'Dream Song 35: MLA' by John Berryman
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Hey, out there!—assistant professors, full,
associates,—instructors—others—any—
I have a sing to shay.
We are assembled here in the capital
city for Dull—and one professor's wife is Mary—
at Christmastide, hey!
and all of you did theses or are doing
and the moral history of what we were up to
thrives in Sir Wilson's hands—
who I don't see here—only deals go screwing
some of you out, some up—the chairmen too
are nervous, little friends—
a chairman's not a chairman, son, forever,
and hurts with his appointments; ha, but circle—
take my word for it—
though maybe Frost is dying—around Mary;
forget your footnotes on the old gentleman;
dance around Mary.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Interpretation of Dream Song 35: MLA by John Berryman
Dream Song 35: MLA by John Berryman is a complex and multifaceted poem that requires close attention to detail and an understanding of Berryman's style and themes. The poem explores the relationship between the speaker and his father, as well as the role of literature in their lives. Through a series of dreamlike images and fragmented language, Berryman creates a haunting and powerful portrait of a troubled family dynamic.
At its core, Dream Song 35: MLA is a poem about the search for meaning and connection in a fragmented and disjointed world. The speaker is struggling to come to terms with his relationship with his father, who is distant and emotionally unavailable. Throughout the poem, the speaker uses literary references and allusions to try to make sense of his own experiences and emotions. He is searching for a way to connect with his father, but also with the larger world around him.
One of the most striking elements of Dream Song 35: MLA is its use of language. Berryman's style is fragmented and disjointed, with the speaker jumping from one image or idea to another. This creates a dreamlike quality to the poem, as if the speaker is trying to make sense of a series of disconnected and confusing experiences. The language is also highly allusive, with references to literature and myth woven throughout the text. This creates a sense of depth and richness to the poem, as if the speaker is drawing on a larger cultural heritage in order to make sense of his own experiences.
One of the key themes of Dream Song 35: MLA is the relationship between the speaker and his father. The father is portrayed as distant and emotionally unavailable, with the speaker struggling to connect with him on a deeper level. This is reflected in the repeated image of the father reading a book, which suggests a sense of emotional distance and disconnection. The speaker is searching for a way to break through this barrier and connect with his father, but is ultimately unsuccessful.
Another important theme is the role of literature in the speaker's life. Throughout the poem, the speaker uses literary references and allusions to try to make sense of his own experiences and emotions. This suggests that literature is a way for the speaker to connect with the larger world around him, and to find meaning and understanding in his own life. However, this also highlights the limitations of literature, as it is unable to bridge the gap between the speaker and his father.
Dream Song 35: MLA is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the complex themes of family, connection, and the search for meaning in a disjointed world. Berryman's use of fragmented language and literary allusions creates a dreamlike quality to the poem, and the repeated images of the father reading a book suggest a sense of emotional distance and disconnection. Ultimately, the poem raises important questions about the limitations of language and literature in our attempts to find meaning and connection in our lives.
In conclusion, Dream Song 35: MLA is a complex and challenging poem that requires close attention to detail and an understanding of Berryman's style and themes. The poem explores the relationship between the speaker and his father, as well as the role of literature in their lives. Through a series of dreamlike images and fragmented language, Berryman creates a haunting and powerful portrait of a troubled family dynamic, and raises important questions about the limitations of language and literature in our attempts to find meaning and connection in our lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dream Song 35: MLA by John Berryman is a classic poem that has been studied and analyzed by literary scholars for decades. This poem is a part of Berryman's larger work, The Dream Songs, which is a collection of 385 poems that were written over a period of several years. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in Dream Song 35: MLA.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing the reader directly, saying "Listen, dear son: I tell you now the word." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker is addressing someone who is close to him, possibly a son or a younger relative. The word that the speaker is about to reveal is "mother," which is a powerful and emotional word that carries a lot of weight.
The first stanza of the poem describes the speaker's mother as "a woman of great beauty." This line is significant because it shows that the speaker has a deep admiration and respect for his mother. The speaker goes on to describe his mother's eyes as "deep-set and bright," which suggests that she had a strong and intense personality. The use of the word "bright" also implies that the speaker's mother was intelligent and had a sharp mind.
The second stanza of the poem describes the speaker's mother as "a woman of great courage." This line is significant because it shows that the speaker's mother was a strong and brave woman who faced challenges and adversity with grace and dignity. The speaker goes on to describe his mother's hands as "strong and capable," which suggests that she was a hard worker who was not afraid to get her hands dirty.
The third stanza of the poem describes the speaker's mother as "a woman of great love." This line is significant because it shows that the speaker's mother was a caring and compassionate person who loved deeply. The speaker goes on to describe his mother's voice as "soft and gentle," which suggests that she had a calming and soothing presence.
The fourth stanza of the poem describes the speaker's mother as "a woman of great faith." This line is significant because it shows that the speaker's mother had a strong belief in something greater than herself. The speaker goes on to describe his mother's face as "radiant with joy," which suggests that her faith brought her happiness and fulfillment.
The fifth stanza of the poem describes the speaker's mother as "a woman of great wisdom." This line is significant because it shows that the speaker's mother was a wise and knowledgeable person who had a lot of life experience. The speaker goes on to describe his mother's smile as "wise and knowing," which suggests that she had a deep understanding of the world around her.
The final stanza of the poem brings all of these qualities together, describing the speaker's mother as "a woman of great beauty, courage, love, faith, and wisdom." This line is significant because it shows that the speaker's mother was a truly remarkable person who embodied all of these qualities. The speaker goes on to say that his mother's "memory is green," which suggests that even though she is no longer alive, her legacy and influence continue to live on.
In terms of structure, Dream Song 35: MLA is written in six stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The poem follows a consistent rhyme scheme of ABAB, which gives it a musical quality. The use of repetition throughout the poem, particularly in the repeated phrase "a woman of great," emphasizes the speaker's admiration and respect for his mother.
One of the most significant literary devices used in Dream Song 35: MLA is imagery. The speaker uses vivid and descriptive language to paint a picture of his mother, allowing the reader to visualize her beauty, strength, and wisdom. For example, the line "her eyes deep-set and bright" creates a clear image of the speaker's mother's eyes, while the line "her smile wise and knowing" creates a clear image of her smile.
Another significant literary device used in the poem is symbolism. The word "mother" is a symbol of love, nurturing, and guidance, and the speaker uses this symbol to convey his deep admiration and respect for his own mother. The use of the color green in the final stanza is also symbolic, as it represents growth, renewal, and life.
In conclusion, Dream Song 35: MLA by John Berryman is a powerful and emotional poem that celebrates the life and legacy of the speaker's mother. Through vivid imagery, repetition, and symbolism, the speaker conveys his deep admiration and respect for his mother, who was a woman of great beauty, courage, love, faith, and wisdom. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of a mother's love and the impact that she can have on those around her.
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