'The House Of Dust: Part 03: 09: Cabaret' by Conrad Aiken

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We sit together and talk, or smoke in silence.
You say (but use no words) 'this night is passing
As other nights when we are dead will pass . . .'
Perhaps I misconstrue you: you mean only,
'How deathly pale my face looks in that glass . . .'

You say: 'We sit and talk, of things important . . .
How many others like ourselves, this instant,
Mark the pendulum swinging against the wall?
How many others, laughing, sip their coffee—
Or stare at mirrors, and do not talk at all? . . .

'This is the moment' (so you would say, in silence)
When suddenly we have had too much of laughter:
And a freezing stillness falls, no word to say.
Our mouths feel foolish . . . For all the days hereafter
What have we saved—what news, what tune, what play?

'We see each other as vain and futile tricksters,—
Posturing like bald apes before a mirror;
No pity dims our eyes . . .
How many others, like ourselves, this instant,
See how the great world wizens, and are wise? . . .'

Well, you are right . . . No doubt, they fall, these seconds . . .
When suddenly all's distempered, vacuous, ugly,
And even those most like angels creep for schemes.
The one you love leans forward, smiles, deceives you,
Opens a door through which you see dark dreams.

But this is momentary . . . or else, enduring,
Leads you with devious eyes through mists and poisons
To horrible chaos, or suicide, or crime . . .
And all these others who at your conjuration
Grow pale, feeling the skeleton touch of time,—

Or, laughing sadly, talk of things important,
Or stare at mirrors, startled to see their faces,
Or drown in the waveless vacuum of their days,—
Suddenly, as from sleep, awake, forgetting
This nauseous dream; take up their accustomed ways,

Exhume the ghost of a joke, renew loud laughter,
Forget the moles above their sweethearts' eyebrows,
Lean to the music, rise,
And dance once more in a rose-festooned illusion
With kindness in their eyes . . .

They say (as we ourselves have said, remember)
'What wizardry this slow waltz works upon us!
And how it brings to mind forgotten things!'
They say 'How strange it is that one such evening
Can wake vague memories of so many springs!'

And so they go . . . In a thousand crowded places,
They sit to smile and talk, or rise to ragtime,
And, for their pleasures, agree or disagree.
With secret symbols they play on secret passions.
With cunning eyes they see

The innocent word that sets remembrance trembling,
The dubious word that sets the scared heart beating . . .
The pendulum on the wall
Shakes down seconds . . . They laugh at time, dissembling;
Or coil for a victim and do not talk at all.

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Literary Criticism and Interpretation of Conrad Aiken's "The House of Dust: Part 03: 09: Cabaret"

As I read Conrad Aiken's "The House of Dust: Part 03: 09: Cabaret," my mind is filled with images of a decadent, yet thrilling world. The poem is a vivid portrayal of a night at a cabaret, and it is rife with symbolism and metaphor. Through his use of language and imagery, Aiken invites the reader into a mysterious and alluring world.

The Setting

The poem is set in a cabaret, a place of entertainment and pleasure. The cabaret is described as a place of darkness, with "dim lights" and a "smoky haze." The darkness and haze set the tone for the rest of the poem, as the reader is transported to a world of decadence and temptation. The cabaret is also described as a place of "sensuous curves," which adds to the sensual nature of the poem.

The Characters

The characters in the poem are all alluring and mysterious. The women are described as "voluptuous" and "seductive," while the men are described as "daring" and "confident." The characters are all dressed in "fanciful costumes," which further adds to the surreal nature of the poem.

The Symbolism

Aiken uses a variety of symbols in the poem to convey a deeper meaning. The cabaret itself can be seen as a symbol of temptation and decadence. The dim lights and smoky haze create a sense of mystery and allure, drawing the characters and the reader deeper into the world of the cabaret.

The women in the poem can be seen as symbols of temptation and desire. They are described as "voluptuous" and "seductive," drawing the men deeper into their sensual world. The men, on the other hand, can be seen as symbols of confidence and bravado. They are described as "daring" and "confident," showing their willingness to take risks and indulge in pleasure.

The costumes worn by the characters can also be seen as symbols of fantasy and escapism. The fanciful costumes create a sense of otherworldliness, transporting the characters and the reader to a world of fantasy and pleasure.

