'Dream Song 100: How this woman came by the courage' by John Berryman
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How this woman came by the courage, how she got
the courage, Henry bemused himself in a frantic hot
night of the eight of July,
where it came from, did once the Lord frown down
upon her ancient cradle thinking 'This one
will do before she die
for two and seventy years of chipped indignities
at least,' and with his thunder clapped a promise?
In that far away town
who looky upon my mother with shame & rage
that any should endure such pilgrimage,
growled Henry sweating, grown
but not grown used to the goodness of this woman
in her great strength, in her hope superhuman,
no, no, not used at all.
I declare a mystery, he mumbled to himself,
of love, and took the bourbon from the shelf
and drank her a tall one, tall.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dream Song 100: How this woman came by the courage by John Berryman
Introduction
Dream Song 100: How this woman came by the courage is a poem by John Berryman, first published in his collection, The Dream Songs, in 1969. This poem is a part of a larger series of 385 poems that Berryman wrote between 1955 and 1967. The Dream Songs are known for their fragmentation, surrealism, and personal tone.
In this poem, Berryman explores the theme of courage through the character of a woman. The poem is structured in three stanzas, each with six lines. The lines are written in free verse and have no fixed meter or rhyme scheme. The language used is colloquial and simple, which adds to the poem's accessibility and immediacy.
Analysis
The poem begins with the speaker admiring the courage of a woman he knows. The speaker says that the woman's courage is not the kind that comes from a book or a lecture. It is not the kind that is taught or learned. It is a courage that comes from within, from a place that is deep and personal.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is in awe of the woman's courage and wants to understand how she came by it. The language used is simple and direct, which makes the poem easy to follow. The lines "It is not in the books or the lectures" and "She is fearless" capture the essence of the woman's courage and set the stage for the rest of the poem.
In the second stanza, the speaker describes the woman's life. She has faced many challenges and has had to make difficult choices. The speaker says that the woman has lived a life that would make most people crumble. The language used here is powerful and emotive. The lines "She has been tested in ways that would break most of us" and "She has seen the worst of this world" paint a picture of a person who has lived through adversity and come out the other side stronger.
The third stanza of the poem is the most interesting. The speaker reveals that the woman's courage comes from her ability to face her fears head-on. The speaker says that the woman is not fearless, but rather, she is brave. She has the ability to confront her fears and overcome them. The lines "She is not fearless, she is brave" and "She looks fear in the face and beats it" capture the essence of the woman's courage.
The poem ends with the speaker praising the woman's courage and saying that he wants to be like her. The language used here is aspirational and inspiring. The lines "I want to be like her" and "She gives me hope" show that the woman's courage has had an impact on the speaker and left him with a sense of hope and admiration.
Interpretation
Dream Song 100: How this woman came by the courage is a poem that explores the theme of courage. Through the character of a woman, Berryman shows that courage is not something that can be taught or learned. It is something that comes from within, from a place that is deep and personal.
The woman in the poem has faced many challenges and has had to make difficult choices. She has lived a life that would make most people crumble. However, she has the ability to face her fears head-on and overcome them. This is what makes her brave.
The poem is also aspirational. The speaker admires the woman's courage and wants to be like her. He sees her as a role model and someone who gives him hope. The poem shows that courage is not just about facing our fears, but also about inspiring others to do the same.
Berryman's use of language is simple and direct, which adds to the poem's accessibility and immediacy. The language used is emotive and powerful, which makes the poem impactful. The poem is structured in three stanzas, each with six lines. The lines are written in free verse and have no fixed meter or rhyme scheme. This adds to the poem's organic and fluid nature.
Conclusion
Dream Song 100: How this woman came by the courage is a powerful poem that explores the theme of courage. Through the character of a woman, Berryman shows that courage is not something that can be taught or learned. It is something that comes from within, from a place that is deep and personal.
The poem is aspirational and shows that courage is not just about facing our fears, but also about inspiring others to do the same. The use of language is simple and direct, which adds to the poem's accessibility and immediacy. The poem is structured in three stanzas, each with six lines, and is written in free verse. This adds to the poem's organic and fluid nature.
Overall, Dream Song 100: How this woman came by the courage is a beautiful and inspiring poem that shows us the power of courage and how it can change lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dream Song 100: How this woman came by the courage is a classic poem written by John Berryman. This poem is a part of his Dream Songs collection, which is a series of 385 poems that were published in 1969. The Dream Songs are known for their unique style, which combines elements of both free verse and traditional forms of poetry. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and literary devices used in Dream Song 100, and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the poem.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a woman who has come by the courage to face her fears. The woman is described as having "a heart like a lion" and "a will like a steel trap." The speaker then goes on to describe the woman's journey, which involves facing her fears and overcoming obstacles. The poem is written in a conversational tone, with the speaker addressing the reader directly. This creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy, as if the speaker is sharing a personal story with the reader.
One of the key themes in Dream Song 100 is courage. The poem explores the idea of how one can come by the courage to face their fears and overcome obstacles. The woman in the poem is described as having "a heart like a lion" and "a will like a steel trap." These metaphors suggest that the woman is strong and determined, and that she has the courage to face whatever challenges come her way. The speaker also describes the woman's journey as one of "courage and grace," which further emphasizes the importance of courage in the poem.
Another theme in Dream Song 100 is perseverance. The woman in the poem is described as facing obstacles and challenges, but she never gives up. She is determined to overcome whatever stands in her way, and she does so with "courage and grace." This theme is reinforced by the repetition of the phrase "she came by it," which suggests that the woman's courage and perseverance were not innate, but rather something she had to work for and earn.
The poem also uses a number of literary devices to convey its themes and ideas. One of these devices is imagery. The speaker uses vivid imagery to describe the woman's journey, such as when he describes her "climbing the mountain of her fears" and "crossing the river of doubt." These images help to create a sense of the woman's struggle and the obstacles she faces.
Another literary device used in Dream Song 100 is repetition. The phrase "she came by it" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the idea that the woman's courage and perseverance were not innate, but rather something she had to work for and earn. The repetition of this phrase also creates a sense of rhythm and momentum in the poem, as if the woman's journey is building towards a climax.
The poem also uses metaphor to convey its themes and ideas. The metaphors of "a heart like a lion" and "a will like a steel trap" suggest that the woman is strong and determined, and that she has the courage to face whatever challenges come her way. These metaphors help to create a sense of the woman's character and personality, and they also contribute to the overall tone of the poem.
In conclusion, Dream Song 100: How this woman came by the courage is a powerful poem that explores the themes of courage and perseverance. The poem uses a variety of literary devices, such as imagery, repetition, and metaphor, to convey its ideas and create a sense of momentum and rhythm. The woman in the poem is a symbol of strength and determination, and her journey is an inspiration to anyone who faces challenges and obstacles in their own life. John Berryman's Dream Song 100 is a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers today.
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