'The Breast' by Russell Edson
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One night a woman's breast came to a man's room and
began to talk about her twin sister.
Her twin sister this and her twin sister that.
Finally the man said, but what about you, dear breast?
And so the breast spent the rest of the night talking about
herself.
It was the same as when she talked about her sister: herself
this and herself that.
Finally the man kissed her nipple and said, I'm sorry, and
fell asleep. . .
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Breast by Russell Edson: A Marvelous Work of Surrealist Poetry
When was the last time you heard of a poem that was both hilarious and disturbing at the same time? A poem that defied all conventions of traditional poetry and left you scratching your head, wondering what the hell you just read? Well, look no further than Russell Edson's "The Breast," a surrealist masterpiece that will have you laughing and cringing in equal measure.
At first glance, "The Breast" seems like a simple poem, with short lines and a straightforward narrative. It tells the story of a woman who wakes up one morning to find that her breast has disappeared. She searches high and low for it, only to discover that it has taken on a life of its own and is now living in the forest with other breasts. The woman tries to reclaim her breast, but it refuses to come back to her. In the end, she is left alone and confused, with nothing but a gaping hole where her breast used to be.
But to dismiss "The Breast" as a mere fable about body image and self-acceptance would be a grave mistake. Edson's poem is a work of surrealism, a literary movement that sought to challenge the norms of artistic expression by tapping into the irrational and subconscious mind. Surrealism was all about subverting reality, creating strange and dreamlike imagery that defied logic and reason. And that's exactly what Edson does in "The Breast."
Right from the opening lines, Edson sets the tone for a bizarre and unsettling journey:
The breast suddenly disappeared from the body of the woman.
She searched for it everywhere: in the house, the yard, the garage,
The attic, the barn; but it was nowhere to be found.
Notice how Edson doesn't waste any time explaining why or how the breast disappeared. He simply presents the reader with a strange and inexplicable event, forcing us to suspend our disbelief and go along with the absurdity of it all. This is an essential characteristic of surrealism, which sought to disrupt our sense of reality and challenge our preconceived notions of what is possible. By doing away with traditional storytelling conventions, Edson is able to create a world where anything can happen, where a breast can become a sentient being and live in the forest.
But Edson's surrealism isn't just about creating outlandish scenarios. It's also about using those scenarios to comment on deeper philosophical and psychological issues. In "The Breast," Edson is exploring themes of identity, desire, and the search for meaning in a world that often seems meaningless.
The woman in the poem is desperate to reclaim her breast, which she sees as an integral part of her identity. Without it, she feels incomplete and lost. But the breast has other ideas. It has discovered a sense of freedom and purpose in the forest, where it can live independently and commune with other breasts. As the woman tries to lure it back with promises of safety and comfort, the breast remains steadfast in its autonomy. It is a powerful metaphor for the human desire for individuality and self-determination, even in the face of societal pressure to conform.
But the breast's refusal to return to the woman also speaks to a deeper existential angst. What does it mean to be a living, breathing being in a world that is often arbitrary and cruel? How do we find meaning in a universe that seems indifferent to our existence? These are questions that have plagued philosophers and artists for centuries, and Edson's surrealism offers a unique perspective on them. By presenting us with a world where the boundaries between the self and the other are blurred, where the line between reality and fantasy is nonexistent, Edson is urging us to question our assumptions about what it means to be human.
Of course, none of this would be possible without Edson's masterful use of language. His prose is sparse and straightforward, but it is also full of unexpected turns and wry humor. Consider this passage, where the breast is described as living in the forest:
It had built itself a small bower from which it could survey
All that went on in the forest. It had even made a little garden in front
Of its bower, and there it grew its own food: wild cabbages and currants.
The juxtaposition of the breast's domesticity with its wild surroundings is both amusing and unsettling. It's as if Edson is reminding us that even in the midst of chaos and confusion, there is still a primal urge to create order and structure. And yet, the breast's garden is also a reminder that all of our efforts to control our environment are ultimately futile. We are at the mercy of forces beyond our understanding, just like the woman is at the mercy of her wandering breast.
In conclusion, "The Breast" is a marvelous work of surrealist poetry that defies easy categorization. It is at once hilarious and thought-provoking, a journey into the recesses of the human psyche that will leave you both entertained and disturbed. Edson's mastery of language and his ability to subvert traditional storytelling conventions make this poem a must-read for anyone interested in surrealism or avant-garde literature. So go ahead, take a journey into the forest with Russell Edson's "The Breast." You won't regret it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Breast: A Masterpiece of Surrealist Poetry
Russell Edson's "The Breast" is a surrealistic poem that explores the complexities of human existence through the metaphor of a breast. The poem is a masterpiece of surrealist poetry that challenges the reader to think beyond the surface level and delve into the deeper meanings and symbolism that lie within the text.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a breast that has grown to an enormous size, so large that it has become a burden to the woman who possesses it. The breast is described as having a life of its own, with its own desires and needs that are separate from the woman's. This personification of the breast sets the stage for the surrealistic journey that the poem takes the reader on.
As the poem progresses, the breast becomes more and more of a burden to the woman, causing her pain and discomfort. The speaker describes the breast as a "monster" that is "eating her alive." This imagery is powerful and disturbing, as it suggests that the woman's own body is turning against her.
The breast's insatiable hunger is also a metaphor for the human desire for more, for never being satisfied with what we have. The breast's constant need for nourishment mirrors our own constant need for more, whether it be more money, more possessions, or more power. This desire for more can consume us, just as the breast is consuming the woman.
The breast's desire for independence is also a powerful metaphor for the struggle for autonomy that many people face. The breast's desire to be free from the woman's control is a reflection of our own desire to be free from the constraints of society and the expectations of others. The breast's rebellion against the woman is a reminder that we must fight for our own independence and not let others control us.
The surrealistic imagery in the poem is also a reflection of the human psyche. The breast's growth and transformation into a monster is a metaphor for the darker aspects of the human mind, the parts that we try to suppress and ignore. The breast's rebellion against the woman is a reflection of our own inner turmoil and the struggle to control our own thoughts and desires.
The poem also explores the theme of gender and the societal expectations placed on women. The breast's growth and transformation into a monster can be seen as a commentary on the pressure that women face to conform to societal beauty standards. The breast's rebellion against the woman can be seen as a metaphor for the struggle for women's rights and the fight against patriarchal oppression.
The surrealistic imagery in the poem is also a reflection of the human condition. The breast's transformation into a monster is a reminder that we are all capable of darkness and that we must confront our own inner demons in order to grow and evolve as individuals. The breast's rebellion against the woman is a reminder that we must fight for our own autonomy and not let others control us.
In conclusion, Russell Edson's "The Breast" is a masterpiece of surrealist poetry that explores the complexities of human existence through the metaphor of a breast. The poem is a powerful commentary on the human desire for more, the struggle for autonomy, the darker aspects of the human psyche, and the societal expectations placed on women. The surrealistic imagery in the poem is a reflection of the human condition and a reminder that we must confront our own inner demons in order to grow and evolve as individuals.
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