'The Philosophers' by Russell Edson
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I think, therefore I am, said a man whose mother quickly
hit him on the head, saying, I hit my son on the head,
therefore I am.
No no, you've got it all wrong, cried the man.
So she hit him on the head again and cried, therefore I am.
You're not, not that way; you're supposed to think, not hit,
cried the man.
. . . I think, therefore I am, said the man.
I hit, therefore we both are, the hitter and the one who gets
hit, said the man's mother.
But at this point the man had ceased to be; unconscious he
could not think. But his mother could. So she thought, I am,
and so is my unconscious son, even if he doesn't know it . . .
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Philosophers by Russell Edson: A Mind-Bending Exploration of Reality
Have you ever thought about the nature of reality, about how we perceive it and what it really means? If you have, then Russell Edson's poem The Philosophers is a must-read for you.
This deceptively simple poem takes us on a journey through the minds of two philosophers who are contemplating the meaning of reality, but in doing so, Edson challenges us to question our own assumptions about what is real and what is not.
The Surface-Level Story
At first glance, the poem seems to be a conversation between two philosophers who are discussing the nature of reality. The first philosopher asks the second one what he thinks about the world, to which the latter replies that he thinks it is a "great simulacrum" - a mere copy of something else.
The first philosopher then asks him what he thinks about his own perception of the world, and the second philosopher replies that it is also a copy of something else.
As the conversation progresses, the two philosophers delve deeper into their own minds, questioning the very foundations of their beliefs and knowledge. They ponder the idea of a "real" world beyond their own perceptions and the possibility that their thoughts and feelings might be mere illusions.
The poem ends with the two philosophers disappearing into thin air, leaving behind only their chairs as a reminder of their presence.
The Deeper Meaning
Although the surface-level story of The Philosophers is intriguing, it is the deeper meaning of the poem that truly captivates the reader. Edson challenges us to question our own assumptions about the nature of reality and to consider the possibility that our perceptions are not as reliable as we think they are.
The first philosopher represents the traditional, rational approach to understanding the world. He believes that there is a "real" world out there that can be understood through reason and logic. He assumes that his own perceptions are accurate and that he can trust his knowledge.
The second philosopher, on the other hand, represents a more postmodern, deconstructive approach to reality. He believes that everything is a copy or a simulation, and that there is no such thing as a "real" world beyond our perceptions. He questions the very foundations of knowledge and believes that everything is relative and subjective.
Through their conversation, Edson shows that both approaches have their limitations and flaws. The rational approach assumes that there is a fixed reality that can be understood through reason, but it fails to account for the subjective nature of perception and the fact that our understanding of the world is always mediated by our own experiences and biases.
The postmodern approach, on the other hand, deconstructs everything and questions the very possibility of knowledge, but it fails to provide any alternative way of understanding the world. It leaves us in a state of perpetual doubt and relativism, unable to make any meaningful statements about reality.
Edson's poem suggests that the truth lies somewhere in between these two extremes. We need both reason and intuition, both objectivity and subjectivity, in order to make sense of the world. We need to be aware of the limitations of our own perceptions and biases, but we also need to trust our own experiences and feelings.
The Surrealist Style
What makes The Philosophers so powerful is not just its content, but also its style. Edson is a master of surrealism, and he uses this style to subvert our expectations and challenge our assumptions.
The conversation between the two philosophers is anything but ordinary. They disappear into thin air, their chairs are left behind, and at one point one of them even turns into a bird. These surrealistic elements disrupt the logical progression of the conversation and force us to question the very foundations of reality.
Edson's use of surrealism is also a commentary on the limitations of language and logic. Language is a tool that we use to make sense of the world, but it is also a system that imposes its own limitations and biases on our understanding. By using surrealism, Edson shows us that there are aspects of reality that cannot be captured by language and that we need to be open to other ways of understanding the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Russell Edson's poem The Philosophers is a mind-bending exploration of reality that challenges our assumptions and forces us to question the very foundations of our knowledge. Through the conversation between the two philosophers, Edson shows us the limitations of both the rational and postmodern approaches to understanding the world, and suggests that the truth lies somewhere in between.
The surrealistic style of the poem adds another layer of complexity and subverts our expectations, forcing us to see the world in a new light. The Philosophers is a powerful reminder that reality is not as straightforward as it seems, and that we need to be open to new ways of understanding it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Philosophers: A Masterpiece of Surrealism
Russell Edson's "The Philosophers" is a surreal masterpiece that explores the nature of existence and the human condition. The poem is a complex and layered work that challenges the reader to think deeply about the meaning of life and the role of philosophy in our lives. In this article, we will explore the themes and symbolism in "The Philosophers" and analyze the poem's structure and language.
The poem begins with a description of a group of philosophers who are sitting in a circle, "each with his head in his hands." This image immediately sets the tone for the poem, which is one of introspection and contemplation. The philosophers are described as "lost in thought," which suggests that they are grappling with deep and complex ideas. The fact that they are sitting in a circle also suggests that they are engaged in a communal activity, perhaps a discussion or debate.
As the poem progresses, we learn more about the philosophers and their surroundings. They are described as being in a "darkened room," which adds to the sense of introspection and isolation. The room is also described as being "empty," which suggests that the philosophers are alone with their thoughts and ideas. The only light in the room comes from a "single candle," which adds to the sense of mystery and intrigue.
The philosophers themselves are described in vivid detail. They are "old and bearded," which suggests that they are wise and experienced. They are also described as being "dressed in black," which adds to the sense of seriousness and solemnity. The fact that they are all dressed in the same way suggests that they are part of a group or organization, perhaps a school of philosophy.
As the poem continues, we learn more about the philosophers' activities. They are described as "whispering to one another," which suggests that they are engaged in a secret or private conversation. The fact that they are whispering also adds to the sense of mystery and intrigue. The poem then takes a surreal turn, as the philosophers are described as "passing a bowl of milk from hand to hand." This image is both strange and unsettling, and it adds to the sense of mystery and confusion.
The bowl of milk is a powerful symbol in the poem. Milk is often associated with nourishment and sustenance, but in this context, it takes on a more sinister meaning. The fact that the philosophers are passing the bowl from hand to hand suggests that they are sharing something, perhaps a secret or a forbidden knowledge. The milk itself is described as being "white as a moonbeam," which adds to the sense of otherworldliness and mystery.
The poem then takes another surreal turn, as the philosophers are described as "licking their lips." This image is both disturbing and suggestive, and it adds to the sense of unease and discomfort. The fact that the philosophers are licking their lips suggests that they are hungry or thirsty, but it also suggests that they are enjoying something that is forbidden or taboo.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most surreal and enigmatic. The philosophers are described as "rising from their chairs," and then "disappearing one by one." This image is both eerie and unsettling, and it adds to the sense of mystery and confusion. The fact that the philosophers are disappearing one by one suggests that they are leaving something behind, perhaps a legacy or a message.
The final line of the poem is perhaps the most powerful and enigmatic of all. The philosophers are described as leaving behind "the bowl of milk, still full." This image is both haunting and suggestive, and it adds to the sense of mystery and intrigue. The fact that the bowl of milk is still full suggests that the philosophers have not finished their task or their conversation. It also suggests that there is something left behind, something that the reader must interpret and decipher.
In conclusion, "The Philosophers" is a surreal masterpiece that explores the nature of existence and the human condition. The poem is a complex and layered work that challenges the reader to think deeply about the meaning of life and the role of philosophy in our lives. The poem's themes and symbolism are rich and evocative, and its language is both beautiful and haunting. "The Philosophers" is a work of art that will continue to inspire and challenge readers for generations to come.
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