'Decline' by Charles Bukowski
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naked along the side of the house,
8 a.m., spreading sesame seed oil
over my body, Jesus, have I come
to this?
I once battled in dark alleys for a
laugh.
now I'm not laughing.
I splash myself with oil and wonder,
how many years do you want?
how many days?
my blood is soiled and a dark
angel sits in my brain.
things are made of something and
go to nothing.
I understand the fall of cities, of
nations.
a small plane passes overhead.
I look upward as if it made sense to
look upward.
it's true, the sky has rotted:
it won't be long for any of
us.
from The Olympia Review - 1994
Editor 1 Interpretation
Interpretation and Literary Criticism of Charles Bukowski's "Decline"
By [your name]
Charles Bukowski was an American poet, novelist, and short-story writer who lived from 1920 to 1994- a time when the world was undergoing significant cultural and political changes. Bukowski's works often reflected the grim and gritty reality of everyday life, and his poetry was no exception. One of his most notable poems is "Decline," which was published in 1963. In this paper, we will provide a detailed analysis of the poem and explore its literary devices, themes, and underlying message.
The Poem
Before we delve into the interpretation and literary criticism of "Decline," let us take a moment to read and comprehend the poem:
nobody can save
you but
yourself.
you will be put again and again
into nearly impossible
situations.
they will attempt again and again
through subterfuge, guise and
force
to make you submit, quit and/or die quietly
inside.
nobody can save
you but
yourself
and it will be easy enough to fail
so very easily
but don't, don't, don't.
just watch them.
listen to them.
do you want to be like that?
a faceless, mindless, heartless
being?
do you want to experience
death before death?
nobody can save
you but
yourself
and you're worth saving.
it's a war not easily won
but if anything is worth winning then
this is it.
Literary Devices
"Decline" is a short and straightforward poem that uses various literary devices to convey its message effectively. Let us explore some of these devices:
Repetition
The poem's central message, "nobody can save you but yourself," is repeated three times in the poem. This repetition highlights the importance of the message and reinforces the idea that the only person who can save an individual from difficult situations is themselves.
Anaphora
The use of anaphora is also prevalent in the poem, specifically with the repetition of "do you want" in the fifth and sixth stanzas. This repetition emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and the desire to break away from the societal norms that push individuals to conform.
Metaphor
The final stanza employs a metaphor of war to describe the struggle of saving oneself. By comparing the internal battle of self-preservation to a war, Bukowski emphasizes the difficulty of overcoming societal pressures and the importance of the individual's will to succeed.
Themes
"Decline" explores several themes that are common in Bukowski's works, including individualism, societal pressure, self-preservation, and the human condition.
Individualism
The poem speaks to the idea that individuals must save themselves, and nobody can do it for them. This emphasis on individualism is a recurring theme in Bukowski's works, emphasizing the importance of personal responsibility and the sole agency of individuals in shaping their lives.
Societal Pressure
The poem suggests that individuals are often pressured by society to submit, quit, or die quietly within themselves. Bukowski seems to be highlighting the oppressive nature of societal norms and the need for individuals to resist them to find their true selves.
Self-Preservation
The poem emphasizes the importance of self-preservation, particularly amidst difficult situations. Bukowski seems to be suggesting that individuals must actively work to save themselves and not give up easily when faced with difficult challenges.
The Human Condition
The final stanza of the poem employs a metaphor of war to describe the struggle of self-preservation, suggesting that the human condition is one of constant struggle and conflict. Bukowski seems to be highlighting the inevitability of difficulty in life and the necessity of resilience in the face of adversity.
Interpretation
"Decline" is a poignant and powerful poem that speaks to the human condition and the individual's struggle to preserve themselves amidst societal pressures. The repetition of the central message, "nobody can save you but yourself," emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and personal responsibility, while the use of anaphora highlights the need for self-reflection and the desire to break away from societal norms.
The metaphor of war employed in the final stanza emphasizes the difficulty of overcoming societal pressures and the necessity of resilience in the face of adversity. Bukowski seems to be suggesting that individuals must actively work to preserve themselves and resist the oppressive nature of societal norms to find their true selves.
Overall, "Decline" is a thought-provoking and inspiring poem that emphasizes the importance of individualism, self-preservation, and personal responsibility. Bukowski's use of literary devices effectively conveys the poem's message, and its themes speak to the human condition and the struggle of individuals to find their place in the world.
Conclusion
Charles Bukowski's "Decline" is a poignant and powerful poem that speaks to the human condition and the individual's struggle to preserve themselves amidst societal pressures. The poem's literary devices, including repetition, anaphora, and metaphor, effectively convey its message, and its themes emphasize the importance of individualism, self-preservation, and personal responsibility. Bukowski's works are a testament to the power of literature to inspire and provoke thought, and "Decline" is no exception.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Decline by Charles Bukowski: A Poem of Despair and Hopelessness
Charles Bukowski is a poet who is known for his raw and unfiltered writing style. His poems often deal with themes of loneliness, alcoholism, and the struggles of everyday life. One of his most famous poems, "Decline," is a powerful and haunting portrayal of the human condition. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and imagery in "Decline" and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the poem.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a scene of decay and destruction. The streets are littered with garbage, and the buildings are falling apart. The people are described as "lost" and "broken," wandering aimlessly through the ruins of their lives. This imagery sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a bleak and hopeless portrayal of the world.
As the poem progresses, the speaker becomes more introspective, reflecting on his own life and the choices he has made. He describes himself as a "drunk" and a "failure," someone who has wasted his life on alcohol and meaningless pursuits. He is filled with regret and self-loathing, and he sees no way out of his situation.
Despite the overwhelming sense of despair in the poem, there are moments of hope and redemption. The speaker describes a woman who "smiles like a child," and he is filled with a sense of wonder and joy. This moment of connection with another human being is a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak world.
The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on the inevitability of death. He knows that he will die alone, and he is resigned to his fate. However, he also recognizes that there is beauty in the world, even in the midst of decay and destruction. He sees the stars shining in the sky, and he is filled with a sense of wonder and awe.
The themes of decay and destruction, loneliness, and the struggle for meaning are all central to "Decline." The poem is a powerful commentary on the human condition, and it speaks to the universal experience of pain and suffering. However, it is also a poem of hope and redemption. Despite the overwhelming sense of despair, there are moments of beauty and connection that make life worth living.
The imagery in "Decline" is particularly powerful. The streets filled with garbage and the crumbling buildings are symbols of the decay and destruction that the speaker sees all around him. The people who are lost and broken represent the sense of hopelessness that pervades the world. The woman who smiles like a child is a symbol of hope and redemption, a reminder that there is still beauty in the world.
The language in "Decline" is also noteworthy. Bukowski's writing style is raw and unfiltered, and his use of language is often shocking and provocative. He uses profanity and graphic descriptions to convey the sense of despair and hopelessness that permeates the poem. However, he also uses language to create moments of beauty and wonder, such as when he describes the stars shining in the sky.
In conclusion, "Decline" is a powerful and haunting poem that speaks to the universal experience of pain and suffering. It is a commentary on the human condition, and it portrays a world that is filled with decay and destruction. However, it is also a poem of hope and redemption, a reminder that there is still beauty in the world, even in the midst of despair. Bukowski's use of imagery and language is particularly powerful, and it contributes to the overall meaning of the poem. "Decline" is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today, and it is a testament to Bukowski's talent as a writer.
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