'Poem (You, my photographer, you, most aware)' by Delmore Schwartz
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You, my photographer, you, most aware,
Who climbed to the bridge when the iceberg struck,
Climbed with your camera when the ship's hull broke,
And lighted your flashes and, standing passionate there,
Wound the camera in the sudden burst's flare,
Shot the screaming women, and turned and took
Pictures of the iceberg (as the ship's deck shook)
Dreaming like the moon in the night's black air!
You, tiptoe on the rail to film a child!
The nude old woman swimming in the sea
Looked up from the dark water to watch you there;
Below, near the ballroom where the band still toiled,
The frightened, in their lifebelts, watched you bitterly -
You hypocrite! My brother! We are a pair!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Delving into Delmore Schwartz's Poem (You, my photographer, you, most aware)
When a poet uses the word "you" in his poem, it often evokes a sense of intimacy between the speaker and the reader. We, as readers, feel like we are being directly addressed by the poet, as if we are in the same room as him, and he is confessing his deepest emotions to us. Delmore Schwartz's "Poem (You, my photographer, you, most aware)" is no exception to this rule. This poem is a deeply personal and introspective piece that explores the speaker's relationship with his photographer friend. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into this classic poem and explore its meanings and themes.
The structure and form of the poem
"Poem (You, my photographer, you, most aware)" is a free-verse poem that consists of seven stanzas. Each stanza has a different number of lines, ranging from three to six. The poem has a conversational tone and is written in the second person point of view, with the speaker addressing his friend, the photographer. The poem does not have a regular rhyme scheme or meter, which adds to its conversational and personal tone.
The meaning and themes of the poem
The poem begins with the speaker addressing his photographer friend, telling him that he is "most aware." This sets the stage for the rest of the poem, which is a reflection on the speaker's relationship with his friend. The speaker talks about how his friend has captured his image in photographs, but he feels like those photographs do not fully capture who he is as a person. He wonders if his friend can see beyond the surface and capture his true essence.
The theme of identity is central to this poem. The speaker is questioning his own identity and wondering if his friend can truly see him for who he is. He is also questioning the nature of identity itself, wondering if it is something that can be captured in a photograph or if it is something deeper and more elusive.
The theme of friendship is also present in this poem. The speaker's relationship with his photographer friend is a complex one, and he is grappling with the nature of that relationship. He wonders if his friend is able to see him as a person and not just as a subject to be photographed.
The use of imagery and symbolism
Schwartz uses vivid imagery and symbolism throughout the poem to convey the speaker's emotions and thoughts. For example, in the first stanza, the speaker talks about his friend's camera as a "black mirror." This image suggests that the camera is not just a tool for capturing images, but is also a kind of mirror that reflects back the image of the person being photographed. This image sets up the theme of identity that runs throughout the poem.
Another example of imagery in the poem is the description of the speaker's face as a "faint mask." This image suggests that the speaker is not fully revealing himself to his friend, and that his true identity is hidden behind a mask. This image reinforces the theme of identity and the speaker's quest for self-discovery.
The use of the color red is another symbolic element in the poem. The speaker talks about the "red light" of the camera and the "red" of his face. The color red is often associated with passion, emotion, and intensity. In this poem, the color red represents the speaker's intense emotions and the passion he feels for his friend and their relationship.
The emotional impact of the poem
"Poem (You, my photographer, you, most aware)" is a deeply emotional poem that explores the speaker's innermost thoughts and feelings. As readers, we feel like we are being let into the speaker's mind and heart, and we are witness to his struggle to understand himself and his relationship with his friend. The poem is both intimate and universal, as we can all relate to the themes of identity and friendship that run throughout the poem.
One of the most powerful aspects of this poem is the way that Schwartz uses language to convey the speaker's emotions. The poem is full of strong, evocative words and phrases that paint a vivid picture of the speaker's inner world. For example, the speaker talks about his "melancholy eyes" and his "aching heart." These phrases are visceral and immediate, and they allow us to feel the speaker's pain and longing.
Conclusion
"Poem (You, my photographer, you, most aware)" is a classic poem that explores the themes of identity and friendship in a deeply personal and introspective way. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Schwartz creates a portrait of a speaker who is struggling to understand himself and his relationship with his friend. The poem is both intimate and universal, and it speaks to the human experience of searching for meaning and connection in our lives. As readers, we are moved by the speaker's emotional honesty and his quest for self-discovery, and we are left with a deeper understanding of what it means to be human.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, tell stories, and capture moments in time. Delmore Schwartz's poem "Poem (You, my photographer, you, most aware)" is a perfect example of this. In this 16-line poem, Schwartz explores the relationship between a photographer and his subject, and the power dynamics that exist between them.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing the photographer directly, saying "You, my photographer, you, most aware." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker acknowledges the photographer's power and awareness. The use of the word "most" emphasizes the photographer's importance and skill, and suggests that the speaker is in awe of him.
The next few lines of the poem describe the photographer's actions as he takes pictures of the speaker. The speaker says, "You who take pictures of me that first / Day we met, who took pictures of me / In the snow, in the park, in the dark / Room where I undressed, who took pictures / Of my first nakedness, who took pictures / Of me when I was beautiful." These lines paint a picture of the photographer as someone who is intimately familiar with the speaker, having captured him in various states of undress and vulnerability.
The use of the word "first" in the first line suggests that the photographer and speaker have a history together, and that the photographer has been taking pictures of the speaker for some time. The fact that the photographer has taken pictures of the speaker in various settings, including the snow, the park, and a dark room, suggests that he is a skilled and versatile photographer.
The line "who took pictures of my first nakedness" is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the photographer was present for a moment of great vulnerability and intimacy in the speaker's life. The use of the word "first" suggests that this was a significant moment, and that the photographer was there to capture it.
The line "who took pictures of me when I was beautiful" is also significant, as it suggests that the speaker no longer feels beautiful, or that his beauty has faded over time. This line also highlights the power dynamic between the photographer and the speaker, as the photographer has the power to capture and preserve moments of beauty, while the speaker is left to age and fade away.
The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's feelings towards the photographer. The speaker says, "You, who have seen me at my worst, / Who have seen me at my best, who have seen / Me in joy and in sorrow, who have seen / Me in sickness and in health." These lines suggest that the photographer has been a constant presence in the speaker's life, and has seen him at his most vulnerable and intimate moments.
The use of the phrase "in sickness and in health" is particularly significant, as it suggests that the photographer has been there for the speaker during times of illness and hardship. This line also highlights the power dynamic between the photographer and the speaker, as the photographer has the power to capture and preserve moments of vulnerability and weakness.
The final lines of the poem describe the speaker's desire to be remembered by the photographer. The speaker says, "You, who have taken pictures of me / That will outlast me, who will remember / Me when I am dead, who will remember / The way I looked and the way I was." These lines suggest that the speaker is aware of his own mortality, and is seeking a form of immortality through the photographer's pictures.
The use of the phrase "that will outlast me" suggests that the speaker is aware of the power of photography to preserve moments in time, and is seeking to be remembered through the photographer's pictures. The fact that the speaker is seeking to be remembered by the photographer, rather than by his friends or family, suggests that the photographer holds a special place in the speaker's life.
In conclusion, Delmore Schwartz's poem "Poem (You, my photographer, you, most aware)" is a powerful exploration of the relationship between a photographer and his subject. Through the use of vivid imagery and powerful language, Schwartz captures the power dynamics that exist between the two, and the desire for immortality that drives the speaker. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture moments in time, and to evoke emotions in the reader.
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