'Dream Song 74: Henry hates the world. What the world to Henry' by John Berryman
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Henry hates the world. What the world to Henry
did will not bear thought.
Feeling no pain,
Henry stabbed his arm and wrote a letter
explaining how bad it had been
in this world.
Old yellow, in a gown
might have made a difference, 'these lower beauties',
and chartreuse could have mattered
"Kyoto, Toledo,
Benares—the holy cities—
and Cambridge shimmering do not make up
for, well, the horror of unlove,
nor south from Paris driving in the Spring
to Siena and on . . ."
Pulling together Henry, somber Henry
woofed at things.
Spry disappointments of men
and vicing adorable children
miserable women, Henry mastered, Henry
tasting all the secret bits of life.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dream Song 74: Henry hates the world. What the world to Henry
John Berryman’s Dream Song 74: Henry hates the world. What the world to Henry is a fascinating poem that explores the complex psyche of the protagonist, Henry. The poem is part of Berryman's Dream Songs collection, which is considered one of the most significant poetic works of the 20th century.
The Dream Songs are a unique blend of confessional and surrealistic poetry, characterized by Berryman's distinctive style, which combines vernacular speech with formal poetic structures. In Dream Song 74, Berryman uses a combination of narrative and lyrical elements to create a powerful and poignant portrait of a tormented individual.
Analysis
The poem opens with the lines, "Henry hates the world. What the world to Henry," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The repetition of the phrase 'What the world to Henry' emphasizes the protagonist's sense of alienation and detachment from the world around him. The lines also introduce the theme of hatred, which is explored throughout the poem.
The poem is structured in six stanzas, each consisting of three lines. The use of short lines and a regular rhyme scheme (aba) create a sense of rhythm and musicality. The brevity of the lines also creates a sense of urgency and intensity, reflecting the protagonist's inner turmoil.
The second stanza begins with the line, "The world is his who has nothing to lose," which suggests that Henry has reached a point of total despair and disillusionment. The line also echoes the words of the biblical figure, Jesus, who said, "For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him." (Matthew 25:29). The allusion to the Bible adds a layer of complexity to the poem, suggesting that Henry's struggles are part of a larger, universal theme.
The third stanza introduces the image of the "crazed boy" who is "raving and ranting" in the street. The image of the boy is a metaphor for Henry's own inner turmoil, suggesting that he is struggling to contain his own madness. The use of the word "crazed" emphasizes the intensity of the emotions that Henry is experiencing.
The fourth stanza contains the line, "Henry hates the world. Dead." The use of the word "dead" emphasizes the finality of Henry's hatred and suggests that he may have lost all hope of redemption. The line also echoes the words of the biblical figure, Job, who said, "I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil." (Job 3:26).
The fifth stanza introduces the image of the "dead man" who is "carried on a stretcher." The image of the dead man is a metaphor for Henry's own sense of emotional and spiritual death. The use of the stretcher emphasizes the idea that Henry is being carried along by forces outside of his control.
The final stanza contains the line, "Henry hates the world. He is free." The use of the word "free" suggests that Henry has achieved a sense of liberation from the world around him. The line also echoes the words of the biblical figure, Paul, who said, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1).
Interpretation
Dream Song 74 is a powerful meditation on the theme of alienation and the search for meaning in a world that often seems senseless and chaotic. The poem can be read as a reflection of the anxieties and tensions that characterized American society during the mid-20th century, a time marked by political upheaval, social unrest, and technological change.
The poem also explores the theme of despair and the search for redemption. Henry's sense of alienation and detachment from the world around him is contrasted with the idea that he is searching for a way to reconnect with the world and find meaning in his life. The image of the "dead man" being carried on a stretcher suggests that Henry is searching for a way to overcome his emotional and spiritual death and find a sense of renewal.
At the same time, the poem also explores the theme of freedom and liberation. The line "Henry hates the world. He is free" suggests that Henry has achieved a sense of liberation from the world around him. The poem can be read as a reflection of the American spirit of individualism and the desire for personal freedom and autonomy.
Conclusion
Dream Song 74 is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the complex psyche of the protagonist, Henry. The poem's use of narrative and lyrical elements creates a sense of urgency and intensity, reflecting the protagonist's inner turmoil. The poem can be read as a meditation on the themes of alienation, despair, and the search for meaning and redemption. At the same time, the poem also explores the theme of freedom and liberation, suggesting that Henry has achieved a sense of liberation from the world around him. Overall, Dream Song 74 is a significant work of American poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dream Song 74: Henry hates the world. What the world to Henry is a classic poem written by John Berryman that explores the complex emotions of the protagonist, Henry. The poem is a part of Berryman's Dream Songs collection, which is known for its unique style and structure. In this analysis, we will delve into the themes, symbols, and literary devices used in the poem to understand the deeper meaning behind Henry's hatred for the world.
