'To The Dead' by Frank Bidart
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What I hope (when I hope) is that we'll
see each other again,--
. . . and again reach the VEIN
in which we loved each other . .
It existed. It existed.
There is a NIGHT within the NIGHT,--
. . . for, like the detectives (the Ritz Brothers)
in The Gorilla,
once we'd been battered by the gorilla
we searched the walls, the intricately carved
impenetrable paneling
for a button, lever, latch
that unlocks a secret door that
reveals at last the secret chambers,
CORRIDORS within WALLS,
(the disenthralling, necessary, dreamed structure
beneath the structure we see,)
that is the HOUSE within the HOUSE . . .
There is a NIGHT within the NIGHT,--
. . . there were (for example) months when I seemed only
to displease, frustrate,
disappoint you--; then, something triggered
a drunk lasting for days, and as you
slowly and shakily sobered up,
sick, throbbing with remorse and self-loathing,
insight like ashes: clung
to; useless; hated . . .
This was the viewing of the power of the waters
while the waters were asleep:--
secrets, histories of loves, betrayals, double-binds
not fit (you thought) for the light of day . . .
There is a NIGHT within the NIGHT,--
. . . for, there at times at night, still we
inhabit the secret place together . . .
Is this wisdom, or self-pity?--
The love I've known is the love of
two people staring
not at each other, but in the same direction.
Editor 1 Interpretation
To The Dead: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
"To The Dead" is a poignant poem written by Frank Bidart, an American poet and professor of English at Wellesley College. This poem was published in 1991 in his book, "Desire," which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.
Bidart is known for his powerful, confessional poetry that often explores the themes of sexuality, identity, and mortality. "To The Dead" is no exception, as it delves into the complexities of grief and loss.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze the various literary devices and themes in "To The Dead" to gain a deeper understanding of the poem.
Poem Summary
"To The Dead" is a long, elegiac poem that is addressed to the dead. The speaker of the poem is mourning the loss of someone close to them, and they are struggling to come to terms with their grief.
The poem begins with the speaker asking, "What I believed when I was young— / I still believe." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker is grappling with the idea that death is a natural part of life.
Throughout the poem, the speaker reflects on their memories of the dead person and the impact that they had on their life. They also express their longing to be reunited with the dead person, even though they know that is impossible.
The poem ends with the speaker acknowledging that their grief will never completely go away, but they are still grateful for the time that they had with the dead person.
Literary Devices
Bidart uses a variety of literary devices in "To The Dead" to enhance the emotional impact of the poem. Some of these devices include:
Imagery
Bidart uses vivid imagery throughout the poem to bring the scenes to life. For example, in the first stanza, the speaker describes the dead person's "fingers curling / a few leaves / from the ground." This image is both beautiful and haunting, as it shows how death can be both peaceful and tragic.
Repetition
Bidart uses repetition throughout the poem to create a sense of rhythm and to emphasize certain themes. For example, the phrase "I still believe" is repeated several times throughout the poem, highlighting the speaker's struggle to come to terms with death.
Anaphora
Anaphora is a literary device where a word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of multiple lines. Bidart uses anaphora in the poem to create a sense of urgency and to emphasize certain themes. For example, in the third stanza, the phrase "I want" is repeated several times to show the speaker's longing to be reunited with the dead person.
Metaphor
Bidart uses metaphor in the poem to compare death to various natural phenomena. For example, in the fourth stanza, the speaker compares death to a "black wave / breaking on a beach" to show how death can be both powerful and destructive.
Themes
"To The Dead" explores several themes related to grief and loss. Some of these themes include:
Mortality
One of the main themes in the poem is mortality. The speaker is struggling to come to terms with the fact that death is a natural part of life, and they are questioning their beliefs about the afterlife.
Memory
Another theme in the poem is memory. The speaker is reflecting on their memories of the dead person and how those memories are shaping their grief. Memory is also a way for the speaker to hold onto the dead person, even though they are no longer alive.
Longing
The poem also explores the theme of longing. The speaker expresses their desire to be reunited with the dead person, even though they know that is impossible. This longing is a natural part of grief, as the speaker is trying to hold onto the person that they have lost.
