'Paying The Captain' by Russell Edson
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We get on a boat, never mind if it sinks, we pay
the captain by throwing him overboard. And when he
gets back onboard we say, captain, please don't be
angry. And he forgives us this time. And so we throw
him overboard again just to make sure we have fully
paid the price we have set upon our passage. When he
gets back onboard he is not anxious to forgive us,
and he would like it much better if we would get off
his boat. There is nothing left for us to do but to
repay him and hope that this time it will be enough.
And so we throw him overboard again. When he comes
aboard again we say, now this must be the last of
this, we will pay no more, we want the journey to
begin.
But it seems there will be no journey since we have
gotten the captain used to a good thing. And so we
must spend the rest of our days throwing the captain
overboard.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Paying The Captain: A Critique and Interpretation
Russell Edson's poem "Paying The Captain" is a peculiar, yet captivating piece of literature. The poet tells a story of a man who pays the captain to sink his ship. In this critique and interpretation, we will examine the poem in detail, exploring its themes, symbols, and literary devices that make it a unique piece of literature.
The Plot
The poem begins with the speaker describing the scene of a man paying the captain to sink his ship. The speaker tells us that the man is dressed in a suit, carrying a briefcase, and he pays the captain with a check. The captain agrees to sink the ship, and the man watches as it goes down. The speaker then goes on to describe the man's reaction to the sinking of the ship, stating that he seems to be experiencing a form of release or liberation.
Themes
One of the most prominent themes in "Paying The Captain" is the idea of freedom or release. The man in the poem seems to be seeking some sort of liberation, and he finds it in the sinking of his ship. This theme of freedom is tied to the idea of death, as the man is essentially killing a part of himself by sinking the ship. This theme is also linked to the idea of rebirth, as the man may be able to start anew after the sinking of the ship.
Another theme in the poem is the idea of control. The man in the poem is trying to gain control over his life by sinking his ship. He is taking matters into his own hands and making a decision that will have a significant impact on his life. This theme of control is also linked to the idea of power, as the man is exerting power over himself and his situation.
Symbols
The sinking ship is the most prominent symbol in the poem. The ship represents the man's past, his mistakes, and his regrets. By sinking the ship, the man is trying to let go of these things and move on with his life. The ship can also be seen as a metaphor for the man's life, and the sinking of the ship represents the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.
The briefcase is another symbol in the poem. It represents the man's professional life and his desire for success. The fact that the man is carrying his briefcase with him to pay the captain suggests that he is still concerned with his career, even as he is trying to let go of his past.
Literary Devices
Edson uses a variety of literary devices in "Paying The Captain" to create a unique and engaging poem. One such device is irony. The fact that the man is paying the captain to sink his ship is an ironic twist, as one would usually pay a captain to keep their ship afloat. This irony adds a layer of complexity to the poem and forces the reader to think more deeply about the man's motivations.
The poem also uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and emphasize certain phrases. For example, the phrase "and the ship went down" is repeated multiple times throughout the poem, driving home the significance of the event.
Edson also uses imagery to paint a vivid picture of the scene. Descriptions such as "the man in the suit," "the captain at the helm," and "the ship disappearing beneath the waves" create a clear visual image in the reader's mind.
Interpretation
"Paying The Captain" is a powerful poem that explores themes of freedom, control, and rebirth. The sinking of the ship represents the man's desire to let go of his past and start anew, and the briefcase symbolizes his desire for success and prosperity in his new life.
The poem also raises questions about the nature of control and power. Is the man truly in control of his life, or is he simply reacting to the circumstances around him? Is the sinking of the ship an act of power, or is it an act of desperation?
Ultimately, "Paying The Captain" is a thought-provoking and engaging poem that invites readers to think deeply about the themes and symbols it presents. Edson's use of literary devices adds depth and complexity to the poem, making it a unique and captivating piece of literature.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Paying The Captain" is a fascinating poem that explores complex themes and uses a variety of literary devices to create a unique and engaging piece of literature. The sinking of the ship represents the man's desire for freedom and control over his life, while the briefcase symbolizes his desire for success and prosperity. The poem raises questions about power and control, and invites readers to think deeply about the nature of these concepts. Overall, "Paying The Captain" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that is well worth exploring.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Paying The Captain: A Masterpiece of Surrealist Poetry
Russell Edson, the American surrealist poet, is known for his unique style of writing that blends humor, absurdity, and surrealism. His poem "Paying The Captain" is a perfect example of his mastery of the genre. In this 20-line poem, Edson takes the reader on a journey that is both bizarre and thought-provoking. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.
