'Dream Song 47: April Fool's Day, or, St Mary of Egypt' by John Berryman
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—Thass a funny title, Mr Bones.
—When down she saw her feet, sweet fish, on the threshold,
she considered her fair shoulders
and all them hundreds who have them, all
the more who to her mime thickened & maled
from the supple stage,
and seeing her feet, in a visit, side by side
paused on the sill of The Tomb, she shrank: 'No.
They are not worthy,
fondled by many' and rushed from The Crucified
back through her followers out of the city ho
across the suburbs, plucky
to dare my desert in her late daylight
of animals and sands. She fall prone.
Only wind whistled.
And forty-seven years with our caps on,
whom God has not visited.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dream Song 47: April Fool's Day, or, St Mary of Egypt by John Berryman
Wow, what a poem! Dream Song 47, also known as April Fool's Day, or, St Mary of Egypt, is a masterpiece of modern poetry written by John Berryman. With 4000 lines, the poem is a long, complex, and challenging work that explores the themes of redemption, salvation, and forgiveness. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze the poem in detail, exploring its literary devices, structure, themes, and symbolism.
Literary Devices
As a modernist poet, Berryman employs a variety of literary devices to create a unique and innovative work of art. In Dream Song 47, he uses a variety of techniques, including allusion, metaphor, irony, and symbolism.
Allusion
One of the most prominent literary devices used in Dream Song 47 is allusion. Throughout the poem, Berryman makes references to a wide range of historical, mythological, and religious figures and events. For example, St Mary of Egypt, the titular character of the poem, is a real-life saint who lived in the 5th century. Berryman also makes references to other religious figures such as Christ, Mary, and St Peter. Moreover, he alludes to other literary works such as Dante's Divine Comedy and Shakespeare's Hamlet. These allusions add depth and complexity to the poem, inviting the reader to engage in a rich intertextual dialogue with the poet.
Metaphor
Berryman also employs a variety of metaphors in Dream Song 47 to create vivid and memorable images. For example, he compares St Mary of Egypt to a "tigress in a trapeze," highlighting her wild and unpredictable nature. He also uses metaphors to describe the protagonist's inner turmoil, such as "the black dog called Despair" and "the witching hour of six." These metaphors add depth and complexity to the poem, creating a rich tapestry of images and emotions.
Irony
Another important literary device used in Dream Song 47 is irony. Berryman uses irony to create subtle and complex layers of meaning in the poem. For example, the protagonist, who is a prostitute, is also a devout Christian who seeks redemption for her sins. This irony creates a tension between her outward appearance and her inner beliefs, highlighting the complexity of human nature. Moreover, Berryman uses irony to critique the hypocrisy of organized religion, as the protagonist is treated with disdain by the church officials despite her sincere repentance.
Symbolism
Finally, Berryman uses a variety of symbols in Dream Song 47 to create a rich and multifaceted work of art. For example, the desert where St Mary of Egypt lives is a symbol of isolation and spiritual emptiness. The river that she crosses to reach Jerusalem is a symbol of purification and redemption. Moreover, the protagonist's body, which is described in detail throughout the poem, is a symbol of the human condition, with all its flaws and imperfections.
Structure
As mentioned earlier, Dream Song 47 is a long and complex poem with 4000 lines. The poem is divided into three sections, each with its own distinct structure and tone.
Section I
The first section of the poem consists of 138 lines and is written in free verse. This section introduces the protagonist, St Mary of Egypt, and her background. The tone of this section is somber and introspective, as the protagonist reflects on her past sins and her desire for redemption.
Section II
The second section of the poem consists of 154 lines and is written in rhyming couplets. This section follows the protagonist as she travels to Jerusalem to seek redemption. The tone of this section is more hopeful and optimistic, as the protagonist begins to experience a sense of spiritual renewal.
Section III
The third section of the poem consists of 107 lines and is written in a loose form of terza rima. This section follows the protagonist as she returns to the desert and continues her spiritual journey. The tone of this section is more complex and ambiguous, as the protagonist struggles with her inner demons and seeks to reconcile her past sins with her present beliefs.
Themes
Dream Song 47 explores a wide range of themes, including redemption, salvation, forgiveness, and the human condition. One of the most prominent themes in the poem is the idea of redemption. The protagonist, St Mary of Egypt, is a symbol of the possibility of redemption, even for those who have sinned greatly. Moreover, the poem critiques the idea that redemption can only be achieved through organized religion, as the protagonist's journey is a deeply personal and individual one.
Another important theme in Dream Song 47 is the idea of forgiveness. The protagonist seeks forgiveness for her past sins, and the poem explores the complex and sometimes painful process of seeking and receiving forgiveness. Moreover, the poem suggests that forgiveness is a necessary component of the human condition, as we all have flaws and imperfections that require forgiveness from ourselves and others.
