'The House Of Dust: Part 04: 02: Death: And A Derisive Chorus' by Conrad Aiken

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The door is shut. She leaves the curtained office,
And down the grey-walled stairs comes trembling slowly
Towards the dazzling street.
Her withered hand clings tightly to the railing.
The long stairs rise and fall beneath her feet.

Here in the brilliant sun we jostle, waiting
To tear her secret out . . . We laugh, we hurry,
We go our way, revolving, sinister, slow.
She blinks in the sun, and then steps faintly downward.
We whirl her away, we shout, we spin, we flow.

Where have you been, old lady? We know your secret!—
Voices jangle about her, jeers, and laughter. . . .
She trembles, tries to hurry, averts her eyes.
Tell us the truth, old lady! where have you been?
She turns and turns, her brain grows dark with cries.

Look at the old fool tremble! She's been paying,—
Paying good money, too,—to talk to spirits. . . .
She thinks she's heard a message from one dead!
What did he tell you? Is he well and happy?
Don't lie to us—we all know what he said.

He said the one he murdered once still loves him;
He said the wheels in wheels of time are broken;
And dust and storm forgotten; and all forgiven. . . .
But what you asked he wouldn't tell you, though,—
Ha ha! there's one thing you will never know!
That's what you get for meddling so with heaven!

Where have you been, old lady? Where are you going?
We know, we know! She's been to gab with spirits.
Look at the old fool! getting ready to cry!
What have you got in an envelope, old lady?
A lock of hair? An eyelash from his eye?

How do you know the medium didn't fool you?
Perhaps he had no spirit—perhaps he killed it.
Here she comes! the old fool's lost her son.
What did he have—blue eyes and golden hair?
We know your secret! what's done is done.

Look out, you'll fall—and fall, if you're not careful,
Right into an open grave. . . .but what's the hurry?
You don't think you will find him when you're dead?
Cry! Cry! Look at her mouth all twisted,—
Look at her eyes all red!

We know you—know your name and all about you,
All you remember and think, and all you scheme for.
We tear your secret out, we leave you, go
Laughingly down the street. . . .Die, if you want to!
Die, then, if you're in such a hurry to know!—

. . . .She falls. We lift her head. The wasted body
Weighs nothing in our hands. Does no one know her?
Was no one with her when she fell? . . .
We eddy about her, move away in silence.
We hear slow tollings of a bell.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The House of Dust: Part 04: 02: Death: And A Derisive Chorus

Conrad Aiken's The House of Dust: Part 04: 02: Death: And A Derisive Chorus is a haunting poem that explores the themes of death, loss, and the human condition. The poem is part of Aiken's larger work, The House of Dust, which is a collection of interrelated poems that weave together a story of life and death. In this particular poem, Aiken delves into the realm of death and the reactions of those left behind.

The poem begins with a powerful image of death: "Death's hand has brushed my cheek." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and establishes death as a central character. Death is personified and given a physical presence, which amplifies the sense of loss and finality that death represents. The poem goes on to describe the reactions of those left behind, who respond with a "derisive chorus" of laughter, mocking death's power and inevitability.

The use of a "derisive chorus" is a powerful literary device that highlights the sense of denial and disbelief that often accompanies death. The chorus represents a group of people who are unable to accept the reality of death and instead turn to mockery as a way of coping. This coping mechanism is explored further in the poem, which describes how the chorus "laughed to see Death's pale form go by." The laughter is a defense mechanism, a way of denying the reality of death and deflecting the pain that comes with it.

Another powerful aspect of the poem is the use of imagery. Aiken uses vivid descriptions to create a sense of place and atmosphere. The house of dust, which is a recurring motif throughout the larger work, is described as a "grim and ghostly place" where "shadows crowd and darkness broods." This imagery creates a sense of foreboding and unease, which is amplified by the presence of death.

