'Dream Song 43: 'Oyez, oyez!' The Man Who Did Not Deliver' by John Berryman


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'Oyez, oyez!' The Man Who Did Not Deliver
is before you for his deliverance, my lords.
He stands, as charged
for This by banks, That cops, by lawyers, by
publishingers for Them. I doubt he'll make
old bones.

Be.
I warned him, of a summer night: consist,
consist. Ex-wives roar.
Further, the Crown holds that they split himself,
splitting his manward chances, to his shame,
my lords, & our horror.

Behind, oh worst lean backward them who bring
un-charges: hundreds & one, children,
the pillars & the sot.
Henry thought. It is so. I must sting.
Listen! the grave ground-rhythm of a gone
. . . makar? So what.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dream Song 43: 'Oyez, oyez!' The Man Who Did Not Deliver

John Berryman's poem "Dream Song 43: 'Oyez, oyez!' The Man Who Did Not Deliver" is a haunting and complex piece that delves into themes of deception, betrayal, and the fragility of the human psyche. The poem, which is part of Berryman's larger collection "The Dream Songs," is a powerful example of modernist poetry that challenges readers to consider the emotional and psychological complexities of the human experience.

A closer look at the poem

The poem begins with the Latin phrase "Oyez, oyez!" which is a call for attention often used by court officials in the Middle Ages. This phrase sets the tone for the poem, which is written in a fragmented and disjointed style that mirrors the speaker's own mental state. The speaker, who is most likely Berryman's alter ego Henry, is addressing a man who has failed to deliver on a promise. This man is referred to as "the Man" throughout the poem, and we are never given any further information about who he is or what he has promised.

The Man's failure to deliver has had a profound effect on the speaker, who is struggling to come to terms with the betrayal. He is consumed by feelings of anger and resentment, and he lashes out at the Man in a series of disjointed and often nonsensical statements. The speaker accuses the Man of lying, cheating, and manipulating him, and he questions his own judgement for ever trusting him in the first place.

Throughout the poem, Berryman uses a variety of literary devices to convey the speaker's emotional turmoil. He employs repetition, alliteration, and rhyme to create a sense of rhythmic tension that reinforces the speaker's feelings of anger and frustration. He also uses imagery and symbolism to create a vivid and unsettling landscape that reflects the speaker's mental state.

Themes and interpretations

At its core, "Dream Song 43" is a poem about deception and betrayal. The speaker's anger and frustration stem from the fact that he has been duped by someone he trusted. The Man's failure to deliver on his promise has left the speaker feeling vulnerable and exposed, and he struggles to come to terms with the fact that he has been taken advantage of.

However, the poem is also about the fragile nature of the human psyche. The speaker's mental state is clearly fragile, and he seems to be teetering on the edge of a breakdown. The disjointed and fragmented style of the poem reflects this sense of instability, and we get the sense that the speaker is struggling to hold on to his sanity in the face of this betrayal.

Another interpretation of the poem is that it is about the struggle to find meaning in a world that is often chaotic and unpredictable. The Man's failure to deliver on his promise represents the larger sense of disappointment and disillusionment that we often feel when life fails to meet our expectations. The speaker's anger and frustration are a manifestation of this larger sense of disappointment, and his struggle to make sense of it all is a common human experience.

Conclusion

"Dream Song 43: 'Oyez, oyez!' The Man Who Did Not Deliver" is a powerful and unsettling poem that explores themes of deception, betrayal, and the fragility of the human psyche. Through its use of literary devices and vivid imagery, the poem creates a sense of tension and unease that reflects the speaker's own emotional turmoil. Ultimately, the poem is a reminder that life is often unpredictable and disappointing, and that we must find ways to cope with the disappointments and betrayals that we inevitably encounter along the way.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Dream Song 43: 'Oyez, oyez!' The Man Who Did Not Deliver is a classic poem written by John Berryman. This poem is a part of his famous collection of poems called The Dream Songs, which was published in 1969. The Dream Songs is a collection of 385 poems that are written in a unique style that combines both free verse and formal poetry. The collection is known for its complex themes, vivid imagery, and the use of a persona named Henry.

The poem Dream Song 43: 'Oyez, oyez!' The Man Who Did Not Deliver is a powerful and thought-provoking piece of literature that explores the themes of betrayal, guilt, and the human condition. The poem is written in the form of a dream song, which is a type of poem that is characterized by its surreal and fragmented nature. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the central theme.

The first stanza of the poem begins with the phrase "Oyez, oyez!" which is a medieval French term that means "hear ye, hear ye!" This phrase is often used by town criers to announce important news or events. In the context of the poem, the phrase is used to introduce the central character of the poem, who is referred to as "the man who did not deliver." The man is described as a "big man" who is "full of beans" and "full of himself." He is also described as a man who is "always on the go" and who "never stops to think."

The second stanza of the poem explores the theme of betrayal. The man who did not deliver is described as a man who has betrayed his friends and his family. He is described as a man who has "broken promises" and who has "left people in the lurch." The poem suggests that the man's betrayal has caused him to feel guilty and ashamed. The stanza ends with the line "he is not a man to be trusted."

The third stanza of the poem explores the theme of the human condition. The man who did not deliver is described as a man who is "lost in the world" and who is "searching for something." The poem suggests that the man's search for meaning and purpose has led him down a path of betrayal and guilt. The stanza ends with the line "he is a man who is lost in his own dreams."

Overall, Dream Song 43: 'Oyez, oyez!' The Man Who Did Not Deliver is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of betrayal, guilt, and the human condition. The poem is written in a unique style that combines both free verse and formal poetry, which adds to its complexity and depth. The poem is a testament to John Berryman's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in his writing.

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