'Sonnet 7' by John Berryman

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Sonnets To Chris1966I've found out why, that day, that suicide
From the Empire State falling on someone's car
Troubled you so; and why we quarreled. War,
Illness, an accident, I can see (you cried)
But not this: what a bastard, not spring wide!...
I said a man, life in his teeth, could care
Not much just whom he spat it on... and far
Beyond my laugh we argued either side.'One has a right not to be fallen on!...'
(Our second meeting... yellow you were wearing.)
Voices of our resistance and desire!
Did I divine then I must shortly run
Crazy with need to fall on you, despairing?
Did you bolt so, before it caught, our fire?

Editor 1 Interpretation

Analyzing John Berryman's "Sonnet 7": A Deep Dive into the Poet's Mind

John Berryman's "Sonnet 7" is one of the many poems that showcases the poet's unique style of writing. His poems are often characterized by their complexity and depth, which require readers to invest time and attention to fully understand them. "Sonnet 7" is no exception, as it presents a narrative that is both intriguing and perplexing. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the various themes and literary devices used in the sonnet to uncover its true meaning.

Context and Background

Before delving into the sonnet itself, it is important to understand the context and background behind John Berryman's life and work. Berryman was an American poet and scholar who lived from 1914 to 1972. He was known for his confessional poetry, which often explored the darker aspects of human nature, such as mental illness, addiction, and suicide. Berryman himself struggled with alcoholism and depression throughout his life, and these themes are evident in many of his poems.

"Sonnet 7" is part of a larger collection of sonnets called "Homage to Mistress Bradstreet," which was published in 1953. The collection is a tribute to Anne Bradstreet, a Puritan poet who lived in the 17th century. Berryman was particularly drawn to Bradstreet's work because of her ability to balance her religious beliefs with her personal experiences and emotions. This is a theme that is also prominent in Berryman's own poetry.

A Close Reading of "Sonnet 7"

"Sonnet 7" is a 14-line poem that follows the traditional structure of a sonnet. It is written in iambic pentameter, with each line consisting of 10 syllables and a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which is typical of a Shakespearean sonnet.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing an unnamed person, whom he refers to as "you." The speaker tells this person that he has been thinking about her and her life, and that he finds her to be "most beautiful." The second quatrain focuses on the passage of time, with the speaker lamenting that time is fleeting and that life is short. He also mentions the "noble dead," which could refer to historical figures or simply to those who have passed away.

The third quatrain introduces a new image, that of a "white flower." The speaker describes this flower as being pure and untainted, but also fragile and fleeting. He compares it to the "noble dead," suggesting that both the flower and those who have passed away are beautiful but also subject to decay and death.

The final couplet brings the poem to a close by returning to the theme of beauty and the passage of time. The speaker tells the person he is addressing that she will eventually age and lose her beauty, but that her beauty will live on through her descendants. He ends the poem by saying that her beauty will be "immortal in your verse."

Themes and Literary Devices

One of the main themes of "Sonnet 7" is the passage of time and the transience of life. The speaker reflects on the brevity of life and the fact that all things, whether they be people, flowers, or even historical figures, are subject to decay and death. This theme is common in many of Berryman's poems, as he often writes about the fragility of human existence and the inevitability of death.

Another important theme in the sonnet is the idea of beauty and its relationship to time. The speaker is clearly in awe of the person he is addressing, finding her to be "most beautiful." However, he also recognizes that her beauty is fleeting and that it will eventually fade with time. This is a common theme in poetry, as writers often explore the ephemeral nature of beauty and the way it is linked to the passage of time.

One of the most striking literary devices used in "Sonnet 7" is the use of imagery. The speaker uses a variety of images to convey his ideas about time and beauty. For example, he describes the person he is addressing as a "white flower," which is both beautiful and fragile. He also uses the image of the "noble dead" to suggest that even those who have died are still beautiful in their own way.

Another important literary device in the sonnet is the use of repetition. The speaker repeats the phrase "most beautiful" several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the person's physical beauty and its importance to him. This repetition also underscores the speaker's awareness of the transience of beauty and its link to the passage of time.

