'Interior' by Hart Crane
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It sheds a shy solemnity,
This lamp in our poor room.
O grey and gold amenity, --
Silence and gentle gloom!
Wide from the world, a stolen hour
We claim, and none may know
How love blooms like a tardy flower
Here in the day's after-glow.
And even should the world break in
With jealous threat and guile,
The world, at last, must bow and win
Our pity and a smile.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Interior by Hart Crane: A Journey Into the Depths of the Soul
Have you ever felt lost in a maze of emotions? Have you ever tried to understand the complexity of your own psyche? If you have, then you will find a kindred spirit in Hart Crane, the American poet who wrote Interior, a masterpiece of modernist poetry that explores the intricate workings of the human mind.
In this 28-line poem, Crane takes us on a journey into the depths of the soul, where we encounter a series of images that are at once beautiful and unsettling, mysterious and provocative. The poem is a kaleidoscope of sensations, a tapestry of words that weave together to create a portrait of the psyche that is both universal and deeply personal.
Context and Background
Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to understand the context in which it was written. Hart Crane was a prominent member of the modernist movement in American literature, which emerged in the early 20th century as a response to the rapid changes brought about by industrialization, urbanization, and the modernization of society.
Modernist writers sought to break away from traditional forms and styles of writing and experimented with new techniques and structures. They were fascinated by the inner workings of the human mind and often used stream-of-consciousness narration, multiple perspectives, and fragmented narratives to explore the complexity of human experience.
Interior was published in 1920, a time when modernist writers were pushing the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in literature. The poem reflects the zeitgeist of the time, with its fragmented structure, non-linear narrative, and vivid, often surreal imagery.
The Poem
Let's take a closer look at the poem.
Insinuations that in infancy
Were gold upon the mountain of our being,
In childhood sunk beneath fantastic shows
Confounded with the loss of life's first meaning,
Recalled with mythic extravagance
And later loyalties renewed from time to time
Are constant themes of poetry or trance.
But there are in the suburb of the psyche
Accrued upon the avenues of time
Pernicious memories that with night's abeyance
Hold us awake, and darken daytime's glance.
The poem begins with a series of insinuations that were once "gold upon the mountain of our being" but have since been "sunk beneath fantastic shows." This is a reference to the loss of childhood innocence and the confusion that comes with growing up. The speaker suggests that these memories are often recalled in poetry or trance, indicating that they are deeply ingrained in our psyche.
However, the poem takes a darker turn as the speaker describes the "pernicious memories" that haunt us in the "suburb of the psyche." These memories are not just a product of childhood trauma but are "accrued upon the avenues of time," suggesting that they are a result of the cumulative experiences we have had throughout our lives.
The line "Hold us awake, and darken daytime's glance" is particularly poignant, as it captures the way in which these memories can seep into our consciousness and affect our daily lives. The image of being held awake by these memories is a powerful one, evoking a sense of helplessness and desperation.
The second stanza of the poem is even more surreal and dreamlike than the first.
In meager light that the soul's eye adapts,
Lost in its own luxuriance,
The shadows of symbolic obliqueness
Move like a film upon a dream of seas,
Or hills fantastic even as clouds,
Into a shore where time resides alone,
Or like a trampled snow upon the mind
Faintly retained as patterns in the moon,
The vivid forest memory of what has been.
The speaker describes a "meager light" that the "soul's eye" adapts to, suggesting that what we see in this light is a reflection of our inner selves. The "shadows of symbolic obliqueness" are difficult to decipher but appear to be the images that move like a film upon a "dream of seas." This dreamlike sequence is both beautiful and unsettling, with the hills and clouds taking on a surreal quality.
The line "Into a shore where time resides alone" is particularly striking, as it suggests that time is a force that is separate from us, something that we cannot control or change. The image of the "trampled snow upon the mind" is also powerful, as it suggests that our memories are fragile and easily distorted.
