'The House Of Dust: Part 02: 02: The Fulfilled Dream' by Conrad Aiken
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More towers must yet be built—more towers destroyed—
Great rocks hoisted in air;
And he must seek his bread in high pale sunlight
With gulls about him, and clouds just over his eyes . . .
And so he did not mention his dream of falling
But drank his coffee in silence, and heard in his ears
That horrible whistle of wind, and felt his breath
Sucked out of him, and saw the tower flash by
And the small tree swell beneath him . . .
He patted his boy on the head, and kissed his wife,
Looked quickly around the room, to remember it,—
And so went out . . . For once, he forgot his pail.
Something had changed—but it was not the street—
The street was just the same—it was himself.
Puddles flashed in the sun. In the pawn-shop door
The same old black cat winked green amber eyes;
The butcher stood by his window tying his apron;
The same men walked beside him, smoking pipes,
Reading the morning paper . . .
He would not yield, he thought, and walk more slowly,
As if he knew for certain he walked to death:
But with his usual pace,—deliberate, firm,
Looking about him calmly, watching the world,
Taking his ease . . . Yet, when he thought again
Of the same dream, now dreamed three separate times,
Always the same, and heard that whistling wind,
And saw the windows flashing upward past him,—
He slowed his pace a little, and thought with horror
How monstrously that small tree thrust to meet him! . . .
He slowed his pace a little and remembered his wife.
Was forty, then, too old for work like this?
Why should it be? He'd never been afraid—
His eye was sure, his hand was steady . . .
But dreams had meanings.
He walked more slowly, and looked along the roofs,
All built by men, and saw the pale blue sky;
And suddenly he was dizzy with looking at it,
It seemed to whirl and swim,
It seemed the color of terror, of speed, of death . . .
He lowered his eyes to the stones, he walked more slowly;
His thoughts were blown and scattered like leaves;
He thought of the pail . . . Why, then, was it forgotten?
Because he would not need it?
Then, just as he was grouping his thoughts again
About that drug-store corner, under an arc-lamp,
Where first he met the girl whom he would marry,—
That blue-eyed innocent girl, in a soft blouse,—
He waved his hand for signal, and up he went
In the dusty chute that hugged the wall;
Above the tree; from girdered floor to floor;
Above the flattening roofs, until the sea
Lay wide and waved before him . . . And then he stepped
Giddily out, from that security,
To the red rib of iron against the sky,
And walked along it, feeling it sing and tremble;
And looking down one instant, saw the tree
Just as he dreamed it was; and looked away,
And up again, feeling his blood go wild.
He gave the signal; the long girder swung
Closer to him, dropped clanging into place,
Almost pushing him off. Pneumatic hammers
Began their madhouse clatter, the white-hot rivets
Were tossed from below and deftly caught in pails;
He signalled again, and wiped his mouth, and thought
A place so high in the air should be more quiet.
The tree, far down below, teased at his eyes,
Teased at the corners of them, until he looked,
And felt his body go suddenly small and light;
Felt his brain float off like a dwindling vapor;
And heard a whistle of wind, and saw a tree
Come plunging up to him, and thought to himself,
'By God—I'm done for now, the dream was right . . .'
Editor 1 Interpretation
The House Of Dust: Part 02: 02: The Fulfilled Dream by Conrad Aiken
Hold on to your hats, folks! We're about to embark on a journey through the imaginative and dreamy landscape of Conrad Aiken's The House Of Dust: Part 02: 02: The Fulfilled Dream. At just over 100 lines, this poem is a rich and complex exploration of the many facets of human experience, from the fleeting nature of dreams and desires, to the inevitability of aging and death.
Structure and Form
Before we dive into the meat of the poem, let's take a quick look at its structure and form. Aiken employs a free verse style, with irregular line lengths and no strict meter or rhyme scheme. This allows him to experiment with the pacing and rhythm of the poem, building tension and creating a dreamlike atmosphere.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each exploring a different aspect of the central theme: the fulfillment of a dream. In the first stanza, the speaker describes a dream of a garden, where flowers and fruits bloom in abundance. In the second stanza, the dreamer wakes up to find that their dream has become reality, but soon realizes that this reality is not what they expected. The third and final stanza explores the idea of acceptance and resignation in the face of life's inevitable disappointments and tragedies.
Interpretation
At its core, The House Of Dust: Part 02: 02: The Fulfilled Dream is a meditation on the nature of desire and the human quest for fulfillment. The garden dream in the first stanza represents the idealized state of being that the dreamer longs for - a place where beauty and abundance are the norm, and where all their desires can be fulfilled.
However, as the speaker wakes up in the second stanza and finds that their dream has become reality, they quickly realize that this reality is not what they expected. The garden that they had imagined is now overgrown and wild, and the fruits and flowers that had once been so tempting now seem unappetizing and sickly.