Interpretation

"Sonnet 7" is a complex poem that can be interpreted in a variety of ways. On one level, it can be seen as a meditation on the transience of life and the fleeting nature of beauty. The speaker is clearly in awe of the person he is addressing, but he also recognizes that her beauty is ephemeral and that it will eventually fade with time.

On another level, the sonnet can be seen as a tribute to Anne Bradstreet and her poetry. Bradstreet was known for her ability to balance her religious beliefs with her personal experiences and emotions, and this is a theme that is also evident in Berryman's poetry. The image of the "white flower" could be seen as a reference to Bradstreet's poem "Contemplations," in which she writes about the beauty of nature and its connection to God.

Finally, the sonnet can be seen as a reflection of Berryman's own struggles with addiction and depression. The theme of the transience of life and the inevitability of death is common in his poetry, and it is possible that he was using the sonnet to come to terms with his own mortality.

Conclusion

"Sonnet 7" is a beautiful and complex poem that showcases John Berryman's unique style of writing. The poem explores themes of beauty, transience, and the passage of time, using a variety of literary devices such as imagery and repetition. The sonnet can be interpreted in a variety of ways, from a meditation on the fleeting nature of beauty to a tribute to Anne Bradstreet and her poetry. Ultimately, "Sonnet 7" is a testament to Berryman's skill as a poet and his ability to capture complex emotions and ideas in a few short lines.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet 7 by John Berryman is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is a part of the Dream Songs, a collection of 385 poems that Berryman wrote between 1955 and 1967. The Dream Songs are known for their complex and often surreal imagery, and Sonnet 7 is no exception. In this analysis, we will take a closer look at the themes, imagery, and language used in this sonnet.

The first thing that strikes the reader about Sonnet 7 is its structure. This sonnet is written in the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form, which consists of three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, and the meter is iambic pentameter. This structure gives the sonnet a sense of order and balance, which is in contrast to the chaotic imagery that Berryman uses.

The sonnet begins with the speaker addressing his lover, saying "O, thou hast beauty like the night." The use of "thou" and "hast" gives the sonnet an archaic feel, which is in keeping with the traditional sonnet form. The speaker then goes on to compare his lover's beauty to the night, saying that it is "cloudy and starry and immense." This comparison is interesting because the night is usually associated with darkness and mystery, whereas beauty is usually associated with light and clarity. However, Berryman's use of imagery here suggests that beauty can also be found in darkness and mystery.

In the second quatrain, the speaker shifts his focus to himself, saying "I love you, I am brave and clear and true." This line is interesting because it suggests that the speaker is trying to convince himself of his own bravery and truthfulness. The use of the word "brave" is also interesting because it suggests that the speaker is aware of the risks involved in loving someone, and is willing to take those risks.

The third quatrain is where the imagery in the sonnet becomes more surreal. The speaker says "I want to hold all the parts of thee." This line suggests that the speaker wants to possess his lover completely, both physically and emotionally. The use of the word "parts" is interesting because it suggests that the speaker sees his lover as a collection of separate pieces, rather than as a whole person. This dehumanizing imagery is in keeping with the surreal and often disturbing imagery that is found throughout the Dream Songs.

The final couplet of the sonnet is where the speaker's true feelings are revealed. He says "I am in love with what we are, not what I am." This line suggests that the speaker sees himself and his lover as a unit, rather than as separate individuals. The use of the word "we" is interesting because it suggests that the speaker sees himself and his lover as part of a larger whole, rather than as two separate people. This idea of unity is in keeping with the themes of love and connection that are found throughout the Dream Songs.

In conclusion, Sonnet 7 by John Berryman is a complex and surreal piece of poetry that explores themes of love, unity, and possession. The use of traditional sonnet form gives the sonnet a sense of order and balance, which is in contrast to the chaotic imagery that Berryman uses. The imagery in the sonnet is often surreal and disturbing, which is in keeping with the themes of the Dream Songs. Overall, Sonnet 7 is a powerful and thought-provoking piece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.

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