'The Melting' by Russell Edson
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An old woman likes to melt her husband. She puts him in
a melting device, and he pours out the other end in a hot
bloody syrup, which she catches in a series of little husband
molds.
What splatters on the floor the dog licks up.
When they have set she has seventeen little husbands.
One she throws to the dog because the genitals didn't set
right; too much like a vulva because of an air bubble.
Then there are sixteen naked little husbands standing
in a row across the kitchen table.
She diddles them and they produce sixteen little erections.
She thinks she might melt her husband again. She likes
melting him.
She might pour him into an even smaller series of husband
molds . . .
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Melting: A Masterpiece of Surrealism
Oh, The Melting by Russell Edson! What an extraordinary poem! It’s a surreal masterpiece that challenges our sense of reality and takes us to a world of bizarre and unexpected images. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the depths of this poem and explore its themes, symbols, and meanings.
Overview
The Melting is a short but powerful poem that consists of five stanzas, each with four lines. It was published in 1963 in the collection, "The Very Thing That Happens." The poem is written in free verse with no rhyme scheme, but it has a unique rhythm that creates a sense of unease and tension.
Themes
At its core, The Melting is a poem about transformation and decay. The poem presents us with a world where everything is melting, dissolving, and disintegrating. The theme of melting can be interpreted in various ways. On one hand, it can represent the process of death and decomposition. On the other hand, it can symbolize the loss of identity and the dissolution of the self.
Symbols
The poem is full of surreal and bizarre images that create a dreamlike atmosphere. The melting objects and creatures in the poem symbolize the fragility and impermanence of life. The melting clock, for example, can be interpreted as a symbol of time that is running out. The melting snowman can be seen as a symbol of innocence and childhood that is fading away. The melting queen can be interpreted as a symbol of power and authority that is crumbling.
Structure
The poem is structured in five stanzas, each with four lines. The first stanza sets the scene by introducing the theme of melting. The second stanza introduces the melting clock, which is a central image in the poem. The third stanza presents us with the melting snowman, which adds a sense of melancholy and nostalgia to the poem. The fourth stanza introduces the melting queen, which shifts the focus to power and authority. The final stanza brings the poem to a close by repeating the first line and emphasizing the theme of melting.
Literary Devices
Edson uses various literary devices to create a sense of surrealism and ambiguity in the poem. For example, he uses imagery to create a vivid and dreamlike atmosphere. He uses repetition to emphasize certain words and phrases, such as "melting" and "time." He also uses irony and sarcasm to question the traditional values of power and authority.
Interpretation
The Melting is a poem that can be interpreted in various ways, depending on the reader's perspective. Some readers may see it as a reflection on the fragility and impermanence of life. Others may interpret it as a critique of power and authority and the inevitability of their decline. Some may see it as a surreal and playful poem that challenges our sense of reality and invites us to embrace the unexpected.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Melting by Russell Edson is a masterpiece of surrealism that challenges our perceptions of reality and invites us to explore the complexities of life. Through its vivid imagery, unique rhythm, and ambiguous meaning, the poem offers a glimpse into a world of melting objects and creatures, where everything is in a state of transformation and decay. Whether we interpret it as a reflection on mortality, a critique of power, or a surreal and playful experiment, The Melting is a poem that leaves a lasting impression on the reader's mind.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Melting: A Surreal Journey into the Depths of the Human Psyche
Russell Edson's poem, The Melting, is a surreal masterpiece that takes the reader on a journey into the depths of the human psyche. The poem is a complex and multi-layered work that explores themes of identity, transformation, and the nature of reality. In this analysis, we will delve deep into the poem's meaning and symbolism, examining its structure, language, and imagery to uncover the hidden messages and insights that lie within.
The poem begins with a simple and straightforward statement: "I am melting." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a surreal and dreamlike exploration of the speaker's identity and sense of self. The melting that the speaker describes is not a physical melting, but rather a metaphorical one. It represents a dissolution of the self, a breaking down of the barriers between the conscious and unconscious mind.
As the poem progresses, the speaker's sense of self becomes increasingly fragmented and distorted. He describes himself as "a puddle of myself," and later as "a pool of myself." These images suggest a loss of identity and a merging with the surrounding environment. The speaker's sense of self is no longer distinct and separate from the world around him, but rather a part of it.
The poem's language is rich and evocative, full of vivid imagery and metaphorical language. The speaker describes himself as "a wax figure in the sun," suggesting a sense of fragility and impermanence. He also describes himself as "a snowman in the rain," which is a powerful image of transformation and dissolution. The snowman, which is a symbol of childhood innocence and playfulness, is melting away in the rain, suggesting a loss of innocence and a descent into the darker aspects of the human psyche.
The poem's structure is also significant, with each stanza building on the previous one to create a sense of momentum and progression. The first stanza sets the scene and establishes the speaker's sense of melting. The second stanza introduces the idea of transformation, with the speaker describing himself as a "changeling" and a "shape-shifter." The third stanza takes this idea further, with the speaker describing himself as "a creature of the night" and "a monster in the dark." These images suggest a descent into the darker aspects of the human psyche, a journey into the unknown and the unconscious.
The fourth stanza is perhaps the most powerful and evocative of the poem. The speaker describes himself as "a ghost in the mirror," which is a powerful image of self-reflection and introspection. The mirror is a symbol of self-awareness and self-knowledge, and the fact that the speaker sees himself as a ghost suggests a sense of detachment and alienation from his own identity.
The final stanza of the poem brings everything together, with the speaker describing himself as "a puddle of myself, a pool of myself, a lake of myself." These images suggest a complete dissolution of the self, a merging with the surrounding environment. The speaker's sense of self is no longer distinct and separate from the world around him, but rather a part of it.
In conclusion, The Melting is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of identity, transformation, and the nature of reality. Through its rich language, vivid imagery, and complex structure, the poem takes the reader on a surreal journey into the depths of the human psyche. It is a work of art that challenges our perceptions of self and reality, and invites us to explore the unknown and the unconscious.
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