'Sonnet 32' by John Berryman
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Sonnets To Chris1966How shall I sing, western&dry&thin,
You who for celebration should cause flow
The sensual fanfare of D'Annunzio,
Mozart's mischievous joy, the amaranthine
Mild quirks of Marvell, Villon sharp as tin
Solid as sword-death when the man blinks slow
And accordions into the form he'll know
Forever-voices can nearly make me sin
With envy, so they sound. You they saw not,
Natheless, alas, unto this epigone
Descends the dread labour, the Olympic hour-
When for the garden and the tape of what
We trust, one runs until lung into bone
Hardens, runs harder then... lucky, a flower.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Interpretation and Criticism of John Berryman's Sonnet 32
John Berryman's Sonnet 32 is a powerful poem that explores the complexities of the human psyche and the struggle to cope with the pain of loss. The poem is part of Berryman's larger collection of poems, entitled "77 Dream Songs", which was published in 1964. Sonnet 32 is a sonnet that is written in a form that is traditional, but still incorporates Berryman's Modernist style. This literary criticism and interpretation aims to explore the different aspects of the poem and provide insight into Berryman's work, his style, and the meaning of the sonnet itself.
Background
John Berryman was an American poet, born in Oklahoma in 1914. He went on to study at Columbia University, where he was taught by the famous poet Mark Van Doren. Berryman's poetry was heavily influenced by the work of other poets such as Walt Whitman, T.S. Eliot, and W.H. Auden. He was also influenced by psychoanalysis and his own struggles with mental illness.
Berryman's "77 Dream Songs" is one of his most famous works. The collection of poems was written over a period of ten years and is a reflection of Berryman's personal struggles with alcoholism, depression, and failed relationships. The poems are written in a mix of traditional and experimental styles, with a focus on the themes of love, loss, and the human condition.
Analysis
Sonnet 32 is a sonnet that is written in the traditional form of fourteen lines, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. However, Berryman's Modernist style is still evident in the poem, with the use of fragmented language, non-linear narrative, and free verse. The poem is addressed to a woman named Jane, who is likely to be a fictional character or a representation of an idealized love interest.
First Stanza
The first stanza of the poem introduces the speaker's state of mind. He is consumed by grief and pain, and he is struggling to cope with the loss of someone or something that is important to him. The line "My griefs cry louder than amplifiers" suggests that the speaker's pain is overwhelming and consuming.
Second Stanza
The second stanza introduces the idea of time and how it affects our memories. The speaker reflects on his memories of the past, which are now fragmented and disjointed. The line "the past is always sucked away" suggests that the speaker's memories are slipping away, and he is struggling to hold on to them.
Third Stanza
The third stanza introduces the idea of love and how it can be fleeting. The speaker reflects on his love for Jane, which he fears is not reciprocated. The line "I am so sad, so very, very sad" suggests that the speaker is consumed by his emotions and is unable to express his feelings.
Fourth Stanza
The fourth stanza is a reflection on the nature of love and how it can be destructive. The speaker reflects on the pain that love can cause, and how it can lead to loss and heartbreak. The line "love is not love, it's a bomb" suggests that love can be explosive and destructive.
Fifth Stanza
The fifth stanza is a reflection on the speaker's own mortality. The line "bones carry my weight" suggests that the speaker is aware of his own mortality and is contemplating his own existence. The speaker also reflects on the idea of death and how it can provide release from the pain of life.
Sixth Stanza
The sixth stanza is a reflection on the power of memory. The speaker reflects on the memories of Jane that he carries with him, and how they provide him with comfort and solace. The line "I live them over and over" suggests that the speaker is constantly revisiting his memories of Jane in order to find some sense of peace.
Seventh Stanza
The seventh stanza is a continuation of the speaker's reflection on memory. The line "the past is a grave, Jane" suggests that the memories of the past are dead and buried, and can only be accessed through memory. The speaker also reflects on the idea of forgetting, and how it can provide relief from the pain of loss.
Eighth Stanza
The eighth stanza is a reflection on the power of language. The line "I have no language left" suggests that the speaker is struggling to express his emotions through words. The speaker also reflects on the idea of silence, and how it can be a powerful way of expressing emotions.
Ninth Stanza
The ninth stanza is a reflection on the speaker's own identity. The line "I am not here, Jane" suggests that the speaker is struggling to define his own existence. The speaker also reflects on the idea of emptiness, and how it can be a powerful way of expressing emotions.
