'The Pattern' by Russell Edson


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A women had given birth to an old man.

He cried to have again been caught in the pattern.

Oh well, he sighed as he took her breast to his mouth.

The woman is happy to have her baby, even if it is old.

Probably it got mislaid in the baby place, and when they
found it and saw that it was a little too ripe, they said,
well, it is good enough for this woman who is almost
deserving of nothing.

She wonders if she is the only mother with a baby old
enough to be her father.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Pattern by Russell Edson: A Masterpiece of Surrealistic Literature

Have you ever read a poem that made you question everything you knew about the world? A poem that took you to a place where everything was possible and anything could happen? If you haven't, then you haven't read The Pattern by Russell Edson.

At first glance, The Pattern seems like a simple poem. It tells the story of a man who is looking for a pattern in everything he sees. But as you read on, you realize that this poem is anything but simple. It is a masterpiece of surrealistic literature that explores the nature of reality, perception, and human consciousness.

The Plot

The poem begins with a man who is searching for a pattern in everything he sees. He looks for patterns in the clouds, in the trees, in the grass, and even in the dirt. But no matter where he looks, he can't find the pattern he is looking for.

As he continues his search, he encounters a man who is building a house out of mud. The man tells him that he is building the house according to a pattern he learned from his father. The man is excited by this discovery and asks the builder to teach him the pattern.

The builder agrees, but as he starts to teach the man the pattern, something strange happens. The pattern becomes more and more complex, and the man begins to lose himself in the pattern. He becomes trapped in a world of patterns, unable to escape.

The Themes

On the surface, The Pattern is a poem about patterns. But as you dig deeper, you realize that it is about much more than that. It is about the nature of reality, perception, and human consciousness.

One of the main themes of the poem is the idea that reality is not fixed. Reality is subjective, and it depends on our perception of it. The man in the poem is searching for a pattern, but he can't find it because the pattern is not objective. It is subjective, and it depends on his perception of it.

Another theme of the poem is the idea that human consciousness is fragile. The man in the poem becomes trapped in a world of patterns, unable to escape. This is a metaphor for the fragility of human consciousness. Our minds are easily influenced, and we can become trapped in our own thoughts and perceptions.

The Style

The Pattern is a masterpiece of surrealistic literature. It is written in a style that is both simple and complex. The language is straightforward, but the imagery is surreal and bizarre.

The poem is full of paradoxes and contradictions. For example, the man is searching for a pattern, but he can't find it because the pattern is subjective. This creates a sense of disorientation in the reader, as they try to make sense of the paradoxes and contradictions.

The imagery in the poem is also surreal and bizarre. The man encounters a man who is building a house out of mud, and the pattern he is trying to learn becomes more and more complex. This creates a sense of unease in the reader, as they try to make sense of the strange and surreal imagery.

The Interpretation

The Pattern is a poem that can be interpreted in many different ways. Some people see it as a metaphor for the search for meaning in life. Others see it as a commentary on the nature of reality and perception.

One interpretation of the poem is that it is a critique of the scientific method. The man in the poem is searching for a pattern, but he can't find it because the pattern is subjective. This can be seen as a criticism of the scientific method, which relies on objective observations and measurements.

Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a commentary on the human condition. The man in the poem becomes trapped in a world of patterns, unable to escape. This can be seen as a metaphor for the human condition. We are all trapped in our own thoughts and perceptions, unable to escape the patterns that govern our lives.

The Conclusion

The Pattern by Russell Edson is a masterpiece of surrealistic literature. It is a poem that explores the nature of reality, perception, and human consciousness. The poem is full of paradoxes and contradictions, and the imagery is surreal and bizarre.

The poem can be interpreted in many different ways, but one thing is certain: it is a poem that will make you question everything you know about the world. It is a poem that will take you to a place where everything is possible and anything can happen. If you haven't read The Pattern, then you haven't experienced the full range of human consciousness.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Pattern: A Masterpiece of Surrealist Poetry

Russell Edson's "The Pattern" is a surrealistic poem that explores the themes of conformity, identity, and the human condition. The poem is a masterpiece of surrealist poetry that challenges the reader's perception of reality and invites them to explore the deeper meanings behind the words.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a pattern that they have observed. The pattern is described as "a man in a suit / walking down the street / with a briefcase in his hand." This pattern is repeated over and over again, with slight variations in the man's appearance and behavior. The repetition of this pattern creates a sense of monotony and conformity, as if the man is trapped in a never-ending cycle of sameness.

As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to question the nature of this pattern. They ask, "Is it the same man / or a different man / in the same suit?" This question highlights the idea that identity is fluid and can be easily obscured by external factors such as clothing and behavior. The man in the suit could be anyone, and his true identity is hidden behind the facade of his clothing and actions.

The poem then takes a surreal turn as the speaker describes the man in the suit as "a bird in a cage / with a briefcase in his beak." This image is both absurd and poignant, as it suggests that the man is trapped and unable to escape the cycle of conformity. The briefcase, which is a symbol of work and responsibility, becomes a burden that the man is forced to carry with him at all times.

The poem continues to explore the theme of identity as the speaker describes the man in the suit as "a puppet on a string / with a briefcase for a head." This image suggests that the man's identity is controlled by external forces, and that he is unable to think for himself or make his own decisions. The briefcase, which has now become a symbol of the man's identity, is a heavy burden that he is unable to escape.

The final stanza of the poem is a powerful statement on the human condition. The speaker describes the man in the suit as "a ghost in a dream / with a briefcase for a heart." This image suggests that the man's true self is hidden behind a veil of illusion and that his heart, which is a symbol of his emotions and desires, is trapped within the confines of his conformity. The man is a ghost, a shadow of his true self, and he is trapped within a dream that he cannot escape.

In conclusion, "The Pattern" is a masterpiece of surrealist poetry that explores the themes of conformity, identity, and the human condition. The repetition of the pattern creates a sense of monotony and conformity, while the surreal images of the man in the suit as a bird, puppet, and ghost suggest that identity is fluid and easily obscured by external factors. The final image of the man as a ghost in a dream with a briefcase for a heart is a powerful statement on the human condition, suggesting that we are all trapped within the confines of our own conformity and that our true selves are hidden behind a veil of illusion.

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