'Carmen De Boheme' by Hart Crane


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Sinuously winding through the room
On smokey tongues of sweetened cigarettes, --
Plaintive yet proud the cello tones resume
The andante of smooth hopes and lost regrets.

Bright peacocks drink from flame-pots by the wall,
Just as absinthe-sipping women shiver through
With shimmering blue from the bowl in Circe's hall.
Their brown eyes blacken, and the blue drop hue.

The andante quivers with crescendo's start,
And dies on fire's birth in each man's heart.
The tapestry betrays a finger through
The slit, soft-pulling; -- -- -- and music follows cue.

There is a sweep, -- a shattering, -- a choir
Disquieting of barbarous fantasy.
The pulse is in the ears, the heart is higher,
And stretches up through mortal eyes to see.

Carmen! Akimbo arms and smouldering eyes; --
Carmen! Bestirring hope and lipping eyes; --
Carmen whirls, and music swirls and dips.
"Carmen!," comes awed from wine-hot lips.

Finale leaves in silence to replume
Bent wings, and Carmen with her flaunts through the gloom
Of whispering tapestry, brown with old fringe: --
The winers leave too, and the small lamps twinge.

Morning: and through the foggy city gate
A gypsy wagon wiggles, striving straight.
And some dream still of Carmen's mystic face, --
Yellow, pallid, like ancient lace.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Carmen De Boheme: A Literary Masterpiece

Hart Crane's "Carmen De Boheme" is a poetic masterpiece that captures the essence of the Bohemian lifestyle in the early 20th century. The poem is a tribute to the free-spirited artists who rejected the conventional norms of society and embraced a life of creativity and self-expression.

At its core, "Carmen De Boheme" is a celebration of individuality and nonconformity. Crane uses vivid imagery and a rhythmic, almost hypnotic, language to paint a picture of the bohemian lifestyle. He describes the streets of Greenwich Village as a "riotous carnival" and the people as "black and silver masqueraders," highlighting the festive, almost hedonistic, atmosphere that characterized the Bohemian community.

The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of Bohemian life. The first part, "The Streets of Greenwich Village," sets the scene and introduces us to the colorful characters that populate the neighborhood. The second part, "The Bohemians," delves deeper into the psyche of the artists and explores their rejection of societal norms. Finally, the third part, "The Spirit of the Bohemians," celebrates the creative spirit that drives the Bohemian lifestyle.

Part 1: The Streets of Greenwich Village

The poem opens with a vivid description of the streets of Greenwich Village, which Crane refers to as "the narrow, crooked streets of Greenwich Village." He paints a picture of a neighborhood that is alive with activity and energy, a place where "the lights are strung like diamonds" and the "windows blaze like sunset fires."

Crane's use of imagery is particularly effective in this section of the poem. He describes the people he sees as "black and silver masqueraders," highlighting the sense of anonymity and freedom that the Bohemian lifestyle provides. The streets themselves are described as a "riotous carnival," evoking the sense of excitement and celebration that characterized the Bohemian community.

Part 2: The Bohemians

In the second part of the poem, Crane delves deeper into the psyche of the Bohemian artists. He describes them as "men who know the lonely corners of the spirit" and "women who are not afraid to be themselves." This is a clear rejection of the conformity that characterized mainstream society at the time.

Crane also explores the idea of the artist as an outsider. He describes the Bohemians as "troubled pilgrims," suggesting that they are on a spiritual quest to find meaning and purpose in their lives. This is a theme that is common in Bohemian literature and art, and it is echoed throughout the poem.

Part 3: The Spirit of the Bohemians

The final part of the poem celebrates the creative spirit that drives the Bohemian lifestyle. Crane describes the Bohemians as "men and women who are not afraid to dream," highlighting the importance of imagination and creativity in the Bohemian worldview.

The creative spirit is also personified in the poem, with Crane referring to it as a "fierce and fiery spirit" that "burns like a flame." This is a powerful image that captures the intensity and passion of the Bohemian lifestyle.

