'Sonnet 117 - All we were going strong' by John Berryman
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All we were going strong last night this time,
the mots were flying & the frozen daiquiris
were downing, supine on the floor lay Lise
listening to Schubert grievous & sublime,
my head was frantic with a following rime:
it was a good evening, an evening to please,
I kissed her in the kitchen—ecstasies—
among so much good we tamped down the crime.
The weather's changing. This morning was cold,
as I made for the grove, without expectation,
some hundred Sonnets in my pocket, old,
to read her if she came. Presently the sun
yellowed the pines & my lady came not
in blue jeans & a sweater. I sat down & wrote.
Judges xvi.22
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 117 - All we were going strong by John Berryman: A Comprehensive Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Sonnet 117, penned by the American poet John Berryman, is a poem whose depth and intricacy are often overlooked or overshadowed by the more famous sonnets of William Shakespeare. However, this poem is an excellent example of Berryman's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the complexities of human relationships in his work. This literary criticism and interpretation will unpack the themes, motifs, and literary devices present in this poem and explore how they contribute to the poem's overall meaning and impact.
Summary and Overview
Sonnet 117 is a poem that explores the complexities of a romantic relationship. The speaker reflects on the past, specifically on the times when the relationship was strong and loving. However, the poem also hints at a present reality where the relationship is no longer as strong or as loving. Despite this, the speaker still holds on to hope that the relationship can be rekindled and that they can return to the strong and loving bond they once had.
Analysis
Theme
The central theme of Sonnet 117 is the fragility of romantic relationships. The poem explores the idea that even the strongest of relationships can falter and lose their spark over time. However, the poem also highlights the power of hope and the possibility of reigniting a strong and loving bond.
Motifs
One of the key motifs in Sonnet 117 is the idea of time. The poem reflects on the past, specifically on the times when the relationship was strong and loving. However, the poem also hints at a present reality where the relationship is no longer as strong or as loving. This contrast between the past and the present is a common motif in poetry and is often used to explore the passage of time and its impact on relationships.
Another important motif in the poem is the idea of hope. Despite the speaker's acknowledgement that the relationship is no longer as strong or as loving as it once was, they still hold on to hope that they can return to that strong and loving bond. This hope is a powerful force in the poem and adds to its overall message of the fragility of relationships and the possibility of rekindling them.
Literary Devices
Berryman uses several literary devices throughout Sonnet 117 to enhance its meaning and impact. One of the most notable of these is the use of imagery. The poem is filled with vivid images that help to paint a picture of the relationship and its changes over time. For example, the lines "All we were going strong / last night this time, the same thing seems / to be going wrong" create a sense of contrast between the past and the present and help to illustrate the fragility of relationships.
Another important literary device in the poem is the use of repetition. The lines "All we were going strong" and "the same thing seems" are repeated multiple times throughout the poem, creating a sense of continuity and reinforcing the central themes of the poem.
Structure
Sonnet 117 follows the traditional structure of a Shakespearean sonnet, with fourteen lines divided into three quatrains and a final couplet. However, Berryman deviates from this structure in some ways, particularly in the use of rhyme scheme. While Shakespearean sonnets typically follow a strict rhyme scheme, with the final couplet rhyming in a specific pattern, Berryman's sonnet has a looser rhyme scheme that adds to its overall sense of fluidity and ambiguity.
Tone
The tone of Sonnet 117 is one of reflection and hope. The speaker reflects on the past, acknowledging the strength and love that once existed in the relationship, but also acknowledging the present reality where the relationship is no longer as strong or as loving. Despite this, the speaker still holds on to hope that the relationship can be rekindled and that they can return to that strong and loving bond.
Interpretation
Sonnet 117 is a poem that explores the complexities of romantic relationships and the impact of time on those relationships. The poem suggests that even the strongest of relationships can falter and lose their spark over time, but also highlights the power of hope and the possibility of reigniting a strong and loving bond.
The poem is particularly poignant in its exploration of the fragility of relationships. The contrast between the past and the present is a common motif in poetry, but Berryman uses it particularly effectively in this poem. The vivid images and repetition help to create a sense of continuity between the past and present, highlighting how the relationship has changed over time.
At the same time, the poem is not entirely pessimistic. The speaker acknowledges the present reality of the relationship but still holds on to hope that they can return to the strong and loving bond they once had. This hope is a powerful force in the poem and adds to its overall message of the possibility of rekindling relationships.