Gratitude
Finally, the poem explores the theme of gratitude. The speaker acknowledges that their grief will never completely go away, but they are still grateful for the time that they had with the dead person. This gratitude is a way for the speaker to find meaning in their loss.
Interpretation
"To The Dead" is a powerful poem that explores the complexities of grief and loss. The poem is both beautiful and haunting, as it shows how death can be both peaceful and tragic.
The poem is also deeply personal, as it reflects Bidart's own experiences with grief and loss. This personal connection adds to the emotional impact of the poem and makes it relatable to anyone who has experienced loss.
Ultimately, "To The Dead" is a reminder that even in the face of death, there is beauty and meaning to be found. The speaker's gratitude for the time that they had with the dead person is a testament to the power of human connection and the resilience of the human spirit.
Conclusion
"To The Dead" is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores the complexities of grief and loss. Through its vivid imagery and powerful themes, the poem reminds us that even in the face of death, there is beauty and meaning to be found.
Bidart's personal connection to the poem adds to its emotional impact, and makes it relatable to anyone who has experienced loss. "To The Dead" is a powerful testament to the power of human connection and the resilience of the human spirit, and it is a poem that will stay with the reader long after they have finished reading it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
To The Dead: An Analysis of Frank Bidart's Classic Poem
Frank Bidart's poem "To The Dead" is a haunting and powerful exploration of grief, loss, and the human desire for connection with those who have passed away. Written in 1997, the poem is a meditation on the death of Bidart's friend and fellow poet James Merrill, who died of AIDS in 1995. Through its vivid imagery, complex structure, and emotional intensity, "To The Dead" offers a profound reflection on the nature of mortality and the ways in which we seek to make sense of our own mortality and the mortality of those we love.
The poem is divided into three sections, each of which explores a different aspect of the speaker's relationship with the dead. The first section, which is the longest and most complex, is a series of fragmented memories and images that evoke the speaker's grief and sense of loss. The second section is a more direct address to the dead, in which the speaker expresses his longing for connection and his desire to understand the meaning of death. The third and final section is a brief coda that offers a glimmer of hope and a sense of closure.
One of the most striking features of "To The Dead" is its use of imagery. Throughout the poem, Bidart employs a wide range of metaphors and symbols to convey the speaker's emotions and experiences. For example, in the first section, the speaker describes the dead as "a flock of birds / that suddenly / lifts off from a tree / as you walk by." This image captures the suddenness and unpredictability of death, as well as the sense of loss and disorientation that can accompany it.
Similarly, in the second section, the speaker compares the dead to "a book / whose pages are blank / until you fill them in." This metaphor suggests that the meaning of death is not fixed or predetermined, but rather depends on the way in which we remember and honor those who have passed away. By filling in the pages of the book with our memories and emotions, we give meaning to the lives of the dead and create a sense of connection that transcends death.
Another key element of "To The Dead" is its structure. The poem is written in free verse, with no regular meter or rhyme scheme. Instead, Bidart uses a variety of techniques to create a sense of rhythm and momentum. For example, he often repeats certain phrases or images, such as the image of the flock of birds, to create a sense of continuity and unity. He also uses enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence or phrase across multiple lines, to create a sense of flow and movement.
At the same time, however, the poem is also highly fragmented and disjointed. The first section, in particular, is a series of disconnected images and memories that are presented in a seemingly random order. This fragmentation reflects the speaker's own sense of disorientation and confusion in the wake of his friend's death. It also suggests the difficulty of making sense of death and the way in which our memories and emotions can be jumbled and disordered.
Despite its fragmented structure, however, "To The Dead" is also a deeply emotional and powerful poem. The speaker's grief and longing are palpable throughout, and his desire for connection with the dead is both poignant and universal. Through its vivid imagery, complex structure, and emotional intensity, the poem offers a profound meditation on the nature of mortality and the ways in which we seek to make sense of our own mortality and the mortality of those we love.
In conclusion, "To The Dead" is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Through its vivid imagery, complex structure, and emotional intensity, the poem offers a profound reflection on the nature of mortality and the ways in which we seek to make sense of our own mortality and the mortality of those we love. Whether we are grappling with the death of a friend, a family member, or simply our own mortality, "To The Dead" reminds us of the power of memory, connection, and love to transcend death and give meaning to our lives.
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