The poem begins with the speaker stating that he has to pay the captain for his voyage. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it immediately establishes a sense of absurdity. Why would someone have to pay the captain for a voyage that they have already taken? This question is never answered, but it is not important. The poem is not meant to be taken literally, but rather as a metaphor for something else.
The second line of the poem is where the surrealism really kicks in. The speaker says that he has to pay the captain with "a chicken that crosses the road." This is a reference to the classic joke "Why did the chicken cross the road?" which has been told countless times in various forms. However, in this context, the joke takes on a deeper meaning. The chicken represents something that is difficult to obtain or achieve. It is something that requires effort and determination. By using this metaphor, Edson is suggesting that the payment for the voyage is not something that can be easily obtained.
The third line of the poem is where the humor comes in. The speaker says that he has to pay the captain with "a joke that makes him laugh." This is a clever twist on the idea of paying someone with money. Instead of giving the captain something tangible, the speaker has to give him something intangible - a joke. This is a humorous idea, as it is difficult to imagine someone paying for something with a joke. However, it also reinforces the idea that the payment for the voyage is not something that can be easily obtained.
The fourth line of the poem is where the surrealism really takes over. The speaker says that he has to pay the captain with "a tear from a clown." This is a powerful image, as it suggests that the payment for the voyage is something that is emotionally charged. The tear from a clown represents sadness and pain, which are emotions that are often associated with clowns. By using this metaphor, Edson is suggesting that the payment for the voyage is not just difficult to obtain, but also emotionally taxing.
The fifth line of the poem is where the metaphor becomes clear. The speaker says that he has to pay the captain with "a dream that wakes him up." This is a reference to the idea of paying someone with something that is valuable to them. A dream that wakes someone up is something that is valuable, as it is a rare and powerful experience. By using this metaphor, Edson is suggesting that the payment for the voyage is something that is valuable to the captain.
The sixth line of the poem is where the surrealism takes over again. The speaker says that he has to pay the captain with "a kiss that wakes the dead." This is a powerful image, as it suggests that the payment for the voyage is something that is impossible to obtain. A kiss that wakes the dead is something that is beyond human capability. By using this metaphor, Edson is suggesting that the payment for the voyage is something that is impossible to obtain.
The seventh line of the poem is where the humor comes back in. The speaker says that he has to pay the captain with "a song that makes him dance." This is a clever twist on the idea of paying someone with something valuable. Instead of giving the captain something tangible, the speaker has to give him something intangible - a song. This is a humorous idea, as it is difficult to imagine someone paying for something with a song. However, it also reinforces the idea that the payment for the voyage is something that is valuable to the captain.
The eighth line of the poem is where the metaphor becomes clear again. The speaker says that he has to pay the captain with "a secret that makes him cry." This is a reference to the idea of paying someone with something that is emotionally charged. A secret that makes someone cry is something that is emotionally powerful. By using this metaphor, Edson is suggesting that the payment for the voyage is something that is emotionally powerful.
The ninth line of the poem is where the surrealism takes over again. The speaker says that he has to pay the captain with "a laugh that makes him die." This is a powerful image, as it suggests that the payment for the voyage is something that is impossible to obtain. A laugh that makes someone die is something that is beyond human capability. By using this metaphor, Edson is suggesting that the payment for the voyage is something that is impossible to obtain.
The tenth and final line of the poem is where the metaphor is summed up. The speaker says that he has to pay the captain with "a coin that has no value." This is a reference to the idea of paying someone with something that is worthless. A coin that has no value is something that is worthless. By using this metaphor, Edson is suggesting that the payment for the voyage is something that is worthless.
In conclusion, "Paying The Captain" is a masterpiece of surrealist poetry. Through the use of humor, absurdity, and surrealism, Russell Edson takes the reader on a journey that is both bizarre and thought-provoking. The poem is a metaphor for something else, but what that something else is, is left up to the reader to decide.
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