Interpretation

"Carmen De Boheme" is a complex and multi-layered poem that can be interpreted in a number of different ways. At its simplest level, the poem is a celebration of the Bohemian lifestyle and the rejection of societal norms. However, there are deeper themes and messages that can be found within the text.

One interpretation of the poem is that it represents a rejection of materialism and consumer culture. The Bohemians are portrayed as living simple, unadorned lives, free from the trappings of wealth and status. This can be seen as a critique of the capitalist society that dominated America at the time.

Another interpretation of the poem is that it represents a search for meaning and purpose in life. The Bohemians are described as "troubled pilgrims" who are on a spiritual quest to find themselves. This can be seen as a reflection of the existentialist philosophy that was popular among artists and intellectuals in the early 20th century.

Overall, "Carmen De Boheme" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the spirit of the Bohemian lifestyle. It is a celebration of individuality, creativity, and nonconformity, and it continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Carmen De Boheme: A Masterpiece of Modernist Poetry

Hart Crane's Carmen De Boheme is a poem that captures the essence of modernist poetry. It is a work of art that is both complex and beautiful, and it has been celebrated by critics and readers alike for its innovative use of language, imagery, and symbolism. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this poem to understand why it is considered a masterpiece of modernist poetry.

The poem is divided into three sections, each of which explores a different aspect of the bohemian lifestyle. The first section, "The Bohemian Girl," introduces us to the protagonist of the poem, a young woman who is living a life of freedom and creativity. The second section, "The Bohemian Life," explores the joys and struggles of living a bohemian lifestyle, while the third section, "The Bohemian Death," deals with the inevitable end of this way of life.

The poem begins with a description of the bohemian girl, who is "dancing in the street" and "singing to the stars." She is a symbol of freedom and creativity, and her carefree spirit is contrasted with the rigid and conformist society that surrounds her. The use of imagery in this section is particularly striking, with the girl's "scarlet shawl" and "golden hair" evoking a sense of beauty and vitality.

In the second section, the poem explores the joys and struggles of living a bohemian lifestyle. The bohemians are described as "the children of the sun," who "live in the moment" and "embrace the world with open arms." However, this way of life is not without its challenges, as the bohemians are often misunderstood and rejected by society. The use of repetition in this section, with the phrase "we are the bohemians" repeated several times, emphasizes the sense of community and solidarity that exists among these individuals.

The third section of the poem deals with the inevitable end of the bohemian lifestyle. The bohemians are described as "fading flowers," whose beauty and vitality are slowly fading away. The use of imagery in this section is particularly poignant, with the "fading flowers" symbolizing the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The final lines of the poem, "the bohemians are gone," are a powerful reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of living in the moment.

Throughout the poem, Crane uses a variety of literary devices to create a sense of depth and complexity. The use of imagery is particularly effective, with the vivid descriptions of the bohemian girl and the bohemian lifestyle evoking a sense of beauty and vitality. The use of repetition, particularly in the second section of the poem, emphasizes the sense of community and solidarity that exists among the bohemians. The use of symbolism, with the bohemians representing freedom and creativity, adds another layer of meaning to the poem.

In addition to its literary merits, Carmen De Boheme is also significant for its place in the history of modernist poetry. The poem was written in the early 20th century, a time when many artists and writers were rejecting traditional forms and embracing new and innovative styles. The use of free verse in this poem, with its lack of rhyme and meter, was a departure from the traditional forms of poetry that had dominated the literary world for centuries. The poem's focus on the bohemian lifestyle, with its rejection of societal norms and emphasis on individual freedom, was also a reflection of the broader cultural and social changes that were taking place at the time.

In conclusion, Carmen De Boheme is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that explores the themes of freedom, creativity, and the transience of life. Through its vivid imagery, powerful symbolism, and innovative use of language, the poem captures the essence of the bohemian lifestyle and its place in the broader cultural and social context of the early 20th century. It is a work of art that continues to inspire and captivate readers today, and it is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the human experience in all its complexity and beauty.

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