he would like to believe and that he is struggling with feelings of hopelessness.
The next few lines of the poem are particularly powerful because they convey a sense of urgency and desperation. Henry says, "O the mind, mind has mountains; cliffs of fall / Frightful, sheer, no-man-fathomed." This imagery is particularly striking because it suggests that the human mind is a vast and treacherous landscape that is impossible to fully comprehend. The use of the word "frightful" suggests that Henry is scared of what he might find if he delves too deeply into his own psyche. This is a common theme in Berryman's work, and it is clear that he is interested in exploring the darker aspects of the human experience.
The next few lines of the poem are particularly interesting because they introduce the concept of identity. Henry says, "Nor can foot feel, being shod / And for all this, nature is never spent." This suggests that Henry is struggling to connect with his own body and that he feels disconnected from the natural world. The fact that he is "shod" suggests that he is wearing shoes, which is a symbol of civilization and the human-made world. This suggests that Henry feels trapped by society and that he longs to connect with something more primal and authentic.
The next few lines of the poem are particularly powerful because they introduce the concept of mortality. Henry says, "There lives the dearest freshness deep down things; / And though the last lights off the black West went / Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs—" This suggests that even though death is inevitable, there is still beauty and vitality in the world. The fact that Henry uses the word "dearest" suggests that he values life and that he is struggling to come to terms with the fact that it is finite. The use of the word "morning" suggests that there is always the possibility of renewal and that even in the darkest moments, there is still hope.
The final lines of the poem are particularly interesting because they suggest that Henry is beginning to come to terms with his own mortality. He says, "Because the Holy Ghost over the bent / World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings." This suggests that Henry is finding comfort in religion and that he believes in the possibility of an afterlife. The use of the word "broods" suggests that there is a sense of nurturing and protection, which is comforting to Henry. The use of the word "bright" suggests that there is a sense of hope and optimism, which is a stark contrast to the darker themes that are present throughout the rest of the poem.
In conclusion, Dream Song 17: Muttered Henry—Lord of matter is a complex and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of mortality, identity, and the human condition. Berryman employs a variety of literary devices, including imagery, symbolism, and metaphor, to convey his message. The poem is particularly powerful because it is both deeply personal and universal. It speaks to the human experience in a way that is both relatable and profound. Overall, Dream Song 17 is a masterpiece of modern poetry that continues to captivate readers to this day.
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