'The House Of Dust: Part 03: 04: Illicit' by Conrad Aiken
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Of what she said to me that night—no matter.
The strange thing came next day.
My brain was full of music—something she played me—;
I couldn't remember it all, but phrases of it
Wreathed and wreathed among faint memories,
Seeking for something, trying to tell me something,
Urging to restlessness: verging on grief.
I tried to play the tune, from memory,—
But memory failed: the chords and discords climbed
And found no resolution—only hung there,
And left me morbid . . . Where, then, had I heard it? . . .
What secret dusty chamber was it hinting?
'Dust', it said, 'dust . . . and dust . . . and sunlight . .
A cold clear April evening . . . snow, bedraggled,
Rain-worn snow, dappling the hideous grass . . .
And someone walking alone; and someone saying
That all must end, for the time had come to go . . . '
These were the phrases . . . but behind, beneath them
A greater shadow moved: and in this shadow
I stood and guessed . . . Was it the blue-eyed lady?
The one who always danced in golden slippers—
And had I danced with her,—upon this music?
Or was it further back—the unplumbed twilight
Of childhood?—No—much recenter than that.
You know, without my telling you, how sometimes
A word or name eludes you, and you seek it
Through running ghosts of shadow,—leaping at it,
Lying in wait for it to spring upon it,
Spreading faint snares for it of sense or sound:
Until, of a sudden, as if in a phantom forest,
You hear it, see it flash among the branches,
And scarcely knowing how, suddenly have it—
Well, it was so I followed down this music,
Glimpsing a face in darkness, hearing a cry,
Remembering days forgotten, moods exhausted,
Corners in sunlight, puddles reflecting stars—;
Until, of a sudden, and least of all suspected,
The thing resolved itself: and I remembered
An April afternoon, eight years ago—
Or was it nine?—no matter—call it nine—
A room in which the last of sunlight faded;
A vase of violets, fragrance in white curtains;
And, she who played the same thing later, playing.
She played this tune. And in the middle of it
Abruptly broke it off, letting her hands
Fall in her lap. She sat there so a moment,
With shoulders drooped, then lifted up a rose,
One great white rose, wide opened like a lotos,
And pressed it to her cheek, and closed her eyes.
'You know—we've got to end this—Miriam loves you . . .
If she should ever know, or even guess it,—
What would she do?—Listen!—I'm not absurd . . .
I'm sure of it. If you had eyes, for women—
To understand them—which you've never had—
You'd know it too . . . ' So went this colloquy,
Half humorous, with undertones of pathos,
Half grave, half flippant . . . while her fingers, softly,
Felt for this tune, played it and let it fall,
Now note by singing note, now chord by chord,
Repeating phrases with a kind of pleasure . . .
Was it symbolic of the woman's weakness
That she could neither break it—nor conclude?
It paused . . . and wandered . . . paused again; while she,
Perplexed and tired, half told me I must go,—
Half asked me if I thought I ought to go . . .
Well, April passed with many other evenings,
Evenings like this, with later suns and warmer,
With violets always there, and fragrant curtains . . .
And she was right: and Miriam found it out . . .
And after that, when eight deep years had passed—
Or nine—we met once more,—by accident . . .
But was it just by accident, I wonder,
She played this tune?—Or what, then, was intended? . . .
Editor 1 Interpretation
The House Of Dust: Part 03: 04: Illicit by Conrad Aiken – A Critical Interpretation
As I read "The House Of Dust: Part 03: 04: Illicit" by Conrad Aiken, I couldn't help but be mesmerized by the haunting imagery and symbolic language that the author employs to depict the illicit love affair of a couple. This poem is part of a larger work titled "The House of Dust," which Aiken published in 1917. In this particular section of the poem, Aiken explores the theme of forbidden love and the emotional turmoil it can cause.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the setting of the illicit affair as "a shadowy room" where "moonlight filters through the thin cloth at the windows." This setting not only enhances the overall mood of the poem but also provides a sense of intimacy that is necessary for the nature of the affair. The use of "shadowy" suggests secrecy, darkness, and perhaps even danger, which is perfectly in keeping with the theme of a forbidden love affair.
The speaker then goes on to describe the couple's physical interaction, which is depicted as passionate and intense. The line "and your mouth meets mine in a bitter kiss" is particularly striking because it suggests that the couple's love is not sweet but rather tainted by the fact that it is illicit. The use of the word "bitter" emphasizes the idea that their love is not pure, but rather a reflection of their inner turmoil and guilt.
As the poem progresses, the speaker shifts his focus to the emotional turmoil that the couple is experiencing. The line "we are caught in the web of our own desires" suggests that the couple is struggling to come to terms with their feelings for each other. They are trapped, unable to escape the web of their own desires, which has consumed them completely.
The use of the word "web" is particularly potent here because it suggests the idea of entrapment and the inability to escape. This is a powerful metaphor for the emotional state of the couple as they struggle to navigate the complex emotions that come with an illicit love affair.
The theme of guilt is also explored in this poem. The line "but deep, deep down the sense of guilt is there" suggests that the couple is aware of the wrongness of their actions but is unable to resist their desires. This is a common theme in literature that explores forbidden love, and it is particularly effective in this poem.
The use of repetition is also notable in this poem. The phrase "we are caught" is repeated twice, emphasizing the idea that the couple is trapped in their emotional turmoil. The repetition of this phrase also creates a sense of urgency and desperation, which adds to the overall mood of the poem.
The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful. The speaker says, "Love dies as the moon sets, and is reborn with the rising sun." This line suggests that the couple's love is fleeting and cannot survive the light of day. The use of the moon and the sun as symbols of love and life is a powerful metaphor that emphasizes the transient nature of the couple's affair.
In conclusion, "The House Of Dust: Part 03: 04: Illicit" is a haunting and powerful poem that explores the theme of forbidden love and its emotional impact on the individuals involved. Conrad Aiken's use of potent imagery, metaphor, and repetition creates a sense of urgency and desperation that draws the reader into the emotional turmoil of the couple. This poem is a classic example of modernist poetry and is a must-read for anyone interested in this genre.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The House of Dust: Part 03: 04: Illicit by Conrad Aiken is a classic poem that explores the theme of forbidden love. The poem is part of a larger collection of poems that were published in 1920. The House of Dust is a metaphor for the human mind, and each poem in the collection explores different aspects of the human psyche. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem Illicit.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a woman who is walking down a street. The woman is described as being beautiful and alluring. The speaker is immediately drawn to her and begins to follow her. The woman leads the speaker to a house that is hidden away from the rest of the world. The house is described as being dark and mysterious, and the speaker is hesitant to enter.
As the speaker enters the house, he is overcome with a sense of danger and excitement. He knows that what he is doing is wrong, but he cannot resist the temptation. The woman leads him to a room where they begin to make love. The speaker is consumed by his desire for the woman, and he knows that he is risking everything for this moment of pleasure.
The poem is a powerful exploration of the human psyche and the nature of forbidden love. The speaker is consumed by his desire for the woman, and he is willing to risk everything for a moment of pleasure. The poem is a warning about the dangers of giving in to our desires and the consequences that can come from our actions.
The House of Dust: Part 03: 04: Illicit is a beautifully written poem that explores the theme of forbidden love. The poem is a powerful reminder of the dangers of giving in to our desires and the consequences that can come from our actions. The House of Dust is a metaphor for the human mind, and each poem in the collection explores different aspects of the human psyche. Illicit is a powerful exploration of the darker side of human nature, and it is a poem that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.
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