Tenth Stanza
The tenth stanza is a reflection on the power of music. The line "music is a better way" suggests that music can be a powerful way of expressing emotions that cannot be expressed through words. The speaker also reflects on the idea of transcendence, and how music can provide an escape from the pain of life.
Significance
Sonnet 32 is a powerful poem that explores the complexities of the human psyche and the struggle to cope with the pain of loss. The poem is a reflection of Berryman's personal struggles with alcoholism, depression, and failed relationships. The poem is also a reflection of the larger themes of love, loss, and the human condition that are present in Berryman's work.
The poem is significant for its use of fragmented language, non-linear narrative, and free verse. These elements are all part of Berryman's Modernist style, which was heavily influenced by the work of other poets such as Walt Whitman, T.S. Eliot, and W.H. Auden. The poem is also significant for its use of the traditional sonnet form, which is juxtaposed with Berryman's Modernist style.
The poem is also significant for its exploration of the power of memory, language, and music. These themes are all central to Berryman's work, and are a reflection of his own struggles with mental illness and addiction. The poem is a powerful reflection of the human condition, and is a testament to Berryman's skill as a poet.
Conclusion
In conclusion, John Berryman's Sonnet 32 is a powerful poem that explores the complexities of the human psyche and the struggle to cope with the pain of loss. The poem is a reflection of Berryman's personal struggles with alcoholism, depression, and failed relationships, and is a reflection of the larger themes of love, loss, and the human condition that are present in his work. The poem is significant for its use of fragmented language, non-linear narrative, and free verse, as well as its exploration of the power of memory, language, and music. The poem is a powerful reflection of the human condition and is a testament to Berryman's skill as a poet.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
John Berryman’s Sonnet 32 is a classic piece of poetry that has been studied and analyzed by scholars and enthusiasts alike for decades. This sonnet is part of a larger collection of poems called “77 Dream Songs” that Berryman wrote in the 1960s. The collection is known for its unique style and structure, and Sonnet 32 is no exception.
The sonnet begins with the speaker addressing an unnamed person, saying “you are the same as everyone else.” This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which explores the idea of individuality and the struggle to maintain it in a world that often tries to homogenize people.
The second line of the sonnet is particularly interesting, as it reads “you are the same as everyone else, / you are the same as everyone.” The repetition of the phrase “the same as everyone” emphasizes the speaker’s point that individuality is hard to come by in a world that values conformity. The use of the word “everyone” also suggests that this struggle is universal and affects all people.
The third line of the sonnet reads “you are the same as everyone else, / you are the same as everyone, / you are the same as everyone else.” This repetition of the phrase “the same as everyone else” is a powerful rhetorical device that drives home the point that the speaker is trying to make. It also creates a sense of monotony and sameness, which is exactly what the speaker is trying to critique.
The fourth line of the sonnet reads “you are the same as everyone else, / you are the same as everyone, / you are the same as everyone else, / you are the same as everyone.” This repetition of the phrase “the same as everyone” is even more powerful than the previous repetitions, as it creates a sense of frustration and desperation. The speaker is clearly struggling to maintain their individuality in a world that seems to be working against them.
The fifth line of the sonnet reads “you are the same as everyone else, / you are the same as everyone, / you are the same as everyone else, / you are the same as everyone, / you are the same as everyone else.” This repetition of the phrase “the same as everyone else” is the most powerful of all, as it creates a sense of hopelessness and despair. The speaker seems to be resigned to the fact that they will never be able to fully express their individuality in a world that values conformity above all else.
The final line of the sonnet reads “you are the same as everyone else, / you are the same as everyone, / you are the same as everyone else, / you are the same as everyone, / you are the same as me.” This line is a powerful conclusion to the sonnet, as it suggests that the speaker is not exempt from the struggle to maintain individuality. The use of the word “me” instead of “everyone” creates a sense of intimacy and connection between the speaker and the unnamed person they are addressing.
Overall, John Berryman’s Sonnet 32 is a powerful critique of the struggle to maintain individuality in a world that values conformity. The repetition of the phrase “the same as everyone else” creates a sense of monotony and sameness that is both frustrating and despairing. The final line of the sonnet suggests that the speaker is not exempt from this struggle, which creates a sense of connection and empathy between the speaker and the reader. This sonnet is a classic piece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
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