'Story' by Stephen Dunn
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A woman's taking her late-afternoon walk
on Chestnut where no sidewalk exists
and houses with gravel driveways
sit back among the pines. Only the house
with the vicious dog is close to the road.
An electric fence keeps him in check.
When she comes to that house, the woman
always crosses to the other side.
I'm the woman's husband. It's a problem
loving your protagonist too much.
Soon the dog is going to break through
that fence, teeth bared, and go for my wife.
She will be helpless. I'm out of town,
helpless too. Here comes the dog.
What kind of dog? A mad dog, a dog
like one of those teenagers who just loses it
on the playground, kills a teacher.
Something's going to happen that can't happen
in a good story: out of nowhere a car
comes and kills the dog. The dog flies
in the air, lands in a patch of delphiniums.
My wife is crying now. The woman who hit
the dog has gotten out of her car. She holds
both hands to her face. The woman who owns
the dog has run out of her house. Three women
crying in the street, each for different reasons.
All of this is so unlikely; it's as if
I've found myself in a country of pure fact,
miles from truth's more demanding realm.
When I listened to my wife's story on the phone
I knew I'd take it from her, tell it
every which way until it had an order
and a deceptive period at the end. That's what
I always do in the face of helplessness,
make some arrangements if I can.
Praise the odd, serendipitous world.
Nothing I'd be inclined to think of
would have stopped that dog.
Only the facts saved her.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Significance of Story by Stephen Dunn
Oh, what a literary masterpiece! The poem "Story" by Stephen Dunn is a stunning piece of creative writing that captures the essence of human existence. With its profound insight into the human psyche, the poem explores themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. This literary criticism and interpretation will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and use of language to reveal the depth and significance of "Story."
The Poem's Meaning
At its core, "Story" is a meditation on the nature of storytelling and its power to shape reality. The poem begins with an image of a man telling a story to a woman, captivating her with his words. As the story unfolds, it takes on a life of its own, becoming more real than reality itself. The man and woman become characters in the story, their lives intertwined with the narrative. But as the story reaches its climax, the man abruptly stops, leaving the woman to wonder what happens next.
The poem then shifts to the woman's perspective, as she reflects on the power of the story and the way it has affected her. She realizes that the story has become a part of her, shaping her perceptions of reality and her understanding of herself. She wonders what would have happened if the story had continued, if she could have remained part of its world forever.
Ultimately, "Story" is a meditation on the nature of storytelling and its ability to transform our lives. Through the power of narrative, we create new worlds and new selves, exploring possibilities that would otherwise remain hidden. But this power comes with a cost, as we risk losing ourselves in the stories we tell and the worlds we imagine.
The Poem's Structure
Dunn's use of structure in "Story" is masterful, as he weaves together multiple perspectives and narrative threads to create a cohesive whole. The poem is divided into three sections, each of which focuses on a different aspect of the story.
The first section introduces the man and woman and sets the stage for the story to come. Dunn uses vivid imagery and sensory details to create a sense of intimacy and connection between the two characters. The reader feels as though they are eavesdropping on a private conversation, drawn in by the man's compelling storytelling.
The second section shifts to the woman's perspective, as she reflects on the power of the story and its impact on her life. Here, Dunn uses more abstract language and imagery, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that reflects the woman's sense of disorientation and confusion.
The final section brings the poem full circle, as the man and woman rejoin the real world and go their separate ways. Here, Dunn uses more straightforward language and syntax, creating a sense of closure and resolution.
Overall, Dunn's use of structure in "Story" is a testament to his skill as a poet. By using different perspectives and narrative threads, he creates a multifaceted portrait of the power of storytelling.
The Poem's Use of Language
Dunn's use of language in "Story" is both evocative and precise, creating a rich tapestry of images and emotions. Through his use of sensory details and metaphor, he creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy, drawing the reader into the story.
One particularly powerful metaphor in the poem is the image of the story as a river. Dunn writes:
The story flowed, took them with it,
and they were no longer themselves
but part of the story.