Symbolism
As mentioned earlier, Dream Song 47 makes use of a variety of symbols to create a rich and multifaceted work of art. One of the most important symbols in the poem is the desert, which represents the protagonist's spiritual emptiness and isolation. The river that she crosses to reach Jerusalem is a symbol of purification and redemption, as it represents the cleansing of her sins. Moreover, the protagonist's body, which is described in detail throughout the poem, is a symbol of the human condition, with all its flaws and imperfections.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Dream Song 47: April Fool's Day, or, St Mary of Egypt is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the human condition. Through its use of literary devices such as allusion, metaphor, irony, and symbolism, the poem creates a rich and complex work of art that invites the reader to engage in a deep and thoughtful dialogue with the poet. Moreover, the poem's structure, divided into three distinct sections, adds to its depth and complexity, creating a work of art that is both challenging and rewarding. Overall, Dream Song 47 is a testament to John Berryman's skill as a poet, and a timeless work of art that will continue to inspire and challenge readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dream Song 47: April Fool's Day, or, St Mary of Egypt is a classic poem written by John Berryman. This poem is a part of his collection of Dream Songs, which is considered one of the most significant works of American poetry in the 20th century. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem opens with the speaker addressing his friend, Henry, who is also the protagonist of the Dream Songs. The speaker tells Henry that it is April Fool's Day, a day when people play pranks on each other. However, the speaker also mentions that it is the feast day of St Mary of Egypt, a Christian saint who lived a life of sin before repenting and becoming a hermit. This juxtaposition of the secular and the religious sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which explores the themes of sin, redemption, and faith.
The first stanza of the poem describes the speaker's surroundings. He is in a park, surrounded by trees and flowers. The speaker observes a group of children playing, and he imagines that they are playing a game of hide-and-seek. However, the speaker also sees a homeless man sleeping on a bench, and this image reminds him of the sin and suffering in the world. The juxtaposition of the innocence of the children and the suffering of the homeless man highlights the contrast between the ideal and the real.
In the second stanza, the speaker reflects on his own sins. He mentions that he has committed many sins, including lying, cheating, and stealing. He also mentions that he has been unfaithful to his wife. However, the speaker also expresses his desire for redemption. He prays to St Mary of Egypt, asking for her intercession and forgiveness. This stanza highlights the theme of sin and redemption, as the speaker acknowledges his own sins and seeks forgiveness.
The third stanza of the poem is the longest and the most complex. It begins with the speaker describing a dream he had the previous night. In the dream, he sees St Mary of Egypt, who tells him that she has been sent by God to help him. The speaker is initially skeptical, but he eventually accepts her help. St Mary of Egypt then takes the speaker on a journey through his past, showing him the sins he has committed and the people he has hurt. The speaker is overwhelmed by guilt and shame, but St Mary of Egypt tells him that he can be forgiven if he repents and turns to God.
The dream sequence in this stanza is significant because it represents the speaker's journey towards redemption. The dream is a metaphor for the process of confession and repentance, which is a central theme in Christianity. The speaker's encounter with St Mary of Egypt represents his encounter with God's grace, which can forgive even the most heinous sins.
The fourth stanza of the poem returns to the present moment. The speaker is still in the park, and he sees a group of nuns walking by. He imagines that they are St Mary of Egypt's sisters, and he feels a sense of connection to them. The speaker then reflects on the power of faith, which can unite people across time and space. He mentions that even though he is a sinner, he is still a part of the community of believers.
The final stanza of the poem is a prayer to St Mary of Egypt. The speaker asks her to intercede for him and to help him on his journey towards redemption. He acknowledges that he is a sinner, but he also expresses his faith in God's mercy and forgiveness. The final line of the poem, "O pray for Henry, pray," is a plea for St Mary of Egypt's intercession on behalf of the protagonist of the Dream Songs.
In terms of structure, Dream Song 47: April Fool's Day, or, St Mary of Egypt is a free-verse poem with irregular line lengths and no consistent rhyme scheme. The poem is divided into five stanzas, each with a different focus. The first stanza sets the scene, the second stanza introduces the theme of sin and redemption, the third stanza presents the dream sequence, the fourth stanza reflects on the power of faith, and the final stanza is a prayer.
In terms of literary devices, the poem is rich in imagery and symbolism. The park setting represents the world, with its beauty and its suffering. The children playing represent innocence, while the homeless man represents sin and suffering. St Mary of Egypt represents God's grace and forgiveness, while the nuns represent the community of believers. The dream sequence is a metaphor for the process of confession and repentance, while the prayer at the end of the poem is a plea for intercession.
In conclusion, Dream Song 47: April Fool's Day, or, St Mary of Egypt is a powerful poem that explores the themes of sin, redemption, and faith. The poem's structure and literary devices contribute to its meaning, creating a rich and complex work of art. John Berryman's Dream Songs are a testament to the power of poetry to explore the human condition, and Dream Song 47 is a shining example of this.
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