'Please' by Richard Brautigan
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Do you think of me
as often
as I think
of you?
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Enigmatic World of Richard Brautigan's "Please"
As the world of literature continues to expand in diverse genres and styles, there are works that remain timeless and continue to captivate readers through their unique style and interpretive depth. One of such works that has stood the test of time is Richard Brautigan's "Please." First published in 1968, the poem has remained enigmatic to critics and readers alike, with its cryptic and puzzling imagery that sparks questions and reflections on the meaning of life, death, and human existence. This literary criticism and interpretation delves into the complex world of Brautigan's "Please," exploring themes of mortality, surrealism, and the power of language in creating meaning.
The Poem
"Please" is a short poem that comprises only six lines, yet its impact is profound and lasting. The poem reads:
Please
Burn
This letter
As soon as you read it
My spirit
Will come to you
At first glance, the poem seems straightforward and simple, with a clear message of requesting the reader to burn the letter. However, upon closer reflection, the poem's cryptic and surreal imagery begins to reveal itself, leaving readers with more questions than answers. Who is the speaker of the poem? What is the letter about? What is the significance of burning it? What does the speaker mean by their spirit coming to the reader? These questions and more form the basis of this literary interpretation.
The Theme of Mortality
One of the most pervasive themes in "Please" is mortality. From the first line to the last, the poem is imbued with a sense of urgency and finality, with the speaker imploring the reader to burn the letter as soon as possible. The act of burning the letter can be interpreted as a metaphor for death, with the letter representing the speaker's physical body and the act of burning it symbolizing their passing into the afterlife. The urgency of the request suggests that the speaker is aware of their impending death and is seeking to control its narrative by leaving behind a message to the living.
The theme of mortality is further reinforced by the haunting line "My spirit will come to you." The speaker's use of the word "spirit" suggests that they believe in an afterlife, where the soul or spirit continues to exist beyond the physical realm. The idea of death and the afterlife has been a recurrent theme in literature, with writers using various techniques to explore its complexities. In "Please," Brautigan uses surrealism and metaphor to convey the idea of death, leaving readers to ponder the meaning of the poem and its significance to their own mortality.
The Power of Language
Another theme that emerges in "Please" is the power of language in creating meaning. The poem is only six lines long, yet it manages to convey a complex message through its use of language and imagery. The speaker's request for the reader to burn the letter is not just a simple request but a metaphor for their impending death. By using language in this way, the speaker is able to create a layered and nuanced message that invites readers to engage with it on a deeper level.
Brautigan's use of language in "Please" is also notable for its poetic qualities. The poem's short length and sparse imagery create a surreal and dreamlike quality that is characteristic of Brautigan's style. The use of enjambment, where lines flow into each other without punctuation, adds to the poem's dreamlike quality, blurring the lines between reality and imagination. The power of language in creating meaning is a theme that is not just limited to "Please" but is also present in much of Brautigan's work, where he uses language to create vivid and imaginative worlds that challenge readers to think deeply about the nature of reality.
Surrealism and the Unconscious Mind
Brautigan's use of surrealism in "Please" is another aspect that adds to the poem's enigmatic quality. Surrealism is an artistic and literary movement that emerged in the early 20th century, characterized by its exploration of the unconscious mind and its rejection of conventional norms and values. In "Please," Brautigan's use of surreal imagery, such as the burning of the letter and the speaker's spirit coming to the reader, creates a dreamlike and otherworldly quality that invites readers to engage with the poem on a subconscious level.
The use of surrealism in "Please" can be interpreted as a reflection of the speaker's own psyche, where their impending death has triggered a surreal and dreamlike state of mind. The poem's imagery can also be interpreted as a commentary on the human condition, where the line between life and death is blurred, and the afterlife is a mysterious and enigmatic realm that remains beyond human comprehension. Brautigan's use of surrealism in "Please" is a testament to the power of the imagination in creating meaning and exploring the complexities of the human psyche.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Richard Brautigan's "Please" is a poem that remains enigmatic and mysterious, even decades after its publication. Through its use of themes of mortality, the power of language, and surrealism, the poem invites readers to engage with it on a deeper level, challenging them to think deeply about the meaning of life, death, and human existence. Its haunting imagery and dreamlike quality make it a timeless piece of literature that continues to captivate readers and inspire new interpretations. As such, "Please" remains a testament to Brautigan's literary genius and his ability to create imaginative and thought-provoking works that stand the test of time.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Please, by Richard Brautigan, is a classic poem that has captured the hearts of readers for decades. This short but powerful piece of literature is a perfect example of Brautigan's unique style and his ability to convey complex emotions in a simple and straightforward manner.
At its core, Please is a poem about longing and desire. The speaker is asking for something, pleading for it even, but we are never told exactly what it is that they want. This ambiguity is part of what makes the poem so powerful, as it allows the reader to project their own desires onto the speaker and connect with the poem on a personal level.
The poem begins with the word "please," repeated three times in quick succession. This repetition sets the tone for the rest of the poem, emphasizing the speaker's desperation and their need for whatever it is they are asking for. The use of the word "please" is also significant in that it is a polite and respectful way of making a request, suggesting that the speaker is not demanding or entitled, but rather humble and sincere.
The second stanza of the poem is where we see Brautigan's skill as a writer really shine through. The speaker describes the object of their desire in vivid detail, using sensory language to create a vivid image in the reader's mind. The "blue sky" and "green grass" are both natural and beautiful, suggesting that whatever the speaker wants is something pure and good.
The third stanza is where the poem takes a darker turn. The speaker acknowledges that they may never get what they are asking for, and that they may have to "die" to achieve it. This line is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the speaker's desire is so strong that they would be willing to sacrifice everything for it. The use of the word "die" is also significant, as it implies a sense of finality and permanence. The speaker is not just willing to suffer or struggle for what they want, but they are willing to give up everything they have, including their life.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most enigmatic. The speaker says that they will "never tell" what it is that they want, suggesting that it is something deeply personal and private. The use of the word "never" is also significant, as it implies that the speaker will carry this desire with them for the rest of their life, never revealing it to anyone else.
So what is it that the speaker wants? The beauty of Please is that it is open to interpretation. Some readers may see the poem as a love letter, with the speaker pleading for the affection of a particular person. Others may see it as a more abstract desire, such as the desire for freedom or happiness. Whatever the interpretation, the poem is a powerful reminder of the human capacity for longing and desire, and the lengths we will go to achieve what we want.
One of the most striking things about Please is its brevity. The poem is only four stanzas long, and each stanza is only two lines. This economy of language is part of what makes the poem so effective, as every word and phrase is carefully chosen to convey a specific emotion or idea. Brautigan's writing style is often described as "minimalist," and Please is a perfect example of this approach.
Another notable aspect of the poem is its use of repetition. As mentioned earlier, the word "please" is repeated three times in the first stanza, emphasizing the speaker's desperation and need. The phrase "blue sky, green grass" is also repeated twice in the second stanza, creating a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem. This repetition is not just a stylistic choice, but also serves to reinforce the themes of the poem and create a sense of unity and coherence.
In conclusion, Please by Richard Brautigan is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. Its simple yet powerful language, its themes of longing and desire, and its open-endedness all contribute to its enduring appeal. Whether read as a love letter or a more abstract meditation on desire, the poem is a reminder of the human capacity for hope and the lengths we will go to achieve what we want.
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