The poem also explores the idea of time and mortality. The chorus mocks death's power, saying "Thou hast no power but to chill and freeze," but this is a hollow victory. The reality of death is that it is inevitable, and the passage of time only brings us closer to it. The poem describes how "the years go by like dreams," emphasizing the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death.

The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as it ties together the themes of death, time, and the human condition. The speaker, who has been observing the chorus, says "And yet we know that thou art strong." This line acknowledges the power of death and the finality that it represents. However, the poem ends on a note of hope, with the speaker asking "But shall we meet thee, Death, and hear thy voice?" This final question suggests a sense of acceptance and a willingness to confront death, rather than deny or mock it.

Overall, Conrad Aiken's The House of Dust: Part 04: 02: Death: And A Derisive Chorus is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of death, loss, and the human condition. Through vivid imagery and a powerful use of language, Aiken creates a haunting atmosphere that lingers long after the poem is finished. The use of a derisive chorus is a particularly effective literary device that highlights the sense of denial and disbelief that often accompanies death, while also acknowledging its finality. The poem's final question suggests a sense of acceptance and a willingness to confront the reality of death, making it a poignant and deeply human work of poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The House Of Dust: Part 04: 02: Death: And A Derisive Chorus is a classic poem written by Conrad Aiken that delves into the theme of death and the reactions of those left behind. This poem is part of a larger collection of poems titled The House of Dust, which was published in 1920. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and literary devices used in this poem.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a scene of death. The imagery used is vivid and haunting, as the speaker describes the "cold, gray light" and the "dull, dead sound" of the room. The use of color and sound in this opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with a sense of despair and hopelessness.

As the poem progresses, the speaker introduces the idea of a "derisive chorus." This chorus is made up of the voices of those who are left behind after the death of the person in the room. The chorus is described as "mocking" and "cruel," and it serves to highlight the sense of isolation and loneliness that the speaker feels in the face of death.

The use of the chorus in this poem is particularly effective, as it creates a sense of community around the experience of death. The speaker is not alone in their grief, but rather is surrounded by a group of people who are all experiencing the same emotions. However, this community is not a comforting one, as the chorus is described as being "derisive" and "cruel." This creates a sense of tension and conflict within the poem, as the speaker is forced to confront their own feelings of grief and despair in the face of the chorus's mocking laughter.

Throughout the poem, the speaker uses a variety of literary devices to convey their emotions and experiences. One of the most effective devices used is repetition. The phrase "I am alone" is repeated several times throughout the poem, creating a sense of isolation and loneliness that is central to the speaker's experience of death. The repetition of this phrase also serves to emphasize the speaker's sense of despair and hopelessness, as they feel completely cut off from the world around them.

Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. The use of color and sound in the opening stanza is just one example of the powerful imagery used throughout the poem. The speaker describes the room as being filled with "cold, gray light" and "dull, dead sound," creating a sense of emptiness and lifelessness that is central to the experience of death. The use of imagery in this poem serves to create a vivid and haunting picture of death, one that is both beautiful and terrifying.

Finally, the poem is filled with a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty. The speaker is never quite sure what to make of the chorus, and their reactions to it are often conflicted. At times, the speaker seems to be mocking the chorus themselves, as they describe them as "fools" and "clowns." At other times, however, the speaker seems to be genuinely affected by the chorus's mocking laughter, as they describe it as "cruel" and "derisive." This ambiguity creates a sense of tension and conflict within the poem, as the speaker is forced to confront their own emotions and reactions in the face of death.

In conclusion, The House Of Dust: Part 04: 02: Death: And A Derisive Chorus is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the themes of death, grief, and isolation. Through the use of vivid imagery, repetition, and ambiguity, Conrad Aiken creates a vivid and haunting picture of death, one that is both beautiful and terrifying. The use of the chorus in this poem is particularly effective, as it creates a sense of community around the experience of death, while also highlighting the sense of isolation and loneliness that the speaker feels. Overall, this poem is a powerful exploration of the human experience of death, one that is sure to resonate with readers for years to come.

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