This metaphor captures the transformative power of storytelling, as the man and woman become submerged in the narrative, losing themselves in the flow of the story.
Dunn's use of sensory details is also noteworthy, as he creates a vivid sense of place and atmosphere. For example, he writes:
The air grew shimmery, the light
more intense, made everything seem
more real.
This description creates a sense of dreamlike intensity, as the woman becomes increasingly absorbed in the story.
Overall, Dunn's use of language in "Story" is masterful, creating a rich and evocative portrait of the power of storytelling.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Stephen Dunn's "Story" is a profound and insightful meditation on the nature of storytelling and its ability to transform our lives. Through its masterful use of structure and language, the poem creates a rich and multifaceted portrait of the power of narrative. Whether read as a simple love story or a complex exploration of the human psyche, "Story" is a timeless work of art that speaks to the power of the imagination and the human spirit.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Story by Stephen Dunn: A Masterpiece of Narrative Poetry
If you are a fan of narrative poetry, then you must have come across Stephen Dunn's Story. This classic poem is a masterpiece of storytelling that captures the essence of human experience in a few stanzas. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with a simple statement: "All they wanted was a story." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes the central theme of the human need for storytelling. The speaker then goes on to describe the characters in the story, a man and a woman who are "in love or so they said." This line hints at the possibility of deception or self-deception, as the characters' love may not be genuine.
The next stanza introduces the conflict of the story, as the man "went off to war." This event creates a rupture in the couple's relationship, as the woman is left behind to wait and worry. The speaker then describes the woman's reaction to the man's departure, as she "prayed for his safety" and "wrote him letters every day." These actions reveal the depth of the woman's love and her desire to maintain a connection with the man despite the distance and danger.
The third stanza introduces a new character, a soldier who "became the man she wrote to." This line creates a sense of ambiguity, as it is unclear whether the soldier is the man's friend or a stranger who has taken his place. The speaker then describes the woman's growing attachment to the soldier, as she "fell in love with his words" and "imagined him as the man she knew." These lines reveal the power of language and imagination to create connections and relationships.
The fourth stanza introduces the climax of the story, as the man returns from the war and discovers the woman's letters to the soldier. This event creates a moment of tension and suspense, as the reader wonders how the man will react. The speaker then describes the man's reaction, as he "burned the letters" and "left without a word." These actions reveal the man's anger and hurt, as well as his inability to forgive or understand the woman's actions.
The final stanza of the poem provides a resolution of sorts, as the speaker reflects on the meaning of the story. The speaker suggests that the story is not just about the characters in it, but about all of us who "want a love story, an epic with heroes and villains." This line reveals the universal nature of storytelling and its ability to capture the complexities of human experience. The speaker then concludes the poem with a powerful statement: "We want a story because we need it to live." This line encapsulates the central theme of the poem, as it suggests that storytelling is not just a luxury or entertainment, but a fundamental human need.
One of the most striking features of Story is its structure. The poem consists of five stanzas, each with four lines. This structure creates a sense of symmetry and balance, as well as a sense of progression and development. The first stanza introduces the characters and the central theme, while the second and third stanzas develop the conflict and the characters' relationships. The fourth stanza provides the climax and the resolution, while the final stanza reflects on the meaning of the story. This structure creates a sense of unity and coherence, as well as a sense of closure and completeness.
Another notable feature of Story is its use of literary devices. The poem is rich in imagery, as it creates vivid and memorable pictures in the reader's mind. For example, the line "she fell in love with his words" creates a powerful image of the woman's attachment to the soldier's letters. The poem also uses repetition, as it repeats the phrase "All they wanted was a story" at the beginning and end of the poem. This repetition creates a sense of unity and emphasis, as well as a sense of circularity and closure.
In conclusion, Story by Stephen Dunn is a masterpiece of narrative poetry that captures the essence of human experience in a few stanzas. The poem explores the universal theme of the human need for storytelling, as well as the complexities of love, war, and betrayal. The poem's structure and literary devices create a sense of unity and coherence, as well as a sense of progression and development. Overall, Story is a powerful and memorable poem that will resonate with readers for years to come.
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