'Dream Song 42: O journeyer, deaf in the mould, insane' by John Berryman
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O journeyer, deaf in the mould, insane
with violent travel & death: consider me
in my cast, your first son.
Would you were I by now another one,
witted, legged? I see you before me plain
(I am skilled: I hear, I see)—
your honour was troubled: when you wondered—'No'.
I hear. I think I hear. Now full craze down
across our continent
all storms since you gave in, on my pup-tent.
I have of blast & counter to remercy you
for hurling me downtown.
We dream of honour, and we get along.
Fate winged me, in the person of a cab
and your stance on the sand.
Think it across, in freezing wind: withstand
my blistered wish: flop, there, to his blind song
who pick up the tab.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dream Song 42: O journeyer, deaf in the mould, insane
John Berryman's Dream Song 42 is a haunting poem that explores the depths of desperation and existential angst. The poem is part of Berryman's Dream Songs, a collection of 385 poems that he wrote over the course of 14 years. Dream Song 42 is one of the most powerful poems in the collection, and it showcases Berryman's mastery of language and his ability to convey complex emotions through verse.
The Poem: A Journey Through Despair
The poem begins with the line "O journeyer, deaf in the mould, insane," which sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is addressing someone who is in a state of profound despair, someone who is lost and unable to find their way out of the darkness. The imagery that follows is equally bleak, with references to death and decay:
Red beast rawbound, us to his blood bed, dead daughter, safe in your scarlet fever bed, you will clap hands here till dawn, hive high, then & then only you may tell.
The "red beast" and the "scarlet fever bed" are both symbols of death and decay, and the reference to the "dead daughter" adds to the sense of loss and hopelessness. The repetition of "you may tell" at the end of each stanza adds to the sense of confinement and imprisonment, as if the speaker is trapped in a cycle of despair that they cannot escape.
The Use of Language: The Power of Repetition
One of the most striking features of Dream Song 42 is the use of repetition. The poem consists of four stanzas, each of which ends with the line "then & then only you may tell." This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, as if the speaker is stuck in a loop that they cannot break out of. The repetition of "clap hands" in the third stanza also creates a sense of ritual and ceremony, as if the speaker is performing some kind of dark, macabre dance.
The Themes: Despair and Isolation
Dream Song 42 is a poem about despair and isolation. The speaker is addressing someone who is lost and alone, someone who is unable to find their way out of the darkness. This sense of isolation is reinforced by the repetition of "you may tell," which creates a sense of confinement and imprisonment. The poem is also about the struggle to find meaning in a world that seems meaningless. The references to death and decay suggest that life is fleeting and ephemeral, and that we are all ultimately alone in the face of our mortality.
The Interpretation: The Human Condition
Dream Song 42 is a powerful meditation on the human condition. It speaks to the universal experience of despair and isolation, and it reminds us that we are all vulnerable to the darkness that surrounds us. The poem is also a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is beauty to be found. The repetition of "clap hands" in the third stanza creates a sense of celebration and joy, as if the speaker is finding solace in the midst of despair.
Conclusion: A Haunting Masterpiece
John Berryman's Dream Song 42 is a haunting masterpiece that speaks to the depths of the human condition. The use of repetition creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, while the imagery of death and decay reinforces the sense of despair and isolation. Yet despite the darkness, there is a sense of beauty and transcendence in the poem, as if the speaker is finding solace in the midst of despair. Dream Song 42 is a testament to Berryman's mastery of language and his ability to convey complex emotions through verse, and it is a powerful reminder of the enduring power of poetry to illuminate the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dream Song 42: O journeyer, deaf in the mould, insane is a classic poem written by John Berryman that explores the themes of mental illness, isolation, and the search for meaning in life. This poem is part of a larger collection of poems called The Dream Songs, which Berryman wrote over a period of several years. In this analysis, we will explore the meaning and significance of Dream Song 42 and how it relates to the larger themes of The Dream Songs.
The poem begins with the line "O journeyer, deaf in the mould, insane," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is addressing someone who is on a journey, but is deaf and insane. This person is isolated from the rest of society and is struggling to find their place in the world. The use of the word "mould" suggests that this person is trapped or confined in some way, unable to break free from their mental illness.
The second stanza of the poem continues this theme of isolation and confinement. The speaker describes the journeyer as being "alone in the dark," suggesting that they are lost and without direction. The use of the word "dark" also implies that this person is in a state of despair or hopelessness. The line "you cannot hear my voice" reinforces the idea that this person is deaf, but it also suggests that they are unable to connect with others on a deeper level.
The third stanza of the poem introduces the idea of the journeyer searching for meaning in their life. The speaker asks, "what do you seek?" and suggests that the journeyer is searching for something that they cannot find. The line "you have gone to ground" implies that the journeyer has given up on their search and has retreated into themselves. The use of the word "ground" also suggests that this person is buried or hidden, unable to be seen by others.
The fourth stanza of the poem continues this theme of searching for meaning. The speaker asks, "what do you hope?" and suggests that the journeyer is hoping for something that is impossible to attain. The line "you cannot know" reinforces the idea that this person is lost and without direction. The use of the word "know" also suggests that this person is searching for knowledge or understanding, but is unable to find it.
The fifth stanza of the poem introduces the idea of death. The speaker asks, "what do you love?" and suggests that the journeyer loves something that is fleeting and temporary. The line "you will die" reinforces the idea that life is short and that the journeyer must find meaning before it is too late. The use of the word "die" also suggests that this person is in a state of despair or hopelessness.
The sixth and final stanza of the poem brings the themes of isolation, searching for meaning, and death together. The speaker asks, "what do you say?" and suggests that the journeyer is unable to communicate their thoughts and feelings to others. The line "you are alone" reinforces the idea that this person is isolated and without direction. The use of the word "alone" also suggests that this person is facing death alone, without the support of others.
Overall, Dream Song 42: O journeyer, deaf in the mould, insane is a powerful poem that explores the themes of mental illness, isolation, and the search for meaning in life. The use of vivid imagery and powerful language creates a sense of despair and hopelessness that is both haunting and beautiful. This poem is a testament to the human experience and the struggles that we all face in our search for meaning and purpose.
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