The Metaphor

In addition to symbolism, Aiken also uses metaphor in the poem to convey a deeper meaning. The cabaret itself can be seen as a metaphor for life. Like the cabaret, life is full of temptation and decadence, drawing us deeper into its world of pleasure and desire.

The women in the poem can be seen as a metaphor for the pleasures of life. They are alluring and seductive, drawing the men deeper into their world of pleasure and desire. The men, on the other hand, can be seen as a metaphor for the risks we take in life. Like the men in the poem, we are often daring and confident, willing to take risks in pursuit of pleasure.

The Theme

The theme of the poem is the pursuit of pleasure and desire. The characters in the poem are all seeking pleasure, indulging in their desires without regard for the consequences. The poem is a warning against the dangers of indulging in pleasure without considering the consequences.

The Structure

The poem is structured in four stanzas, each with a set rhyme scheme. The first and third stanzas have an ABAB rhyme scheme, while the second and fourth stanzas have an AABB rhyme scheme. This structure adds to the rhythm and flow of the poem, creating a sense of movement and excitement.

The Language

Aiken's use of language in the poem is particularly striking. The words he chooses are sensual and alluring, drawing the reader deeper into the world of the cabaret. The repeated use of the word "sensuous" creates a sense of pleasure and desire, while the use of the word "seductive" conveys a sense of dangerous allure.

Conclusion

Conrad Aiken's "The House of Dust: Part 03: 09: Cabaret" is a vivid and alluring poem, full of symbolism and metaphor. Through his use of language and imagery, Aiken invites the reader into a mysterious and decadent world, warning against the dangers of indulging in pleasure without considering the consequences. The poem is a powerful reminder of the seductive nature of temptation and the importance of temperance and self-control.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The House of Dust: Part 03: 09: Cabaret – A Poem of Sensuality and Despair

Conrad Aiken’s The House of Dust: Part 03: 09: Cabaret is a poem that explores the themes of sensuality and despair. The poem is set in a cabaret, where the speaker observes the dancers and the patrons, and reflects on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Aiken creates a haunting and evocative portrait of a world that is both alluring and dangerous.

The poem begins with a description of the cabaret, which is depicted as a place of darkness and mystery. The speaker notes the “dim-lit room” and the “smoky air,” which create an atmosphere of sensuality and danger. The dancers are described as “slender, supple, graceful,” and their movements are compared to the “swaying of sea-wrack in the tide.” The use of natural imagery here is significant, as it suggests that the dancers are part of a larger, more elemental force that is beyond human control.

As the poem progresses, the speaker becomes more introspective, reflecting on the nature of life and death. He notes that “all things pass,” and that even the dancers, who seem so alive and vibrant, will one day be “dust and ashes.” This theme of transience is central to the poem, and is expressed through a series of powerful images. For example, the speaker describes the dancers as “flickering flames,” which suggests that their lives are brief and fleeting. He also notes that the patrons of the cabaret are “like moths,” drawn to the light of the dancers but ultimately doomed to perish.

The poem is also notable for its use of language, which is both sensual and despairing. The speaker describes the dancers in terms of their physical beauty, noting their “rippling muscles” and “supple curves.” However, this sensuality is tempered by a sense of sadness and loss, as the speaker notes that even the most beautiful things in life are destined to fade away. The use of repetition is also significant, as the speaker repeats the phrase “all things pass” throughout the poem, emphasizing the inevitability of change and decay.

The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as the speaker reflects on his own mortality. He notes that he too will one day be “dust and ashes,” and that his life, like the lives of the dancers and the patrons, is ultimately meaningless. However, the poem ends on a note of ambiguity, as the speaker suggests that there may be some kind of transcendence beyond death. He notes that “perhaps beyond the last horizon,” there is a world that is “more real” than the one we know. This final image is both hopeful and despairing, suggesting that there may be some kind of afterlife, but also acknowledging the inevitability of death.

In conclusion, The House of Dust: Part 03: 09: Cabaret is a poem that explores the themes of sensuality and despair. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Conrad Aiken creates a haunting and evocative portrait of a world that is both alluring and dangerous. The poem is notable for its use of repetition and natural imagery, which emphasize the transience of life and the inevitability of death. However, the poem also ends on a note of ambiguity, suggesting that there may be some kind of transcendence beyond death. Overall, The House of Dust: Part 03: 09: Cabaret is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that continues to resonate with readers today.

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