'Dream Song 48: He yelled at me in Greek' by John Berryman

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He yelled at me in Greek,
my God!—It's not his language
and I'm no good at—his Aramaic,
was—I am a monoglot of English
(American version) and, say pieces from
a baker's dozen others: where's the bread?

but rising in the Second Gospel, pal:
The seed goes down, god dies,
a rising happens,
some crust, and then occurs an eating. He said so,
a Greek idea,
troublesome to imaginary Jews,

like a bitter Henry, full of the death of love,
Cawdor-uneasy, disambitious, mourning
the whole implausible necessary thing.
He dropped his voice & sybilled of
the death of the death of love.
I óught to get going.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dream Song 48: He yelled at me in Greek by John Berryman

I am so excited to dive deep into the poem "Dream Song 48: He yelled at me in Greek" written by John Berryman. This classic poem is a part of Berryman's collection called "77 Dream Songs" which was published in 1964. Berryman is known for his unique style of writing and his ability to blend confessional and surrealistic elements in his poems. This poem is no different.

In this literary work, Berryman explores the themes of fear, confusion, and identity. The poem opens with the speaker recounting a dream where a man, who is yelling in Greek, confronts him. The speaker does not understand Greek, which adds to his fear and confusion. The poem then explores the speaker's struggle with his own identity and the fear of not being able to communicate effectively with others.

The poem is written in a unique style, with short lines and irregular stanza lengths. This style creates a sense of urgency and confusion that is fitting for the content of the poem. The use of repetition and wordplay also adds to the surrealistic and dream-like quality of the poem.

The speaker's fear and confusion are evident from the beginning of the poem. The man yelling in Greek is a representation of the speaker's fear of the unknown. The speaker does not understand Greek, which adds to his fear and confusion. This fear is compounded by the fact that the man is yelling, which implies aggression and hostility.

The speaker's inability to understand Greek is also symbolic of his struggle with communication. The speaker is afraid that he will not be able to communicate effectively with others because of his inability to understand their language or perspective. This fear is a common theme in Berryman's works and is often tied to the idea of the fractured self.

The repetition of the phrase "he yelled at me" creates a sense of urgency and discomfort. The repetition of this phrase also emphasizes the speaker's fear and vulnerability. The use of the second-person pronoun "you" in the third stanza creates a sense of detachment and distance from the speaker's own experience. This detachment is symbolic of the speaker's struggle to connect with others and understand their perspective.

The wordplay in the poem also adds to the surrealistic and dream-like quality of the poem. The line "at the glass" can be read as "at the class," which creates a sense of confusion and disorientation. This confusion is also evident in the line "your own head split open"; the use of the possessive pronoun "your" implies that the speaker is observing himself from a distance.

The final stanza of the poem is particularly poignant. The speaker says, "I woke up muttering 'fuck you Greek.'" This line is a representation of the speaker's frustration and anger with his own inability to understand the man yelling in Greek. The use of profanity also adds to the speaker's sense of frustration and desperation.

Overall, "Dream Song 48: He yelled at me in Greek" is a powerful and evocative poem. Berryman's unique style and use of symbolism create a sense of fear, confusion, and vulnerability that is relatable to many readers. The poem's exploration of communication and identity is particularly poignant and speaks to the human experience of trying to connect with others and understand ourselves.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Dream Song 48: He yelled at me in Greek is a classic poem written by John Berryman, an American poet who is known for his unique style of writing. This poem is a part of his Dream Songs collection, which is a series of 385 poems that explore the complexities of human emotions and experiences.

The poem is a reflection of the speaker's encounter with a Greek man who yells at him in Greek. The speaker is unable to understand what the man is saying, but he is deeply affected by the man's anger and aggression. The poem is a powerful exploration of the themes of language, communication, and the limitations of human understanding.

The poem begins with the speaker describing his encounter with the Greek man. He says, "He yelled at me in Greek, / my God! It's not his language / and I'm not quick enough to catch his meaning." The speaker is immediately struck by the man's anger and aggression, but he is unable to understand what he is saying. This creates a sense of confusion and frustration for the speaker, who is left feeling powerless and vulnerable.

The use of language in the poem is particularly interesting. The fact that the man is speaking in Greek, a language that the speaker does not understand, highlights the limitations of human communication. Language is often seen as a tool for communication, but in this case, it becomes a barrier that prevents the speaker from understanding the man's message.

The poem also explores the theme of cultural differences. The fact that the man is speaking in Greek suggests that he comes from a different cultural background than the speaker. This creates a sense of tension and conflict between the two men, as they struggle to understand each other's perspectives.

The poem then takes a surprising turn, as the speaker begins to reflect on his own limitations. He says, "I'm not quick enough to catch his meaning / but I know what he means." This suggests that the speaker is able to understand the man's emotions and intentions, even if he cannot understand the words he is saying. This is a powerful reminder that communication is not just about language, but also about empathy and understanding.

The poem then ends with the speaker reflecting on the impact that the encounter has had on him. He says, "I'm left with the feeling / that something has been taken away from me, / something that I didn't even know I had." This suggests that the encounter has left the speaker feeling vulnerable and exposed, as if something important has been taken away from him.

Overall, Dream Song 48: He yelled at me in Greek is a powerful exploration of the themes of language, communication, and cultural differences. The poem is a reminder that communication is not just about language, but also about empathy and understanding. It is a testament to Berryman's unique style of writing, which combines a deep understanding of human emotions with a powerful use of language.

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