The final line, "The vivid forest memory of what has been," brings the poem full circle, returning to the idea of memories that are both beautiful and haunting. The forest is a symbol of growth and regeneration, but it is also a place where danger lurks in the shadows.
Interpretation
So what does this all mean? What is Hart Crane trying to tell us with Interior?
At its core, Interior is a poem about the complexity of the human psyche and the way in which our past experiences shape who we are. The poem is a meditation on memory, both the beautiful memories that sustain us and the painful memories that haunt us.
The images in the poem are surreal and dreamlike, suggesting that the psyche is not a rational or logical place. Rather, it is a place of shadows and obliqueness, a place where the boundaries between reality and fantasy are blurred.
The poem suggests that our memories are not just a product of our childhood experiences but are accumulated throughout our lives. The pernicious memories that haunt us are a result of the cumulative experiences we have had, and they can affect us in profound ways.
The final line of the poem, "The vivid forest memory of what has been," suggests that our memories are not just a collection of disconnected events but are a part of a larger narrative, a story that we tell ourselves about who we are and where we come from.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Interior is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that explores the intricate workings of the human psyche. The poem is a journey into the depths of the soul, where we encounter a series of images that are at once beautiful and unsettling, mysterious and provocative.
Through its dreamlike imagery and fragmented structure, the poem captures the complexity of human experience and the way in which our past experiences shape who we are. It is a meditation on memory, both the beautiful memories that sustain us and the painful memories that haunt us.
Hart Crane was a master of language and imagery, and Interior is a testament to his skill as a poet. It is a poem that rewards careful reading and interpretation, and it is a work that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Interior: A Masterpiece of Modernist Poetry
Hart Crane’s Interior is a poem that captures the essence of modernist poetry. The poem is a masterpiece of imagery, symbolism, and metaphor, and it explores the themes of alienation, isolation, and the search for meaning in a world that seems to have lost its sense of purpose. In this analysis, we will explore the various elements of the poem and how they contribute to its overall meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a room that is empty and devoid of life. The room is described as “bare” and “cold,” and the speaker notes that “no one lives here.” This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is characterized by a sense of emptiness and isolation. The room is a metaphor for the modern world, which is often seen as a place where people are disconnected from each other and from the natural world.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the image of a “phantom woman” who appears in the room. The woman is described as “pale” and “ghostly,” and she seems to represent the speaker’s own sense of alienation and disconnection from the world around him. The woman is a symbol of the speaker’s own inner turmoil, and her appearance in the room suggests that the speaker is struggling to come to terms with his own sense of isolation.
The third stanza of the poem introduces the image of a “crimson curtain” that hangs in the room. The curtain is described as “heavy” and “rich,” and it seems to represent the speaker’s desire for something more than the emptiness and isolation of the modern world. The curtain is a symbol of the speaker’s own longing for meaning and purpose, and it suggests that he is searching for something that will give his life meaning and significance.
The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the image of a “golden bowl” that sits on a table in the room. The bowl is described as “bright” and “shining,” and it seems to represent the speaker’s own sense of hope and possibility. The bowl is a symbol of the speaker’s own inner strength and resilience, and it suggests that he is capable of finding meaning and purpose in a world that seems to have lost its way.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem brings all of these elements together in a powerful and evocative way. The speaker describes the room as “a temple of the soul,” and he suggests that it is a place where he can find solace and comfort in the midst of the chaos and confusion of the modern world. The room is a symbol of the speaker’s own inner world, and it suggests that he has the power to create a sense of meaning and purpose in his own life, even in the face of the emptiness and isolation of the modern world.
In conclusion, Interior is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that explores the themes of alienation, isolation, and the search for meaning in a world that seems to have lost its sense of purpose. The poem is characterized by a powerful use of imagery, symbolism, and metaphor, and it captures the essence of the modernist movement in literature. Hart Crane’s Interior is a poem that speaks to the human condition in a profound and meaningful way, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexities of the human experience.
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