'Those Two' by Allen Ginsberg


AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay


That tree said
I don't like that white car under me,
it smells gasoline
That other tree next to it said
O you're always complaining
you're a neurotic
you can see by the way you're bent over.


July 6, 1981, 8 p.m.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Those Two: An Exploration of Love and Death

Allen Ginsberg's poem "Those Two" is a captivating work of art that delves into the complexities of love and death. The poem is part of his larger collection of poems titled "Kaddish and Other Poems," which is about his mother's life and death. In "Those Two," Ginsberg uses vivid imagery and poignant language to paint a picture of two lovers who are intertwined in a world of death and beauty. This literary criticism and interpretation will explore the themes, symbols, and meanings behind "Those Two."

Form and Structure

"Those Two" is a free-verse poem, which means it has no strict meter or rhyme scheme. The poem comprises six stanzas of varying lengths, with the first stanza being the longest. The poem begins with a long, winding sentence that sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The sentence is broken up with commas and semicolons, creating a feeling of breathlessness and urgency. This opening sentence is a metaphor for the cycle of life and death, as it describes the movement of the sun and the moon, and the birth and death of the speakers' parents.

Themes

At its core, "Those Two" is a meditation on love and death. The poem explores the themes of mortality, loss, and the impermanence of life. It also touches on the theme of love and the power it has to transcend death. The poem is, in essence, a tribute to the speaker's parents, who have passed away. The poem is a celebration of their love and the way it has endured despite their physical absence.

Symbols

Throughout the poem, Ginsberg uses a variety of symbols to convey its themes. The most prominent symbol is the image of the moon and the sun. The moon represents death, while the sun represents life. The speaker describes the sun as "a big yellow ball," and the moon as "a silver coin." This contrast between the two celestial bodies highlights the duality of life and death. The moon is cold and distant, while the sun is warm and life-giving.

Another symbol in the poem is the image of the "two lovers." The lovers represent the speaker's parents, who are now united in death. Their love has transcended the physical world and continues to exist in a realm beyond life and death. The image of the lovers is also symbolic of the power of love to endure even in the face of death.

Meaning and Interpretation

"Those Two" can be interpreted in many different ways, depending on the reader's perspective. At its core, the poem is a tribute to the speaker's parents and their enduring love. The poem celebrates the way their love has transcended death and continues to exist in a realm beyond our understanding. The poem can also be seen as a meditation on the impermanence of life and the inevitability of death. The moon and the sun represent the cycle of life and death, which is a constant reminder of our mortality.

The poem can also be interpreted as a celebration of love and the power it has to transcend death. The lovers in the poem represent the idea that love is eternal and can exist beyond the physical world. This interpretation is supported by the final stanza of the poem, where the speakers say that they too will be reunited with their loved ones in death.

Literary Techniques

Ginsberg uses several literary techniques in "Those Two" to convey its themes and meanings. One of the most striking techniques is his use of imagery. The poem is filled with vivid images that create a sense of beauty and sadness. The contrast between the moon and the sun, the image of the lovers, and the description of the sea all create a sense of the sublime.

Another technique Ginsberg uses is repetition. The phrase "those two" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of unity and continuity. This repetition reinforces the idea that the speaker's parents are united in death and that their love continues to exist even after their physical bodies are gone.

Conclusion

"Those Two" is a powerful work of art that explores the complexities of love and death. The poem is a tribute to the enduring love of the speaker's parents and the way it has transcended death. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and poignant language that create a sense of beauty and sadness. The contrast between the moon and the sun, the image of the lovers, and the repetition of the phrase "those two" all contribute to the poem's themes and meanings. Overall, "Those Two" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Those Two: A Poem of Love and Loss

Allen Ginsberg’s Those Two is a poem that speaks to the heart of human experience. It is a poem that captures the essence of love and loss, of joy and sorrow, of hope and despair. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this classic poem.

Themes

At its core, Those Two is a poem about the power of love. It is a celebration of the bond between two people who are deeply in love. The poem describes the couple as “two who are one,” suggesting that they are so connected that they are almost inseparable. This theme of unity is reinforced throughout the poem, as the couple is described as being “joined at the hip” and “entwined like vines.”

However, the poem is also about the pain of loss. The couple is separated by death, and the speaker is left to mourn their passing. The poem captures the raw emotion of grief, as the speaker struggles to come to terms with the loss of those he loved so deeply. This theme of loss is reinforced by the imagery of death that runs throughout the poem, from the “cold earth” to the “silent tomb.”

Structure

Those Two is a free verse poem, which means that it does not follow a strict rhyme or meter. Instead, the poem is structured around a series of images and ideas that flow together to create a sense of unity and coherence. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the couple’s relationship.

The first stanza describes the couple’s love for each other. It is a celebration of their unity, as the speaker describes them as being “two who are one.” The stanza is structured around a series of images that reinforce this theme of unity, from the “joined hips” to the “entwined vines.”

The second stanza is a meditation on the nature of death. It is a stark contrast to the first stanza, as the speaker moves from celebrating life to contemplating its end. The stanza is structured around a series of images that capture the finality of death, from the “cold earth” to the “silent tomb.”

The third stanza is a lament for the loss of the couple. It is a deeply emotional section of the poem, as the speaker struggles to come to terms with the fact that those he loved so deeply are gone. The stanza is structured around a series of images that capture the pain of grief, from the “tears that fall like rain” to the “aching heart.”

Language

The language of Those Two is simple and direct, yet it is also deeply emotional and evocative. The poem is filled with vivid imagery that captures the essence of the themes of love and loss. The language is also highly symbolic, with each image carrying a deeper meaning that reinforces the overall message of the poem.

One of the most striking aspects of the language of the poem is its use of repetition. The phrase “those two” is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of unity and continuity. The repetition also reinforces the theme of loss, as the phrase takes on a new meaning in the context of the third stanza.

Another notable aspect of the language of the poem is its use of metaphor. The couple is described as being “entwined like vines,” suggesting a deep and lasting connection. The use of natural imagery throughout the poem reinforces this theme of unity, as the couple is compared to the natural world around them.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Those Two is a poem that captures the essence of human experience. It is a celebration of love and unity, as well as a meditation on the pain of loss and grief. The poem’s structure and language work together to create a powerful emotional impact, leaving the reader with a deep sense of the beauty and fragility of life. It is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human spirit.

Editor Recommended Sites

Smart Contract Technology: Blockchain smart contract tutorials and guides
Prompt Ops: Prompt operations best practice for the cloud
Open Source Alternative: Alternatives to proprietary tools with Open Source or free github software
Learn Snowflake: Learn the snowflake data warehouse for AWS and GCP, course by an Ex-Google engineer
Remote Engineering Jobs: Job board for Remote Software Engineers and machine learning engineers

Recommended Similar Analysis

Wreck of the Hesperus, The by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow analysis
Sonnet 23: As an unperfect actor on the stage by William Shakespeare analysis
Auguries of Innocence by William Blake analysis
Mazeppa by George Gordon, Lord Byron analysis
Intorduction to the Songs of Experience by William Blake analysis
Killers by Carl Sandburg analysis
Who Is Now Reading This? by Walt Whitman analysis
The Threshold by Rudyard Kipling analysis
Blackberry Eating by Galway Kinnell analysis
you said Is (XIII) by e.e. cummings analysis