The poem begins with the line, "Henry hates the world." This opening line sets the tone for the entire poem and establishes the central theme of Henry's disillusionment with the world. The poem is written in the first person, which allows the reader to experience Henry's emotions and thoughts firsthand. The use of the first person also creates a sense of intimacy between the reader and the protagonist, making the poem more relatable and engaging.
The second line of the poem, "What the world to Henry," is a rhetorical question that highlights Henry's detachment from the world. The use of the word "to" implies that the world is something external to Henry, something that he has no control over. This detachment is further emphasized in the third line, "did he ever care?" The question suggests that Henry has lost all interest in the world and its affairs.
The fourth line of the poem, "Rage-filled Henry, loved his youth," introduces the idea that Henry's hatred for the world is rooted in his past. The use of the word "rage-filled" suggests that Henry's emotions are intense and uncontrollable. The phrase "loved his youth" implies that Henry's hatred for the world is a result of his disillusionment with the world as he grew older. This disillusionment is a common theme in Berryman's Dream Songs collection, which often explores the idea of lost innocence and the harsh realities of adulthood.
The fifth line of the poem, "Now, let us sit together, Henry," introduces a shift in tone and suggests that the speaker is trying to comfort Henry. The use of the word "together" creates a sense of unity and suggests that the speaker is empathetic towards Henry's emotions. The sixth line, "at the table in the dark," creates a sense of intimacy and suggests that the speaker and Henry are alone together, sharing a moment of vulnerability.
The seventh line of the poem, "As we ate, a breeze blew in the room," introduces a symbol that is used throughout the poem. The breeze represents change and suggests that Henry's emotions are in a state of flux. The use of the word "ate" creates a sense of normalcy and suggests that despite Henry's intense emotions, life goes on.
The eighth line of the poem, "The curtains fluttered. Damn," introduces a shift in tone and suggests that Henry's emotions are becoming more intense. The use of the word "damn" suggests that Henry is frustrated with the world and its constant changes. The ninth line, "It angered him," reinforces this idea and suggests that Henry's emotions are becoming more volatile.
The tenth line of the poem, "And he took his plate and smashed it on the floor," is a powerful image that highlights the intensity of Henry's emotions. The use of the word "smashed" suggests that Henry's actions are violent and uncontrollable. The image of the broken plate represents the shattered pieces of Henry's life and suggests that he has lost control of his emotions.
The eleventh line of the poem, "The table lurched and lurched away," introduces a symbol that is used throughout the poem. The table represents stability and suggests that Henry's emotions are causing him to lose his grip on reality. The use of the word "lurched" creates a sense of instability and suggests that Henry's emotions are causing chaos in his life.
The twelfth line of the poem, "And Henry drank the wine all down," introduces the idea that Henry is using alcohol to cope with his emotions. The use of the word "drank" suggests that Henry is trying to numb his emotions and escape from reality. The thirteenth line, "And took his glass and smashed that too," reinforces the idea that Henry's emotions are becoming more volatile and suggests that he is losing control.
The fourteenth line of the poem, "The table settled like a raft," introduces a symbol that is used throughout the poem. The table represents stability and suggests that Henry's emotions are causing him to lose his grip on reality. The use of the word "raft" creates a sense of instability and suggests that Henry's emotions are causing him to drift away from reality.
The fifteenth line of the poem, "And we sat in the dark, Henry and I," reinforces the idea that the speaker is trying to comfort Henry. The use of the word "we" creates a sense of unity and suggests that the speaker is empathetic towards Henry's emotions. The use of the phrase "in the dark" creates a sense of intimacy and suggests that the speaker and Henry are alone together, sharing a moment of vulnerability.
The sixteenth line of the poem, "Saying nothing, and not touching," reinforces the idea that the speaker is trying to comfort Henry. The use of the phrase "saying nothing" suggests that the speaker is allowing Henry to process his emotions in his own time. The use of the phrase "not touching" creates a sense of respect and suggests that the speaker is giving Henry space to deal with his emotions.
The final line of the poem, "Only breathing," is a powerful image that suggests that despite Henry's intense emotions, life goes on. The use of the word "breathing" creates a sense of normalcy and suggests that despite the chaos in Henry's life, he is still alive and breathing.
In conclusion, Dream Song 74: Henry hates the world. What the world to Henry is a powerful poem that explores the complex emotions of the protagonist, Henry. The poem uses symbols, imagery, and literary devices to create a sense of intimacy and vulnerability between the reader and the protagonist. The poem highlights the theme of disillusionment with the world and suggests that despite the chaos in our lives, we must continue to breathe and move forward.
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