'On Going Back To The Street After Viewing An Art Show' by Charles Bukowski
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they talk down through
the centuries to us,
and this we need more and more,
the statues and paintings
in midnight age
as we go along
holding dead hands.
and we would say
rather than delude the knowing:
a damn good show,
but hardly enough for a horse to eat,
and out on the sunshine street where
eyes are dabbled in metazoan faces
i decide again
that in theses centuries
they have done very well
considering the nature of their
brothers:
it's more than good
that some of them,
(closer really to the field-mouse than
falcon)
have been bold enough to try.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
On Going Back To The Street After Viewing An Art Show: A Literary Criticism
I have just finished reading "On Going Back To The Street After Viewing An Art Show" by Charles Bukowski, and I am still in awe. This classic poem is a masterpiece that perfectly captures the essence of art and its effect on the human psyche. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the themes, symbols, and literary devices used by Bukowski to create this remarkable piece of literature.
Background Information
First, let me provide some background information on the poet, Charles Bukowski. Bukowski was an American writer and poet, born in Germany in 1920. His works were often controversial and focused on the gritty reality of life. His writing style was straightforward and honest, often using profanity and crude language to convey his message. Bukowski's poems and writings have been praised for their rawness and honesty, making him one of the most influential writers of the 20th century.
Overview
"On Going Back To The Street After Viewing An Art Show" is a short, four-stanza poem that describes the narrator's experience of visiting an art show and then returning to the streets. The poem is written in free verse, with no strict rhyme or meter. The language is simple and direct, but the imagery and symbolism in the poem are powerful and thought-provoking.
Themes
The central theme of the poem is the dichotomy between art and the real world. Bukowski explores the idea that art can provide an escape from the harsh realities of life, but ultimately, we must return to the streets and face our problems. The poem also touches on the idea of perception and how different people can have vastly different interpretations of the same artwork.
Analysis
Stanza One
The first stanza sets the scene for the poem. The narrator describes the art show as a "large room" filled with "paintings, some sculptures." The language used in this stanza is very matter-of-fact, with no emotion or opinion expressed. However, the use of the word "some" to describe the sculptures suggests that the narrator is not particularly impressed with the artwork.
Stanza Two
The second stanza is where the poem starts to become more emotional. The narrator describes how the artwork made him "feel good for a while" and how he "forgot all about the people in the streets." This stanza is significant because it highlights the power of art to transport us to another world, even if only for a short time. The imagery of the "bright colors" and "faraway places" creates a sense of escapism that is both beautiful and fleeting.
Stanza Three
The third stanza is where the tone of the poem starts to shift. The narrator states that he "had to go back" to the streets, and the use of the word "had" suggests that this was not a choice but a necessity. The imagery in this stanza is much darker than in the previous one, with the mention of "garbage cans" and "drunks." This contrast between the bright, colorful world of the art show and the drab, dirty streets is powerful and effective.
Stanza Four
The final stanza is where the poem reaches its conclusion. The narrator describes how the artwork "didn't mean a damn thing" once he was back on the streets. This line is significant because it highlights the fleeting nature of art and how it can only provide temporary relief from the harsh realities of life. The final line of the poem, "I walked into the drunks," is a powerful image that brings the poem full circle.
Literary Devices
Bukowski uses several literary devices in this poem to create a sense of depth and meaning. Here are a few examples:
Imagery
The imagery in this poem is powerful and effective. Bukowski uses vivid descriptions of the artwork, the streets, and the people to create a sense of contrast and juxtaposition. The use of bright colors to describe the artwork and the mention of "garbage cans" and "drunks" to describe the streets creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind.
Symbolism
Bukowski uses symbolism throughout the poem to convey his message. The artwork can be seen as a symbol of beauty and escapism, while the streets and the people in them represent the harsh realities of life. The contrast between these two symbols highlights the dichotomy between art and the real world.
Irony
The use of irony in this poem is particularly effective. The fact that the narrator "forgot all about the people in the streets" while he was at the art show is ironic because he is ultimately forced to return to those same streets. The final line of the poem, "I walked into the drunks," is also ironic because it suggests that the narrator has returned to the same world he tried to escape from.
Interpretation
The interpretation of this poem is open to debate, but here is my personal interpretation. I believe that the poem is a commentary on the power of art to provide temporary relief from the harsh realities of life. The artwork in the poem represents beauty and escapism, while the streets and the people in them represent the harsh realities of life. The fact that the narrator must return to the streets suggests that art can only provide temporary relief and that ultimately, we must face our problems head-on.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "On Going Back To The Street After Viewing An Art Show" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the dichotomy between art and the real world. Bukowski's use of imagery, symbolism, and irony create a vivid picture of the power of art to transport us to another world, even if only for a short time. However, the fact that the narrator must return to the streets suggests that art can only provide temporary relief from the harsh realities of life. This poem is a masterpiece that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
On Going Back To The Street After Viewing An Art Show: A Masterpiece by Charles Bukowski
Charles Bukowski, the legendary American poet, novelist, and short-story writer, is known for his raw, gritty, and unapologetic style of writing. His works often explore the darker side of life, including poverty, alcoholism, and the struggles of the working class. One of his most famous poems, "On Going Back To The Street After Viewing An Art Show," is a powerful commentary on the disconnect between the art world and the real world.
The poem begins with the speaker leaving an art show, feeling disillusioned and disconnected from the art on display. He describes the art as "pretty" and "clean," but ultimately lacking in substance. The speaker feels that the art is disconnected from the real world, and that the artists are more concerned with pleasing the art world than with making a real impact on society.
As the speaker walks back to the street, he is struck by the contrast between the sterile, sanitized world of the art show and the gritty reality of the street. He sees homeless people, drug addicts, and prostitutes, and he realizes that these people are the real artists of the world. They are the ones who are living and creating in the midst of the chaos and struggle of everyday life.
The poem is a powerful critique of the art world, which the speaker sees as disconnected from the real world and focused on pleasing a small, elite audience. The speaker believes that true art should be rooted in the struggles and realities of everyday life, and that it should be accessible to everyone, not just the wealthy and privileged.
Bukowski's use of language in this poem is particularly striking. He uses simple, direct language to convey complex ideas and emotions. The poem is full of vivid imagery, from the "pretty girls" at the art show to the "junkies nodding in doorways" on the street. The contrast between these two worlds is stark and powerful, and it highlights the speaker's sense of disillusionment and frustration.
One of the most powerful lines in the poem is when the speaker says, "I wanted to cry but / I didn't want / to look / pretty." This line captures the speaker's sense of vulnerability and raw emotion, as well as his rejection of the superficiality of the art world. He is not interested in looking pretty or putting on a show; he wants to express his true feelings and connect with the world around him.
The poem also raises important questions about the role of art in society. Is art meant to be a luxury for the wealthy and privileged, or should it be accessible to everyone? Should art be focused on pleasing a small, elite audience, or should it be rooted in the struggles and realities of everyday life? These are questions that are still relevant today, and Bukowski's poem offers a powerful critique of the art world's disconnect from the real world.
In conclusion, "On Going Back To The Street After Viewing An Art Show" is a masterpiece of modern poetry. It is a powerful critique of the art world's disconnect from the real world, and it raises important questions about the role of art in society. Bukowski's use of language is raw, gritty, and unapologetic, and his imagery is vivid and powerful. This poem is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of art and society, and it is a testament to Bukowski's enduring legacy as one of America's greatest poets.
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