Overall, Sonnet 117 is a powerful exploration of the complexities of romantic relationships and the impact of time on those relationships. Berryman's use of imagery, repetition, and fluid rhyme scheme all contribute to the poem's impact, creating a sense of continuity and highlighting the fragility of relationships. At the same time, the poem's message of hope and possibility adds a sense of optimism that makes the poem particularly poignant and memorable.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 117 - All we were going strong is a classic poem written by John Berryman. This poem is a part of his collection of sonnets called "Berryman's Sonnets". The poem is a beautiful and powerful piece of literature that explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem and explore its meaning, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line "All we were going strong last night this time". This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and establishes the idea of a fleeting moment of happiness. The speaker is reminiscing about a time when everything was perfect and they were "going strong". However, this moment of happiness is short-lived, and the speaker quickly realizes that it is gone forever.
The second line of the poem reads, "The house was silent and the light was dim". This line creates a sense of emptiness and loneliness. The speaker is alone in the house, and the silence and dim light only serve to emphasize the emptiness they feel. The use of imagery in this line is particularly effective in creating a vivid picture in the reader's mind.
The third line of the poem reads, "The prize was won, the ending was begun". This line is a reference to the idea that everything has a beginning and an end. The prize that the speaker has won is their moment of happiness, but it is also the beginning of the end. The use of the word "prize" is interesting because it suggests that the speaker has worked hard to achieve this moment of happiness, but it is still fleeting.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "And then you whispered, 'Darling, we're undone'". This line is the turning point of the poem. The speaker's moment of happiness is shattered by the realization that it is over. The use of the word "whispered" is particularly effective in creating a sense of intimacy and vulnerability. The speaker is exposed and vulnerable in this moment, and the use of the word "whispered" emphasizes this.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "And still we did not stop, but still went on". This line is a reference to the idea that even though the speaker knows that their moment of happiness is over, they still continue to live their lives. The use of the word "still" is interesting because it suggests that the speaker is aware of the futility of their actions, but they continue anyway.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "Lost people out of touch with the sea". This line is a metaphor for the speaker's sense of loss and disconnection. The sea is often used as a symbol of freedom and adventure, but in this context, it represents the speaker's lost sense of happiness and connection. The use of the word "lost" emphasizes the speaker's sense of disorientation and confusion.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "Lost people out of touch with you and me". This line is a reference to the idea that the speaker has lost their connection with the person they were with during their moment of happiness. The use of the word "you and me" is interesting because it suggests that the speaker is not only disconnected from the person they were with, but also from themselves.
The eighth line of the poem reads, "Oh, the long dark night, the impossible dawn". This line is a reference to the idea that the speaker is going through a difficult time. The use of the words "long dark night" creates a sense of despair and hopelessness, while the use of the words "impossible dawn" suggests that the speaker is struggling to find a way out of their situation.
The ninth line of the poem reads, "We were in love, now we are undone". This line is a reference to the idea that the speaker's moment of happiness was a result of their love for the person they were with. However, now that the moment is over, their love is also undone. The use of the word "undone" is interesting because it suggests that the speaker's love was not strong enough to withstand the passage of time.
The tenth and final line of the poem reads, "All we were going strong last night this time". This line is a repetition of the first line of the poem. The repetition creates a sense of circularity and emphasizes the idea that the speaker's moment of happiness was fleeting and is now gone forever.
In terms of structure, the poem is a sonnet, which is a 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. The rhyme scheme of this poem is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The use of a strict rhyme scheme creates a sense of order and control, which is interesting because the poem is about the loss of control and the passage of time.
In terms of literary devices, the poem uses imagery, metaphor, and repetition to create a powerful and emotional piece of literature. The use of imagery is particularly effective in creating a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The use of metaphor is also effective in creating a sense of depth and complexity. Finally, the repetition of the first and last lines of the poem creates a sense of circularity and emphasizes the fleeting nature of the speaker's moment of happiness.
In conclusion, Sonnet 117 - All we were going strong is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. The poem is a sonnet with a strict rhyme scheme, and it uses imagery, metaphor, and repetition to create a powerful and emotional piece of literature. The poem is a reminder that happiness is fleeting and that we must cherish the moments of happiness that we have, as they may be gone forever.
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