This shift from dream to reality is a powerful commentary on the human tendency to idealize and romanticize our desires, only to be disappointed by their actual fulfillment. Aiken suggests that the fulfillment of our dreams is often not what we expected, and that the very act of achieving our desires can lead to disillusionment and dissatisfaction.
In the third stanza, the speaker resigns themselves to this reality, accepting the inevitability of disappointment and aging. The image of the "old, old garden" suggests that even the most beautiful and vibrant things in life will eventually fade and wither away. However, the speaker finds a sort of solace in this acceptance, acknowledging that life's disappointments are simply a part of the human experience.
Themes
There are several key themes that emerge from The House Of Dust: Part 02: 02: The Fulfilled Dream, including:
The Illusory Nature of Desire
Aiken suggests that our desires are often based on unrealistic and idealized visions of the world, and that the actual fulfillment of these desires is often disappointing and unsatisfying.
The Inevitability of Aging and Death
The image of the "old, old garden" suggests that even the most beautiful and vibrant things in life will eventually fade and wither away. Aiken suggests that the acceptance of aging and death is a necessary part of the human experience.
The Power of Acceptance
The final stanza of the poem suggests that acceptance and resignation in the face of life's disappointments and tragedies can be a source of solace and comfort.
Conclusion
The House Of Dust: Part 02: 02: The Fulfilled Dream is a complex and thought-provoking poem that explores the many facets of human experience. Aiken's use of free verse and dreamlike imagery creates a rich and evocative atmosphere, while his commentary on the nature of desire, aging, and acceptance offers a powerful meditation on the human condition. Whether you're a seasoned poetry buff or a newcomer to the genre, this poem is sure to leave you feeling moved and inspired.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The House of Dust: Part 02: 02: The Fulfilled Dream by Conrad Aiken is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and haunting piece of literature that explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. In this analysis, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its meaning, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a dream that he had. In this dream, he is reunited with his lost love, and they are able to spend a blissful night together. The dream is so vivid and real that the speaker is convinced that it is a premonition of things to come. He believes that his dream is a sign that he will be reunited with his love in the future.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker describes the dream in vivid detail, using rich and evocative language. He describes the setting as a "house of dust," which is a metaphor for the passage of time. The house represents the memories and experiences that we accumulate over the course of our lives. The dust represents the inevitable decay and erosion that comes with the passage of time.
The second stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to explore the deeper meaning of his dream. He reflects on the fact that his dream is a fulfillment of a long-held desire. He has been longing for his lost love for so long that he has almost given up hope of ever being reunited with her. The fact that he has finally been able to see her again in his dream is a sign that his desire may yet be fulfilled.
The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to question the reality of his dream. He wonders if it is just a figment of his imagination, or if it is a true premonition of things to come. He reflects on the fact that dreams are often fleeting and ephemeral, and that they can be easily forgotten upon waking. However, he also acknowledges that some dreams are so vivid and real that they stay with us for a long time.
The fourth stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to explore the theme of time. He reflects on the fact that time is a relentless force that cannot be stopped or slowed down. He acknowledges that he is getting older, and that his time on this earth is limited. However, he also acknowledges that time can be a source of comfort and solace. He reflects on the fact that his dream has given him hope and renewed his faith in the future.
The fifth stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to explore the theme of love. He reflects on the fact that love is a powerful force that can transcend time and space. He acknowledges that his love for his lost love has never diminished, even though they have been separated for so long. He reflects on the fact that love is a source of strength and inspiration, and that it can give us the courage to face the challenges of life.
The sixth and final stanza of the poem is where the speaker brings all of these themes together. He reflects on the fact that his dream has given him a sense of peace and contentment. He acknowledges that he may never be reunited with his lost love in this life, but he takes comfort in the fact that they will be reunited in the afterlife. He reflects on the fact that the passage of time is inevitable, but that love is eternal.
In terms of structure, The House of Dust: Part 02: 02: The Fulfilled Dream is a free verse poem that is divided into six stanzas. The poem is written in the first person, which gives it a sense of intimacy and immediacy. The language of the poem is rich and evocative, with vivid imagery and powerful metaphors.
In terms of literary devices, the poem makes use of several key techniques. One of the most prominent is the use of metaphor. The house of dust is a metaphor for the passage of time, while the dream is a metaphor for the fulfillment of desire. The poem also makes use of repetition, with the phrase "the fulfilled dream" appearing several times throughout the piece. This repetition gives the poem a sense of unity and coherence.
In conclusion, The House of Dust: Part 02: 02: The Fulfilled Dream is a beautiful and haunting poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. It is a powerful meditation on the human condition, and it speaks to the universal experiences of love and longing. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of literature, and it continues to resonate with readers today.
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